“I’m sorry for what I said to you in the hallway at the Erotic Bean. That was uncalled for. And just so we’re square, nothing about you and me was ever a lie, Dix.”
She didn’t respond and headed down the hallway to her bedroom.
Fifteen years of life apart had carved them into different people but hadn’t healed the scars. Special Ops taught him that you never left a brother behind. He hadn’t learned that lesson yet when he’d abandoned her.
Josh needed to find the asshole stalking her, or she’d leave. He’d said goodbye to plenty of women, but none of them caused an ache in his chest like his teenage sweetheart had.
He gazed around the darkened living room. Muscle memory was real. Wasn’t the heart a muscle? SEALs trained for years to control their minds and emotions. The thready beat in his chest didn’t seem to give a shit and dared Josh to deny the truth. After all this time, Dixie still meant something to him.
Chapter Five
Josh’s back ached like a bastard. In hindsight, he might have chosen a bed of rocks versus Dixie’s spare room. His dreams, however, swirled around an eighteen-year-old version of the sexy, stubborn woman down the hall.
When he heard her get up around five a.m., he allowed himself to fall into a deeper sleep. Josh woke an hour later to the smell of fresh brewed coffee. He stretched out the kinks, wondering whether she’d consider sleeping at his place a night or two. Not only would it screw with her stalker’s head, but he wouldn’t have coil spring indentations in his ass.
Josh took a quick shower and dressed. He grinned, wondering what she’d have done if he’d traipsed into the kitchen with a towel wrapped around his waist to bid her good morning. Dix still had a sharp sense of humor. She’d probably rip the towel off and smack him in the butt.
“Morning,” she said, clutching her mug of coffee in both hands and leaning against the kitchen counter. “Mattress sucks, doesn’t it?”
Josh scrubbed his stubbled jaw. “Think I’ll sleep on the floor tonight.”
She chuckled and poured him a cup of coffee and tipped her head, indicating he should sit at the table where a bowl of grapefruit with a side plate of buttered toast sat. “Do you live on the base?”
He downed half the coffee before answering. “Nope. Why don’t you pack a bag and stay with me tonight. I guarantee my bed is more comfortable.”
Dix topped up her cup of coffee. “Gross! I’m not sleeping in a bed you’ve shared with a bunch of women.”
He rolled his eyes. “I’ve been in San Diego ten months. Six of which I was on a special project in DC. Besides,” he raised a brow, “I’m talking about a spare bed, not mine.”
Dix’s cheeks turned a pretty hue of pink. “Eat your breakfast,” she ordered.
“Yes, ma’am.” He couldn’t pass up a chance at making her squirm. “Unless you want to sleep with me.”
She had her back to him while standing at the sink, and her shoulders straightened. “Get real, sailor.”
He chuckled and added some jam to his toast. After washing down breakfast with two cups of coffee, he searched the house and the yard. No new notes.
Within the hour, they were in his truck and headed for Coronado. When he pulled up in front of the Erotic Bean, he said, “Maybe I should come in with you.”
She shook her head. “I have an alarm system, Josh. If someone broke in, I’d know about it.”
“Any sign of trouble, you call me.”
Dix narrowed an eye at him. “That sounds like an order.”
He grinned. “Aren’t you going to kiss me goodbye?”
“In your dreams, SEAL,” she said before jumping out.
Ten minutes past zero seven-hundred hours, Josh walked into his office at Base Command.
“Morning, Red.”
Captain Redding lifted his gaze from the paperwork on his desk. “Morning, son. Before you take a seat.” He pointed to the visitor’s chair in front of his desk.
“What’s up?”
The old warrior folded his hands and his features slipped into a melancholy expression. “Cricket and Lt. Bach invited Lydia and me to their Memorial Day housewarming party.”
Josh waited for the punchline.
“It’s time,” Red stated. “I’ve had a good run. Worked with exemplary men and lived to tell the tale. I’m retiring. And—I’m going to announce it at the party.”
“That’s good news, Red. But I can see on your face you’d rather stay here than take up golf as a hobby.”
“Always hated golf,” he grumbled. “Stats say guys like me kick the bucket soon after retirement.”
Josh chuckled. “Doubt that’s the case, but it’s time to give Lydia and the grandkids more of your time. You won’t regret it. Wish I had a comparison for you, but my family are ranchers. They retire when they drop dead in the back forty.”
Red sighed. “Can’t lie and say I won’t miss being part of the action, even though I’ve sat at this desk for years. I’m an old war horse but it’s time I pulled the pin.”
“Admiral Timmons know?” Josh asked.
Red sipped from a stained coffee mug with a picture of Snow White on the side. Apparently, a present from Kayla, Admiral Austin’s wife.
“He does. Notified him yesterday.”
Glancing to his left, the captain watched the comm room staffed with Nina Callahan and Rayne Levy. Everyone called Miss Levy, Cricket. Nina had a team name as well, but only Tony Bale, a BUD/S instructor who’d ended his active duty with Alpha Squad a while ago, called her Ninja Girl.
Josh sympathized with Red. Leaving the SEALs wasn’t like quitting a job at McDonalds. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy retirement.”
“My wife says the same thing.” He sighed. “You were the right man to take operational command of the west coast teams. Wasn’t easy filling Ghost’s boots.” Red put his attention back on Josh. “You’re a lot like him.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Josh and the captain had never worked together out in the field, but his predecessor had. In twelve years, Josh had completed nine deployments. Like Thane Austen, he continued to deploy with his men. They’d be leaving in August. Which reminded him that he didn’t have much time to find Dixie’s stalker. “I’ve got a meeting with NCIS today at ten.”
Red’s brow arched. “Something I need to know?”
“It’s a favor. A friend of mine has an admirer. One she doesn’t want. He’s been stalking her for years.”
The captain sat back in his seat and folded his hands over his slight belly. “That’s a long time. Boyfriend gone wrong?”
Josh shook his head. “No. She doesn’t know who he is. His notes aren’t signed.” He reached into his computer bag and pulled out the bloated folder he’d wrapped in plastic to protect the evidence. If there was any. Placing it on Red’s desk, he said, “This is just one folder. She’s got several of them. Twelve years’ worth. He’s been following her from state to state.”
Captain Redding’s brow knit with concern. “And you want to catch this guy.”
“I will. Dixie can’t keep running.”
Red gnawed on his bottom lip for a second. “Sounds like she’s asked the right man for help.”
He chuckled. “She didn’t ask. I offered. Then insisted. We go back a ways.”
A knowing grin slipped onto the old boy’s face. “Is that so?”
Josh rose and returned to his desk. “Yes, sir. Way back.” He cleared his throat and shoved the folder into his bag, setting it behind the desk. “Ditz will come by later. He’s got surveillance video from the Erotic Bean.”
Red perched his elbows on the desktop. “That new coffeehouse on Orange Avenue?”
“That’s the one. Dixie Hammond owns the shop. If Nina and Cricket aren’t busy with base business, I’d like them to help Ditz with the video. The guy left a note in Dixie’s shop yesterday. If we can identify who we’re dealing with, I can stop him.”
Red nodded. “Anything I can do to help?”
“Thank
s, Red. Business as usual around here. I’ll get a bead on this guy and convince him to lay off.”
The captain’s phone rang. “I’m not throwing in the towel until the thirtieth of June. Let me know if I can do anything.”
A jingle alerted Josh to an incoming text. Entering his password, he saw the text from Dixie.
He’s at it again.
Where?
He left a note sticking out of a book.
Josh dialed her number. “What did it say?” he asked when Dixie answered.
“Sabrina found it sticking out of a book in the non-fiction section.”
His temper churned like a tornado. “Are you hedging for a reason?”
“Yes,” she said.
“Where are you?”
“In my office.”
She obviously didn’t want to tell him what was on the note. “Put the note in a clean plastic bag and give it to Ditz when he comes to get the surveillance video. Make sure you include the video from this morning.” The guy had balls, but maybe he’d just tightened the noose around his own nutsack. “The video from this morning is a smaller window to investigate. Is the shop busy?”
“As always. Numerous customers.”
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. It’s going to take a little time, but this will end.”
She sighed. “You’re pretty sure of yourself.”
“In more ways than one.” He grinned, then realized he’d called her sweetheart again. It just kept slipping out.
The line was quiet for a moment. “I’ll wait until Ditz comes, then I’ll head to the police department.”
“I’m meeting Lt. Manchester at eight-thirty. I’ll pick you up later and we’ll go together.” Josh sat in his office chair and signed into his computer. When she didn’t respond, he prodded, “Agreed?”
“I can handle this myself. Not like I haven’t had practice and can tell you step by step what will happen at the police station.”
“I’ve got a method to my madness, Dix. NCIS will pass the case to the local PD. Coming from the agency will lend more support.”
“I suppose that makes sense.”
He chuckled. “When have I never made sense?” She snorted. And he knew exactly what she would say. “Don’t answer that. I’ll see ya soon.”
As teenagers they used to talk on the phone twenty times a day if they weren’t together. A few women he’d dated had texting down to a science. He didn’t have time for love texts, nor did he want to play the game with gals he’d been straightforward with about not getting into a long-term relationship. But with Dix, the rules changed. A definite sign he should tread carefully.
Josh glanced at the window that faced Glorietta Bay. Another warm day and calm seas. A knock on the door made him swivel.
What the fuck! Admiral Thane Austen leaned in. Red rose to his feet.
“I gotta go, sweetheart. SEAL royalty just walked in the door.”
Ghost gave him the middle finger before he and Red greeted each other.
“Okay, see ya soon, Hung…”
His heart slammed to a halt.
Dixie quickly said, “I’ll see ya later.” And she hung up.
Holy shit! She’d almost uttered the nickname she used to tease him with. A little twist to his last name—Hungster instead of Hunter. Although Dixie carried a lot of weight on her shoulders, the gal who used to be a mix of sweet and naughty might be dormant, but not gone.
She used to rile the shit out of him when they were on the phone.
Her parents wouldn’t buy her a cell, so he did. Neither of them knew what phone sex was back then, but they’d invented their own brand. Dix would lay in bed and whisper she was wet and aching. With hormones shooting through his system at the time, it definitely had an effect. Their exchanges got hot and heavy fast when he gave as good he got.
He couldn’t help but grin at the memory while staring down at his desk.
“Looks like he’s lost in thought,” Ghost said, attracting his attention.
Red laughed. “That look reminds me of another commander who sat in this office.”
Josh tossed his cell on the desk. “What the fuck are you doing here? Surprise inspection?”
Ghost grinned then broke into a laugh. “Screw you, Hunter. Get out of my chair.”
They both laughed and shook hands.
Watching his old mentor limp back to his desk, Ghost’s brow creased with concern. “Did you drop the bomb on Josh?”
“A couple minutes ago.” The leather chair groaned, as did Red when he resumed his seat.
Thane Austen placed his massive girth in the visitor’s chair in front of Red’s desk. “Think you should spread the word before the barbeque?”
Red waved him off. “Don’t want a big fuss. Besides, you’re the surprise attraction.”
Josh leaned back, intrigued. “As in?”
“Kayla, the kids and I are coming home.”
“You’re giving up the West Coast Chain Command?”
He nodded. “Got a better offer. One that allows us to live here in San Diego. Kayla and I like Hawaii, but she misses the fire-breathing harpy.” He jerked his head toward the comm center, indicating Nina Callahan, her best friend. “Marg, Lumin, and Mattie are on that list, of course. Good thing I have a free long distance phone plan or I’d be penniless.”
Ghost didn’t specify the details of his new position. Knowing his connections, Josh bet it was something high-level, maybe even dark ops. “Anyone else know you’re coming back?”
Admiral Austen removed his cap and set it on the edge of Red’s desk, then ran a hand over his short, dirty-blond hair. “Lt. Bach knows. Cricket has been talking with Kayla. They wanted it to be a surprise.” He chuckled. “Kayla’s out with Marg Cobbs right now. They’re looking at a house that happens to be for sale across the street from Marg. I don’t have to burn many brain cells to know my ass will be requested to sign on the dotted line this afternoon.”
Captain Redding nodded. “Our wives rule the roost. To keep the peace, best let them choose the nest.”
“Does Kayla want to come back to Base Command?” Josh would have her on the comm team any day.
Ghost grinned and shook his head. “Not happening. Course, that’s my opinion, which doesn’t count for much in my household. Not sure how that happened. Got thousands of men at my command, but my wife never listens to me.”
Wasn’t a man alive that couldn’t see the respect Ghost had for his wife. Team guys still called her Snow White. Thane Austen had all the characteristics of a man in charge, but Kayla was his partner and equal. Josh knew them both and when the Austens were in the same room, their love for one another was pretty evident. Course, they’d been through hell and back together.
Austen got up and retrieved a cup of water from the plastic jug kept in the office. “Tell me more about this stalker who’s after your friend, Josh.”
He wished he had more to tell. Ghost pretty much knew all the details. “He paid a visit to Dixie’s home last night. Left the neighbor’s tabby stuck to the front door with a bowie knife and a note.”
Ghost’s chin dropped and his piercing blue gaze intensified. “What did it say?”
“Send him away. But it was the note left in her shop that bothers me. Confirms he’s been watching. The note yesterday said, ‘I’ll kill you first before letting him put his cock in you.’ The guy left a love letter on my windshield last night, as well. Told me to stay away from Dix.” He grinned. “Worst fucking thing he could have done. Since Dix has run every time he shows up, he thinks she will again. I won’t let her do that.”
“Sounds a little familiar,” Red stated. “And not in a good way.”
Josh agreed, knowing Red referred to the Blood Shark. “Up until now, the notes presented a psychological threat. Yesterday was the first time he’d intimated physical harm. To me, it means he’ll take the next step if I don’t clear out of the way. I’ll stay with Dix at her place. Not giving this guy an opening to act on whatever fucked-up
fantasies are going through his head.”
Ghost and Red shared a look and Josh assumed it had to do with when the Blood Shark hunted Kayla.
The admiral nodded. “I’ll tag along with you when you drop by NCIS.”
“Thanks, Admiral, but I got this covered.”
Ghost shook his head. “No, you don’t. Believe me.”
He wasn’t concerned about Dixie’s state of mind. “She’s not scared.”
The admiral’s smile turned caustic. “Oh, she’s scared. Or she will be, and that’s when things get dangerous. You, on the other hand, haven’t tasted fear yet.”
“With all due respect, Admiral, I know you dealt with the Blood Shark, but this guy is different. Dix isn’t a wilting flower. She’s more pissed off than worried.” He tapped the desk with his finger. “And so am I. Her stalker isn’t some skilled insurgent.”
The Admiral glanced at Red and nodded slowly. “You’re missing my point, Commander. This isn’t about his skills. It’s about the target. You haven’t connected the dots yet, but you will because I can see she’s more than just a friend.”
Josh shifted in his chair and sat a little straighter. Was the admiral just guessing? Or was Josh missing something? Austen had been in his shoes. Kayla’s stalker had already brutally murdered several women before he’d turned his sights on the petite brunette who worked at Base Command.
Admiral Austen watched him with a penetrating stare before adding, “Dixie’s not scared now, but she will be once she figures out her stalker’s target is you.”
“Me? He’s not after me.”
The admiral chuckled. “He is now and that’s when things go sideways.” He returned to his seat and palmed the paper cup. “It took years before Kayla told me the truth. When the Shark started hunting her, she didn’t care if she died. What terrified her was when I declared war on the sonofabitch. When I put myself in his cross-hairs, that’s when Kayla really got scared and she did exactly the opposite of what I thought she’d do. She tried to drive me away and attract the Shark.”
Dixie Under Siege (A Warrior's Passion Book 2) Page 6
