Rapid Dominance [Black Ops Brotherhood 1] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Bella Juarez

  * * * *

  I miss you, but you know my situation. We can’t meet right now so I will contact you like this, okay?

  Who is this?

  Your first love…

  Reese?

  You know me best! Talk to you later. Kisses!

  Maggie’s heart fluttered. Reese! He had finally grown tired of that Mexican whore and was coming back. Maggie’s father had been right. He had figured it out with time. She had heard Victoria was pregnant. It was as she had suspected in the ten years they had been married. Pregnancy ruined a marriage. Victoria was losing her shape and her appeal. Thank goodness she had never succumbed to Reese’s desire for children. He was bored and looking to come back.

  * * * *

  Marco smiled as he watched Maggie Thompson’s reaction to the text messages he was sending her. She really was as crazy as her medical records had indicated if she really thought Reese Thompson was interested in her. He had studied Reese Thompson for months and it was clear Victoria Thompson was the only woman for him.

  Marco calculated if he gave Maggie enough hints she would create and elaborate a story all her own and believe it. He also planned on blackmailing Major Thompson with a fake affair between him and his ex-wife. Maggie was like nitro, unstable and volatile. Major Thompson would do anything to keep her away from him and his new family. Maybe even turn over that laptop, if it gets hot enough…

  Marco scoffed as he compared Victoria to Maggie. Victoria Saenz Thompson was a Latina beauty, even if she was pregnant. Maggie was a scrawny chic with no shape or personality. The guy must have been desperate or stupid. It was obvious Reese had fixed his first mistake with Victoria.

  * * * *

  Special Agent Gavin Walsh looked at the results of the data mining which had come back from Victoria Thompson’s backup drive. From law enforcement’s prospective, there was nothing suspect here. It was as Mrs. Thompson had told him, Crescent Environmental was doing a job and it was being accomplished to the letter of the specifications laid out in the government contract the company had been awarded. Gavin put a different hat on…

  From a military tactical perspective, it was the keys to the kingdom. Plans to several buildings on Quantico had been obtained including the FBI training facility. There were all kinds of pictures and structural information regarding the buildings Victoria Thompson had been studying. Gavin looked at the financial records of the company. Three years ago there had been several wire transfers from a foreign bank that would not answer questions regarding the originator of the wire transfers. Gavin was in the process of obtaining a warrant for the information.

  “Walsh, can I see you for a minute?” Special Agent Ross Samson asked from the doorway of Gavin’s office.

  “Sure, Ross, what’s up?” Gavin asked.

  “That warrant you requested was denied. Not enough evidence,” Special Agent Sampson informed.

  “You know I’m new, Ross. Talk to me about the Patriot Act, you know, all these interagency agreements we now have since 9-11,” Gavin said.

  Gavin had retired from the Navy with twenty-four years and had been recruited by the FBI. So much had changed since the war had begun. Lines that were once black and white now had tinges of gray. As a former SEAL, Gavin had to be careful because he was the type to push the envelope. He was having some difficulties with his new project down in Texas as a result of stepping over a few gray lines.

  “They’re great on paper,” Ross said.

  “How do we use them?” Gavin asked.

  “We really don’t, too many turf wars and too much paperwork.”

  “What if we can get help from the Department of Defense on the case I’m working?” Gavin asked.

  “If you can get them to help, go for it. Your old buddies at DoD are the worst ones about helping. They just classify all their shit and won’t let anyone see it,” Ross scoffed.

  “If they cooperate, what do I have to do as far as paperwork?” Gavin pressed.

  “Same thing you had to do when you took that hard drive from Quantico,” Ross said.

  “That’s it?” Gavin said.

  “You have to get the appropriate official on their side to sign it, the best possible signature is an O-6 or above. No one questions those signatures,” Ross said.

  “Thanks, boss,” Gavin said as he stood.

  * * * *

  Honey, are you there?

  Maggie’s heart leapt when she heard the phone chime indicating she had a text message. Reese had been texting her every few days and it was thrilling. They had been discussing their future plans to get back together just as soon as his kid was born and taken from that slut. She had convinced him to see an attorney and be done with it as soon as the child was born. She had informed him she had lined up a nanny who was ready to start immediately.

  When can I see you?

  I wish I could see you, but you know what’s going on. Can’t risk it right now. Someone’s coming, talk to you later.

  Maggie had to figure a way to hurry this along. She really didn’t want kids and according to Sandy, this pregnancy of Victoria’s was not going well. She smiled. She knew exactly what to do…

  Chapter Seventeen

  Reese sat in front of Frank Stanfield dreading the conversation he needed to have with the man. Frank took a long drink and sat back.

  “Congrats on the promotion, Lieutenant Colonel Thompson,” Frank said.

  “Thanks, Frank,” Reese said as he looked away.

  Frank frowned slightly. He knew something wasn’t right. Reese just didn’t know how to begin.

  “What’s up?” Frank asked

  “Frank, I need you to talk to you about Sandy,” Reese said.

  “Sandy?” What’s up?” Frank asked, puzzled.

  “Victoria does all her office work from home. The other day Maggie and Sandy paid her a visit. Victoria is in a delicate place right now and I don’t need her stressed out,” Reese said.

  “What?” Frank said, shocked.

  “Victoria is in her second trimester and she’s been having a few problems. Sandy and Maggie are obsessed with making Victoria’s life miserable. I just got an attorney to file a restraining order against Maggie. I don’t want to have to do that with Sandy,” Reese said.

  “Jesus, Reese! I had no idea.”

  “I didn’t think you did. Please, can we handle this between us?” Reese asked.

  “Thanks for coming to me, I’ll take care of it. And I’m sorry,” Frank said finally.

  “Please, Frank, help me on this one,” Reese said.

  “No problem,” Frank said.

  * * * *

  Frank Stanfield was fuming as he drove through early rush-hour traffic. The drive only fueled the rage that he was about to unleash on his wife as soon as he hit the door. When he arrived home his anger fumed even further because Sandy wasn’t home. Frank stalked into the house and poured himself a large scotch. Drinking would only add more fuel. He was done with Sandy and Maggie.

  For a few years Frank had ignored what was going on between Sandy and Maggie. Reese called it right, they were obsessed with Victoria. Reese and Victoria had been married for over two years now. They had lived together for almost a year before they got married.

  For Christ’s sake! Enough is enough! Frank was humiliated today. He had been humiliated by someone who could hurt him and even ruin his career if he wanted to. Thank God Reese was not the vindictive type, like him.

  Frank was on his third scotch and sitting in the living room when he heard Sandy come in.

  “Frank?” Sandy called. “Wait here,” he heard her say to someone in the other room.

  “Come in, baby doll, and bring your friend with you,” Frank said sweetly.

  Sandy treaded hesitantly into the room, and low and behold, Maggie was with her. Frank couldn’t have this situation line up any better. He smiled inwardly. This is going to be fun!

  “You’re home early, honey pie,” Sandy said as she walked up to Frank.

&nb
sp; “Ah! My two favorite people. Sit,” Frank said.

  Maggie and Sandy exchanged looks. They knew something was amiss. He was never this hospitable. Most of the time, he ignored them and went straight to his study. Maggie smiled sweetly.

  “Well, I really must be going now, Sandy. I had a wonderful afternoon,” Maggie said.

  “No, No. Sit down, Maggie. Can I get you something?” Frank asked as he stood and sauntered to the bar.

  Maggie and Sandy slowly made their way to the large couch in the room. They sat exchanging glances. Frank smiled inwardly. He had them on edge. Time to drop your guard, ladies.

  “Baby doll? A glass of wine?’ Frank asked, refilling his scotch.

  “Thank you, Frank, that would be lovely,” Sandy answered.

  Frank poured two glasses of wine and handed them to the ladies as he returned to the bar to retrieve his glass of scotch.

  “So what have you two been up to?” Busy?” Frank asked.

  “No, not really, we had lunch and looked around Fair Oaks today,” Sandy said.

  “Fair Oaks, huh? Anywhere else?” Frank asked.

  “How have you been, Frank?” Maggie asked as she sipped daintily from her glass.

  “Good,” Frank said, taking a long drink.

  “Have you seen Reese lately?” Maggie asked innocently.

  “Funny you should ask, Maggie, I saw him today. You, of course, know he made lieutenant colonel,” Frank said.

  “Of course!” Maggie said lightly.

  “You still stay in touch with him, don’t you?” Frank asked.

  Frank could tell Sandy was getting increasingly uncomfortable with the conversation. Maggie, on the other hand, was encouraged. She seemed to brighten with every leading question Frank asked.

  “Oh, he calls all the time,” Maggie said as she took another drink.

  “Oh? Then you knew he made rank. When did he put it on again? I forget…” Frank said, trailing off.

  “It was two months ago,” Maggie said firmly.

  “Was it?” Frank asked.

  “I didn’t go to the ceremony because it would’ve been awkward. We’re not ready to announce our plans to get back together,” Maggie said.

  “Do tell…” Frank smiled sweetly.

  “Maggie, didn’t you say you needed to do something this evening?” Sandy asked as she nervously shifted in her seat.

  “Don’t interrupt, baby doll, Maggie’s among friends,” Frank said.

  “Well, I guess I could stay for a few more minutes.” Maggie smiled.

  “Another glass, Maggie?” Frank asked.

  “If you don’t mind.”

  “So what are the big plans?” Frank asked as he poured.

  “Maggie…” Sandy warned.

  “Sandy, I really want to hear this,” Frank said, engaged.

  Frank knew Sandy was extremely uncomfortable with the conversation because he had already warned her to stay away from Maggie. In fact, Maggie had been the cause of some major fights between them. Walking in together today only confirmed that Sandy was sneaking around and going against his wishes. Frank was enjoying this setup and he was going to enjoy slamming both of them even more.

  “Well, as you know, Frank, I can’t have children. Reese and I have gotten the maid pregnant and as soon as she has the baby, she’s out and I’m back in. I can’t wait to be a mother!” Maggie said.

  “Really? Go on…” Frank said encouragingly.

  “This whole divorce and fake marriage to the maid is all just a charade. Reese didn’t want me humiliated with the whole childless thing,” Maggie said.

  “Interesting. Reese had a different take on it today,” Frank said nonchalantly.

  “Maggie…” Sandy said as she shot Frank a warning look.

  Maggie was enthralled and disregarded the signal that Sandy was sending her.

  “You know Reese, he’s so sweet. He’s trying to protect the maid’s feelings,” Maggie said sympathetically.

  “So you’ve been okay with him having sex with the maid every chance he gets for the last three years to make this baby?” Frank asked.

  Maggie visibly blanched.

  “Damn, baby doll, can we get a maid? I want kids, too!” Frank laughed.

  “Frank, it’s not quite like that…” Maggie started to explain.

  “Sure it is! I mean he takes her to Hawaii, Europe, Japan, and of course to bed every night. You’re a lot more open-minded than Sandy,” Frank said with a smile.

  “Frank, the maid is carrying my baby. She’s the surrogate mother. It’s my egg and Reese’s sperm. They haven’t had sex,” Maggie said as she put down her wineglass.

  “It’s Reese’s sperm all right, and newsflash, Maggie, they really are married and have been for some time now. I signed the paperwork for her dependent ID card. Victoria Thompson is not a maid, she’s an environmental engineer with a private company in Reston. She’s a government contractor. They’re doing work in my building, for Christ’s sake! I see her and the people she works with twice a week. Your ex-husband fucks his new wife every chance he gets and Reese doesn’t want you around, Maggie. In fact, you’ve become such a nuisance, he’s filed a restraining order against you to keep you the hell away from him and his family,” Frank snarled.

  “Frank!” Sandy exclaimed

  “Shut up, Sandy!” Frank snapped. “Maggie, you have a problem and I don’t want me or Sandy to be a part of it. So get the hell out of my house and never come back,” he said firmly.

  “You’re drunk! It’s my house, too!” Sandy exclaimed, reaching for Maggie’s hand.

  “Sandy, you can leave with her. In fact, if you don’t like it, you can move the fuck out any time you’re ready,” Frank said flatly.

  Maggie began to sob quietly and Sandy tried to comfort her.

  “I hope you’re happy!” Sandy snapped.

  “Get her out of my house right now,” Frank said with disgust.

  * * * *

  Reese arrived home at his usual time and found Victoria curled up in bed. She was always so tired. She had been to the doctor today and he wanted to find out the latest on the baby. He was cooking dinner when she came downstairs. He smiled at her. She’s getting so big so fast.

  “Hey there, sweetness,” Reese said as he took Victoria in his arms.

  “Hey. Why didn’t you wake me up when you got home?” Victoria asked as she buried her head into Reese’s chest.

  “You need your rest,” Reese said, kissing the top of her head. “So what’s the latest from the doctor?”

  “I found out why I still can’t drag my butt out of bed,” Victoria said.

  “It couldn’t possibly be from carrying a baby?” Reese asked.

  “It’s not a baby,” Victoria said.

  Reese pulled away from Victoria and stared at her for a moment. “What the hell is it? An alien?” Reese asked.

  “I said it’s not a baby,” Victoria said again.

  “What are we having? Puppies?” Reese asked, not really catching on.

  “Congratulations, Colonel Thompson, you have sired twins,” Victoria said as she rested her head against Reese’s chest.

  “What!” Reese said, releasing Victoria.

  “They did a sonogram today and there are two babies in there,” Victoria said.

  “I thought the sonogram was scheduled in two weeks? I scheduled the day off for that,” Reese said, feeling slightly cheated.

  “I guess they were tired of me bitching about being tired all the time. Now we know. They’re still doing a sonogram in two weeks,” Victoria said.

  “Twins?”

  “Twins,” Victoria confirmed.

  They ate dinner in relative quiet. They talked about having to make a double nursery until the kids were old enough to have separate rooms. Twins! He still couldn’t believe it. They decided to call the grandparents after dinner. When they crawled into bed together, he pulled Victoria close. She was already sleepy, even after her earlier nap.

  “I talke
d to Frank today and Mr. Ramirez,” Reese said.

  “And?” Victoria asked with a yawn.

  “And Maggie will be served tomorrow. Frank is taking care of Sandy,” Reese said as he kissed the top of Victoria’s head.

  “Reese, Maggie is crazy. I mean truly crazy. I’m scared of her. Why did she come back all of a sudden?” Victoria asked

  “I don’t know, sweetness, and it doesn’t matter. She’ll be gone again,” Reese said, stroking her hair.

  * * * *

  Maggie was confused as she looked at the paper in her hands. It was a restraining order that had been delivered informing her she would go to jail if she came anywhere near Victoria or Reese Thompson. Her father had been furious, demanding an explanation. Maggie simply talked in circles and avoided any direct answers. Her father finally threw up his hands and walked away. Maggie picked up her phone and sent Reese a text, wanting an explanation. Two hours later she was still waiting.

  Why did you go to the house? I thought you understood?

  I can’t wait, darling. We don’t need children. We have each other.

  Be patient, I promise it’s worth the wait. In the meantime don’t come around the house or try to contact me. I’ll contact you. I had to do this for her.

  Maggie sat back, frustrated. This was taking too long! She had to think of something…She wanted her husband back.

  * * * *

  Six months had passed and time seemed to fly. It seemed to Reese as if it were yesterday that he was looking at the screen in the doctor’s office seeing his kids for the first time. Victoria was two weeks away from her scheduled cesarean section and the babies coming home. Early one evening, she jumped up from the couch as fast as she could, which wasn’t very fast because she was huge now. She had been complaining about her back hurting and not being able to sleep. When she finally managed to stand there was water everywhere.

  “What the hell happened? Did you pee yourself?” Reese demanded.

  “No!” Victoria said.