Sam walked up. “You boys kiss and make up? Because we need to get over to the grave site.”
“We’re good,” Kyle said as he put his arm around King.
“Good. Because Zhanna wouldn’t want the two of you to stay angry. She rather enjoyed the cocky banter I’ve so grown to hate.”
Sam gave them a wink and then cuddled up under King’s arm. The three of them walked quietly to the last place any of them wanted to go.
Chapter Forty-Three
Zhanna’s send-off was no spectacle. There weren’t a lot of people gathered around her casket, but some important people did show up to pay respects, and that meant a lot to King. The main VIP being the President himself. There was normally a long wait to have someone buried at Arlington. The President not only skipped the line for Zhanna, but he made it possible entirely. Arlington was reserved for US soldiers, which technically Zhanna wasn’t, but he made sure she was recognized as one like she deserved. And he didn’t skimp on ceremony. There was a casket team, a firing party, and a bugler all on hand to see her burial done properly. King gave Bobby a nod as he walked forward and laid a single white rose atop her cherrywood casket. King had chosen that type of wood to symbolize her red hair.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the chaplain said. “Coworker and friend of Ms. Dragov, Alexander King, would like to say a few words.”
King nodded a thank-you to the chaplain. Then he took a moment to look over the few who had gathered. There was of course Sam, Kyle, and Jack. Then he saw Lawson Raines with his arm around his blonde-haired daughter, Lexi. Lexi reminded King of his niece, Kaley. Lawson had flown his partner, Cassie, and Lexi there to pay respects to the woman who’d helped Lawson get out of Mexico City alive. On down the line of people, there were a few higher-ups in the CIA, including Director Lucas, and then of course the President and his wife, Beth.
King looked down at the casket and shook his head. He couldn’t believe such a vibrant woman was gone. His heart longed to hear that Russian accent one last time. He looked up at Kyle and Sam for support. Both of them nodded and gave him a smile.
“I will never forget the first time I met Zhanna Dragov. My team had just arrived in Tuscany, Italy. We were regrouping before we went after Russian crime boss Vitalii Dragov. That’s right, we were going after Zhanna’s father. I remember hating her before I ever even met her because of who her father was. I was not happy at all that Sam had set it up. But when I saw Zhanna walk down out of that helicopter . . .” King looked over at Kyle and gave him a wink. King couldn’t help but laugh. “I have to tell you, she was hard to hate. Am I right, Kyle?”
Kyle nodded and wiped away a tear as he laughed.
“Kyle was in love at first sight, let me tell you.”
King watched Sam give Kyle a playful elbow to the ribs as she smiled.
“Zhanna, as you all know, was a one-of-a-kind beauty. That fiery-red hair and those emerald-green eyes were enough to make anyone stop and take notice. And though it was the last thing I wanted to do at the time, I couldn’t help but be mesmerized. But I’m going to tell you right now, as beautiful as Zhanna was on the outside, that was no match for the fire she had inside her to fight for what was right in the world. Even when that meant going up against her own father. And after we took care of business in Moscow, that flame never wavered on all the other missions we carried out. I can’t tell you how many times that wonderful woman saved my life and the lives of my dearest friends.”
King had to pause for a moment to let the rising emotion settle. Then he switched gears.
“There are a lot of important qualities a soldier, or an operator, has to have to do the things that Zhanna did for this country. You have to be smart, you have to be strong, and of course you have to be brave. But what you need most of all—the one quality that can often times beat all the others I mentioned put together—is heart. When your mind is telling you that you can’t do something, or that something is too dangerous—when your brain screams at you not to go around that next corner because death will be staring you in the face—that’s when the differentiator comes into play. And the only thing that can shut those instincts off, the ones screaming at you to turn and run, is when your heart wants to get the job done more than anything else. And Zhanna Dragov had the heart of ten men and women. So when you walk out of here today, I want all of you to do something for Zhanna. Live life with passion, as she did. Do the things you know need to be done, even when the consequences might lead you here.” He pointed at the casket. “That’s how you make a difference in this world, and Zhanna Dragov made a big damn difference, because she had an amazing heart.”
King bent over and kissed the top of Zhanna’s casket. It was time to let her rest in peace. Kyle, Sam, and Jack walked around and did the same. Then the rest in attendance left a rose for Zhanna to take to her grave. King and his team walked out together with Lawson and his crew.
“Thanks for saying those words for her, son,” Jack said. “You did real good.”
“Thanks, Jack.”
Lawson and his two ladies walked over.
“It was nice to meet you, Lexi,” King said, shaking her hand. “You should be very proud of your father. He might be the toughest guy I know.”
“Yeah, I think I’ll keep him.” Lexi smiled and hooked her arm around Lawson’s.
King looked to Cassie. It was his first time meeting her. She was fit, with shoulder-length blonde hair and pale skin. “Thank you for helping out with research. I really appreciate it,” he said, shaking her hand.
“I’m sorry about your friend.”
“Thank you.” King smiled. “Lawson tells me you and I are a lot alike. I’m not sure that’s fair to you, but I do believe it means you’re a lot of fun at parties.”
“Oh brother,” Sam said from behind him.
They all shared a laugh. King reached out his hand for Lawson. Lawson shook it with the power you would expect from someone his size. He was the type of guy who never knew his own strength. King was glad he didn’t actually end up being an enemy.
“Lawson. We started out pretty rough, my friend. But now I trust you with my life.”
“Same. And sorry about Zhanna. I know how fond of her you all were. Glad I got to meet her.”
King nodded. He appreciated his new friend. “So, what’s next for you?”
“Back to Orange County,” Lawson said. “Apparently there was a local girl kidnapped last night. I’ve been given the call.”
“The bad guys never sleep.”
“Then neither will we,” Lawson said.
“Listen, I know you have your own thing going in California, but I can always use someone like you.”
“Hanging out with you is dangerous,” Lawson said with a smile. “So I’d better stick to investigating.”
King smiled back. “I hear you.”
“That said, if you’re ever in need, I won’t leave you hanging.”
“Thanks, brother. Get home safe.”
Lawson, Lexi, and Cassie walked away, leaving Sam, Kyle, and Jack with King.
“Well, I’ll say it again, I’m real proud of ya, son,” Jack said. “You got her a proper burial. She deserved it.”
“Yes she did . . .” King trailed off as he looked up at the sky and took a deep breath. “But she didn’t deserve to die. And the only reason she did was because of me and the situation I was put in by the CIA just to run some recon mission.”
Everyone nodded.
“That shit ain’t happening again,” King said.
“I like where this is going,” Sam said.
“The next time we are caught in a bad situation, it’s going to be on our terms. We’ve earned our right to pick and choose what the hell we want to fight for and the situations we want to be in.”
“We’re going out on our own?” Kyle said.
“We’re going out on our own,” King confirmed. “I’ve already talked it over with President Gibbons. He’s going to smooth it over with Director Lucas.
”
“Finally,” Sam said. “Maybe some good can come out of these terrible last few days.”
“Well,” Jack said, “unless one of you’s is left for dead again, I’m goin’ back to retirement.”
“We’ll miss you, old man. But thank you.” King gave him a hug.
“Keep in touch now,” Jack said.
“Will do.” Then the cowboy walked off to head back to his farm where he belonged.
“When do we start?” Kyle said.
“Not sure, but I’m going home to Kentucky first,” King said with a sigh. “I’ve got one more surprise for two very special ladies.”
“Your sister and your niece might both have heart attacks when you show up on their front door,” Kyle said.
“They might,” King said. “Then can we meet back at my house tonight? Throw a celebration for Zhanna instead of all this sad stuff?”
“I think she’d want us to get proper drunk in her honor,” Sam said.
“I agree,” Kyle said. “We’ll see you tonight. We have a lot to catch up on.”
“Two years’ worth,” King said.
As the three of them left Arlington National Cemetery, King had mixed emotions. Burying a friend was never easy. However, with the new lease on an actual life he was walking toward, he couldn’t help but feel excited. He missed his family. He missed his home. And he missed making memories with his friends that didn’t have to do with other people’s blood.
In one week’s time King had gone from the most wanted man in the world to maybe the most free he’d ever felt. And it felt damn good.
POWER MOVE
Book 4 in the Alexander King series.
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POWER MOVE
by
Bradley Wright
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Book 4 in the Alexander King series.
Acknowledgments
First and foremost, I want to thank you, the reader. I love what I do, and no matter how many people help me along the way, none of it would be possible if you weren’t turning the pages.
To my family and friends. Thank you for always being there with mountains of support. You all make it easy to dream, and those dreams are what make it into these books. Without you, no fun would be had, much less novels be written.
To my advanced reader team. You continue to help make everything I do better. You all have become friends, and I thank you for catching those last few sneaky typos, and always letting me know when something isn’t good enough. Alexander appreciates you, and so do I.
About the Author
Bradley Wright is the international bestselling author of action-thrillers. Most Wanted is his fifteenth novel. Bradley lives with his family in Lexington, Kentucky. He has always been a fan of great stories, whether it be a song, a movie, a novel, or a great television series. Bradley loves interacting with readers on Facebook and via email. Click on your digital platform of choice below and join in on the fun.
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Alexander King Thriller Series: Books 1-3 Page 63
