“Shut it, Coons. I don't need you rubbing it in my face.”
“I want you to know I had nothing to do with this, I told them you deserve the promotion more than me.”
“I'm sure you did. I'm sure you were so altruistic that you refused the promotion knowing you didn't deserve it.”
Coons flinched. “I never meant to hurt you.”
“As if you had that power. Don't worry, I'm out of here. I quit. Go join the boys club and relax. You and all your buddies can have your circle jerk in private with no more females to interrupt.”
Kate shoved past him, keeping her chin held high, as she clutched the black strap of her tote so hard the seam imprinted into her palm and walked out on the job that had been the focus of the last seven years of her life. After failing the Air Force’s flight physical for a heart murmur she hadn't even beenaware of, she'd been forced to alter her life plans from boots on the ground to heels in an office, working behind-the-scenes as a CIA analyst.
Agent Franks would already be busy at work trashing her reputation and ensuring she never got a government job again.
This was it. She had no backup plan.
Where would she go? Definitely not back home to mama to lick her wounds, even though her mother would welcome her with open arms. Kate had too much pride to sink to that level.
“Agent Richards!”
Kate kept walking. She recognized the voice of Agent K. She’d done some work with him on a few missions in the past. He’d always treated her with respect, but right now she didn’t want to see anyone from this place.
“Kate, wait!” Agent K jogged to catch up with her.
“Can’t talk right now.” Kate kept going, hoping he’d give up. She needed some time to lick her wounds and decompress.
“I heard what happened.”
She stopped in her tracks. “Already?”
Great. Franks hadn’t even waited on her to clear the parking lot. Asshole.
“I was in the lobby and saw what happened with Coons. He gave me a run down. I’m sorry. Franks is a sexist pig.” K shoved a hand through his brown hair, his gaze full of sympathy.
His compassion set her teeth on edge. “Not to be rude, but do you want something? I really am not in the mood to talk right now.”
“Yeah, I know this may be too soon, but I could really use you on a job if you’re willing.”
It took her a full minute to process his statement. “A job? Didn’t you hear – I no longer work for the CIA. I can’t help you on any more jobs.”
K didn’t even blink. “Not for them. This would be off grid,totally private, may even get your foot in the door for a future in private security if you’re interested.”
“You want me to work for mercenaries?” Not exactly what she’d had planned.
“They aren’t exactly mercenaries,” K hedged.
“Then what are they?”
“Soldiers. Extremely skilled soldiers who aren’t really known.”
“So, they aren’t mercenaries and they don’t work for the CIA…” Kate let her words trail off, hoping Agent K would fill her in.
“Exactly.”
She rolled her eyes. She knew what kind of men K was talking about. She might work on the analyst side of the CIA, but she knew black ops. “Let me guess. OGA? One of those little groups created by the government to do its dirty work, but the government doesn’t have any idea they exist.”
He shrugged, palms up. “They’re a hell of a lot better than what you’ve been working withandthey don’t have any harassment suits filed against them.”
“Neither does Franks,” Kate said.
