Read Shadow Ops: Danger's Desire (Kindle Worlds Novella) (A Shadow Ops Novella Book 1) for Free Online Page A

our main baddie?”
    “Half right as usual.” Billy chuckled. “It’s a secret society based on the ideology of hedonism. You know, where they believe no afterlife exists, so you should do any damn thing you please. Even murder.”
    The morning was quiet, as Hollywood walked casually along Decatur Street. He settled into an empty table at Café DuMonde across from iconic Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral. He lifted a free finger and smiled at the waiter. “Yes, one coffee black and six beignets please.”
    “You know I’m going to kick your ass for teasing us with beignets,” Billy joked.
    “I’m following, but how does that jive with a Mardi Gras assassination and the Preacher’s plan for destruction? No pleasure in that.” He slid the phone between his jawline and shoulder. “Guys, I’m operating on eleven hundred miles driven, one thousand rounds of ammo fired, three glasses of scotch chugged and two sexy-ass bayou babes. I’m trying to focus, but you gotta tie it together for me.” His score sheet was more brash accomplishment than complaint.
    “Back to the same old Hollywood. Your screwed up encounter with Dr. Celeste Rayburn at the Georgia CDC didn’t teach you a thing about taking your job seriously. You almost cost us a mass contamination disaster because you were more concerned scoring with the doctor than with the facts.” Rose spat, her tone laced with condemnation and judgment. Hollywood knew she didn’t approve, but was never one to outright criticize others. Emotions raw, he allowed her words to spew past a simmer.
    “No Rose, I’m not going to make the same mistake, but it’s been a long two days and your details lack clarity. Just tell me what you expect, and then I’ll go plant a bullet through the old Hollywood’s thick skull. Will that make you feel superior? Matter of fact, call me Dwight—Hollywood is dead to you.” Thick white powdered sugar spewed across his expensive shirt as his hand flailed.
    His mind skipped back to how his mother had doted over him as a child. The family’s fortune required a certain appearance—it wouldn’t include powdered sugar. Old habits were hard to break—part of why he’d absconded for the military.
    “Now hold on a second Hollyw…Dwight. That’s no way to speak to Rose—she’s only doing her job. Making damn sure you’re focused on saving lives is more important than looking for a place to stick your dick for the day.” Billy covered the microphone in defense of his precious Rose Prospero.
    “I’d order you to get some sleep and call me after you’ve had a chance to balance your emotions, but unfortunately we don’t have time for naps in the shadow ops world.” Rose condemned his state of fatigue, while she’d probably pulled another consecutive week of all-nighters. The woman was a robot.
    “Yeah, thanks. Another coffee—black please.” Hollywood’s voice trailed as he turned his attention to the waiter. “Sorry Rose, I’m honestly working to get my edge back. Not my fault some fucking glory hound 6’er decided to punk us out for a paycheck.” He slapped a hand across his bent knee—the snub nose revolver strapped around his left ankle quivered at the vibration.
    “I understand, Dwight. Think you know a guy, but…” Billy tried to console.
    “…people can be assholes.” Rose completed his sentence for him. They’d done that for years, but the seamless supervisory team seemed singular minded of late. Hollywood presumed the intensity of chasing down the Preacher’s endless empire and assets had forged an inseparable bond between them.
    “I do understand, and I’m sorry one selfish bastard stained the historic work your team sacrificed so much for.” Rose knew where the cracks were.
    “This afternoon a Task Force member by the name of Krystal Laveau is scheduled to meet two locals called T-Boy and Tater about the sniper’s job. Audition of sorts.” Billy said.
    “Voodoo?” Hollywood whispered. His