Operation Revenge

Operation Revenge

Operation Revenge

Kate Hopkins

Operation Revenge

By
Kate Hopkins

Copyright
2011
by
Kate Hopkins

Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are

products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or

persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the

intent of the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in

any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including

photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and

retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

Chapter 1

With a muttered curse, Simon slammed the receiver back in the base, pushed back his chair, and stood. Crossing the office, he jerked open the door and walked out into the reception area. His secretary, Paula, was sitting at her desk, rifling through the top drawer. She was in her mid forties with shoulder length black hair and gray eyes. She had been with him for five years and in his mind was the hardest working secretary in the building.

"Do you need anything, Mr. Wilcox?" she asked, glancing up at him.

"No." He checked his watch. "Go home, Paula. It's after six."

"Yes, sir."

Simon made his way through the reception area and down a short hallway. At the end of the hall, he turned left and moved toward the elevator. He pressed the button and the doors slid open. Stepping inside, he jabbed the button for the fourth floor, which was one floor below him, and the doors closed. As the elevator began to descend, he leaned back against the wall and let out a weary sigh. It had been a long day.

Several seconds later, the doors parted and Simon emerged from the elevator. He marched down the hallway and into a reception room. The secretary was not at her desk. Hearing giggling coming from his friend's office, he made a beeline for the door and rapped his knuckles against the polished wood. Without bothering to wait for a response, he let himself into the office and found his friend, Chad, and the secretary locked in a heated embrace. Disgusted at their lack of control and professionalism he said in a cool voice, "Unless you two want to be out of a job I suggest you break it up."

Chad and his secretary sprang apart and made quick work of adjusting their clothes. "Uh-we-I-"

"Save it," Simon growled, interrupting his friend. "Ms. Young, please return to your desk."

"Yes, sir." She scurried from the room, closing the door behind her.

"I know office romances are against company policy." Chad ran a hand through his blond hair. "Trina and I got carried away. It won't happen again." He grinned, revealing a pair of perfect white teeth. "You can't blame me though. She is smoking hot."

His blue-green eyes flashing Simon placed his hands on his hips. "Tell me. How long have you been cheating on Haley?"

"I wouldn't call it cheating." Chad perched on the corner of his desk. "I've kissed a few women. I didn't sleep with them."

Simon had a feeling that he was lying. He thought of Haley. She was a beautiful, kindhearted woman. Why Chad would want to be with another woman when he had her was beyond Simon.
"In my book kissing another woman is cheating. Damn it, Chad! If you're not happy with Haley then let her go. Don't screw around behind her back. It's not right. She doesn't deserve-"

"What I do with my personal life is none of your damn business," Chad snarled, his brown eyes full of anger. "You're my boss, so when it comes to business I have to listen to you, but when I leave this building I answer to no one." He crossed his arms. "Why did you come down here? What do you want?"

"I came down here to tell you I cancelled the eight-thirty meeting that was scheduled for in the morning," he informed him. "I tried calling you several times, but I kept getting your damn answering machine. After what I walked in on, I can see why you weren't answering your phone. Don't let it happen again."

"I won't."

Simon glared at Chad. "Be good to Haley. You don't you will regret it." He turned and left the office.

. . . .

O'Connor's Restaurant and Bar had been in business for over fifty years. It was owned by an elderly man, who had emigrated from Ireland. He had come to America, hoping for a better life for his wife and children. The restaurant and bar had been born out of that hope. Known for their Fish and Chips as well as their excellent varieties of beer, they had friendly service and a comfortable atmosphere.

Simon was sitting at the bar, nursing a drink, when he saw her walk through the door. As she approached the bar, his eyes traveled over her body and a spark of desire shot through him. She had long brown hair, green eyes, high cheekbones and full lips. She wore a pale blue blouse, a black skirt suit that showed off a nice pair of legs, and pumps. There was no doubt in his mind that she was a beautiful woman. It was just too bad that she was taken.

"What'll it be, sweetheart?" Mickey, the bartender, asked her.

"Rum and coke, please," she answered.

"Put it on my tab, Mick," Simon said.

She turned her head and smiled at him. "Hello, Simon."

"Haley, you're looking lovely as always."

"Thank you." She walked toward him and sat down on the stool next to him with a groan.

"Long day?" he inquired, picking up his glass.

"You have no idea." She frowned. "What am I saying? Of course you know what its like, but then you don't have a slave driver for a boss."

Simon smirked. "I wouldn't say that. I might own part of
Wilcox Advertising,
but I still have to answer to Dad, and he can be just as demanding as your boss."

"Here you go." Mickey placed a napkin and a glass in front of Haley. "Rum and coke like you asked for."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." He moved to the other end of the bar to refill a customer's drink.

Haley picked up the glass and took a drink. "So how's the family?" she asked once she swallowed.

"They're doing well." Simon cleared his throat. "Gran's as ornery as ever."

"I bumped into her at the grocery store the other day," she said. "When I say bump into her, I mean I literally bumped into her. She was-" The ringing of a cell phone interrupted what she was going to say next. She reached for her purse while Simon grabbed his suit coat.

"It's not mine," he stated, after checking his phone.

"It's mine." Haley glanced at the small display screen, flipped open the phone, and pressed the talk button. "Hi, sweetheart." She paused as she listened to whoever was on the other end of the line. "I see." Another pause. "No, that's all right. I understand." She sighed. "I'll see you tomorrow. I love you too. Bye." She shut the phone and dropped it back in her purse.

"Bad news?" Simon muttered.

She nodded. "Chad and I had plans for later. He had to cancel because something came up."

I bet something came up,
he thought, thinking back to when he walked in on Chad and Trina kissing. The urge to track his friend down and shake some sense into him came over Simon. He gripped his glass until his knuckles turned white.

"It's not the first time he's cancelled and I'm sure it won't be the last." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "He never used to cancel our dates. I don't know. Maybe he's growing bored with me."

Simon gazed into her eyes. "You're not the kind of woman a man grows bored with, Haley. Chad is an idiot for canceling on you."

"We're talking about your best friend."

"He's still an idiot. Why do you put up with him?"

Haley stared into her drink. "I've asked myself that question countless times. I keep coming back to the fact that we've been together for a year. I've invested too much in the relationship to walk away now. I don't expect you to understand. Some times even I don't understand." She shook her head as if to clear it of bad thoughts. "Anyway, tell me why you're not involved with someone. You're a kind, smart, successful, good-looking man. Any woman would be lucky to have you in her life."

He arched an eyebrow. "You're laying it on a bit thick, aren't you?"

Laughing softly, Haley punched him lightly in the arm. "Answer the question, Wilcox."

"Being involved . . . being in a relationship requires time. That's something I don't have a lot of these days. Work keeps me busy."

"There is more to life than work," she said softly.

He smiled crookedly. "That's what Gran keeps telling me. She says and I quote, 'Boy, you work too damn hard. Life is about more than just work. It's about family and making memories. Now get out there and find someone. I want great-grandchildren, damn it.' Gran can be quite vocal when she wants something. She keeps telling me she's going to write me out of her will if I don't give her great-grandchildren soon. I told her I have my own money I don't need hers."