Page 4 of Edge of Desire

“Well, isn’t that sweet. You’ll get to meet his new bride,” she added sarcastically.

“Yeah, I am excited about that. But, more importantly, I’m really happy for him. I hope she makes him as happy as Terri did.”

“Honey, congratulations.” Dad smiled.

“Thank you, Daddy.”

He stood up and hugged me tight. “Will you stay and eat with us?”

“Nah, I gotta go and start getting things in order.”

“I understand. If you need us to do anything, just let us know. We love you, honey, and I’m so proud of you. Make sure to come for dinner before you leave.”

“Okay, Dad.”

I loved that man. I loved my mom too, but she sure could be difficult.

I ran inside and headed upstairs to say goodbye to Avery, my grandmother and namesake. She was a character that one. Ornery as all get-out and proud of it too. I knocked on her door and heard her say, “You better either be brave as hell or have something really important to have awakened this old coot from her nap.”

I just laughed. I opened the door and walked in.

“Little Avery. Why, you come here, little girl.” I ran to her and kissed her cheek. “Your mama is complaining all the time ’bout your weight, but, honey, it sure gives you all the curves in all the right places. I believe it makes you look hot, child.”

“Grams! I can’t believe you!”

“Why? ’Cause I speak the truth?”

“Partially. I guess I’m jealous.”

“Well, one day when you’re old and you have grandchildren, you’ll be able to do the same.” She let out a hearty laugh. “So, what did you come here to tell me?”

I told her about moving and she was as happy as could be.

“I was happy for Justin and I’m happy for you. No one ever said you had to stay here. You haven’t been happy in a while, so I hope this brings you exactly what you’re searching for, honey!”

“I knew I could count on you, Grams. Will you come and visit me?”

“You know I will as long as you don’t take me anywhere I have to wear a damn bikini! Well, unless there are hot men around for me.”

“Okay, Grams! I love you.”

“I love you too. Now go on and be safe. But, Avery, you find the happiness you deserve and have some fun, sweetie. Life’s too short not to have fun, child.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She always had a knack for making me feel better.

Two

Preston

Bangkok—3 months earlier

Bangkok in the middle of summer was one of the worst places to be. Ninety-five degrees and a hundred percent humidity surrounded by eight million people wasn’t my idea of fun. I’d been here for three weeks now, and this op was nearing the end. I’d been working closely with Thailand’s Narcotics Suppression Bureau. They had reached out to the DEA for assistance in this case and I was the lucky one who received the assignment. The NSB had three contacts who worked as confidential informants, and who’d connected me to one of their dealers. The dealer worked exclusively for one of the largest heroin traffickers in Asia. The dealer had zero knowledge that the DEA was even here and that I was the agent. If I could gather intel on who their main supplier was, this op would be completed, and I could get back to the States.

The only reason I’d accepted this assignment was my life had been threatened again and there was a huge target on my back. I’d infiltrated one of the largest Mexican drug cartels and with the help of my sister had shut it down. Now they were after my ass. Well, actually they weren’t because all the major players were either six feet under (having been gunned down in Mexico), or sitting in a U.S. prison. It was one of the other cartels that wanted me now. They didn’t like a rat and I was a rather large and ubiquitous one. I just wouldn’t go away.

Luckily, my sister, Terri Mitchell, had gone undercover in WITSEC and was now Caroline Cole Middleton. She’d finally gotten to marry the love of her life, Justin Middleton, and they were currently living their happily ever after in Seattle. We had orchestrated her death in Charleston, so everyone, including Justin’s family, believed Terri had died in a car bombing. Happily, she hadn’t, and after undergoing extensive plastic surgery, she was out and about with a new identity.

---