Free ANOMALY.MIL (The Conspiracy Series Book One): A Romantic Suspence Novel by Samantha Saxon

opening the door to the diner and by the time he caught up to her, and a young woman in a light blue uniform was showing them to a table.
    "This all right?" the girl asked him as she placed laminated menus on top of the Formica tabletop.
    But it was not 'all right'.
    "Can we have that booth?" The one in the corner, facing the door and out of a direct line of fire.
    "You can sit where ever you want," the waitress said. And after they were settled, she asked, "Can I get you something to drink?"
    The girl was looking at Ansel, but it was Seneca who answered, "I'll have a diet soda."
    "And I'll have an iced tea," he said. And when the girl left Ansel sighed, relaxing for the first time today.
    He reminded himself that his sister was safe in FBI custody, and that Gunner and his team had not gotten to her.
    Yet.
    He took a moment to call Dave, who confirmed that Gunner was still in Billings, stopped at a Hyatt Place hotel. Ansel closed his eyes, silently praying that the team would spend the night there so he could get some shut-eye.
    "Let me know the second they move," he said to his brother-in-law, before hanging up and looking across the table at Seneca. "Gunner is at a hotel up the street. If he stays put, we'll spend the night there." Ansel pointed at the local hotel behind the diner.
    "Oh, the Billings Roadside Inn looks lovely," Seneca quipped, and he was chuckling when their waitress returned with their drinks in two big red plastic cups.
    "Here you go. Diet." A bit of soda sloshed out as the waitress set Seneca's drink on the table. "And an iced tea for you. Do you want something sweet?" the waitress asked, smiling pleasantly at Ansel.
    "That'd be great, thanks."
    The girl placed an assortment of sweeteners on the table, before asking him, "So, you from around here?"
    "Nope, just passing through," Ansel answered, intentionally vague. But the waitress lingered, and he wondered when she was going to take their order.
    "Oh. Well, Billings is real nice this time of year. You should stick around for a while. You got family in the area?"
    She smiled down at him and Ansel was about to answer when Seneca reached over and held both of his hands, caressing them with her thumbs.
    "My in-laws live in South Dakota, so we won't be staying here long."
    The women just stared at each other, until the waitress said, "What can I get you?" to them both.
    "I'll have a burger and fries." Seneca released his hands, picking up her menu and holding it up for the waitress to take.
    "I'll have the same."
    The waitress left and Seneca rolled her eyes, prompting him to ask, "What's the matter?"
    "She was so rude."
    "The waitress?" Ansel was confused. She had seated them, gotten drinks, and taken their order with a smile on her face and as quickly as humanly possible.
    "Oh my God, Ansel," Seneca snorted. "The girl just eye-fucked you right in front of me."
    "When?"
    "Just now! Didn't you hear her advise you to—" Seneca make air quotes. "—'Stay in Billings for a while.' So she could sleep with you!"
    "So you were protecting my virtue?" Ansel smiled, liking the way she had claimed him. "My loving wife." He reached out and grabbed her hands. When she tried to yank them away, he would not let her, holding them as firmly as he held her eyes, and asked, "How long have we been married?"
    "Too long," Seneca yanked harder and he let her go, chuckling.
    The waitress returned with their food, and Ansel gave the girl all of his attention, flirting with her as he said, "Thank you so much, this looks great." Just to annoy Seneca.
    "No problem," the waitress responded, smiling at him seductively. "Can I get you anything else?"
    "No. We'll call you if we need anything." Seneca glared at the girl, chasing her off before grabbing the ketchup and complaining to him. "I mean, I'm your wife and she comes on to you like that? Right in front of me." She shook her head, scoffing, "So damn rude."
    Ansel laughed out loud then bit into his burger, enjoying his meal about as