Hidden in the Shadows

By T.K Legend

Hidden in the Shadows is about Draymond "Mitch" Johnson, a veteran who is a personal chef to the city's elite. Mitch rises to success; while running his clandestine, yet lucrative underground enterprise. On his journey to the top, he is also on the hunt for his sister's killer. Which he believes to be the son of a Fortune 500 company CEO. However, when he confronts the alleged culprit, the plot thickens. While he is on the quest to seek vengeance someone is also on the hunt for him. An old fling also re-enters his life, whose husband happens to be an FBI agent with an eye out for Mitch. Follow along to see if Mitch's evasiveness mix with deception and meticulous ploy prevail.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781662432606

Book preview

Chapter 1

Specialist Johnson was one of the team leaders of his platoon in Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion 505 Parachute Infantry Regiment 3rd Brigade of 82nd Airborne Division. They were currently on foot patrol in the dry heat of Kabul, Afghanistan. Specialist Johnson took a sip of water from his CamelBak, which was a disservice because the water was bitter and extremely hot. It was cooler when they started their patrol at dawn. Now the unbearable scorching heat was relentless. He was drenched in sweat.

They were briefed that the area they currently patrolled had numerous presence of black widows (female suicide bombers). Specialist Johnson thought about how cowardly and ignoble the opposing force was. The men hid a hundred yards out with sniper rifles while the women, sometimes even kids, were sacrificed in their so-called cause. SSgt. Hobbs, the squad leader, got on the radio and informed them to stagger and distance the formation as they approached the town ruins.

As they continued their patrol, SSgt. Hobbs radioed in. Two hundred yards ahead, woman in black hijab approaching at a rapid pace. The Arabic translator got on the bullhorn, demanding her to halt. Johnson thought the woman’s pace picked up even faster. SSgt. Hobbs ordered Johnson’s team to open fire since at that point, they were the first to make contact. Johnson’s team opened fire in succession; however, the woman was still approaching, now only a few yards away. Johnson didn’t know if his weapon was misfiring or if she was bullet-resistant. As the woman was closing in, Johnson noticed his platoon suddenly vanished into thin air. The woman made contact, with her hand pressing on a trigger. All Johnson saw was an explosion with violent flames before it went dark.

Chapter 2

Draymond Johnson, better known as Mitch, awoke, jolting out of his sleep in night sweats. He looked over to see his girl, Fatimah, who was still sound asleep. He sat up and looked at his clock; it was five thirty-four in the morning. He’d been having those flashbacks in his dreams after his deployment. He had currently been out of the Army for five years, seeking therapy with the local VA. He was diagnosed with PTSD. He was informed by his psychiatrist that the dreams would be less frequent, which was true. It’d been months since the last one.

Mitch stated the serenity prayer. God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Just for today. Mitch didn’t know why he recited the serenity prayer. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe in it. He felt he could change anything. He was always honest with himself. He knew he was a self-serving narcissist, but he was careful not to show it openly. He was the master of deception. He used everyone to his advantage without them having the slightest clue. He felt that life’s calamities molded him to be this way.

He pulled back his Versace sheets and put on his Versace slippers and bathrobe. The Versace sales representative assisted Mitch with picking out every item to fit his bed and bathroom. Mitch loved making ostentatious statements about his new wealth and settled for nothing but the best. He was a notorious personal chef for the rich and famous, which he expanded into a lucrative business; however, that was the least of his portfolio. He had a nonprofit giving back to the community. He also acquired a lot of properties on the west side. The most profitable source of income he achieved in a clandestine manner was his illicit cocaine distribution.

Mitch got out of bed and headed to the shower. While showering, he pondered on his day ahead. He had to visit his sister’s grave this morning. Her anniversary was this weekend, but he’d be too busy and decided today would be best. When he got out of the shower, he thought he would surprise Fatimah with breakfast in bed, then some morning sex, which was the best kind of sex to him.

Chapter 3

Mitch dried off, then put back on his robe and headed toward the kitchen. He made sure he cooked for Fatimah on the regular even if it was just to pack her lunch for work. In the kitchen, Mitch prepared everything with the mise en place ready. He turned on the coffee maker while putting a skillet over a flame. He poured the eggs in the now-sizzling skillet while sautéing the steak chunks. He stepped to the waffle maker, poured the batter, then closed it. He went back to the skillet, putting the cooked steak in the center of the eggs with other topping, top with cheese. He folded the eggs over, forming a perfect omelet. Mitch grabbed a plate and started on the presentation. He was a chef with a sound motto: People eat with their eyes before their mouths. So no matter if he was cooking for others or himself, he always plated the food for maximum presentation. He grabbed the fruit he cut up yesterday out the fridge and put both plates and coffee on the dumbwaiter.

With caution, he walked into the room and awoke Fatimah. Good morning, Mitch said in French.

Fatimah turned over and sat up so he could place the waiter over her lap. Good morning, baby, you’re the best. Fatimah’s eyes were devouring the food in front of her. Food was the way to a woman’s heart. In Fatimah’s case, Mitch knew the fruit served as an aphrodisiac.

Fatimah was of dark complexion with dark, shiny, silky shoulder-length hair. She was very slim with a nice figure and average in height. Mitch actually met Fatimah when he decided to travel the world after his discharge from the Army. They met at the Louvre Museum in Paris at the Mona Lisa exhibit. They had small talk. Fatimah informed him she was originally from Johannesburg, South Africa. Her family immigrated years earlier. Mitch took advantage and asked Fatimah to show him more of Paris. She obliged, and their relationship developed.

They stayed in contact throughout the years. She decided to finish her doctorate stateside at Emory. Mitch was ecstatic when Fatimah informed him of her relocating to the US. The irony was, Emory was located in Atlanta, which was where Mitch relocated to a year earlier. Mitch was hesitant at first, reluctant to give up his bachelor lifestyle. Two and half years later, everything was going perfect with Fatimah finishing up her residency. She was about to be an ER doctor.

Fatimah ate while Mitch was cleaning up the kitchen. He returned to the room as she was finishing up. He put the waiter on the dresser. By the look he was giving, her she knew what he was up to.

Chapter 4

Mitch removed his robe and climbed on top of her and started kissing her while managing to use his elbows for support while taking her bra off with one hand and her panties with the other. He began to suck her erect nipple while fondling her other breast. He rotated and worked his way down south.

He began massaging her elongated clit with his tongue while caressing her G-spot with two fingers. He felt her shaking while wrapping her thighs around his head, letting out moans of pleasure. He was all about pleasing his women, and that he was doing. She released her orgasm all over his mouth. She was still panting hard as Mitch got on top of her, easing his way inside.

He put one of his arms behind her back, grabbing the back of her neck, with the other hand gripping her ass. Mitch began slowly stroking, feeling the climax coming to a peak. So did Fatimah, who whispered, Cum for me, Daddy. It’s all yours. He began stroking harder, Fatimah now on the verge of another orgasm. They both thrust in sync and exploded at the same time. Mitch began slowing down his strokes until he felt himself go limp.

You’re the best, Fatimah said to him, kissing his earlobe.

He withdrew from her and lay on his back, out of breath. He had the look of complete ecstasy washing over him. Mitch’s OCD kicked in, and he felt unclean. He rushed to the shower, leaving Fatimah on the bed, trying to gain the strength to move. When he hopped out, he noticed she finally succeeded at getting up. She retreated to the bathroom, showering herself and getting ready for work.

Mitch put on a pair of Versace boxers with a light-gray fitted Tom Ford suit with Ferragamo loafers. He stepped out onto the balcony for fresh air. He saw traffic was slow from his Buckhead condo. He resided on the twenty-seventh floor of a luxurious and spacious unit with floor-to-ceiling windows and a panoramic view facing downtown Atlanta. For a guy his age, one would assume an interior designer furnished his home. However, Mitch had great taste and handpicked the entire decor with some state-of-the-art appliances.

He retreated back inside, heading to the bathroom. He went to his side of the sink and brushed his teeth. When he finished, he observed himself in the mirror. At the age of twenty-four, he was five foot eleven, not quite athletically built anymore like his military days, but he carried his weight well. He still maintained a baby face with deep dimples and extremely long eyelashes, which he had always gotten compliments on. He tried to remove the military look; so he grew his hair out, which was now shoulder-length twisted plaits. He had always been able to charm any lady with his smile, showing his pearly white teeth. When he entered a room, his energy just brightened the place. With his charisma, he was a human magnet. Pleased with his image and Fatimah being ready, he grabbed his keys, and they departed. He was prepared for the long day ahead.

Chapter 5

Mitch dropped Fatimah off at work, then headed to buy flowers to put on his sister’s tombstone. He made it to the graveyard and parked on the side street.