“I’m fine with her being your substitute. Why do you need someone to cover your spot?”
“I have a meeting that I can’t reschedule.”
“I’ll let Jerry know,” Donovan said, stealing another chip. “With a bullet wound in Grady’s shoulder, he’s out as well.”
I slid my plate in front of Donovan, offering up the last of my chips. “I also want the rope pulling event moved to the field behind the house. The kids can watch with their guards from the back deck. I don’t want any of the family at Headquarters while I’m gone.”
“Easy enough to arrange. Is Tyler okay with it?”
“He will be when I tell him. All three houses will be on lockdown. If anyone needs a bathroom, they’ll need to use the woods.”
“Sunshine,” Hattie said, pointing a finger at me. “Your manners.”
I sighed, turning back to Donovan. “Can you have a porta potty delivered?”
Donovan pulled his phone, walking into the living room.
“Jackson, follow me,” I said, leading the way down the hallway. “How’s Reggie?”
“He’s still sulking about you kicking him to the other side of the highway. He’s on season three of Dawson’s Creek.”
“He’s seen that show a hundred times.”
“Yet, he still cries in every episode,” Jackson said, shaking his head.
Entering the bedroom, I crossed into the atrium and asked the nanny to take Abigail out to see Donovan and the rest of the family. She smiled, seeming excited to escape her isolation as she gathered Abigail and left. I nodded for Jackson to close the bedroom door as I opened the closet door and then the hidden compartment in the back of the closet.
“What’s the mission?” Jackson asked as I passed him bullets.
“I need a sniper to watch my back this afternoon.”
Jackson tossed the bullets onto the bed and took both sniper rifles I handed him. “What’s the exposure?” he asked as he inspected the rifles and handed back the one he didn’t want.
“An empty warehouse. It’s huge, with lots of open support beams. I’m planning on meeting at least two, possibly as many as ten, non-friendlies for a little chit-chat.”
“Who else will be there for protection?”
“No one. I can’t risk Sebrina or Shipwreck noticing a bunch of the guys missing from the team competition.”
“You’ve confirmed Shipwreck’s dirty, then?”
“Yeah. He’s Team Sebrina, all the way.”
“Bastard.” Jackson set the rifle down, leaning it against the wall. “We need at least one more guy. What about Nightcrawler or Tyler?”
“I don’t want either of them involved. The cartel could retaliate against their clubs. Both clubs have chapters in other states. It’s bad enough that all of Silver Aces is on their radar. We don’t need to endanger the clubs, too.”
“Fine. What about using Casey then? He didn’t sign up for the team competitions either.”
“Would he be willing? This isn’t going down on the right side of the law. I’m planning on giving the cartel a few bodies to take with them.”
A slow smile stretched across his face. “Sounds right up his alley.”
Jackson sat on the bed, and I started explaining my plan. As we were finishing up, Charlie entered the bedroom.
She looked at the two rifles Jackson was holding and rubbed her hands together. “I want to play.”
“Sorry, Kid. I have another assignment for you,” I said, rummaging in my closet and pulling out a ball cap. I walked over and tugged it onto her head. “I need you to pretend to be me for as long as you can get away with it this afternoon.”
“That doesn’t sound as fun,” she said, wrinkling her nose.
“Don’t be so sure. Wild Card’s going to light the rope on fire during the rope pulling contest.”
“Casey’s here,” Jackson said, nodding toward the atrium. “Play it smart this afternoon. If anything goes sideways, hit the ground. Casey and I will deal with it.”
“Yes, dad,” I said, rolling my eyes.
Jackson kissed my cheek before strolling into the atrium, carrying the guns and bullets.
“I need to shower and change,” I said to Charlie. “Find something in my closet or dresser that looks less like you and more like me. Don’t forget to put your hair up too, unless you want Dallas to dye it?”
“She could do that?” Charlie asked, raising an eyebrow.
“She’s at Headquarters,” I said, nodding. “I can ask Maggie to bring her over. We have all the supplies here.”
“Then—hell yes.”
I lifted my phone from the bed and texted Maggie. She replied with a thumbs up.
I walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Carefully removing my sweatshirt, I peeled off the loose bandage. I didn’t have a choice but to get the stitches wet. Someone knocked on the door and I used the sweatshirt to cover the front of me as I cracked it open. Wild Card pushed his way inside. Taking the sweatshirt, he tossed it to the floor before unwrapping a waterproof bandage.
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” he asked as he placed the new bandage over my wound.
“It would only make you worry, and I need you to be here for the rope competition. Sebrina needs to think everything is normal while I sneak out.”
Wild Card’s jaw tightened. “Does Jackson have your back?”
“Jackson and Casey both will have my back.”
Wild Card’s hand slid upward over an older scar. “Don’t come home with another scar,” he said, lifting his head to stare at me.
I smiled up at him, laying a hand against his cheek. “I won’t.”
“I’m not kidding, Kelsey.” He slid his arms around my back. “I’m not stupid. You’re meeting with either Miguel or Santiago. Neither of them will be traveling alone.”
“I’ll be as careful as I can, but we both know everyone is in danger until this is handled.”
“It doesn’t always have to be you, though, who puts their life on the line.”
“Miguel’s a businessman. This will be a business meeting.”
Wild Card leaned his forehead against mine. “And if the meeting becomes hostile?”
“I’ll be ready. Jackson and Casey will be ready.”
He closed his eyes. “Things go wrong. You know that. What if you don’t make it out?”
“Then help my son survive it,” I whispered.
“Who’s going to help me survive it,” he whispered back, pulling me into a hug.
He held me for a long time as the steam filled the bathroom. When he released me, he hurried from the room, turning on the fan on his way out.
“Shit,” I said to myself as I stripped the rest of my clothes and stepped into the shower.
Chapter Thirty-Six
It wasn’t easy being stealthy in three-inch heels. I waited until both Santiago’s guards had their backs turned before moving from the office where I had hidden to a spot behind a wide support column. I waited again for my next opportunity before crossing to the center of the room and placing my gun to the back of Santiago’s head. He stopped yelling at the half-conscious prisoner who we’d left strapped to a chair. At the immediate silence, his guards pivoted toward us, pulling their weapons.
“Nice and slow, boys. Lower your weapons, or I blow his brains out.”
“You shoot me, then they shoot you,” Santiago said, holding his hands out to his sides.
“Are you sure about that?” I asked as I raised a hand signal into the air.
The rifle fire sounded in the warehouse, the warning shots landing in the ceiling.
Santiago startled at the sound. “Who else is here?”
“Just a few ex-military buddies, spoiling to get some sniper practice in this weekend.”
Santiago motioned for his men to lower their weapons. “Someone might have called the gunshots into the police. They’re likely to arrive at any moment.”
“Don’t you worry your pretty lit
tle head over it. I have friends keeping everyone out of my way.” I looked over at Santiago’s goons, sliding my shoulder bag off and tossing it toward them. “You two, grab the flex cuffs out of the bag. Strap them on with your hands behind your back.” I reached forward with my free hand and removed the gun from Santiago’s back.
“If anything happens to me, my brother will kill you,” Santiago said.
“We shall see.” I kicked the back of his knees, forcing him to the floor. Keeping my gun on Santiago, I stepped behind the other men. I kicked my bag away from them, tossing Santiago’s gun on top before I tightened their cuffs. The original prisoner still had his hands bound behind his back and his ankles zip tied to the chair.
“Kelsey?” Tyler called from the doorway.
“I thought I told you to stay home?” I called out as I stepped back a few paces and retrieved my shoulder bag.
“I decided to follow Shipwreck,” Tyler said as he urged Shipwreck through the door with a shotgun pointed at his back. At least Tyler hadn’t worn his club jacket, advertising the Devil’s Players.
“I could’ve handled it.”
“You’ve already got four prisoners,” Tyler said, grinning. “That’s a few too many, even for you. What’s the plan?”
“Since you volunteered your services,” I said, grinning back as I passed him flex cuffs from my bag, “Santiago and I need to step outside for a moment. If any of his men try anything, just raise a hand and the guys in the rafters will take them out.”
Tyler glanced around but didn’t see anyone. “O—kay.”
I grabbed Santiago by the back of the shirt, jerking him upward. I felt my stitches pull and was glad I left the waterproof bandage on so I wouldn’t bleed on my white blouse. It was a nice blouse.
I turned Santiago toward the door and forced him outside. I didn’t have backup outside, so the quicker I could get us back inside, the better. I walked him to the van, holding him against the front quarter panel while I slipped on a pair of black driving gloves, one at a time, so I could keep my gun trained on Santiago. When I had both of them on, I moved him to the side door. “Open the van.”
“Why?”
“Do it,” I ordered, holding the gun to the back of his head and distancing my stance, preparing to fight.
Santiago opened the van and unconsciously stepped back when he saw the body. I holstered my weapon and shoved Santiago—hard—on top of the dead man. I stepped back, readying myself, as Santiago braced his hands on the body to lift himself off the corpse. As expected, he pulled the large-handled knife and turned, swinging it in an arc toward me.
Anticipating the move, I easily kicked the knife free. Grabbing his wrist, I held it firmly as I ducked under his arm and behind him, pivoting him toward the van and slamming his chest into the front passenger’s door with his arm now wrenched at a painful angle behind his back.
“Thank you,” I said as I pulled a flex cuff out and secured first one, then the other, wrist behind his back. “You made that too easy.”
He coughed and wheezed, trying to fill his lungs with air. “What the hell was that all about?”
“I needed someone else’s prints on the knife.” I forced him to his knees, pulled my gun again, and held it to his head as I reached out with the other gloved hand to pick up the knife. I tried not to think about it as I slid the knife back into its original hole in the dead man’s body. “Who is he, anyway?” I asked as I stepped away from the van.
“A loser. I paid the bastard ten grand to kill you. If he wasn’t already dead, I’d kill him all over again.” He spat, impressively hitting the body from five feet away.
“Thanks for the extra DNA.” I pulled Santiago up from the ground. “Damn. I can’t believe you hired someone for only ten grand. I used to be worth a lot more than that.”
“I had trouble finding someone who would take the job,” Santiago admitted, shrugging. “Three guys turned me down when they heard the hit was for you. They called you the Death Demon.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard that before.” I shook my head, laughing. “The nicknames people come up with these days.” I closed the van door. “Back inside. Let’s go.”
“Are you going to kill me?” Santiago asked, standing tall.
“Only if I have to,” I said, shoving him forward.
“Not so fast,” Sebrina said from behind me. I felt a gun to the side of my head and froze.
“Sebrina,” I said without turning. “I’d say I was surprised you’re here, but truthfully, I expected you to make an appearance at some point.”
“I won’t be staying long. Let Santiago go and we’ll be on our way.”
“Shipwreck’s inside. Do you want him too?”
“No thanks. Shipwreck’s served his purpose. You can keep him.”
“And Grady?”
“Been there. Done that. Now quit stalling. Let Santiago go.”
“I can’t do that. His brother is expecting him.”
“Miguel?” Her voice pitched higher. “He’s coming here?”
“What’s wrong, Sebrina?” I asked. “Are you scared of Miguel? Why?”
“He’s not someone you want to mess with, is all. Why’s he coming here?”
“To pick up Santiago, of course, and he won’t be happy if he flew all this way for nothing.”
“Shit,” she said as she took a step back. “This wasn’t part of the plan.”
“What was the plan? Ride off into the sunset with the cartel boss?”
“You’ll never know. I’m afraid I’ll have to kill you both. It will distract Miguel long enough to get away.”
“Oh, you’re not going anywhere,” I said, turning my head to grin at her. “Good night, Sebrina,” I said as I nodded to Grady who was standing behind her.
She started to turn, aiming the gun away from me as Grady’s arm slipped around her neck in a choke hold. Within seconds, she was passed out on the ground. Bones, Donovan, and Wild Card moved out from behind the van. I passed a set of flex cuffs to Donovan, and he secured her hands.
“Unless you want to turn her over to Miguel to disappear, I suggest you get her out of here. Take Shipwreck, too. He’s inside.”
Grady lifted her into his arms and without a word, carried her across the parking lot. Donovan nodded to Bones to follow them. I nudged Santiago with the gun to head inside.
“Took you long enough,” Tyler said as I walked in.
“Sorry. I had visitors,” I said as Donovan and Wild Card followed me inside.
“Is my brother really coming here?” Santiago asked. “Or did you say that to scare Sebrina?”
“Oh, he’s definitely on his way,” I said, shoving him to the center of the room. I swiped my leg low against the back of his calves as I threw an arm across his chest. He landed hard on his ass. “Didn’t he tell you he was flying in for a visit?” I stepped a few paces away and circled him. “It wasn’t hard to get his attention. Seems losing money is a big deal to him.”
“What did you do?” Santiago asked as he rolled to his side and looked up at me. Beads of sweat started to rise on his forehead.
“It doesn’t matter what I did. What matters is that Miguel wants his businesses protected, and that’s not going to happen until my family is safe.”
“Give me Sebrina,” Santiago said, nearly begging me as he sat up. “Give me Sebrina, and we’ll leave. You’ll never see either of us again.”
“You want me to hand over a dirty DEA agent to you? The head of the cartel? Get real.”
“She belongs to me! You can’t keep her from me!”
“You are insane. Sebrina was going to leave you out there to die as soon as she heard your brother was coming.”
“She would’ve come back. She would’ve found another way. We’re destined for each other.”
“Sebrina’s not in a position to save anyone. I have her and Shipwreck on video plotting against both sides. They’re done. Finito.”
“You’ll regret this. One of us will find you. We�
�ll destroy you.”
“I’m not too concerned,” I said as I took the butt of my gun and slammed it against the back of his head.
He slumped to the side, unconscious.
“Finito is Italian,” Tyler said, pushing Santiago over with his foot.
“Damn, I really need to learn Spanish. What’s the word for finished?”
“Terminado,” Shipwreck said, chuckling as he leaned to one side, then the other, moving his legs out from under him to sit flat legged on the floor.
“Thank you,” I said, turning my gun on him. “You know, for a jackass, you’re still a fun guy to hang with. Everyone’s going to be super disappointed to hear you’re a traitor. You’d likely have gotten away with it too, if you didn’t continuously underestimate me. I mean, how many times are you going to fail before you figure it out?” I asked, squatting down two arm-lengths distance away from him and holding my gun pointed at his head. “Tyler?”
“Yeah?”
“Relieve Shipwreck of his knife and re-secure his hands.”
“Where the hell did he get a knife?” Tyler asked, moving behind Shipwreck and kicking the small blade out of his hand.
“Did you search him?” I asked, grinning at Tyler as he pulled another flex cuff from his back pocket.
“No,” Tyler admitted, reluctantly.
“Think maybe next time you will?”
Tyler pulled Shipwreck’s hands into the cuffs. Tyler’s face scrunched in anger, but I knew he was angry with himself, not me. He patted down Shipwreck, relieving him of his phone, keys, sandals, and socks. Tyler wasn’t taking any chances. He even pulled Shipwreck’s necklace with a jerk, breaking the chain.
“Did you search the other guys?” Tyler asked.
“Nah. Wasn’t worth my time. They know the snipers will shoot them if they try anything.”
Shipwreck shook his head. “Everyone’s at the rope pulling competition. Your scare tactics won’t work. You’re not fooling anyone.”
The sound of a bolt-action rifle, ejecting their cartridges, echoed in the empty warehouse. Shipwreck visibly gulped.
Hearts and Aces (Kelsey's Burden Series Book 7) Page 33