“What I’d learned made me uneasy, but I had to continue. I didn’t trust any of them to tell me the truth, yet they were my family. The people who took us in, adopted us when our parents died. It was a relief to leave for college.”
Silence stretched between them before Moses put an arm around Tori and drew her close. “It must have been difficult for you to learn about them.”
“I kept telling myself it was all a lie. That Father and our brothers weren’t capable of the illegal activities they were suspected of ordering. Over time, though, I accepted there had to be at least some truth to all the stories. Plus, the conversation I’d overheard kept rolling through my head. I can remember every word as if it happened yesterday.”
Moving away from his hold, Tori stood, taking the album from Julia’s outstretched hand before looking between the men. “Are you working with Agent Delphine?”
“Yes,” Tracker answered.
“I see.” Letting out a slow breath, she turned toward her bedroom. “If you don’t mind, I’m very tired. Please let yourselves out.”
Dylan jumped up, following. “Tori, wait.”
Stopping at the doorway to her bedroom, she turned, features drawn but not angry. “It’s all right, D. I’ve already figured out whatever was between us has more to do with my family than any real interest in me.” When he opened his mouth to speak, she placed her hand against his chest. “Please, don’t make it worse by denying it. You’ve been a wonderful companion the last couple weeks, and I thank you for that.”
“Companion?”
“Don’t lie by telling me it meant something to you.”
“Dammit, Tori. We slept together. That’s a helluva lot more than companionship.”
Pursing her lips, she shook her head. “Maybe, but right now, everything is muddled for me.”
“There’s something between us, Tori. I don’t intend to walk away until we’ve explored it.”
“If you’d been honest from the start, told me you were working with Nate to bring down my family—”
“You would’ve kicked me out,” he interrupted.
She patted the album. “I would’ve offered to help. No matter what you think of my father, I still hope to clear his name.” Turning away, she stepped inside her bedroom and closed the door.
“Julia’s sleeping with a man who’s trying to bury us, Father. We have to get him away from her.” Diego looked at the bourbon in his glass before tossing it back and pouring another. “Nate Kincaid is not a restaurateur.”
“Of course not.” Pouring himself another drink, Armando took a sip before returning to his chair in the well-appointed hotel suite. “He is not with the DEA or FBI. Our sources would’ve reported it to me if he were. My contact in Coronado says he is no longer a SEAL.”
“What of Dylan Wright? He means something to Victoria.”
“I’ve already made a call. We will know more tomorrow.”
Diego lowered himself into a chair next to Armando. “Both men are dangerous to our plans.”
“They are mere nuisances.”
Rolling the glass between his fingers, he leaned forward, resting his arms on his legs. “I am certain he was with the men who rescued the young boy in Nogales. I would not have mistaken his voice.”
“What are you saying, Diego?”
“Nate is still in the Navy, or with a mercenary group. I believe the same is probably true of Dylan Wright. We can’t afford to take chances at this point, Father. The association with Burn and Zahir is tenuous.”
“They are but a means to an end. The merchandise we will be moving is worth three times what we make in one month. Once this is finished, Antonio will take care of Zahir and Burn.”
Steepling his fingers under his chin, Diego weighed his next words. “They are formidable opponents. Zahir is but one small part of a much larger organization. If we go after him, we must be prepared for retaliation. The same with Burn. He’s president of the local group. The national president is rumored to be even more vicious, showing no pity toward those who cross him.”
“Your point?”
“They are but the tail of the snake. Not the head. It would take a small army and significant resources to bring either down.”
“We have both, Diego.”
Frustration whipped through him. It took considerable control to conceal his true thoughts from his father. Diego understood the extent of their fortune, the people employed in the intricate web of legal and illegal activities. All were expendable, some more than others. Could they fund an elite army? Perhaps. The better question was, should they?
“There may be other ways to deal with both men without turning suspicions toward us, Father.”
Armando’s phone interrupted his reply. “What do you have for me?” His attention focused on Diego as the contact explained what he’d discovered. Armando’s features showed no reaction, nothing to indicate positive or more ominous news. Ending the call, he set the phone aside.
“What did you learn?” Diego asked.
Rising, Armando paced across the room to the large window, looking at the park across the street. Even at this hour, people walked along the winding paths, some with a partner, a few alone, many with dogs. Watching normal people doing simple activities often settled Armando and the turbulent thoughts which possessed him from the time he woke each day until he fell asleep. It had always been this way.
Years ago, he’d soothed his body’s restless nature by spending time with a continual flow of mistresses. All young, beautiful, and willing to do what he asked. The therapeutic nature of their warm bodies pressed against his had ceased to work years ago.
He now preferred more solitary methods of appeasing what he could not control. Watching ordinary people pursuing normal activities helped more than any number of nubile beauties.
Armando would often picture himself with the woman he once loved. The woman his father had forbade him to marry, selecting another for his oldest son. Although he’d grown to care deeply for Marguerita, he still felt the piercing pain in his chest for the loss of his true love even all these years later.
It was all too similar to what he’d done to his own oldest son. His relationship with Diego had suffered because of it, falling into a tedious pattern of strained meetings and a distance Armando regretted. Always respectful, their relationship no longer held the warmth he’d so cherished.
“Father?”
Diego’s voice tore his bleak thoughts away from the mistakes of his past to the present. Turning from the window, Armando watched his son drum fingers on the table next to him, waiting for news from the contact. Respectful, professional. The same as every encounter between them.
“You were right about Kincaid and Wright.”
Diego straightened in the chair. “What do you mean?”
“The two are not in the Navy or part of a mercenary team.” A derisive grin tugged at Armando’s mouth. “They are members of a group which could prove much more useful to us.” He paced away, picking up his glass to finish the last of the scotch.
Diego waited, knowing it would be a mistake to interrupt his father’s thoughts. A minute passed, then another before Armando raised his head, lips curling.
“They belong to the Eternal Brethren.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Eternal Brethren Clubhouse
“Agent Jason Ortiz is out of intensive care. He’s been moved to a private room with twenty-four-hour guards. His information corroborates what Jif already provided.”
Wrath glanced around the table at the Posse. Each of the men who’d been a part of the Brethren from the beginning. All men Wrath would trust with his life. Teammates who wouldn’t like what he had to say.
“Both assert there is going to be a huge shipment of stolen prescription drugs in the next week.”
“How did Jif and Ortiz obtain the intel, Prez?” Rock asked, surprised Wrath hadn’t apprised them of this earlier.
“Jif got his directly from Burn. Ortiz over
heard Mario and another member talking.”
“I can get eyes on the Night Devils, track their movements, and listen to the chatter,” Raider said.
“We’ll need everything you and Petty Officer Lane can find. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. There are two other groups involved in the transfer.”
“Do we know the names of the other players?” Moses asked.
“One is our good friend, Abdul-Bari Zahir. The other is the Nuevo León Cartel.”
Several men around the table blew out low curses while others accepted the news with stoic expressions. Tracker and Moses fell into the latter group.
“It’s not much of a surprise, gentlemen,” Wrath said. “After the hijacked shipment at the Sasabe border crossing, I knew it was just a matter of time before the three groups associated for a bigger prize.”
Ghost leaned forward, setting his muscled forearms on the table. “Do we know where the shipment originates and the ultimate destination?”
“We believe the ultimate destination is a warehouse on the Mexico side of Nogales. However, that can change. In fact, I expect it to. We don’t know where the shipment will originate or how soon it will occur. Besides it being a large shipment of prescription drugs, we are in the dark.”
Wrangler twirled a pen between his fingers, unfazed at the lack of confirmed intel. “And that’s why Grayson wants us involved.” He glanced at Tracker. “Besides the fact we might have an inside line to the Quinteros.”
Tracker didn’t respond. So far, Armando and Diego hadn’t let anything slip. Which meant he and Moses would have to use whatever methods available to obtain the information the Brethren needed without involving Julia and Tori.
Wrath walked to the concealed series of panels used for mission planning. Sliding one back, he exposed a map of the western United States.
“Jif and Ortiz estimate the retail value of the merchandise is between eighty and a hundred million dollars. The amount of pallets to reach that number would fill a full-sized big rig. Five warehouses have been identified as possible targets, based on the types of drugs stored and retail price.” He turned to the map, pointing to each of the warehouses. “Two in Northern Phoenix, and three locations in California. Riverside, Ontario, and Otay Mesa. Each has operational security systems and twenty-four-hour guards.”
“Pros and cons of each?” Rock asked.
Sliding the map back, he drew out another panel detailing each facility. “We assume the warehouse will be entered at night. As you can see, each has strengths and weaknesses. The analysts from Grayson’s office have narrowed it to three on the list. Riverside and the two in Northern Phoenix.”
“Makes sense. Otay is too close to the border. It would draw attention, even at night,” Moses said.
“Affirmative,” Wrath answered.
Ghost rubbed his chin while studying the list. “Ontario is too far from the border. Riverside offers better routes with less scrutiny.”
“Correct. There are a few more reasons, but those cover the major negatives. We don’t have enough manpower to cover all locations.”
“Why not involve the DEA, or even the local police, Prez?” Fuse asked. He shot a look at Tracker, noticing his teammate hadn’t said a word since entering the office.
Wrath speared the men around the table with a hard gaze. “Locals don’t have the manpower. Besides, Grayson doesn’t trust anyone outside our team. He believes both the DEA and FBI have leaks. Meaning we’re on our own.”
Rock straightened, massaging the back of his neck. “I don’t normally worry about numbers, but this one will take twice the amount of men we have to cover all three locations.”
“Grayson is aware of the issue. He already has Stoney and several of his men coming our way. They should land by five in the morning.”
The room fell silent. All knew about the Eternal Brethren chapter outside New Orleans. Wrath, Ghost, and Rock had traveled there when Grayson established the second group. They’d stayed a week, briefing Commander Joseph Stonewall “Stoney” Maguire and two of his lieutenants on the operation in Liberty Lake. The Louisiana team had a success rate to rival that of Arizona.
“If needed, we’ll be able to monitor all three warehouses. Grayson’s people are tracking shipments into all the warehouses, not just the three we’ve identified as the most likely targets. There are only certain meds that are easy to resell at huge profits. The locations that don’t hold these drugs in numbers high enough to attract attention will be eliminated.”
Gunner continued to study the list of warehouses, mentally summarizing his own pros and cons. “You already have a mission plan for us, Prez?”
A tight grin formed on Wrath’s face. “The plan is simple.”
When the meeting ended, Wrath had called out to Tracker to stay. He’d ignored his president’s order. He had nothing to say to Wrath. It still burned the way his commander, a man he’d always trusted, had kept Julia’s request quiet. Someday, he’d have it out with Wrath man-to-man, not commander to subordinate. That day wasn’t now and may not be anytime soon.
He loved his work with the Eternal Brethren, but the role had soured after learning what Fuse and Wrath had done. In his mind, it wasn’t a minor detail. It changed lives, continued a cycle of pain and hurt that could’ve been settled years ago. Trust was crucial in a group as tight as the Brethren. Once lost, rebuilding it was almost impossible.
At least he’d already started making plans for a future outside the Brethren. His tour ended in a year. He’d planned to stay in another two. The opportunity to leave might arrive sooner than he’d thought.
Letting himself into Julia’s house, he shoved aside his internal struggle. Making his way to the bedroom, Tracker slipped under the sheets, careful not to wake Julia, who slept with her back to him. Tugging her against his chest, breathing in her distinctive scent of vanilla and a soft hint of coconut, he let out a tired sigh.
“Did your meeting go well?” Her sleep-tinged voice caused him to grin. Tracker didn’t know why he’d thought trying not to wake her was a good idea. She’d always been a light sleeper.
“Well enough.” He wouldn’t tell her of the expected mission Wrath would soon trigger. “Did you speak with Tori after I left?”
Tracker had wanted to ask Moses about her, but his friend had arrived moments before the meeting started and wasn’t in the mood to talk. Then he’d dashed out of the room the instant Wrath dismissed them.
Turning to face him, she set her palm on his chest, the warmth seeping into her. “You always feel so good.”
Chuckling, he brushed his lips across hers before pulling back. “No changing the subject. How is Tori doing?”
“About as well as me.” Knowing this wouldn’t be a short conversation, she sat up, resting her back against the headboard.
Doing the same, he pulled the sheet over them, resting an arm across her shoulders. Waiting, he brushed fingers over her bare shoulder, wanting to do much more, needing to understand how the sisters were doing.
Tracker had taken a risk when he told Julia about the continuing investigation into her family. It had been a selfish act, meant to find a way to get her back into his life as much as alerting her to what he’d be doing. Then, knowing either of the women could turn against them at any time, they’d made the decision to include Tori.
Not because they wanted their help. The opposite. Keeping the sisters safe and uninvolved had become a priority.
“Tori has believed for a long time what she’s been compiling about our family is true. At least a portion of it.” She moved a hand to cover one of his. “I wish she would’ve told me what she overheard all those years ago.”
“Tori chose not to, sweetheart. She didn’t want you to worry.”
“Yes, but she had to deal with the knowledge alone for years.”
“Again, her choice, babe.”
Julia rubbed a thumb over the back of his hand. “We don’t want to believe what everyone else does about our family. The mo
re we learn, the harder it is to ignore. It hurts, Nate.”
Pressing a kiss to her forehead, he tightened his hold around her shoulders. “I don’t want you or Tori involved in this, Jules. Promise me you won’t mention anything you’ve learned to your father or brothers. It could place both of you in danger.”
“You don’t believe they’d hurt us, do you?”
Hesitating, he thought of the violence the Quintero family had exacted on those who betrayed them. “They will do whatever is needed to protect their interests.”
Julia stiffened as the truth of his words settled in. She and Tori didn’t have any proof of their guilt in the crimes they were suspected of committing. They had exactly what everyone else did. News stories, crime and group discussion sites on the internet, and what Tori had learned over the years through her own quiet inquiries.
It hadn’t been hard to get people to talk when they had no idea she was a part of the Quintero family. Using their birth parents’ last name after graduating high school had been a good decision for both.
Another thought tugged at the corners of Julia’s mind. She’d been debating whether or not to mention what Tori had shared over a cup of hot chocolate and several tissues after Dylan and Nate had left. Her sister hadn’t asked her to keep it between them, so Julia wouldn’t be betraying a confidence, and maybe she’d learn something to ease Tori’s pain.
“Dylan and Tori slept together.”
The blunt comment surprised him, but he didn’t let it show. He’d known his friend long enough to realize something ate at him. “I wondered.”
“Because he sleeps with all the women he meets?” She made no attempt to hide the bitter tone.
His short bark of laughter jumbled her already tangled thoughts. Lifting her chin with a finger, he raised her face to meet his gaze.
“Moses never picks up women, Jules. He doesn’t do hook-ups.”
“Never?”
“Not since I’ve known him.”
Brows furrowed, she fought her confusion. “Neither does Tori. They knew each other such a short period of time before...” She let the rest of her words trail off. “It’s out of character for both of them.”
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