by Posey Parks
Kagan tossed his laptop into his backpack. He grabbed the controller for his drone.
Clad in all black combat gear, Dominic stood. “Romeo and Rémy, stay with the wives.”
“Marco, Tony and me will secure the perimeter. Julio and Kagan, get ready,” he whispered.
Everyone pulled their black camouflage masks over their faces and slipped their night vision goggles over their eyes. The view of the gate was clear.
Marco kissed my cheek. “See you on the inside, baby.”
“See you soon.”
Tony and Dominic kissed their wives before stalking toward the back of the mansion.
We secured muzzles over our Glocks and Desert Eagles.
Romeo, Rémy, and me laid on the ground, peering through the scope of our sniper rifles. We waited for the guys to give us the green light to move.
“Now,” Marco ordered over the ear piece.
My heart plummeted, and an uneasy vibration swept through my body.
“Emoni, on the count of three.” In a blink of an eye we squeezed the trigger. They never had a chance to fire back. The second the bullets struck; they fell to the ground like a sack of rocks. No time to ponder on the carnage. We had a small window of time. We had to move. Romeo pushed the gate open enough for us to squeeze through. We crouched down and ran along the gate, crushing pine straw under our boots.
“Were entering the house,” Marco stated through the ear piece.
We slid our night goggles on top of our heads.
“Copy that.” I nodded to my team, leaning against the house, Glock held high.
Nadine and Carmen’s sinister eyes held mine.
“We’re at the side door, entering the kitchen.” Rémy placed three fingers in the air and silently counted down.
“Copy that,” we heard Marco state as Rémy turned the door knob.
We slipped inside. Fresh guacamole hit my nose. The cooking staff’s production halted. A short brunette woman clutched a butcher knife next to the jalapenos she chopped.
“No lo hagas. Don’t,” I warned.
Pip, pip we heard over the ear piece. The spray of AK’s sounded. Screaming erupted throughout the house.
I glared at the woman. Her nostrils flared. She hurled the knife in my direction. I leaned to the side. The knife hit the wall, standing at a point.
“Shit, so much for not killing the workers.” I pointed my Glock at her and squeezed the trigger. The bullet pierced her skull, and she hit the floor.
“Anyone else want to be a hero?”
They stared blankly at me. Hands on your head and on your knees. Manos en la tu cabeza y en las rodillas.”
They didn’t understand a lick of English. I had to speak in Spanish. I’d heard José speak Spanish enough, so it wasn’t as hard as I thought to learn.
I saw movement in my peripheral. Carmen stepped out and shot the man in the head who was coming for us.
My heartbeat thudded my chest. “Thank you.”
She winked.
Carmen and Nadine grabbed their zip ties from their pockets and secured the hands and ankles of the nine workers left. You know minus the one I killed. Rémy and Romeo stood close by, pointing their weapons at the staff.
Romeo and I walked through the house in search of Roderigo. Several men laid on the floor with brain matter surrounding them. Blood splatter covered the floors and walls. Tony secured a woman in the far corner of the room. Loud music played throughout. Women trembled and cried as they held their hands high. Dominic and Marco continued on a war path, shooting men as they walked through the mansion.
“We need to shut down the DJ.” I scanned the large room.
“On it,” Julio came over the ear piece. He entered from the opposite side of the room.
“Bitch, you’re dead,” I heard to my left in Spanish.
The thin man stood on the gold trim stairs. Gold rings covered his fingers, and he was draped in a white expensive suit. We faced off, pointing our weapons at each other.
“You must be the birthday boy. Where is your cousin?”
He snickered. “Jódete perra. Fuck you, bitch.”
I smirked. “Yeah, he understood me. Just preferred to speak in Spanish.
Romeo clutched his weapon, pointing it in his direction too. I pulled the trigger. His cousin Maurice Hernandez head snapped back, slapping the wall. He slid down the stairs. I stepped forward, kicking the gun away.
“All exits secure?” I asked over the ear piece.
“Kitchen secure,” Rémy stated.
Nadine and Carmen stalked through the foyer area guns blazing, taking out men left and right.
“The front door is secure,” Nadine responded.
I glanced across the room. Julio had taken care of the DJ who was gagged, and zip tied.
“The back door is covered,” Kagan announced.
“Good.”
I nodded my chin toward the stairs. Romeo stepped over Maurice, and I followed.
“Killer, where are you?”
“On the steps,” I whispered.
“Coming.”
“It was important we use code names. We couldn’t compromise our identities. Blow back would be inevitable.
I peeked into the dining room as we continued up the stairs. Dead bodies were scattered throughout. Marco stepped over carnage in route to us.
We stood at the top of the steps and retrieved our gas masks from our backpacks. Once secured, Romeo glanced over his shoulder at us and nodded.
He tossed a smoke bomb down the hall. Romeo moved quick, holding his sniper rifle eye level. He and Marco kicked in doors, then searched each room.
“Clear,” they stated each time they cleared a room. We trekked along. I stood in the middle of the hall, waiting for my men to find the bastard.
An AK-47 sounded.
“Killer, get down,” Marco shouted.
The bullet hit the armor. I fell to the floor. A burning sensation swept through my body. Felt like needles penetrating my skin. I gripped my thigh.
Marco glared at me.
“Go,” I bit out.
He continued on. They had to stop the shooter before I was struck again.
I peeked at the tiny hole in the armor. The bullet didn’t make it through. The pain I felt was the bullet slamming into my thigh and bouncing off.
Thank God for the suit.
“Sit down, motherfucker,” Marco growled on the other side of the wall.
Wincing, I staggered to my feet. Glock extended, I stepped inside the room.
Marco held his Glock flesh against Roderigo’s head. His chest rose and fell as he stared at me. Roderigo clenched his jaw. Guess Marco’s fist met his face.
“Who the fuck are you?”
Romeo walked around me and secured the door. I sat on the bed under a fancy chandelier.
“You and your cousin tried to kidnap me.”
He snickered. “Which cousin?”
Marco rocked his jaw again. Blood trickled from his mouth.
“Oh, I forgot you’re an everyday murderer.”
I peeled off my prosthetic mask and slipped it into my backpack.
His brown eyes widened. “Shit, I should have known.”
“That’s right. I was coming. You tried to take my husband from me.”
He chuckled. “I was doing you a favor. He’s no better than José.”
Marco gripped his black hair. “Motherfucker, I don’t beat and traffic women. You piece of shit.”
Roderigo licked the blood from his lip. “Well you should. Trafficking women and selling cocaína is where the money is, hombre, man.”
“You’re fucking disgusting. This cartel is shut the fuck down. This cartel won’t be trafficking anymore,” I snarled.
“Human trafficking will never end. You’ve only scratched the surface, perra, bitch.”
I stood and held my Glock against his thigh and pulled the trigger.
He yelled as the bullet penetrated his skin.
“That�
��s for shooting me, you rotten bitch.”
“I should have aimed for the head.” He laughed and winced.
My Glock slid across his cheek. “The entire suit is Armor, fucker.”
Marco pointed his Glock at his other thigh and fired.
“Motherfucker,” Roderigo shrilled.
I tapped my ear piece. “Hit man, come in please.”
Tony’s code name was hit man of course. Fitting name. He was a hit man for the Magarelli’s after all.
“Go.”
“Not sure if the mansion has a lower level. If so can you check it please.”
“Sure.”
I grinned at Roderigo. “We don’t want to leave one stone unturned. We need to wipe out every bastard here. I would have preferred to kill your ass that day.” I shrugged.
“But I had to settle for killing your sick, fucking cousin who abused me over the course of four years.”
I retrieved my knife from my leg pocket. “Shooting you would be too easy.”
I hovered over him.
“Killer, come in,” Julio stated.
“Go.”
“There are twenty women in the basement along with a ton of cocaine. The basement wasn’t a part of the blueprint. They probably left it off purposely.”
“Yeah, I bet. Line them up outside along the gate. We will notify authorities once we’re in the air.”
“Roger that,” stated Julio.
“I will destroy the cocaine after we evacuate the house,” Tony added.
“Like I said one less cartel dealing in women and drugs.”
I twirled the knife close to his arm, slicing into his flesh.
He screamed bloody murder. Roderigo deserved to be tortured. He was the worst kind of monster.
Marco’s eyes met mine. “State your peace, baby. We need to move.”
My head tilted left to right. “Burn in hell, Roderigo.”
I nodded at Marco. He clutched a knife too.
With force, I slammed my knife into his heart. Marco punctured the main artery in his neck. We stood there a moment longer, watching his eyes bulge and the blood pour out of his body.
Roderigo’s body slumped to the side in the chair.
A devious smile crept across my lips. I placed my armor mask over my face.
“Romeo, we’re ready.” I walked toward the door.
He nodded.
“We’re on the move, everyone,” Marco stated to our team.
We reached the bottom of the steps.
Dominic pointed toward the side door. “Everyone out. Vámonos,” he repeated.
I’d never forget the scowl and devilish grin, resting on Dominic’s chiseled face. Evil danced in his eyes, lined with a hint of delight. Roderigo told some truth. Our mobster men were murderers too. They all took delight in killing.
My men knew every inch of that mansion had to be over turned.
“The house is empty,” Tony stated over the ear piece.
I followed Marco out of the house. Romeo followed.
We ordered all the civilians to sit on the ground in their elegant dresses in the brush across from the mansion.
The women continued sobbing. They probably thought we’d kill them too.
Our team stood beside Tony. He pressed the detonator.
The impact of the explosion swayed our bodies.
“Let’s move,” Tony ordered.
The pain of the bullet finally subsided after about thirty minutes. I peeked at the women we saved from being sold.
“Wait!”
Everyone stared at me.
“We can’t leave the twenty women. We can’t trust the Mexican government to do the right thing.”
Tony sighed. “You’re right. Gather the women. I’ll call in a favor.”
Didn’t know who he was calling. And I didn’t care. I just knew I had to save their lives.
∞
Nadine, Carmen, and me gave the women water. The team gathered the women and led them through the rough terrain toward our vehicles. A chopper sounded in the distance.
“Their ride’s coming. Let’s hurry and get to the clearing,” Tony motioned the women to scurry along.
Julio and Kagan kept up the rear.
The sun peaked over the horizon. We walked all night. To say I was exhausted was an understatement. We were all dragging at some point.
Two oversized military choppers came into view, settling on the ground. The powerful propeller swayed the trees around us.
A man hopped off one of the choppers. Hunched over, he clutched his hat and ran toward us.
“Hey, Tony.” He flashed a wide grin and hugged him.
“Good to see you too, Caden.”
Dominic stepped forward and slapped the guy’s cheek twice. “Good to see you cousin.”
“Happy you all are safe. I hate there was only so much I could do the night of your reception.” His face tensed.
Dominic stepped back. “Caden, you always come through for family. That’s what matters.”
Nadine and Carmen hugged Caden and exchanged words.
Tony gripped Caden’s shoulder. “You remember Marco from my birthday party?”
He nodded as they shook hands, greeting each other.
“Good to see you again.” Marco’s eyebrows pinched together. “I thought you were introduced as…”
He grinned. “In the field they call me Caden.” He glanced at me. His green eyes sparkled. “You must be his wife.”
My brows lifted. “Yes, how did you know?”
“My cousin’s a hacker. Occupational hazard.” Dominic chuckled.
“He’s right. I like to know who I am meeting in advance if I can.” His eyes fell to my thigh.
“A bullet penetrated this suit? It must’ve been powerful.” I scratched my head. “Yes. An AK bullet. How do you know about this suit?”
“My wife’s cousin Samantha has several of them. She actually just bought one for Sydney.”
Nadine sucked her lips nearby. “Tony, I want one,” she grumbled.
Caden glanced at her, smiling. “I’ll ask her to send three.”
A wide grin took Carmen’s face. “Thanks.”
“Samantha almost died, but this suit protected her. Once we arrive at the airfield, I’d like to take the suit back. They’ll need to run more tests. Bullets aren’t supposed to penetrate the suit.”
“Thanks, Caden.” I smiled.
“Caden, how did you get here so fast? I thought you were in Cali.” Dominic adjusted his cap on his full head of dark hair.
“I was working on another sex trafficking mission. The President sends his regards. Thanks, you all for your assistance in this war against human trafficking.”
My mouth dropped open. “What?”
“Yes, I work for the President of the United States.” He flashed another smile, then stepped over to the women.
Caden tapped his earbud. “Martinez, I need you.”
I glanced over my shoulder. A tall, muscled, tanned man ran over dressed in camouflaged gear.
He greeted us before stepping next to Caden.
“We are taking you all to a military base in San Antonio, Texas. This nightmare is over. We will keep you safe.”
Martinez translated for him.
Crying and laughter erupted from the women. They hugged each other.
The tiny hairs on my arms rose. I felt good. Something good came out of this horrible situation.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
EMONI
Six hours later, the wheels touched down on the New Jersey tarmac. God, it felt good to be home. I stretched my arms and yawned, still staring out the window.
The second we were clear to walk around Nadine and Carmen met me in the aisle.
“I can’t thank you ladies enough for helping me end a war.”
They pulled me into a hug. “I told you, familia. We are a family.” Nadine kissed my cheek.
Carmen’s face pressed against mine. “She’s right. I look forward to han
ging with you guys.”
A tear slid down my cheek. “Absolutely. Dinner at my house before Sierra has her baby.”
“Sounds good.” They smiled.
I hugged Tony and Dominic. “Thanks for everything.”
Dominic kissed my cheek. “Anytime.”
He and Marco exited the plane engrossed in a conversation.
Our bodyguards stood beside the Suburban’s and Bentley’s, lining the tarmac.
We halted at the bottom of the jet steps. “I told Marco if he needs our help with the MC’s we’ll be there.” Tony grinned.
“Saving those women was the best. I can’t thank you enough.”
My face lit up. “I’m excited Nadine agreed to be my doctor.”
“You’re in good hands.”
Kagan wrapped his arms around our necks. “Enough chatter, we’re starving. Aunt Leana cooked a big meal to welcome us home.”
“Kagan, that’s all you ever care about is food.”
“Not true. Chicks are important too.”
We laughed.
∞
Our drive home was shorter than usual. This was the first time we drove straight home. No switching cars in the parking garages in other cities. Felt good.
“There are a few New Year’s Eve parties tomorrow night. The Magarelli’s are also having a party, but I don’t want to bring our trouble to their door step.”
I turned my attention from the view of the snowy streets to him. “Agreed.”
Marco intertwined our fingers in the back of the Ghost Bentley. “We’ll see if Knights of Hell make a payment tonight. I have a bad feeling. Things are about to get bloody. Griff wants revenge for whatever he thinks happened to his daughter. I’m ready to oblige.” He sipped the whiskey from the low-ball glass.
“Then we’ll oblige.”
A sexy grin flashed across those pink lips that knew every inch of my body. My pussy needed his cock deep inside. My Marco remembered me. Remembered us. The José shit was finally over. Despite the new trouble we were in, I felt in control. I wasn’t pressed about the blood shed that was coming.
He held my gaze. “Horny bellissimo?”
“Fuck,” I muttered. I thought I said it to myself.
Marco leaned in until our noses touched.
“If I fuck you tonight, I might break you, baby.”
“Break me,” I purred.
His brow arched. “Can’t do it, sweetheart. After you give birth to my child, I’ll fuck you like the wild man I am.”