by Lyn Horner
Mendoza frowned and nodded. “I thought as much when I watched your helicopter land out back. Let us bring the man in and we will see what I can do for him.”
Javier soon lay on a table in a well-equipped examination room at the back of the house. Looking over his leg, the doctor said, “The wound is badly infected and the bones are severely damaged. I must operate immediately.” Turning to his pretty gray-haired wife, he requested, “Luisa, please strip away his filthy clothes and scrub the leg while I prepare for surgery.”
At her nod, he told Gabriel and his companions, “Luisa is a nurse anesthetist. She worked with me in the hospital for years. She will administer anesthesia and monitor your man’s vitals, but I need someone to hand me instruments.” He studied Josie. “Can you assist us, young lady?”
Josie glanced at Gabriel, eyes full of doubt. “I had first aid training but I’ve never done anything like this.”
He cupped her shoulder. “You can do it, querida. I know you can.”
She hesitated briefly then nodded to Mendoza. “Alright,” she said.
“Very good. Luisa will show you how to scrub up.” Pointing to the door, he ordered Gabriel and Berto out.
As they left, Gabriel gave Josie an encouraging smile. He took a chair in the outer room with his young companion and sought to distract him, saying how kind his aunt and uncle had been to Josie and him. His attempt fell flat. Clearly not listening, Berto rose to pace the room, scraping his hands through his hair repeatedly and staring at the surgery door. Sitting through this for several minutes, Gabriel sighed and stood. He took hold of Berto’s arm, halting him in his tracks, and spoke gently in their native tongue.
“Dr. Mendoza cannot rush his work. Come, niño, let’s go for a walk while we wait, eh?”
Berto glanced uncertainly at the closed door then at him. “Okay, but not a very long walk. I want to be here when the surgery is done.”
“Of course, as you should be.” Patting his back, Gabriel urged him toward the front exit. His ploy to distract the worried young man worked for a short time, until Berto grew too fidgety and insisted on returning to the house. Once there, he resumed his anxious pacing.
Sighing, Gabriel leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. He didn’t sleep, for he was also concerned for his friend – and Josie. Had he pushed her beyond her limits by nudging her to assist Dr. Mendoza? No, she was a strong woman with nerves of steel, except when it came to deep water, he thought with a smile.
The interminable wait finally ended. The surgery door opened and Dr. Mendoza stepped out still wearing a blue surgical gown, with his surgical mask hanging by its strings and gloves removed. He lips curved in a tired smile. “The operation went well. I removed bone splinters and debrided dead tissue. Then I pinned the bones together with plates and screws.”
“Is my padre awake?” Berto asked, looking relieved.
“No, the anesthesia will take a while to wear off, but you may go in and sit with him if you wish.” He raised his hand as Berto started past him. “Do not be alarmed by the drainage tube protruding from his wound. It is necessary to get rid of the infection. Naturally he is also receiving a strong antibiotic through his I.V. line.”
Berto nodded and rushed into the operating room to be with his Popi. A moment later, Josie walked out looking rather pale. Dr. Mendoza patted her shoulder.
“You did very well, my dear,” he said in perfect English, a result of years of medical training in the U.S.
“Th-thank you, doctor,” she replied in a shaky voice.
Gabriel crossed swiftly to her side. “Come, you look like you can use some fresh air,” he said, taking her arm. She made an agreeing sound and he led her outside, where he coaxed her to sit in a chair on the Mendozas’ enclosed front patio.
“I’m so glad that’s over,” she muttered, closing her eyes. “Saw nasty wounds in Afghanistan, b-but when he started cutting away at the wound, I-I thought I’d faint.”
Crouching in front of her, Gabriel chafed her icy hands. “You are very brave, mi tigresa. Thank you for helping to save Javier. I am so proud of you.”
She opened her eyes and smiled. “I’m proud of you too, Gabriel. You’re a good man to fight against the drug traffickers.”
His throat tightened. Coming to a decision he’d been considering, he said thickly, “Josie, you have shown courage and compassion again and again. You have also proven your honesty. I now believe you spoke the truth about why you sought me out.”
She caught her breath, chocolate eyes sparkling with excitement. “Does this mean you will come with me to meet Lara and the other Guardians?”
“Sí, I will.”
Giving a joyous cry, she launched herself at him. He caught her, nearly toppling over backward onto the paving stones beneath them. She kissed him and hugged him tight. Grinning from ear to ear, he rose with her in his arms, and kissed her soundly, drinking in her honey sweetness. They were both breathless when he lifted his mouth from hers. She was so petite that her booted toes knocked against his shins. Lowering her gently to the ground, he pressed butterfly kisses upon her eyes and cheeks.
“You won’t regret your decision, I promise,” she whispered breathlessly.
“I know, mi amor.” Raising his head, he gazed into her dreamy eyes, wishing he could fly away with her right now. But he could not. “Before we leave, I must see my brother Sergio. He has something that I need.”
“Okay. Where is he?”
“Not far. He lives in Cali, but be warned, visiting him may prove dangerous.”
Her fine raven brows drew together. “Why is that?”
Gabriel tensed, frowning. “Because he works for our father, who would like to see me dead.”
“What!” Josie gasped in shock. “Why would your father want you dead?”
He pivoted away, hating to speak the ugly words. “The bastard killed his wife, my mother, and he knows she told me before she died.”
“Oh, my God! Gabriel, I’m so, so sorry.” Josie slipped her arms around him and pressed her face to his back.
He turned to hold her, seeking comfort from this woman who had invaded his life and his heart.
CHAPTER TEN
Dr. Mendoza was kind enough to lend them his car, an older model but in good condition. Josie sat next to Gabriel as he drove, wondering if the something he needed to retrieve from his brother was the ancient scroll he had sworn to guard. She wanted to ask but feared his reaction. Not being one of the Guardians – or their mates – she wasn’t supposed to know the scrolls existed, but circumstances had dictated otherwise.
The drive into Cali didn’t take long, although city traffic slowed them down. When Gabriel turned into a wealthy section and wended his way along streets lined by walled estates, Josie gawked at the majestic mansions peaking out from behind the walls.
“Your brother must be rich if he lives around here,” she said.
“Sí, Sergio leads an easy life thanks to the family business,” he said dryly.
“What business is your family in?”
“The pharmaceuticals business,” he sneered. “My father is a kingpin in the Cali drug trade.”
“He’s the man you’re trying to bring down!” she blurted.
“Sí, if it is the last thing I do, I will keep my promise to my mother and avenge her death,” he said, voice resonating with hatred and determination.
“What of your vow to the Council of Guardians? Will you break it in pursuit of revenge?” The words flew from her tongue before she could stop them.
He glanced at her sharply. “It seems the new High Guardian divulged all of our secrets to you.”
“Not all, I’m sure,” she said, wishing she’d kept quiet. “But Lara felt my father and I should know what we were getting into when we agreed to provide her and the rest of you a hiding place. She made clear we could be risking our lives.”
Watching the road ahead, he slowly nodded. “I see her reasoning and I agree, you do have a right to know the
danger you might face. In answer to your question, no, I do not intend to break my sacred oath to the Council. Not if I can help it.” Cutting off any further conversation, he turned into a gated driveway. He pressed a call button and a man answered, asking who was there in Spanish.
“Tell Sergio his brother is here,” Gabriel said.
After a silence, the man on the other end said, “Wait please.” Several tense moments passed. Then he came back with one word, “Entrar.”
The heavy iron gate swung open, allowing them in. Josie gazed in awe at the manicured grounds as Gabriel drove slowly along a tree lined drive. Her mouth dropped open when the palatial residence rose up before them. Then she spotted a man standing outside massive double doors underneath an ornate portico. An armed guard stood on either side of him at a discreet distance.
The man grinned as Gabriel pulled to a stop under the covered entrance, shut off the engine and hopped out of the car. That the two were brothers was easy to see from their strong resemblance when they walked toward each another. Sergio was several years the elder judging by the flecks of gray at his temples and in his neatly trimmed beard.
“Welcome, little brother,” he said, spreading his arms wide and hugging Gabriel, who returned his hug less enthusiastically.
“Hola, Sergio,” he said, pulling back and coming to open Josie’s door.
“I am delighted to see you and your lovely friend,” Sergio said, eyeing her curiously as she stepped out of the vehicle.
“Josie is from the States,” Gabriel said in English, lightly gripping her elbow and leading her forward. “Josie Tseda, meet my brother, Sergio Valdez.”
Smiling broadly, Sergio dipped his head. “I am happy to meet you, Señorita Tseda. What an unusual name that is.”
Uncertain how to take his remark, she gave a brittle smile. “It’s Navajo.”
“Ah, you are an American Indian. How Intriguing. You must tell me how you happened to meet my wayward brother,” he said, setting off alarm bells in her head.
Gabriel saved her from having to reply by addressing his brother. “I’m afraid we have no time for that now. If we may go inside, there is something I must ask you.”
Sergio’s smile slipped a notch but he nodded. “Of course. Come in, please.” He opened one of the huge, carved wooden doors and motioned for them to enter.
Feeling Gabriel’s hand at the small of her back, Josie walked into an immense two-story atrium with palm trees, tropical ferns and brightly colored flowers growing in huge planters around the rectangular space. In the center stood a multi-tiered stone fountain. Water spilled gently from one tier to the next, forming a soft, tinkling melody. Awestruck, Josie looked up and saw a balcony with hallways splitting off in several directions.
Sergio chuckled. “I see you are impressed with my humble dwelling, my dear. I confess most of it is my wife’s creation. Sadly, she is off on another shopping trip today or I would introduce you.” Shrugging, he continued, “Come, we will have privacy in my office.” Leading the way between planters, he ushered them into a room with a charcoal-gray sectional sofa to one side and a well stocked bar on the other. A massive desk cluttered with papers and ledgers held the place of honor against the far wall, flanked by tall windows draped in a lighter tone of gray.
“Please, have a seat,” Sergio said, indicating two leather chairs facing the desk. “Can I get you a drink?” he offered. When they both refused, he walked around behind the desk and sat in another, larger chair. Leaning back, he propped his elbows on the chair arms, tented his fingers together and stared at Gabriel, no longer the smiling host. “I suspect I know why you have come, brother.”
Gabriel gave him stare for stare, Josie observed. “No doubt you do. I have come to collect the box I left with you when I fled. You still have it, I hope.”
Sergio nodded. “You need not worry. I have kept your precious box quite safe. No one, including our father, knows of its existence.” He glanced at Josie and smiled, making her uncomfortable. “Señorita Tseda is in your confidence?” he enquired, gaze shifting back to Gabriel.
“She is. Gracias for protecting what Mother entrusted to me.”
“It was my duty as her son.” Sighing, Sergio raked his hands through his hair in a way Josie had seen his brother do many times. “I believe the object in the box has to do with the secret power our madre passed on to you. Does it not?”
Looking stunned, Gabriel gave a jerky nod.
“So, if I refused to safeguard the box, I would betray her as well as you.”
“I did not think you knew, Serg.”
“I followed the two of you once when she took you to the park as she called it,” Sergio said with a shrug. “The park turned out to be an abandoned warehouse. I slipped inside and hid in the shadows, where I watched her teaching you to use the power.” He gazed at his brother strangely, as if in awe – or fear. “This thing she did, that you can do, is terrifying. I was afraid to reveal what I saw.”
Wondering what terrible power Gabriel wielded, Josie watched him closely, seeing his eyes narrow.
“Did you tell Father about it?” he questioned.
Sergio laughed. “No. He told me years later when he’d had too much whiskey.”
Gabriel’s eyebrows shot up. “He knew?”
“Of course. Think about it. They were married many years. How could she keep such a secret from her husband for so long a time?”
“You are right. I should have realized,” Gabriel muttered. Head bent, he thought aloud, “And since he knew, I am sure he wanted to use her power to his advantage. To dispose of his enemies, no doubt.” Shooting to his feet, he paced around the room. “But Mother would have refused to hear of such a thing. She believed our gift should be used only for good, not for evil.” He halted to stare at his brother. “Can this be why he was so cruel to her through the years? And why she was finally killed?”
“You still blame Popi for her death?” Sergio snapped, scowling.
“How could I not when she told me he was the one responsible?”
“Bah!” Sergio waved his hand dismissively. “You are foolish to believe anything she said when she was out of her head from all the pain killers the doctors gave her. She did not know what she was saying.”
“Why do you choose not to believe her?” Gabriel barked, striding forward to lean on the desk, face practically in his brother’s. “You know as well as I do how the old man treated her, or have you conveniently forgotten all the times you and I brought her to get stitches and have bones set?”
Sergio slapped a hand on the desk. “Sí, he was harsh with her, but I will never believe he had her run off the road and left to die in the burning wreck. Never!”
Josie gasped. She’d assumed Gabriel’s father killed his wife in a fit of rage. Had he cold-bloodedly ordered the poor woman’s murder in such a horrible way?
Gabriel straightened. Drawing a heavy breath, he said, “This does no good. You will not accept the truth, no matter what I say. Give me the box and we will go.”
Sitting back, Sergio shook his head. “Not until you tell me where you have been all these months and what you have been doing. El Padre believes you are behind the trouble we have had recently, the shipments destroyed, the boats sunk and crews killed. Tell me this is not so. I have no wish to be at war with you.”
“Have those incidents caused the pair of you inconvenience, brother?” Gabriel taunted, nonchalantly crossing his arms. “Have they disrupted your distribution network and put a crimp in your life style?” He laughed bitterly. “I sincerely hope they have.”
Sergio turned red with anger. Shoving back his chair, he stood and strode around the desk, causing Josie to rise and back away in alarm. Toe to toe with Gabriel, he snarled, “Are you to blame for all of it? If you are, you’re insane. Have you thought of what Popi will do if you are caught?”
“Sí, I know exactly what he will do. He will have me killed just as he did our mother. And because you refuse to oppose him, as always,
you will live with both of our deaths on your conscience, big brother.”
The color drained from Sergio’s face. “No! Do not say that,” he choked out.
Surprising Josie, Gabriel laid a hand on his brother’s shoulder. His voice softened. “I do not wish to be at war with you either, Serg. Take my advice and get out of this filthy business you were sucked into.” He let his hand fall away and sighed tiredly. “Now hand over the box and allow us to leave before your dear wife returns from her shopping expedition. She would not be happy to find me here.”
Sergio nodded, looking defeated. “I hid the thing well. Give me a few minutes to unearth it. Wait here.” With that, he walked out, closing the door behind him.
Gabriel turned to Josie, frown lines creasing his face. “I am sorry you had to hear all that. Perhaps you should have stayed at Dr. Mendoza’s.”
“No, I’m glad to know why you want so badly to topple your father’s drug trade,” she said, walking to him and laying her hands on his chest. “For your sake, I wish Sergio was not involved.”
“So do I, querida.” Sighing unhappily, he drew her close, arms encircling her and chin resting on top of her head. “I fear for him. Many drug lords have come and gone in my country. With or without my efforts, our father’s organization will one day fall. If Sergio does not break free of him, he will end up in prison … or dead.”
Josie hugged him tighter. “I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
They held each other for several moments until the sound of footsteps in the hall parted them. The door opened and Sergio entered carrying a metal chest about a foot in length and a few inches tall. Specks of dirt clung to it as if he had dug it from the ground and hastily brushed it off. He brought it to the desk and set it down.
“What the … ? This is not what I left with you,” Gabriel said sharply.
“Have patience,” Sergio replied. “I put your box in this chest and buried it by a tree out back.” He rounded the desk, opened a drawer and came up with a set of keys. Picking out a small one, he fitted it into the latch on the chest. The lock squeaked but released when he turned the key. Raising the metal lid, he lifted out a cloth-covered object, which he unwrapped to reveal a wooded box, four or five inches long and painted in a bright Andean design. “Here it is,” he said, extending the box to his brother.