Gabrie was tied back to back with her husband. She wasn’t quite sure what they’d done to Luz since their heads were still covered. Flying in a helicopter meant they weren’t traveling too too far. Or it could mean they were being transported to a private jet. She was just anxious to be set loose so she could handle business. Rakota could sense her angst and caressed her hand to sooth her down.
A couple hours later, the couple could feel the helicopter landing. Prepared for a fight, they both braced themselves as they were rustled off the aircraft. Gabrie stumbled, but her captors kept her from falling. “What have you done to Luz Villareal?”
“She’s just fine,” Silas answered.
Rakota pulled away from the men that were holding him. One of the brutes punched him hard in the abdomen. He bent over slightly, but held his tongue. He didn’t want them agitated; they might take it out on his wife and Luz. He had to create a plan, but first he needed to understand what it was they wanted. It wouldn’t be long before he got the clarity he was seeking.
As the hoods were snatched from their heads, Gabrie and Rakota blinked several times to adjust to the light. They were momentarily baffled at what they were seeing.
“Amigos, I know this comes as a surprise, but I’ll explain it to you. Come sit.” Luz pointed to a leather sectional. “I want to untie you, but I need to be certain that you won’t try anything first.”
“Luz, how did he get you involved in this?” Gabrie wanted to know.
The Bolivian beauty smiled. “I’m not part of his plan. I hired him to help carry out mine.”
“And just what is that?’ Rakota inquired.
“Let’s start with what you do know. My mother Ana is the last to carry the chameleon trait in my family. She is a saint of a woman, and would just die if she knew what I was up to, but for as long as I can remember I’ve wanted what she has. The ability to transform into something else. Instead I was doomed to be the bastard child of Claudio Guerra. Maximo is my foolish half-brother. He knows we are siblings, but could care less because I’m a mere woman. Good for nothing in his eyes. When Claudio Guerra was killed, I came into a great deal of money. I had no desire to be part of the Guerra’s arms dealing so I sought other avenues in which to invest my money. Maximo has no idea how rich I really am. I only ran his other mansion as a cover. I didn’t need him in my business. Pharmaceuticals are very profitable. Not your low life drugs, but elite drugs that fulfill dreams. I have a team of scientists who have created a serum which transforms you into a superhuman. It took months to develop it, but it has limitations still. The effect is short lived which creates repeat purchases, but strength and agility is not all that I want this serum to do. I want to be able to become a chameleon. You, Dr. Toyin are the foremost authority on chameleons and chemistry. I need you to perfect this drug. Now cue the evil villain musica.”
“Luz, this is not a smart thing to do. Do you even know the long term effects of this serum? And you say strength and agility? How do your customers use this new found power?”
“What they do with the product is not my concern.”
“If they die as a result of using it should be,” Rakota said.
“You’ve not used the drug, have you?” Gabrie asked. “If you were a user, you would have been able to take care of Guerra’s thugs yourself that day I came back to rescue you and your mother.” Gabrie pointed out to the woman who had her completely fooled.
“You are right, mija. I have not indulged. I am waiting for it to do what I want it to do. And for that I need your beautiful husband.”
“What makes you think I will help you do this?”
“Because if you don’t, I will have to kill your beautiful wife.”
Gabrie assumed that was her plan of action. “Silas, you work for Luz?”
“I’m a very reputable gun for hire amongst a certain set of people. People who are willing to pay top dollar for my skills. Much more than the government was dishing out. I protect, I persuade, I persecute; whatever the client needs, I provide. It’s just my good luck that my current employer is so very…tasty.” He laughed loudly.
“Silas, please keep your mind on the mission.” Luz reprimanded him, but with a sly grin. “In any case, that’s the deal. I’m sorry it’s not to your liking, but I guess I inherited some of my father’s ways despite hating him so. This panic room is impossible to escape from so I suggest you don’t even waste your efforts. The entire compound is heavily guarded and totally secluded. I just want you to solve my problem and then you’ll be free.” Luz gestured to the men to remove their restraints.
Rakota had to fight to control himself. It wouldn’t pay to be impulsive, but he wanted to pummel Silas Strong. Again.
“Yeah, I used to have a thing for your precious Gabrie, mate. She’s still a looker. But she’s a do-gooder and that makes her less attractive to me now. I like my women dangerous and devious. Enjoy your stay.” Silas gave them a hospitable salute and turned his attention to Luz. He made a big show of kissing her before they left the room. Their goons followed, backing out of the room with their weapons still aimed and ready to fire.
Once the door closed, Rakota cursed loudly. Gabrie rushed to him and put her arms around his neck. She pulled him closer so that he’d hear her whisper. “They have cameras all over this room. It’s probably wired for sound, as well. That’s why they don’t care about leaving us here.”
She could feel her soulmate’s body tense up. It was her turn to sooth him. She kissed his ear lightly and softly sang a French love song her mother had taught her. Rakota finally relaxed. Gabrie knew his exceptional brain was in overdrive, but she also knew if he was fueled by anger, this scenario could get out of hand quickly. They both knew these people had no intentions of freeing them. Once they got what they wanted, they would become loose ends that had to be eliminated.
The next installment of Camylyon is coming soon.
Follow the adventures of Gabrie and Rakota as they try to thwart Silas’s plans.
Turn the page for a preview…
The smug smile faded from Silas’ face. “Okay. This is my deal. I will personally bring you to Chen myself if you allow me to enjoy my Luzita once more.”
“My powers do not include raising the dead.” Gabrie saw him slightly wince.
“No, but as a chameleon you can assume her likeness. I don’t know if you’re as skilled as she was in the art of lovemaking, but if you agree, I’ll find out tonight.”
“Are you crazy?”
“I might be. Does that matter? Will crazy prevent you from saving your husband’s life? Are you willing to keep waiting for those fake X-Men to save the day?”
Gabrie was torn. She was weary of the road blocks they’d come across in trying to locate Chen and Rakota. She was sure since these sharks swam in the same circles it was easy for Silas to find out where their common enemy was. She also knew he could have easily gone there without telling her a thing.
“Let me help you out. I want revenge. I can taste it. I just want to be with the woman I’m avenging one more time. I can get this revenge without you. I could care less what he does with Toyin. Taking you wasn’t my idea. I knew it was going to be more trouble than it was worth. But Luz wanted more than anything to be a chameleon so now I’m also curious about that, too. You do this we all get what we want.”
Gabrie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Sexual extortion. What else did she expect from her the likes of Silas Strong? She didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing her intimately, but was refusing him worth the price Rakota might pay? She looked down at her platinum wedding band. She wanted to scream.
She still had her gun aimed at him. With her other hand, she patted him down. “I’m only carrying one weapon, lovey.”
Gabrie prayed as she changed her appearance to that of Luz Villareal. Silas stood in silent awe. She could see the love on his face was real, but it didn’t stop Gabrie from hating him.
Silas moved to unbutton the shirt she wa
s wearing, but it was Rakota’s and she didn’t want him to touch it. Gabrie removed it herself and stood before him in lacy boy shorts.
“Luz.” He pulled Gabrie to him and kissed her deeply. Her stomach roiled. She hoped that she wouldn’t feel anything when he placed his hands on her. But she felt it to her core. She only looked like Luz. She couldn’t disguise anything else.
Gabrie wanted to bite him as he cupped her bottom. She shoved him. She wasn’t about to be tender with this silver beast.
About the Author
Photo credit: Michelle De Leon
Michelle is a native of The Bronx whose first three titles were published by Zane via her Simon and Schuster imprint, Strebor Books International. Independently, she’s published inspirational fiction, non-fiction and a stage play.
From P.S 85 to the City College of New York, De Leon’s favorite subject has always been creative writing. She is currently honing her skills and preparing to release more super hero stories, romance and screenplays. Her latest project, the Camylyon series, will be released in full in August 2017.
[email protected]
http://www.heavensscribemedia.com/
https://www.inkshares.com/michelle-de-leon
Camylyon: Episode 1 Page 3