by Bella Juarez
It wasn’t that hard. When he arrived at the hangar for work or reported for an op he’d always been focused and on target, and everything else seemed to fade into the background. He thought about it a little more. At least she’d be working with Badass, and he’d watch out for her. He wouldn’t be worried about her being in the brush facing dangerous drug dealers alone, and if she left the CBP, maybe the cartel wouldn’t consider her a threat any longer. She’d also be working with Special Warfare Group 5, giving him the opportunity to protect her.
Schotzie came bounding inside when the door opened and jumped on Dan as she barked happily. Prancing out of sight, she returned a short time later and dropped a ball at his feet. It was almost time for the three of them to take a short walk to a nearby empty field and play fetch. He rubbed her ears as he picked up the ball.
“In a little while, girl, it’s still a too hot outside,” he said.
Resuming his seat, he opened the lid to his laptop as Rio slid her arm around him and leaned in for a kiss. Her happiness showed. As he thought about how she’d struggled all of her life, he felt himself relent somewhat because she deserved this break. Someone had finally seen just how special and talented she truly was. Shifting his focus, he let go of his doubts and allowed himself to be happy for her. She took a sip of his water as she sat in the seat next to him.
“Do you want me to get you a bottle?” he asked.
“I’ll get it,” she said, starting to rise.
“No, let me. Relax, and tell me what happened.”
“I think you already know because you were so stressed out about it earlier,” she said as he opened the bottle and handed it to her.
“I guess it just freaked me out a little. Now that I think about it, I’m really happy for you. I know it’s what you want.”
“It totally blew me away. I still can’t believe it,” she said with a giggle.
The bubbly giggle made him smile. She laughed more, and as they spent more time together, her walls seemed to be coming down. She wasn’t as controlled and guarded. She’d let herself go and was becoming the Rio he remembered. Knowing she’d already accepted Gavin’s offer, he listened as she told him what Gavin had proposed. Her happiness was infectious, and he shook off the doubts that had plagued him earlier. They’d be all right. They weren’t teenagers anymore. They were adults with professional lives and were among the best in class in their respective careers.
“Are you still worried about this?” she asked.
“No, babe, I’ll be fine. I’m really happy you’re getting what you’ve always wanted. We’ll figure it out.”
* * * *
“Ambassador Nasir Hesbani from the Pakistani embassy has arrived, sir,” the aide announced.
Viktor Ivanov and the Russian ambassador assigned to the Office of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Houston, Texas, exchanged glances. Ambassador Hesbani had requested the meeting. Ivanov knew that the Pakistani ambassador and wayward Minister Bakri were linked, and that Pakistan had already made preparations to cut the ties with Bakri. He’d been maneuvering this moment since Bakri slipped through his fingers. Hesbani had specifically requested that the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation attend this meeting. Viktor was the director of military counterintelligence and reported directly to the President of the Russian Federation. His division had been a more palatable way of keeping the KGB alive and well in Russia.
The ambassador arrived, and the meeting began with the usual customs and courtesies between the two representatives. Fifteen minutes into the meeting Ivanov had lost interest and his patience. When the Russian ambassador abruptly excused himself, Viktor had missed why his ambassador had left. He flashed Hesbani an awkward smile. He didn’t like these diplomatic games but understood the necessity.
“I needed to speak with you, alone,” Hesbani said.
The request surprised him. “I am at your service, Mr. Ambassador.”
“Cigarette?” the ambassador offered.
Being former KGB, Ivanov was suspicious of someone attempting to do him harm.
“Please, take one of mine,” he said, digging out his platinum cigarette case. “They are specially made for me from a very fine Cuban tobacco. I’m sure you’ll enjoy them.”
The ambassador smiled and took the offering. “You and I both seek the same thing. We need to find Minister Bakri and…minimize him.”
Ivanov managed a surprised, blank gaze. “What do you mean, ambassador?”
“Let’s just say that the Pakistani government is interested in moving forward with plans to assist Russia with her current international trade interests. We are fully prepared to lobby for your entry into OPEC with our allies. However, there has been a recent misunderstanding in our program for exchanging certain scientific projects.”
More diplomatic double talk. Ivanov sighed inwardly. His tolerance for this sort of game had become low and thin. Knowing the layout of the embassy, he knew he was in one of the less secure rooms. Even so, cameras were watching them from every direction. He leaned forward to light the ambassador’s cigarette and whispered, “Whatever you want with me, say it—quickly.” The harsh tone in his voice left no room for questions. The ambassador glanced at him, startled. “What is it you want from me?”
“Minister Bakri is a liability to both of us. The only way we can move forward and get to where we both need to be is to eliminate him. How that is done, I will leave to you. Where can I deliver the wayward minister?”
Ivanov sat back in his chair. While politics could be a game he didn’t like to play, he’d mastered it to survive the change from communism to socialism. He’d outlasted several prime ministers and presidents, men who held his career, and at times, his freedom in their hands. Through it all, he’d maintained his position in the unpredictable world of politics. Cameras be damned, he was either being set up, or the gods had just dropped a golden gift in his lap. Still, there would be no way he would take the fall for this alone. He knew that by maneuvering the direction of these negotiations to his and Russia’s advantage, this conversation would never see the light of day. But if he failed, it could mean his life. Time was growing short, and he needed to get rid of the minister.
“What exactly do you expect me to do with the minister once you’ve delivered him?”
The ambassador looked around the room nervously. He realized what was at stake as well. If this greasy bastard had the backing of his own government, then he’d come clean with what he really wanted, if he’d come on his own, then this discussion would end.
“We need him neutralized. He’s become unreasonable and is putting us all at risk. It would be in both of our best interests if he was out of the way. The minister has become fixated and shortsighted. Russia and Pakistan have a much bigger vision.”
“Let’s be clear. You want Russia to rein in a monster you created—”
The ambassador rudely interjected. “That we both created. Let’s not forget your resources got him—”
“Cut the shit, ambassador. Russia was doing what you asked of us, support you and give you the technology to play both sides of the fence with the United States and the Taliban. We kept our end of the bargain. Your people fucked this up.”
Ivanov paused to let his words sink in. By his fearful expression, the ambassador couldn’t hide the fact that Ivanov’s message had been loud and clear. It was time to nail the coffin shut and seal a deal in his favor. Suddenly he understood that the Pakistani government was scrambling—something had become amiss between them and Iran. From now on, Russia had to deal with Iran directly. No more middlemen. Ivanov had to get his government out of the middle of a dangerous international incident.
“And now, you want us to pick up the pieces before it’s too late to excuse away your treachery with the United States and what you did with the aid money you’ve used against them.”
The ambassador’s eyes widened, and Ivanov knew he’d struck a nerve. He’d assessed this situation correc
tly. By the look on the ambassador’s face it was clear Pakistan had become concerned over losing Russia and the United States as supporters. Ivanov continued,
“I don’t think Russia is interested in pissing off the United States quite like that. I’m sorry ambassador, I’m not your man, and Russia isn’t the ally to help you with this.”
“We will cut the ties and hand him over to you if you can reach Iran and have them do the same,” the ambassador said quickly.
Perhaps Bakri had done more damage than Ivanov knew. There would be no reason to pursue Bakri any longer, and this embarrassing loose end would tie itself up eventually. But if the opportunity presented itself, the leverage from getting rid of Bakri would go far, and Ivanov made the decision to leave that door open.
“We’ll see when and if you can hand him over. Your government has been long on promises and short on delivery.”
* * * *
Wes stared at the message he’d just received in his inbox. He had to get his hands on the Jensen ranch before he blew the biggest deal of his life. The family didn’t realize they were sitting on a gold mine. He ran his fingers through his thinning salt-and-pepper hair. His broker in Mexico had threatened to go to the Jensens directly and force their hand. That bloody trail would lead straight back to him if anything like that happened. It wouldn’t be only Rio this time. It would be the whole damn family.
There had to be a cleaner way to do this. He looked over the plat of the Jensen ranch once more. The property had been owned by a silver mining company, and now it had become scrub brush barely able to support the cattle they ran on it. And for some reason, Davey Jensen thought he could turn that around. They hadn’t been able to make money off that land since they’d owned it. Wes knew that, because the land had never been intended to make any money.
Juan Jensen had been a Mexican mining engineer who’d come here to work in the dwindling mining industry in the early seventies. He had purchased the land from the Mexican company who deemed it worthless once the silver played out. He decided to make Bisbee his home and marry Marissa, a Sierra Vista socialite who’d been dazzled by Juan’s family lineage in Mexico. His vision went on to make modern Bisbee what it had become today. Eventually taking on the role as city manager, his vision included incorporating more of the surrounding small pueblos, thus doubling the size of Bisbee within ten years and increasing the tax base. He rebranded the city, turning it away from the brink of abandonment and making it a haven for modern artists. He lured the Indians back to the almost empty reservation nearby and turned the worthless sand and cactus into a billion-dollar casino that never closed. Of course, nearby Bisbee and Sierra Vista also took the overflow of tourists.
Juan never took much of the credit, but as a real-estate broker and developer, Wes had been a part of his vision and saw the genius behind it. Rio reminded Wes of her father, quiet intelligence, hardworking, and stubborn as all hell. Despite what Marissa said, he knew Rio wasn’t the idiot her mother made her out to be. She’d managed to escape Montenegro and that had to have been one hell of a trick. Marissa confused book smart with life smart. Rio had a shit ton of common sense and ambition. Rio would do well no matter what she decided to do with her life. The girl had become every inch her father when it came to thinking. He needed that kind of genius working for him.
Jax would never be able to keep her under control; that would be up to Wes. The girl also had her mother’s beauty if she’d quit dressing up like a man in that CBP uniform. He picked up his cell phone and scrolled through the numbers. Eli Reyes. How could he get Rio in the right place at the right time, again? Danny Gamez… The boy never left her side, and now he never would. Something else Jax had fucked up. He tossed his phone on his desk in frustration. They had to come up with a different plan this time to get that ranch and Rio under control. He dug out the plat of the former silver mine and looked it over again. Damn! This place is worth millions. He had to find a hole in the paperwork for the Jensen estate. He also had to find a way to shift the murder of his ranch hands away from him and Montez’s people who’d been hired to take Rio away until her family signed over the land. Jax had come home that night and told him how they planned on kidnapping Rio. He’d led his drunk son on and offered the use of his ranch hands. The unfortunate murder of his hands had been a necessary sacrifice to put Reyes in the right place at the right time and setup PJ to take the fall. But Jax had managed to screw up a carefully laid, infallible plan.
“Jax!” Wes yelled impatiently as he drank the last of the shot of whiskey in his glass.
“Yeah, Pa,” Jax answered, lumbering into the room.
“I’m going out tonight. Stay here and undercover. I can’t risk you doing something stupid again.”
“But PJ and me—”
“But nothing! You’re out of jail on bond money we don’t have. You park your ass and do your jacking off with PJ here. Just don’t fucking move!”
Wes looked down at his desk and the Jensen ranch on paper. Did that wily bastard know this land would be worth something one day? Juan always had a plan and a vision that could be miles ahead of anyone else. Wes recalled the conversations he and Juan would have at the end of a city council or chamber of commerce meeting. They always involved the next strategic move. Maybe it was time to take a step back and think.
What would Juan do?
Chapter 19
1515 Santa Cruz St.
South Bisbee, Arizona
July 19, 2010/1618 Zulu
Rio watched from the doorway as Danny zipped up his bag and scanned over his belongings. Instead of Coronado, he would be going back to San Antonio for a week and return with the team conducting operations later in the month.
“Did you get everything you need?”
“I think so.” He glanced at his watch and picked up his bags. “Are you ready?”
“Yes,” she replied, strapping her duty belt around her waist. While he watched her, she watched his pupils dilate, and the skin of his neck and face became flushed. When he licked his lips, she just had to ask what the hell had just gone through his mind.
“Why are you looking at me that way?” He didn’t answer and continued to stare. “Danny!”
“What?” He blinked as he came back to reality.
“What are you looking at?”
He shook his head as if he were a little disoriented and looked down at his things on the bed.
“How come you’re dressed in your CBP uniform? You’re not working with Gavin today?”
“No, they’re shorthanded at the station. I’ll be picking up people from the county jail and processing. We’ve had a big influx over the last couple of days.”
“Oh…”
“You didn’t answer me. Why are you looking at me that way?”
By the way he looked at her, she wasn’t sure if he’d even heard the question. She put her hands on her hips and stared back. Then she remembered her handcuffs were attached to the keepers on her duty belt. She slid them out of the case and held them up watching his eyes follow them just like one of her dogs would a treat.
“Is this what’s got your attention?”
“Aw, babe, don’t do that. Instead of a meeting, it’ll be a captain’s mast for missing my plane and going AWOL.”
“What do they do to an officer with an Article 15?” she asked, gently swinging the cuffs back and forth.
“Put those damn things away! Do you want to put my ass out of the Navy?”
“They won’t put you out. Don’t exaggerate.” Her smile was downright wicked—and she knew it.
“The sadistic fuckers I work with would make me wish I’d been kicked out.”
Laughing, she stuffed her handcuffs back into the case on her duty belt.
Danny caught his flight with plenty of time to spare. As she watched him leave, none of the dread she’d felt whenever she’d seen him leave before gripped her. She knew he’d come back to her this time. Fort Huachuca would soon be invaded by SEALs and Marine Recon with
in the week to resume operations as a cohesive team. Her days seemed to fly by since joining Gavin’s task force.
Today would be the first time since her ordeal she’d be working at the station. Checking in, she gathered a few CBP agents to assist her. They arrived at the jail, and Rio went to the front office to sign the releases for the illegals they had to process out for deportation. She cringed as she walked. She hated coming to the jail because Sylvia worked in the front office where she needed to go for the transfer paperwork. Rio often wondered just what the hell she did here. It was a big office, and Sylvia always found a way to be in the vicinity when Rio came for a pickup. Today had been no exception. Sylvia had her back to the door, talking on her cell phone when she entered the processing area to sign papers,
When she approached the desk, she could hear every word of Sylvia’s conversation, and it sounded as if she was making dinner plans for the night. One of the sheriff’s deputies greeted Rio, and they started going through the paperwork for the transfer of prisoners. As she looked over the list, something Sylvia said distracted her.
“Of course, Danny, I understand, and I know we’re just friends. I hope Rio doesn’t mind.”
What the fuck?
Initially, Rio’s temper flared, then the glint of her engagement ring caught her eye, and she calmed, and then wondered if Sylvia knew just how stupid she sounded right now. She forced herself not to react and continued looking over the list as Sylvia talked. Signing the release, she handed the papers back to the deputy and waited for a copy. If she planned on having dinner with Danny tonight, it would be one hell of a trick because he had to be almost to San Antonio by now. What could possibly make this woman so desperate for Danny’s attention that she needed to resort to something like this?