Toro (The Hell Yeah Series)

by Sable Hunter

“Possibly. He or his sister might have overheard Esteban talking, I’m not sure.” Bull led the men south, his heart hammering in his chest. He felt antsy, as if time was slipping through his fingers. “Let’s ride faster, I just have this feeling this is all going down without me.”

  After a few minutes he recognized familiar landmarks, the figure of Toro Roca was prominent in the distance. “We’re nearing the hot springs. Look on the ridge, Aron sculpted that monster.” As they rode by the big stone bull, the men began to feel the gravity of the moment. They might have the element of surprise on their side, but that did not eliminate the risk, especially to Isabella.

  “Armando thinks we could be dealing with as many as seven men, unless Esteban enlisted more after he arrived here. We need to keep to the trees the rest of the way. We don’t know who might be watching and from what vantage point.” Bull pointed to a copse of trees. “Let’s start there, we can move from one thicket to the next along the fence line.”

  As they neared the complex of buildings near the hacienda, Bull pulled his mount to a halt. “Okay, the barn is up ahead.” He glanced at the others. “I don’t know about you, but I’ve never shot anybody. I wasn’t in the service and I haven’t run in the same circles as Jason Statham and Bruce Willis here.” He indicated Joseph and Noah.

  “Let’s do our best to subdue and not kill,” Mateo said with a wisdom beyond his years. “I have gone up against men like these before. They will not show you the same consideration, I assure you.”

  “You can do it for Isabella,” Canyon told him, holding Bull’s gaze.

  “You’re right.” Bull nudged his horse forward. “I can do anything for Isabella.”

  As they neared the barn, Bull held up a finger for silence and slid off his horse. Moving close to the ground, he edged up the building to check out his surroundings. Seeing no threat, he motioned for the others to follow. Once inside, they split up, searching for the guard and his hostages. He had no way of knowing if Isabella was being held here or somewhere else. She might, even now, be facing Desperado. However, the possibility she was in this barn was one he couldn’t ignore. If not, they’d release whatever hostages they found, not only insuring their safety, but increasing the number of able fighting men loyal to Isabella.

  “Hurry, hurry, hurry,” he chanted to himself. Part of Bull wanted to just ride on to the ring where he’d inspected the breeding stock, the ones Isabella had accompanied to Texas. Damn, that day seemed like a lifetime ago.

  The only thing holding him back was not knowing what opposition he would face when he got there. Alone, he might not be able to disable every armed guard. If he was captured, he’d be no good to Isabella. “Just a few more minutes, baby. I’ll find you in just a few more minutes.”

  …Isabella felt as if she was heading to her execution. Esteban and Don Luis walked on either side of her. She could see more men waiting, all armed with automatic weapons. “Who are we expecting? The Calvary or the Marines?”

  “We’re expecting no one, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Right?” Esteban nudged her with the cold steel tip of the gun. “I like your outfit. Very appropriate. Blood will show up beautifully on that snow white dress.” Isabella ignored him, she ignored both of them.

  For her, Don Luis had ceased to exist.

  Ahead, through the slats in the gate, she could see Desperado. Her adversary awaited her. Bull had been right, he did resemble Toro Roca. Huge. Pale as death. His eyes were focused on her, as if he knew she was coming for him. “Instead of me entering the ring first, I see you have him waiting.” She knew this was a ploy on the part of Esteban. This way, she would be invading Desperado’s territory, not the other way around. An animal defends its territory, sometimes to the death.

  “Yes, it seemed appropriate.” Coming to the gate, Esteban stopped. “Wait for me in the stands, Don Luis.” He nodded to the guard perched on the top railing, guarding the entrance to the viewing area. The guard glanced at Don Luis, then back to Esteban, giving him a nod of understanding. Isabella realized her uncle was as much of a prisoner as she was.

  “Are you ready, La Diosa?”

  “Yes, I am ready.”

  “I want to inform you that the gate will be locked and only I have the key. So, escape will be impossible.” With a flick of his wrist, the latch was released and the gate swung open. Isabella stepped into the enclosed area with its dirt floor and paneled walls. No barrel to hide behind cluttered the open space. There was nothing in the ring but Isabella and the monster bull.

  As soon as the metal gate clanked closed behind her the bull lowered his head and pawed, his eyes narrowed in fury, breath huffing from his nostrils.

  …Back at the barn, Mateo was the one who subdued the sentry guarding Renata and Isabella’s faithful employees. The armed man had been so busy ogling and flirting with Renata, Mateo had been able to approach the man and render him useless with a choke hold. After the rescue, Bull’s team expanded from six to eleven. Three vaqueros and two other workers who were on duty the day they were attacked. Juan, Manuel, Raul, and Pedro were among the hostages, the rest were individuals Bull had not met before.

  When they were ready to proceed, old Pedro stayed back with the women, Magdalena was weak and frightened, more for Isabella than herself. Renata begged to ride with them to rescue her friend, but Mateo had been adamant, speaking to the young woman rapidly in Spanish. When she relented, it had been with a smile on her face.

  As they were leaving the barn, Renata encouraged them all to be careful, then grabbed Bull’s arm. “I’m so thankful you came, I asked Isabella if you would.”

  “What did she say?”

  Renata shook her head and Bull’s heart hurt as she related Isabella’s surety that he would not come to help her. “She said there was no way for you to know.” No, she had no idea he’d learned of her kidnapping, but Bull wanted to believe their souls were connected in some mystical way. Isabella should just have believed he would come. With a sad understanding, he could admit he’d been the one to break the bond between them. He’d pushed her away, he’d asked her to go, he’d denied to her that what they shared meant anything to him. The sex is great, but it’s just a game.

  What a fuckin’ lie.

  “She also said she was glad you didn’t know, Benedict. Above all else, she wanted you to be safe.”

  Bull felt the knife in his heart press deeper and deeper with every word the young woman uttered. “Well, I’m here. There’s nothing on God’s earth that would’ve kept me away.”

  As they continued their mission, Noah and two of the vaqueros headed to the main entrance of Terra Dura, betting Esteban had posted a guard there. Their goal was to eliminate every threat, every obstacle. Bull and the rest proceeded to the arena. The nearer they drew; the surer Bull became that the cruel spectacle had already begun. “She’s in there, she’s in there with that demon. I can feel it.”

  “Slow down, Redford. We can’t go in with guns blazing. We need to be stealthy, take out any armed men, then you can rescue your lady,” Josh muttered, a steadying hand on Bull’s arm. “We don’t want to alert them to our presence, there’s no telling what Esteban would do to Isabella.”

  “I know, I hear you,” Bull said, as they stood on the edge of a grove of trees, the ring in clear view. “I see two armed goons, there may be more.” He looked from man to man. “Let’s spread out and see what we’re dealing with, try to go one on one.”

  “Esteban and Don Luis will be in the stands, let’s take them out last,” Canyon suggested, gazing through a pair of binoculars. “Man, they’re carrying AK47’s, I feel a bit under-armed.” He patted his pistol.

  “Let’s just hope they’re distracted by what’s going on in the ring,” Joseph said, then quickly realized how it sounded. “I’m sure Isabella will be able to hold her own until we get there. She is La Diosa, after all.”

  “Well, we’re here, goddammit, I’m going in.” Bull gave a few more last minute instructions to the newer membe
rs of their entourage, then they slipped off to take down those who’d placed his woman in a dangerous and untenable position for no other reason than for greed and revenge.

  …“Hola, Toro.” Isabella spread the cape out to her side. “I am so sorry you have been mistreated. I believe we have a mutual acquaintance. Do you remember Benedict Redford? I think he stayed on your back longer than most.” She kept her voice modulated and soft, conveying a gentleness in her tone. The cape was there for her protection, to keep his attention and his focus away from her body. She knew this bull had dueled with rodeo bullfighters, the brave men and women who, in day’s past, answered to the lowly title of rodeo clown. Now, they were given the respect they deserved, for they stood between the vulnerable rider and the animal intent on stomping him into the ground. But those rodeo bullfighters worked in teams and they used well-padded steel barrels to provide a barrier between them and the bull. She had no such protection, nothing but a frail piece of fabric.

  “My name is Isabella, others call me La Diosa. I have faced many bulls, but you are the apex. After today, I lay down my cape. Either in victory or defeat.”

  Suddenly, Desperado charged. Head down, hooves pounding. Isabella stood her ground, her body tuned to the movement of every muscle in the bull’s body. As he approached, it was as if she stood in the oncoming winds of a tornado. A pulse of energy hit her like the shock wave of an atomic bomb. His horns found the cape, his wide shoulders brushing against the material of her dress. She didn’t breathe until he passed behind her, then she whirled to face him, knowing he might not keep moving away. The mighty bull could wheel on Isabella and catch her from behind, tossing her over his head before she realized it was happening.

  When she pivoted, she found him only a few feet away – not running, not charging.

  The beast was thinking.

  Isabella realized then, she wasn’t dealing with a normal animal. This one was smart. He was judging the situation. He was weighing her in the balance…and Isabella was very afraid he would find her wanting.

  “Very well, if you will not play the game as expected. Neither will I.”

  Throwing the cape to one side, Isabella faced her nemesis. “Desperado. Do you know what your name means? A violent criminal who is not afraid of being hurt. Is that you?”

  The bull pawed the ground and let out a menacing bellow, tossing his head to one side.

  “I know there was a time when you were a small calf, innocent and warm, your breath smelling of milk. Had you been mine at that point, I would have loved you. I would have brushed your coat and fed you from my hand.” She took a step nearer. “The way that you are is not your fault. You are only violent because you’ve been made to be violent. You do fear being hurt, but I will not hurt you. Come to me, lay aside your anger and your pain, I will ensure that you live out your days in comfort. I will pay many pesos to make you mine. You will no longer be desperate, you will be loved.”

  …Meanwhile…one by one, the men with guns were neutralized. Negated, disarmed, and contained. The shots fired were silent and the wounded were moved to a place where they could be guarded until aid could come. Bull was grateful for the swiftness with which his friends acted and the calmness that existed after, he had no desire to do anything to alarm the beast facing off against his goddess.

  The next step was for Josh and Canyon to take out the older men, coming up on Don Luis and Esteban from behind. They sat mesmerized with the scene below, Esteban drinking liquor from a flask. Before the pair could react, Josh and Canyon subdued them with garrottes, cutting off their wind and removing the weapons at their sides. They were removed and gagged, tied up to await Bull, who had requested a little alone time with each man before they were turned over the authorities.

  “Now, it’s my turn.” Bull mounted his horse. “Please, God, don’t let me let her down.”

  “You can save her, Benedict Redford,” a voice spoke over his shoulder. “As she has her own way of facing the bull, so do you. Have faith in yourself. You will not let her down.”

  Bull was amazed to find Jose Mercedes, looking the same as the day he’d seen him at the bullfight. “I remember you. Isabella spoke of you the other day. You’re her grandfather. Aren’t you?”

  “I am.” He smiled. “I watch over her when I can.”

  “Send up a prayer now, Senor Mercedes. We’re going to need it.” Bull didn’t wait to say more, he had something much more important to take care of…

  Isabella.

  …Extending her hand, Isabella advanced one more step. “I am not your enemy, Toro. There is nothing I want from you. I will not beat you. Spur you. Electrocute you. I will not abuse you.” Bile rose in her throat as she grew close enough to make out whip marks on his hide. “I will not let anyone hurt you again.”

  Another step. And another.

  Without warning, the bull kicked backwards and sidestepped, trotting some distance away. Most would think this was a good sign, but Isabella knew better. Desperado was not retreating, he was seeking a better position.

  As the bull faced Isabella, he began to paw. She stood in the open, with nothing to hide behind, the walls surrounding her too high to scale. Lowering his head, Desperado let out a low, rumbling roar – and charged.

  Isabella did not scream. There was no use. She was facing an unbeatable foe. She didn’t close her eyes, and if she had…she would’ve missed an unbelievable sight.

  For over the fence, like a white knight on a fiery steed, Benedict Redford and his horse came sailing through the air, landing in a cloud of dust. Isabella’s heart came up in her throat. “Bull!”

  Bull saw her stunned look of disbelief, yet there was no time for anything more. The bull changed his focus. Repeating the words that she’d once told him, Bull yelled, “Get out, Isabella! Your captors are gone. Get out!”

  “I can’t. The gate’s locked. Esteban has the key.”

  Her voice drew Desperado’s attention and he shifted, facing her once more. In the bull’s mind, the smaller woman was the lesser of two evils, the one most easily defeated. So, he resumed his original plan and charged.

  “Josh! Find the damn key on Esteban!” Bull bellowed. With his heart in his throat, Bull could see there was no more time. He had to act.

  As Jose Mercedes predicted, Bull did what came naturally to him. Pushing his nervous horse to run alongside the animal, Benedict Redford reached out and grasped the monster by the horns, propelling himself from the back of his mount to the back of the rampaging bull. Without a rope to hold onto, he tightened his knees, threw up his hand and let out a war whoop!

  This was familiar.

  Desperado, stunned by this new development, fell into the role he was born for. He began to wheel and buck, jump and spin. Dislodging the man on his back was his one true goal.

  And Isabella…Isabella couldn’t believe her eyes. One moment she’d been facing certain death, the next a thundering roar announced the arrival of her hero. Isabella witnessed the man of her dreams fulfilling her wildest fantasy.

  He was strong. He was sure.

  He was larger than life.

  There was no bell to sound the eight seconds and if there had been, it would have rung in vain. Bull wasn’t conquering this animal for money, he was subduing him for the woman he loved. He would not jump off to save himself, he would ride this demon to the gates of hell and back to save his soulmate.

  Isabella saw Josh running forward with the key. He threw open the gate, but she had no intention of leaving. Not so long as Bull was in danger.

  “Get out of there, Isabella!” Josh cried.

  “Not without Benedict.”

  From atop the beast, Bull could see the way of escape was open. Isabella could leave. Now, all he had to do was get off this monster and evade his fury. Weighing his chances, he lifted one leg and jumped from the bull’s back, falling hard to the ground. “Dammit!” He didn’t land steady on his feet, he crashed to the ground, his bad ankle failing him. Glancing up, he expecte
d to see Desperado right on top of him.

  Instead, he saw a vision in white. Isabella stood with arms outstretched, like an avenging angel. “No!” she cried when the bull would have charged, keeping him a safe distance from Bull by the strength of her will alone.

  From behind her, Canyon rushed in, leading Bull’s horse. Faced with so many, Desperado backed away.

  Isabella was shaking, she bowed her head and offered a thankful prayer. When she looked up, it was to see Bull mounting his horse and riding toward her. When he drew near enough, he held out his hand.

  With a radiant smile, she whispered, “You came.”

  “Nothing on this earth could have kept me away, Beauty.” With a powerful move, her hero swept her off her feet and straight into his arms.

  As soon as they were out of the ring, Bull brought his mount to a stop. Cupping her face, he crashed his lips to hers and devoured her mouth. Isabella clung to him, tears streaming from her eyes. He ended one kiss only to claim another and another. Bull kissed not only her lips, but her cheeks, her brow, and her eyes. He kissed away every tear. “I’m so sorry, baby. So sorry. Please forgive me.”

  “You came,” Isabella repeated, her head nestled against his chest. “You saved me. I told you that you were a hero.”

  Hell, he was a man in love. “Of course, I came. I couldn’t live if anything happened to you.”

  Josh and Canyon rode up next to them. “I hate to break up this reunion, but we’ve got some garbage to clean up. Noah has contacted a law officer we can trust to come and take Esteban, her uncle, and the other men into custody.”

  Bull helped Isabella dismount, then climbed down himself. “I want to see Esteban and Don Luis.” He handed the reins of his horse to Isabella. “You stay here.”

  When he found them, they were against the barn, their hands bound behind their back. He approached them, a sneer coming to his face. They were both frail old men. Striking a helpless man was wrong, but he didn’t give a damn. “Scum!” He grabbed Don Luis by the collar. “She is your flesh and blood, you greedy bastard!” Shaking him hard, Bull slammed him back into the metal wall. “I hope you rot in hell!” Turning to Esteban, he drew back his fist and slammed it into the man’s face. “I hope the cartel guts you. We plan on telling them how you betrayed their secrets.”