Hidden Prey

by Cheyenne McCray

  Maria looked over Tori, clearly taking in her condition. “I know what to do.” By the woman’s expression, she had no problem believing Tori’s story. Maria turned to Angelina. “Get to the party. I will take care of her.”

  Angelina flung her arms around Maria. “Thank you.” She hurried to turn and slipped through the door and closed it behind her.

  “If her grandfather finds out we have helped you.” Maria made the sign of the cross. “It will not be good.”

  “I’m sorry.” Tori gripped her hands together. “But please help me.”

  Maria gave a nod. “This way.” She turned and headed into the room she’d just come from.

  Tori followed and Maria shut the door then locked it behind them. She looked Tori up and down again. “Angelina is smaller than you, but you may be able to fit into one of the dresses we have not returned to the dressmaker. The yellow one hasn’t been taken in.”

  “A dress?” Tori frowned at her in confusion.

  “But first a bath.” Maria gestured for her to follow again.

  Tori felt compelled to do what the woman told her to do. “A dress and a bath?”

  “Take off those clothes.” Maria gestured to the bloody mess of clothing Tori wore. She turned on the water in the tub. “You are going to a party.”

  Night had settled across the Mexican desert, the earth refusing to let up its stored heat from the brutally hot day. Joe Black and two members of his team, along with Landon and Dylan, eased through the darkness as they closed in on the Jimenez compound. The stealthily silent night-black chopper carrying them into Mexico had landed far enough away it wouldn’t have been seen and couldn’t possibly have been heard.

  The compound might as well have been lit up for Christmas, so night-vision goggles would be of no use. Joe had two snipers in place, one stationed at the front entrance and another at the back. The gates were well guarded and security cameras were in place.

  Landon gripped his assault rifle as he moved and he felt the weight of his Colt .45 in his thigh holster. His black gear magnified the heat and sweat trickled down his spine. His fury over the cartel having kidnapped Tori had his temperature rising even higher. He needed to tamp it down and keep a cool head. If it got any hotter, he felt as if the camo paint on his face would melt. It wouldn’t, but it sure as hell felt like it might.

  Their belts were equipped with all manner of devices, from grenades to flash bangs, smoke bombs, and tear gas. They carried extra ammo on their belts and in various pockets and they wore bulletproof vests. The vests wouldn’t stop a rifle round if the men patrolling the compound’s perimeter managed to shoot one of them, but the vests could come in handy once they entered the compound.

  Earlier, Joe had sent a high-tech surveillance drone overhead, mapping out the compound and where the party was being held. Tori could be anywhere inside the huge place.

  If it weren’t for the civilians at tonight’s event, Landon would have wanted to go in hot. But they couldn’t take the chance of injuring any innocents. They’d watched as vehicle after vehicle had approached the compound. After lists and IDs had been checked, the vehicles had been waved through into the huge area surrounding the Jimenez mansion.

  Landon had seen the satellite images of the grounds and the monstrosity of a home that had two two-story wings. It had been some time since the last guest had arrived. Almost time to go in.

  His gut clenched as he thought of Tori being locked away inside and he narrowed his gaze, anger heating him even more. He prayed that if God existed He would protect her and help Landon and his men get her out of there safely.

  With the snipers in place, the other five men spread out, each with his part to play. Landon checked his watch. Almost time.

  Landon adjusted his earpiece so he could hear better when Joe spoke over the comm. “Everyone in place?”

  Affirmative responses came in from the snipers and the four other men, including Landon and Dylan.

  Landon let out his breath. “I’m coming for you, honey,” he murmured. “I’m coming for you.”

  The bath water had turned red from blood and Maria had drained it to let Tori quickly rinse herself off with the fresh water pouring into the tub from the spout. Pain had lanced Tori’s head as Maria had washed her matted hair, red with blood from a cut on her scalp. Bruises had appeared in black and blue splotches all over her body, including the area where she’d broken he rib. She ached and it hurt to breathe.

  Maria had Tori rush so quickly the bath lasted just over five minutes. Exhaustion and pain caused her to care less about being naked in front of a stranger and she didn’t argue as Maria toweled her off. The older woman used gentle hands, taking care not to rub too hard in bruised places.

  The woman hurried out of the bathroom then returned with undergarments and a yellow chiffon dress with bared shoulders and puffy sleeves. The lovely dress was the opposite of the conservative gown Angelina had worn. Tori slipped on the panties and bra and Maria hung the dress by its hanger on a hook behind the door. Then Maria sat Tori down in front of the bathroom mirror.

  “I will arrange for one of the guests to take you with them when the party is over.” Maria worked quickly and efficiently as she dragged out a box filled with makeup. “This belonged to Angelina’s mother. I am glad I kept it all.”

  Maria brought out fat pots of foundation and trays of blush and eyeshadow and dug out eyeliner and mascara. Tori’s Hispanic heritage reflected in her golden skin tone, and the foundation worked well. She watched Maria put it on her. The heavy base covered the bruises.

  While Maria worked, Tori wondered at how quickly the woman had come up with the scheme to rescue Tori and wondered if it would work. Prayed it would work. Would someone be willing to risk taking her away from the compound?

  Maria avoided the laceration on Tori’s scalp as well as the bruises on her face. The woman even applied makeup to the bruises on Tori’s arms. When Maria finished applying everything and had transformed Tori’s hair into a chic and elegant style, Tori looked in amazement at her reflection in the mirror. “I look like a different person.”

  “We are running out of time.” Maria took the yellow dress off the hanger and helped Tori slip it over her head.

  The dress fit, although snug around her breasts, revealing quite a bit of cleavage thanks to her woman’s figure.

  Maria gave her a once-over. “Your feet are larger than Angelina’s.” She frowned. “One of her pairs of ballet slippers would be the best.”

  The woman took Tori by the elbow and led her out of the room, and Maria went to a closet. She brought out a pair of white slippers a size too small. With Maria’s help, Tori managed to cram her feet into them. Thank goodness the soft material stretched.

  By the time Maria had prepared Tori, not much more than fifteen minutes had passed. The woman is a miracle worker, Tori thought, checking her reflection again, this time with the dress on. No one would recognize the bedraggled and bloody woman who had staggered into the suite with Angelina—at least she hoped not.

  Maria crammed Tori’s dirty and bloody clothing and shoes into a duffel bag and put it on a shelf in Angelina’s closet. “I will burn them later.” Maria beckoned for Tori to follow her to the bedroom door.

  Tori’s belly flip-flopped as they left the room. “Stand up straight and raise your head.” Maria put her fingers under Tori’s chin. “Act as if you belong here.”

  Maria glanced out of the door to the suite and nodded for Tori to follow. “Walk ahead of me.” Maria ushered her ahead. “You would not walk beside hired help.”

  With Maria following, Tori listened to her directions, taking turns as needed. She would have become lost in the massive place without Maria’s help.

  When they rounded a corner, Tori almost came to a complete stop. Three men carrying weapons hurried toward them. She didn’t recognize any of them, but she felt blood drain from her face. She kept walking, chin in the air.

  One of the men asked Maria if she’d seen
a strange woman, but Maria shook her head. “Do you mean some of the guests at the party? Many I do not know.”

  The man who had spoken sneered. “If you see someone who does not belong, report to Alejandro at once. You will know what I mean if you see her.”

  Maria bobbed her head. “Sí.”

  The men barely spared Tori a glance, although one did look at her cleavage before moving on.

  Tori let out her breath and winced from the pain in her ribs. She felt an even greater need to get into the crowd where she could hopefully hide from Alejandro and Diego Jimenez. They couldn’t possibly expect to see her among the guests, wearing an evening dress, her face made up and her hair styled.

  But would they recognize her?

  Maria took Tori the way guests had come through the house on the bottom floor, as Maria told her, and to an archway leading out onto the grassy grounds and to the tents. Bright lights pushed away the darkness of the night.

  “I can go no farther.” Maria nodded in the direction of the tents. “Remember what I told you. Act as if you belong here. Angelina or I will find you later.”

  “Thank you.” Tori gripped the woman’s hand in both of hers. “I’d hug you if it wouldn’t hurt so much.”

  Maria smiled for the first time, showing her teeth, and motioned toward the archway. “Go now.”

  Tori did as instructed, keeping her posture ramrod straight, her chin up, and her steps purposeful. Her heart pounded and the fear of being discovered made her scalp prickle. She felt tense and jittery, as if all eyes were on her even though she knew they weren’t. Although, she did notice a couple of young men ogling her cleavage.

  When she stepped beneath the tent, an usher asked her if she had a seat and she shook her head.

  He extended his hand, gesturing forward. “This way, señorita.”

  “Gracias.” She gave a slight nod of her chin and followed the man to one of the round tables with one seat available. He seated her, put her napkin in her lap then excused himself.

  All went quiet and Tori looked in the direction everyone stared.

  Diego Jimenez stood on a landing at the top of a sweeping staircase above the grounds, next to Angelina. To either side of them stood her Court of Honor, seven young men and seven young women.

  A sense of queasiness made Tori’s stomach ache and she glanced down at the empty china plate in front of her.

  Through the rushing in her ears, Tori could barely hear Diego speak as he presided over the guests. He gave some kind of speech about Angelina and how precious she had been to him as a child.

  One of the young women in the court walked to Diego and Angelina, a crown on the pink velvet pillow she held. Diego took the crown off the pillow and gave a nod to the young woman, excusing her. She returned to join the others in the court.

  Diego placed the sparkling crown on Angelina’s dark curls and she looked even more like a princess. A short religious ceremony came next, followed by the ceremonial changing of the shoes, from flat shoes to high heels.

  When all had concluded, Diego turned to face the crowd, beaming. “And now I present to you Angelina, my pride and joy, who on this day is now a young woman.”

  The guests broke out into applause and stood. Tori joined them, trying to edge herself behind a tall man in an attempt to avoid being seen. Diego escorted Angelina down the steps to the tent where everyone would be enjoying dinner.

  Her blood ran cold as she saw Diego and Angelina were being seated at the table closest to her.

  She swallowed and avoided looking in their direction as she and the other guests took their seats.

  Tori couldn’t remember the last time she ate. It must have been at least a day ago. She struggled to find her appetite with Diego sitting just feet from her. A server set in front of her a plate of a traditional Mexican meal of enchiladas, tamales, and tacos. She didn’t want to be noticed in any way, so she forced herself to eat. She needed her strength, so best to eat something now.

  It occurred to her that eating alone without talking with other guests might get her noticed too. She forced a smile and turned to the young man next to her and caught him staring at her breasts.

  He gave her a leer meant to be sexy, as if he were a young Don Juan. Tori managed not to roll her eyes. Instead she engaged him in conversation, praying her Spanish held no American accent. With so many people speaking Spanish around her, she found it easier to fall into the language with the same accent. The man’s gaze frequently dropped to her cleavage but she pretended not to notice.

  A chill crept up her spine and the hair at her nape prickled. As if she had no control over her actions, she looked away from the young Don Juan—

  And found Diego watching her.

  Chapter 29

  Landon looked through the scope of his assault rifle at the front gate and the eastern perimeter. He checked his watch. Seconds left.

  Joe’s voice came over the earpiece. “Go time in five…four…three…two…one.”

  Through the scope, Landon saw guards at the gate and along the perimeter drop as Joe’s snipers took them down. The silenced weapons made sounds no louder than a soft thwat, thwat.

  Landon’s muscles tensed while he waited for Joe’s command, when all the guards would be down.

  “Now.”

  Landon and Dylan charged toward the compound wall. From the images gathered by the drone, they knew the area they were breaching would be far enough from the party to keep civilians from getting injured, but should cause a good amount of panic.

  As he approached the wall, Landon removed an explosive device from his belt. He exposed the adhesive, clicked the device once to the left, and stuck it to the wall.

  He ran, joining Dylan on the ground, both of them plugging their ears.

  The explosion rocked the night. Debris shot sky-high when the device blew a hole the size of a tank into the compound wall.

  Screams came from within the compound.

  A second deafening explosion drowned out the screams and took out more of the wall.

  One more explosion breached a third location in the wall. The bastards wouldn’t know which way they were coming from or how many of them there were.

  “Go, go, go!” Joe shouted into the earpiece.

  Landon and Dylan ran through the dust and smoke to the wall and peered around to make sure no men with weapons waited for them.

  When they looked, Landon saw what he’d expected to. Utter chaos.

  People ran for cover, screaming. Others had fallen and were being trampled.

  The dust and smoke started to clear as Landon and Dylan made it into the house to take cover behind an archway in front of a door. Before Diego’s men charged out into the melee, assault weapons in hand, Landon and Dylan had their handguns drawn.

  Guests continued to scream, running and trying to find someplace for cover or a way to get to their vehicles. People saw the men with the weapons and ran screaming from them too.

  Some guests tried to come to the door behind the archway Dylan and Landon were stationed at, but anyone who reached them turned and ran the moment they saw the guns.

  One of the tents went down, collapsing onto guests who struggled to get out.

  They planned to locate Alejandro or Diego Jimenez, preferably both.

  They would take the men hostage in exchange for Tori. Landon and the rest of the team didn’t have enough intel to figure out where the bastards could have hidden her in the massive home.

  If she’s still alive. The unwelcome thought went through his mind.

  No. Tori was alive. She had to be.

  Terror ripped through Tori as Diego dragged her from beneath the tent and onto the lawn. He had her by her neck and kept the barrel of a pistol against her side where guests wouldn’t see. He had taken the gun from an inside pocket of his suit right before he’d grabbed Tori.

  People were running. Screaming. Smoke and dust particles floated in the air. Gunfire cut through the night. Her ears rang from the explosio
n.

  Could it be possible someone had arrived to rescue her? Could Landon be here?

  Or had she found herself in the middle of some kind of drug war?

  When Diego had looked at her in the tent, he had just stared. But she’d known he had recognized her. He clearly hadn’t wanted to create a scene during the party. But the moment things had started exploding, he’d lunged for her. She’d tried to run, but her dress had tangled up around her ankles and she’d stumbled.

  Then he’d had her, gripping her tight. She’d struggled, but his strength had proved too much for her.

  Everything had gone insane. Explosions—first one and a second then a third. People panicking, fleeing or getting trampled. Diego and Tori had been jostled and she’d almost blacked out from pain a couple of times. She might have fallen if Diego hadn’t been gripping her arm so tightly.

  And now one of the most ruthless cartel leaders in all of the world held her hostage. Diego Jimenez. El Demonio.

  “Angelina.” Diego sounded almost panicked as he held on to Tori while he turned his head, searching for the girl.

  “I have her.” Alejandro’s voice came from behind them.

  Diego appeared relieved when he saw his son and granddaughter. “I will take care of our problem.” He clenched Tori’s upper arm tight enough to bruise it.

  “Grandfather, please.” Angelina was horrified. “Do not hurt Tori.”

  “You know her name?” Diego’s expression went from relieved to angry. “Did you help her escape, mija?”

  “Let her go, Grandfather.” Tears in her eyes, the girl looked from Diego to Tori and back. “Please.”

  Diego’s grip on Tori intensified. “Get Angelina to the house and lock her in her room. I will deal with her later.”

  “Grandfather?” Angelina could barely be heard over the commotion around them, but she seemed she might be sick.

  “Go.” Diego wrapped his arm around Tori’s neck and dug the barrel of his gun into her side.