by F. G. Adams
No choice. I want to throw up. Bile moves up my throat. I’m going to be sick. Clutching at my stomach, I lean over slightly and take deep breaths. I have to stay in control; my family members’ lives depend on it.
“You’ve got me. I’ll do it.”
“Good girl. Now move.”
I glance once more at the man I thought I knew a long time ago, shooting daggers his way, the man who singlehandedly destroyed my life along with my family. His face is a mask of insensitivity. I don’t know what Fallyn ever saw in him. Maybe he fooled her too.
Walking out into the sunny Florida morning, my eyes squint as they adjust to the brightness. I check my watch for the time. Dread is consuming me. My watch reads 9:40 a.m. Keagan should be on his way to the coffeehouse. At least something is going right. The stretch limousine is parked at the entrance. The door open, waiting for me to get in.
I look around one more time, searching for what, I’m not sure. A way out? I’m not even sure if I’ll make it out of this alive. And if I do, I will never be the same.
Glancing across the street, I notice a dark tinted car parked with the window barely cracked open. Something shiny glimmers in the open space. Hope unfurls. Is someone watching? Keagan has someone watching me. A little ambitious, but maybe. Or is my active imagination playing tricks on me? The window slides up in the next instant.
Once again, panic succeeds to drive me, causing the feeling of sharp pins and needles all over my skin.
“In you go, Miss Blackwood. Thank you for all your help. I would say ‘see you later’ but I won’t. You won’t be around for later. Or maybe you will. Who knows, really. Goodbye.” Calista cackles again and turns around to Roman. “Time to go, boss.” She doesn’t even give me another look back.
Something hard pokes up against my spine.
“Get in,” a voice I’ve never heard before pushes me forward.
“Alright. Jeez. Don’t touch me.”
I slide into the limo and Desmond Payne greets me.
“Hello, dear Jocelyn.” He lifts up a glass of champagne and asks, “Would you care for a drink?” as he shoots me a menacing look filled with lust.
I’m in deep, deep trouble.
Alpha and delta teams await the signal. Instincts are a bitch. After I left Jocelyn, my gut reaction was to prepare for the unthinkable and maybe, just maybe, my overreaction won’t come to fruition.
Then the unthinkable became a reality.
“The intel we’ve gathered leads us to believe she is helping Desmond,” Lukas says.
Ollie nods. “The big question is whether it’s voluntary or not. What is he blackmailing her with? I can’t believe she would betray us. She’s a good woman.”
I’m partially listening. A feeling of dread surrounds me. She’s in danger. I feel helpless and alone. All she had to do was confide in me. She didn’t trust me with her secret. Just like all those years ago in high school. She didn’t need me then. She didn’t want my help. So, the only thing I can do at this point is prepare.
“You’re sure the head of the Cabricci Family is en route?”
“Yes. The spotters have them on a private jet. Flight plan is a direct route to Gainesville,” Lukas reports.
“I don’t like this. Something isn’t right,” Ollie mutters. “Do you think they would move the auction up a week?”
“At this point, I’m just not sure.”
The phone rings and Lukas hits the speaker. “What’s up, California?”
“I’m watching security feed from Matilda Blackwood’s residence. We’ve got activity outside. Looks like someone is checking in on her. This dude’s got some wicked surveillance equipment in his van. Cameras, satellite, the works. I assume he believes he’s hidden by the trees on the back side of her property,” he chuckles.
“Have you been able to identify who is he?”
“Not yet. Running his face through the database now.”
“Whatever you do, do not allow any harm to come to anyone in that home. I hold you personally responsible for their safety, Cal.”
“I’m on it. I’ll let you know if anything changes,” he answers and hangs up.
“Could be a coincidence, but I don’t think so. Get ready. They’re about to make a move.”
Ollie gets up to leave. “I’m on Desmond. I’ll keep you abreast as it unfolds.”
I contacted General Fox requesting his assistance. The ATF, DEA, and local FBI agencies are all on alert waiting for the ambush to occur. They will provide backup, if necessary. I’m reeling at the realization that Jo is going to take on this entire situation without confiding in me. I know she’s aware of the manner of business I conduct. It was a conscious decision on her part to alienate me once again. But, I will do whatever is required to get her out of this, unscathed and alive.
Grady and Rocky’s teams are the best of the best, each consisting of former Army Special Forces members, handpicked by the team leaders to join Trident security firm. The lethal combination of skills form to create an elite force of highly specialized personnel that ensures accuracy and precision when called upon. Trident practices unconventional methods for a deteriorating society that is at war against the evil permeating our borders.
Several long hours later, shit’s about to get real. I hear Ollie and what he says almost brings me to my knees.
“Operation storm chaser is a go,” he reports through the comm-link attached at my ear. “She went into the library and returned ten minutes later outside. The driver forced her into the waiting vehicle at gunpoint.”
The fear in my heart escalates. My angel is in the presence of evil and the danger is real. Why didn’t she talk to me? I should have forced the issue. The what-ifs and should-haves don’t matter now. I’m limited. I can only wait and pray the confrontation ahead ends without someone hurt or, worse, dead.
Grady reports, “Alpha team is in position.”
“Delta team have eyes from the sky,” Rocky supplies.
“Stay alert, men. We want this operation to go smooth and easy. No complications.”
Lukas’s warning is clear: no mistakes.
When this is over, I’m not sure if things can go back to the way they were. Trust is a huge factor in a relationship for me. Enough of this. I’ve got to get my mind right. I can deal with Jocelyn when this situation is over. Mentally prepared, I rise from where I was sitting, ensure my piece is ready, and replace it in the holder at my back. I whistle and Roxy appears at my side. She’s ready for action.
“Let’s roll.”
“Just remember. We need him to talk, Keagan. He knows where those kids are,” Ollie calmly reminds him.
“I know what my responsibilities are, Ollie. I’ve got this.”
“We have activity. Four Phantom Prophets have joined the party,” Rocky says.
“Make the call, Lukas.”
“Roger that, Keagan. Agent Santiago is aware of the situation and moving into position.”
“Show time.”
The elevator opens and I walk into the open parking deck where the black limo and Phantom Prophets silently wait. Roxy steadily keeps up with my stride. Damn, this could easily become complicated. I stop to wait. My loyal friend sits by my side.
The back door to the limousine opens and Jocelyn’s curly blond head appears. Her emerald gaze searches and finds mine. I see uneasiness and fear lurching in that brief moment of time.
Buzz and the other biker from Perry flank them, weapons drawn.
Desmond appears from the inside. He is holding Jocelyn close to his body.
Rocky’s voice filters over the comm. “He’s using hostage as a human shield. There’s a shot, but it would be iffy. Possible collateral damage.”
I stiffen. I want to rip her away from the arms enclosed around her and place her in a secure place.
“No. Wait. Give Keagan a chance to talk him down,” Ollie commands.
“Affirmative.”
I brush my hand over Roxy and wait for his move.
> In a smug voice, Desmond says, “I believe you have someone that belongs to the Cabricci Family. I’m here to collect him.”
I continue to stare at him, allowing the pent-up anger from the hellish years to surface. The hate and revenge consuming every pore of my body. The pain of losing my friends and fellow soldiers. The nightmare I lived surfacing. The ache from the bullets penetration into my flesh. The months of recovery spent in hell. The betrayal of someone I cared for. I release all the anger, tunneling it towards Payne. He visibly flinches.
Jocelyn shifts and he securely wraps his hand firmer around her neck. Squeezing, he cuts off her airflow. She grabs his hand, trying to ease the hold, hitting him and wiggling to no avail. He laughs.
“She’s a fighter. I look forward to taming the wildness in her.” He laughs harder and strokes her cheek, removing a single tear that runs down it. “Don’t cry, my beauty. We are almost done here and then we’ll be on our way.”
I remain stock still, dying inside at the situation unfolding before me.
“He’s not here. Took off during the storm.”
His smile fades and a sneer appears. “Do you really expect me to believe your bullshit? My sources informed me you are holding him and I’m here to collect Gunner.”
“I don’t give a fuck what you believe, asshole. He’s not here. Haven’t seen him.”
“Well. Well. Well. I did try to do this the easy way. Didn’t I, sweetheart?” He caresses her neck with his tongue. She winces. “I am a patient man, but you leave me no alternative. Buzz, you and your men know what to do.”
Buzz signals and the parking deck floods with Phantom Prophets. Payne smiles triumphantly. His stance reeks confidence, an expression of victory displayed on his evil face. He believes he will retrieve Gunner and make it out of here alive.
“I count twenty hostiles,” Rocky reports.
“We need a small diversion. Do ya think you can help us out, Grady?” Lukas requests with an ounce of humor laced in his voice. Grady is a demolition expert in the field and small is not in his vocabulary.
Grady doesn’t hesitate to answer. “I think I can provide small. You ask for it, you got it. A small fuck-blast diversion, coming right up.”
“Are you in position and ready, Ollie?” Lukas asks.
He whispers, “Let’s do this.”
The air is thick with anticipation. In the distance, a light drizzle of rain begins—the remnants of the storm. The symbolism is not lost on me. It falls on me. I sense the men. They are close.
“You and your friends need to go, Payne. This is private property and you’re not welcome here. Jocelyn. Come. Here.”
Her head jerks up and she struggles to move away from him.
“You’re one cocky son of a bitch, Fontneau. She’s coming with me,” Desmond responds. “When I’m far enough away and finished with my beauty, I’ll send her home, if she wants to come back.”
“Last warning, Payne. Let her go. Then get the fuck outta here.”
He glares at me. I know he won’t budge. We are playing a dangerous game. I will send him straight to Hell for fucking with her. She’s a weakness he wants to exploit. The conflict and uncontrollable anger inside of me begins and ends with her. His first mistake will be my last.
Fuck. Nothing’s ever easy.
Scanning the area, I find Ollie. He’s close enough to ensure her safety at the same time an explosion rocks the parking lot. Smoke encompasses the area. The diversion causes Payne to release the hold on Jocelyn and she’s thrown to the ground. One second she is on the ground beside him and the next she’s gone. Roxy attacks and Payne finds himself on the ground with the hundred-plus pound rotty snarling in his face. He thrashes, trying to roll away, but the grip she has on his arm constricts his motion.
The men stalking in the shadows waiting for the command make their presence known. The Phantom Prophets are surrounded by firepower and strength, strength they notice will bring their death unless they surrender. It’s a choice they make quickly. Weapons lower, then arms lift in the air, surrendering to fight another day.
I walk up to Payne and gesture instructions to Roxy and she’s by my side in a flash. He rolls and comes up on his knees, struggling to stand.
“I gave you a chance, motherfucker. I’m not the hangman. You brought the noose, put the fucker ‘round your neck, stepped off the ledge, and hung yourself. All I did was watch.”
I turn and walk away. Agent Santiago is there handcuffing the son of a bitch. Jocelyn shoves Ollie’s hold on her and runs my way. I brace when her body collides with mine, wrapping her arms tightly around me.
“Keagan. I knew you would save me. I’m so sorry.”
I hug and place a kiss on her brow following the path to her lips. Achingly slow, I relish the feel of them on me, the touch of her tongue with mine, the unique taste of my angel. Before the kiss deepens to the point of no return, I break away from her.
“Good luck, Jo. Take care of yourself.”
“What? What are you talking about? Keagan?”
“See ya ‘round, angel.”
“Keagan?”
I lower my arms, rolling my shoulders, and walk inside the building listening to her call my name. I shut her out because dealing with the reasons behind her betrayal will only solidify my decision to walk away. I need an update on the take down. We need answers from Payne, a possible location to Windsor’s baby. Time to work. Time to let her go. Time to move on.
“Whatta you mean he’s dead?” MacGyver asks. “Guess his nine lives ran out, huh?”
The new member to the Trident team is up to his normal antics. We returned to Lakeview a few weeks back. Paul “Gunner” Travers, now known to the team as MacGyver, accepted the formal proposal to join Trident. He’s staying in the apartment above the garage attached to the old house we temporarily converted into Trident office space until we can find a new location. He’s adjusting to the team. He is a well-needed asset especially with Lukas’ struggle.
All personnel is present for Trident’s monthly status report.
“Somehow he hung himself.” Lukas absently shrugs.
“Payne was killed because the Cabricci Family didn’t want any loose ends,” Rocky speculates.
“Possible. At least we were able to get the information we needed out of him before that happened,” Grady says.
Thomas and Catherine Windsor reuniting with their son will be a memory I won’t ever forget. The look on their faces when the little boy was placed in Catherine’s arms was priceless. Trey’s retrieval is the reason we exist, uniting families and righting wrongs.
“Or that was the reason the hit was made,” Moose considers.
“Either way, sounds like the world’s a better place without that son of a bitch alive,” Beauty’s deep voice says over the phone line.
California inserts, “Agent Santiago’s report gave us a new direction to pursue.”
“You actually went to high school with Roman Cabricci, Keagan? That’s some crazy shit,” MacGyver concludes.
“I didn’t know him as Roman. He fooled us all.”
“Hmm. I wonder what the reasoning was behind sending Roman from California to Florida,” Ollie mulls over.
“We all know the family doesn’t act without reason,” Beauty adds.
“There’s a possibility we won’t ever figure out their fucked-up logic. Our focus needs to be on locating Fallyn before they do.”
“Matilda won’t talk. I tried to explain the danger they were in if Cabricci finds them first, but she won’t budge. Stubborn woman,” Cal growls.
“She’s always been that way. Nothing’s going to change her. I’ve asked Ollie to run point on the search. I will be in and out.”
“I’ll hold down the fort.” Ollie smiles.
“How’s your current hunt going?”
“I don’t want to give you false hope, but I have a few leads that look promising. I’m leaving soon to check on one.”
“Good. There are still sever
al unanswered questions that I believe, once we have them in custody, we can resolve.”
“It’s not going to be easy. The trail is old and she’s gotten good at hiding.”
“I don’t care what it takes. We need to find them first.”
MacGyver interrupts, “I’ve narrowed it down for Ollie. Even after losing the trail, I’ll find it again.”
“Never doubted you wouldn’t, brother.”
The meeting wraps up. I finish some things that require my attention at the office and get ready for a visit with my folks. Momma’s cooking is just what I need.
I’m in a living, breathing nightmare. My reality at this point in time sucks big time. I read the backs of jackets and shirts passing back and forth in the vast warehouse—ATF, FBI, DEA, and local Gainesville police. My mind is spinning so I go sit down on one of the chairs in the corner. I have to answer a few questions for one of the officers, an Agent Santiago.
A gray-haired man with a five o’clock shadow dusting his stoic face walks towards me. His polo shirt is embossed with the FBI logo with his name underneath.
“Miss Blackwood?” His baritone voice reaches out to me with warmth and concern.
“Y-Yes. I’m … I’m Jocelyn B-Blackwood,” I confirm as my voice shakes from the trauma the day has rendered.
I was held briefly against my will by a crazy man, a sadistic individual hell bent on making me his own all for his personal pleasure. For a few hours, I was unknowingly thrust into the clutches of Desmond Payne and the Cabricci family, a crime ring full of despicable treachery, the same family that has an undetermined vendetta against the Blackwoods.
When everything went down at the warehouse, the only hope I held on to tightly was that Keagan would save me. He stood proudly alone, fearless, a dominant force ready to take on evil. I was so thrilled at the man standing there, facing down the enemy with his best dog pal Roxy by his side. In that instant with the molten heat radiating from his piercing eyes, I felt we were on the same page. He would protect me and then make me his for all time. When Keagan called to me telling me to come to him, I wanted nothing more than to oblige, but my captor had other plans.