That was all it took for her to fly apart, calling out his name as her pussy walls squeezed him and he neared his climax. He felt his balls tighten just before roaring out his own release. Pouring himself into her waiting body, he tightened his grip on her breasts, only too late hoping he was not leaving bruises. Loosening his fingers, she reached up to clasp his hands, stilling them.
“Don’t want to hurt you, baby,” he growled into her ear.
“Mmmm, the only way you would hurt me now is if you let go,” she purred back, relaxed and sated. “What a way to wake up.”
Chuckling, he pulled out but kept her tucked in tightly, kissing her ear. She settled deep into his embrace, luxuriating in the warmth.
“How did I get so lucky?” she whispered.
He stilled, not sure he had heard her. Lucky? Her?
She whispered again, “I wanted a hero. I waited for a hero. I knew the minute I looked into your eyes the first time you rescued me that I’d found a true man. One who also was a hero. I don’t know how I got so lucky.”
He rolled her over to face him, brushing the hair from her eyes. “Oh, baby. I’m no hero. It took me so fuckin’ long to get my head outta my ass and go for you. I’m the lucky one that you didn’t give up on me a long time ago.”
Her blue eyes held his caramel ones as she smiled, reaching her hand up to the rough stubble on his jaw. “I’ll never give up on you, Tony. I love you. You’ll always be my hero,” she admitted, a tear sliding down her face.
Leaning down, he touched his lips to hers. A whisper of a kiss. But one with meaning. Heart. Soul. Forever.
*
Tony went into work to watch the cameras for a couple of hours after one of his employees had a family emergency. Sherrie hated that he worked so hard, but since the company was his she knew he felt responsible for every aspect.
After cleaning the house, she settled onto the sofa and flipped through the TV channels. Finding nothing, she clicked it off tossing the remote onto the end table. Seeing Betina’s art pad lying next to it, she picked it up and began to flip through the pages again.
The faces on each page were so lifelike. Their expressions reached out to her as though she were sitting in front of the actual person instead of an impression on the page. Girls. Boys. Some adults. Some with smiles, sitting at school desks. Others with a strangely blank look on their faces. Some of the eyes seemed haunted.
Rubbing her hand on her forehead she stared, trying to have a subliminal message come through. What was it she said? “My life, my world is in these drawings. I need you to understand that.” Your world? What did you want me to understand?
Feelings of frustration poured over her as the secret meaning was lost. Near the back of the art pad were drawings of places…the grocery, the laundry. Several of them were of the inside of the buildings depicting people at work. A few others were the outside, the details of her drawings overwhelming. She could see every brick on the outsides and every item on the insides.
Nothing. I’m getting nothing other than she is an incredibly talented artist. Maybe that was all she meant? Maybe she just meant that art is her world?
Giving in to the frustration, she heard Tony’s truck pulling back into the driveway so she tossed the art pad back to the end table.
*
Marcella left for work, kissing Betina goodbye before walking out of the door. Betina hated when her mother went in early leaving her in the house alone with Hernando. Throwing her books into her backpack, she tried to hurry in an effort to avoid him.
No such luck.
“Betina, sit down,” he ordered walking into the kitchen. “We need to go over your new assignments.”
New assignments? She did not like the sound of that, but his expression brooked no disobedience. Fourteen more months and I’ll be eighteen years old. Graduated. Out of this house. Out of his life. If I live that long.
“Are you listening,” he growled, grabbing her upper arm, pushing her into a chair.
“Yes,” she replied, knowing she would have a bruise the next day. What’s one more?
“Keep up with the kids at school, but I want you more in the field as well.”
“I…where?” she asked in confusion.
“Bus station, for one. After school, you don’t go to the grocery store anymore. I want you to go to the downtown bus station. Watch for the young ones. Girls. The ones that look lost. Or alone.” Chuckling, he said, “Especially the ones that look scared and try not to show it. They’ll be best.”
“Best for what?” she asked.
His gaze was steel as he stared at her across the table. “Your job isn’t to know a fuckin’ thing. Your job is to do what I order, when I order, and exactly how I order. You got that?”
Her chest heaving with hate, she kept her expression steady. “Yeah, I got that. But what do I say?”
“Same as always. See if they need food. Direct them to the store. Once there, I or someone else will take care of them.”
“What’s different? Won’t they work in one of your shops?” she asked, dangerously curious.
“You don’t tell ’em shit. You just get their trust. Give ’em the address. Offer ’em food. Leave the rest to me.”
Almost shaking with hate, she sat stoically for a moment, desperately trying to find a way to escape. This home. This man. This life.
His chair scraped across the floor as he jerked himself to a stand. He leaned over, his face right in hers, and snarled, “Don’t even think it. I can see you trying to think of a way to not do this, but bitch, you want your mama safe? Then you do what I say, when I say it. You mess this up and not only will you go in a pimp’s stable of whores, but your mama will too. You got me?”
“Yeah, I got it,” she whispered, trying to still her erratic heartbeat.
“Good. See that you do. You start today.” With that, he moved into the other room, calling out behind him, “Have a good day at school.”
She heard him chuckling to himself, amused at his own joke. She hated him. This was her life. Her world. If it’s the last thing I do, I’m getting out.
*
Tony sat at his desk studying the man sitting in front of him. Jacques “Jack” Bryant, his former Chief Warrant Officer. Jack, a big man at over six feet of pure muscle, had been leaner than the twins when they were in the service, but now Tony saw that he had put on weight…and none of it looked like fat.
“Jesus, you got bigger,” Tony laughed.
“It’s my mom’s fuckin’ cooking,” he exclaimed. “When I got home two years ago from the Army, I moved back to the farm with her to help out since my dad had passed.”
“I’m sorry,” Tony admitted, realizing how out of touch he had been. There had been a time when the squad members knew every detail of each other’s lives. “I had no idea your dad died.”
“That’s okay,” Jack assured. “He got cancer and by the time they found out, he only had a few months to live. But man, I’d forgotten how my mom can cook. I’d be fat as a cow if it weren’t for the farm work.”
“You still there and trying to run a business?”
“Nah, she’s renting out the farmland. It works good for her ’cause she lives in the house but doesn’t have the farm responsibilities anymore. So how’s the men?”
“Gabe got married several months ago and—”
“Married? Gabe? That horndog? Jesus, fuck, I have been out of the loop. Tell me Vinny and Jobe haven’t fallen under the spell?”
“Nah, Vinny’s still the worst of them all and Jobe? You know him…he’s waiting on someone special.”
Tony smiled then noticed Jack’s gaze intently staring at him. “Something on your mind?”
Jack rubbed his hand over his chin, pondering for a moment. “You seem…I don’t know…happy.”
Tony chuckled, knowing that being in love again really did show. “I found someone, Jack. Someone special and if she’ll have me, I plan on asking her to marry me.”
“I knew there was something g
oing on with you. Captain, I’m happy for you. I thought you’d never get over…uh…well, not get over, but move on. I’m real glad you found someone. Tell me about her.”
“Her name is Sherrie. She’s a paralegal here in town.”
“Is that how you met?” Jack asked.
Tony laughed, saying, “No. She was actually a rescue mission. She had some trouble and I went in. I wish I could say that I immediately went for her, but…well, I had some issues to deal with, and sometimes us guys can be dumb-shits.”
“Ain’t it the truth!” Jack agreed. The silence stretched for a moment before Jack added, “You deserve to be happy again, Captain.”
Tony smiled his thanks before glancing at the garage monitors, Tony noticed his crew arriving at work. “Let’s go meet the gang.”
As Gabe, Vinny, and Jobe greeted Jack, the whoops and hollars could be heard around the building. Settling in Tony introduced Lily and BJ, identifying the assembly as his core group.
“I’ve been telling Jack about our operation here and he’s interested in collaborating with us at times when needed. Our businesses are different enough that we can easily provide each other with our diverse skill set.”
The others listened as Jack explained what he had assembled. “I had the opportunity during the last two years in the Special Forces to belong to a task force made up of multidisciplinary persons. I decided that with my government contacts, I could do something similar on the outside. I have someone from the CIA, FBI, DEA, and ATF as well as several from Homeland Security. We take jobs that often need us to um…fly under the radar, so to speak.”
After a few more minutes discussing the various scenarios with which the two companies could benefit each other, Tony asked for a report from Lily and BJ on Hernando.
“I have finally found something interesting. It seems that he has a high turnover of employees and I have also noticed that most of them live in the same apartment building. I share Sherrie’s suspicions and am looking to see who owns the building and who pays the rent.”
BJ added, “Boss, I drove by the grocery and laundry and found good spots for security cameras to keep an eye on the coming and goings. Jobe and I can use the utility company uniforms and appear to be working on the lights while installing the cameras.”
Tony nodded in agreement and after a few more minutes of business, Lily and BJ left, leaving the former squad members a chance to catch up.
Finally, Jack stood and shook their hands goodbye. Tony walked him to his vehicle and the two old friends promised to get together soon.
“I’d like you to meet Sherrie,” Tony added.
“I’d like that very much.” Clapping his former Captain on the back, he said, “I never knew anyone who deserved happiness more than you, sir. If Sherrie’s brought you back to life, then she will have my eternal gratitude.”
*
This is what Betina hated. Recruiting. Getting lonely, outcast girls to trust her. So that I could get them shit jobs in a shit laundry for shit money.
She walked down the hall toward the cafeteria, seeing a new student standing to the side, looking around trying to not stand out. But you stand out to me. I can spot you a mile away. Old clothes, worn backpack. A hungry look…not only for food but for company.
Betina casually walked over to the student, with a small smile on her face. Too big a smile and she would look insincere. No smile would make her look unfriendly.
“Hi. You new here?” she asked.
The girl nodded, her eyes darting around as though she did not want anyone to know she was new.
“I’ve been here a while. I can sit with you during lunch if you’d like,” she added. “You want to get your lunch first?”
“I…um…don’t eat lunch. I’m not hungry,” came the reply, the girl’s chin lifting in slight defense.
“I’ve got extra if you want,” Betina offered, sitting next to the girl and offering an abundance of food from her backpack.
The girl’s eyes grew wide as she looked at the food, but gratefully dug in. Betina made small talk for a few minutes, carefully gaining the girl’s trust, while loathing herself.
“If you ever want more food my…step dad runs a grocery and he’s always giving away some food to my friends. He might even get you a job there sometime if you want.”
She knew the instant she had the unsuspecting girl hooked. It was the look in her eyes. The way she smiled at Betina like she were a saint. She handed the girl a card with the grocery’s name and address printed on it. “When you go, just show them this card and they’ll fix you up.”
The bell rung and Betina stood, saying her goodbyes. The other girl stopped her with her hand on Betina’s arm.
“Thank you so much,” she said. “This means so much to me that you would help me out. I really owe you,” she added.
Tears hit the back of Betina’s eyes as she battled to keep them at bay. “No problem,” she croaked out then turned quickly to hurry back down the hall. She bypassed her English class and bolted out of the back door. Jogging down the street to an alley she crouched down behind a dumpster, finally letting the tears flow.
Cursing Hernando and whoever he worked for. Cursing her mother for being weak and not seeing what was going on in her own home. Cursing herself for being afraid to get out from under Hernando’s control.
The tears finally abated and she sat a few more minutes in misery. If I think this is bad, what about when I start recruiting at a bus stop. She gritted her teeth and screamed out in frustration. Shaking with fury, she felt her tears flow again. Down the alley, a back door opened as a man came out trying to identify the scream. She hurried around the corner out of sight, wiping her tears away once more.
Taking a deep breath, she made her way to the nearest bus stop, knowing that she had no choice but to start Hernando’s new assignment as soon as possible. One more year until I graduate. One more year, mom, and then you’re on your own. One more year and I’ll leave Hernando forever. Please…just one more year.
Chapter 19
Tony, Gabe, BJ, and Jobe parked their panel van across from the laundry, eyeing the building.
“Figured we could get one wide screen camera on this old apartment building here on this side of the road and it would capture the entire front of the laundry. Then we’ve got lots of places for the alley to get the back door. That would give us maximum vision on the exits,” Jobe stated.
Tony nodded his agreement, saying, “Let’s get going.”
With the three men in nondescript uniforms they went to work, giving off the impression to any onlooker that they were from a utility company checking lights.
While Gabe and Jobe secured the hardware, Tony watched the front of the building for any observers, pleased to see that they did not appear to be attracting any unwanted attention. BJ worked in the back of the van with his computers, making sure of the connections and the visibility on his screens.
“Looks good, boss,” he reported as Gabe and Jobe climbed back into the van.
Driving around to the back they repeated the operation. “What do you think is going on, Captain?” Jobe asked.
“Don’t really know. That’s why I haven’t called in Matt or Shane yet. But Sherrie was attacked near here. Lily says there is a high turnover of employees and when she dug deeper, she wasn’t too sure about the tax records for the laundry. If Sherrie is working with this guy’s stepdaughter, then I want to know what’s happening.”
Gabe and Jobe made quick work of installing the camera in the alley and as soon as BJ cleared it as operational, they headed to Hernando’s grocery store to do the same.
Tony sat in the driver’s seat watching as Hernando walked out of the front of the building and waited on the sidewalk. After a few minutes, two teenage girls with a younger boy with them came around the corner. They approached Hernando cautiously before handing him a card. Hernando made a grandiose gesture of bringing them inside.
To the outside world, he looked like a g
enerous neighborhood businessman, but the hairs on Tony’s neck stood up. Too many years trained to notice every detail of his surroundings, including people, had him distrusting the man instantly. Fucker’s up to something. The idea of Sherrie having to be in the man’s presence at all had him gritting his teeth so hard he thought they would break.
His attention was diverted when Gabe and Jobe joined them in the van again.
“Job’s done,” Gabe announced. “By the way, did you see that guy out front? Is that him, ’cause I wouldn’t trust that guy for nothing.”
Before Tony could agree, Jobe spoke up. “Got a bad vibe, Captain.”
Nodding, Tony pulled the van away from the curb. He always trusted his instincts, but knowing that his men had the same thoughts…oh yeah, we’ll be watching you.
*
Friday night found Sherrie and Jennifer sitting on bar stools at Cantina’s, a new Mexican restaurant in town that advertised early-bird Happy Hour drink specials for women. They had decided to take advantage of the deal and Sherrie and Jennifer were already into their second Aquatini.
“When are the guys getting here?” Sherri asked, feeling the effects of the strong drink. Blinking several times, she tried to glare at the bartender. “I think he’s trying to get me drunk. This thing is potent.”
Sherrie looked resplendent in an emerald green dress with a tight bodice and flowing, short skirt. The bodice was low enough to offer a tantalizing glimpse of the tops of her breasts, while the skirt swayed with each step she took.
Jennifer, looking like a fairy princess in her blue, off-the-shoulder dress, rounded out the duo of beauties. The women talked and laughed for several minutes before the waitress brought several drinks over, pointing to the two men from the bar who sent them. Sherrie shook her head and said, “We’ll pay for our own drinks, thank you.” The bartender nodded and moved to serve the next customer.
“So how’s Ross doing?” Sherrie asked about Jennifer’s brother.
“God, he’s growing like a weed. None of his clothes seem to fit so I threatened to drag him shopping the other day. Ross grumbled, so Gabe stepped in and took him. I was so grateful until they got back home.”
Tony: Alvarez Security Series Page 20