“Oh Lionel, you scared me.”
Abrasion sent her a stupid grin. “I just came inside to use the bathroom, and Scar asked me to get some soda.”
Amy opened the fridge and grabbed a six-pack of cola. When she handed it to Abrasion, their fingers touched, and she saw him shiver.
“You’re very pretty, Amy.”
“Um, thank you, Lionel, but you know, I’m with Spenser. I’m also old enough to be your… older sister.”
“I know,” Abrasion said, as he continued to stare at her.
“Is there anything else you need, Lionel?”
“Huh?”
“Never mind, and why don’t you take the soda outside.”
“Okay, but hey, Amy.”
“Yes?”
“If you and Spenser ever break up, you let me know.”
“I’ll do that.”
Abrasion smiled as he left the kitchen whistling, and Amy let out a sigh.
10
Bang Bang
Alexa called her Papa Rodrigo in Mexico and heard both worry and wonder in his voice when she told him she was with Tanner. When she revealed that she was also with Spenser, Tanner Six, he asked to speak to him. Spenser and Rodrigo spent several minutes discussing Tanner Five, a man who had meant much to both of them.
The last thing Rodrigo said to Spenser, was to ask him to keep his daughter safe. Spenser told him that he would do just that, before handing the phone back to Alexa.
Alexa had grown less wary of the Tin Horsemen and it was decided that a night watch wasn’t necessary. Instead, Spenser would set up motion detectors in strategic areas. If any of the Horsemen decided to roam about overnight, an alarm would alert Spenser.
As they soaked in a tub together, Alexa extended a long shapely leg and touched Tanner gently on the side with her toes.
“How are the ribs feeling?”
“They’re good, but now my shoulder aches from all the shooting we did today.”
“So does mine, and I was awed by your skill with a rifle. You never missed once.”
“I’ve always been good with a rifle.”
Alexa moved closer and kissed him, before laying back in his arms. “You’re good at many things.”
They grew quiet as they both enjoyed the warmth of the tub, as well as each other’s company. Alexa had lit several candles and placed them near the tub, while music played softly from an old boom box she had discovered in a closet.
“I can’t wait until you and Spenser meet my papa, and his companion, Emilio. The two of them raised me after my family died.”
“I saw their pictures on your phone. The three of you looked very happy together.”
“We were. Despite what I suffered when my family died, I had a great childhood thanks to Rodrigo. And although it wasn’t a typical upbringing, I was glad he never sheltered me from life. He was a thief and proud of it, and he never apologized for it.”
“He sounds wise, most people spend their lives pretending to be something they’re not, instead of trying to be the best of what they really are.”
Alexa turned in Tanner’s arms and stared into his eyes. “You’re a killer.”
“Yes.”
“So am I, but I don’t think it’s what I was meant to do.”
“What were you meant to do?”
“I want to be a mother and raise a child, maybe more than one, and I want to forget that evil such as Alvarado exists in this world.”
“It sounds like the quiet life.”
“It will be,” Alexa said.
Tanner kissed her, then she lay back in his arms again.
“Alexa, who taught you how to fight, was it Rodrigo?”
“Papa taught me the basics, but no, I had a judo instructor, and there was another man… from him I learned about guns.”
“This man with the guns, he was a lover, wasn’t he?”
Alexa turned her head until she could see Tanner’s face. “How did you know that?”
“I heard something in your voice, and I can also tell that it was a serious relationship.”
“It was, for me at least.”
“He cheated on you?”
“Yes, and she was a friend.”
“He was a fool to choose her over you.”
“How can you say that? You don’t even know her.”
Tanner caressed Alexa’s cheek. “I don’t have to know her; I know you.”
“What about you, Tanner? Do you have a woman somewhere that I should know about?”
“I was seeing a woman named Sophia, but she dumped me so that she could be with someone else. Alvarado killed her when he thought he was killing me, and so that’s one more thing I owe the man.”
“This Sophia, did you love her?”
“No, but we were friends.”
“Have you ever been in love?”
Tanner released a deep sigh, before whispering, “Yes.”
“And what happened to her?”
“She’s married now.”
“We’re quite a pair you and I,” Alexa said.
“That we are.”
Alexa stood, stepped from the water, and grabbed a towel to dry herself.
When Tanner got out of the tub, Alexa looked him up and down, admiring his nakedness.
“You appear to be unarmed, sir.”
Tanner removed the towel she had wrapped herself in and gazed at her body. The sight of her loveliness caused a reaction, one that did not go unnoticed by Alexa. She slowly licked her lips as she took in his changed condition, then spoke in a voice made husky with lust.
“You might be unarmed, but you’re fully loaded.”
“Bang bang,” Tanner said, and they moved toward the bed.
11
Wounded Heart
Tanner awoke the following morning to find that he had received the latest satellite images of Alvarado’s compound. They were sent by Dan Matthews, who also requested that Tanner call him.
The Tin Horsemen had all behaved during the night and seemed boisterous over breakfast, as they debated the merits of a popular TV show that featured zombies. Their banter was often humorous, and even Tanner laughed at some of the things they said.
When Tanner called Dan Matthews, he did so in the presence of Alexa and Spenser and placed the call on speakerphone. They were down in the home’s basement and standing around a pool table that was littered with satellite images of Alvarado’s compound.
“You have news?” Tanner asked.
“Those satellite images are all the news you need, Tanner. There are hundreds of men surrounding that compound and the desert beyond it. As soon as you come within a mile of that place Alvarado will eat you alive.”
“I’m aware of that, but since Alvarado won’t leave the compound, I have to go to him.”
“Yes, but how will you do it? You must have a plan.”
Tanner looked at Spenser and then Alexa. “What do you two think?”
“I think that having Conrad Burke on our side would be a big help,” Spenser said.
“I agree,” Alexa said. “And we need more information if our plan is to work.”
“If I reveal our plan, would Burke be willing to help us carry it out?”
“Yes, Mr. Burke instructed me to give you every assistance I could. In exchange, you’ll see that his brother-in-law emerges from that compound safely.”
“All right then, our plan is to charge into Mexico and head straight for Alvarado while causing as much damage to the man’s operation as we can. Then, once we get close to that desert fortress of his, we’ll change tactics and enter the compound inside one of the trucks that deliver food.”
“That will never work, every vehicle is searched and there are also dogs.”
“We understand that, but we’ll be well hidden, and our scents will be masked.”
“That sounds risky, but I suppose it could work. How can Burke help you?”
“You’re a giant corporation, and although you don’t do business with A
lvarado, I’m sure you must have connections with businesses in Mexico that do deal with the man. We need you to find out the name of the company where Alvarado gets his food shipments, along with the trucking firm that makes the deliveries. Once we have that information, we’ll handle it from there.”
“Fine, that shouldn’t take long to ferret out. I’ll send you an email when I have the information.”
“Good, and give Burke my thanks.”
“I will,” Matthews said, then he hung up.
After putting his phone away, Tanner looked over at Spenser. “What do you think?”
“I think our plan is a go, but I do want to make a change.”
“What change?” Alexa asked.
“The Horsemen, Johnny and his boys, I want to use them as backup for Amy. They’re not much, but I think I’d feel better if she had them around. Martinez may expect them to be in Mexico anyway once they know we’re there.”
“You trust them enough to leave Amy alone with them?” Alexa asked.
“I do,” Spenser said. “And they should be far from the action in any event.”
Alexa smiled. “You may be right, and I think the one called Abrasion would die for Amy; he has quite a crush.”
Spenser walked over to Tanner and looked him over. “How are you feeling, boy?”
“I’m good, and I doubt we’ll see much action until we’re in Mexico, so that gives me at least another day to heal. If everything is ready, I say we leave before noon tomorrow.”
“I agree.”
“I spoke with Dante again,” Alexa said. “He told me that Sandoval will arrange to meet us in the Brownsville, Texas area, and then he’ll help us cross the border without being spotted.”
“Can this Sandoval be trusted?” Spenser said.
“Not at all,” Alexa said. “But in this instance, our goals do align, so he has no need to double-cross us.”
“Let’s get Amy down here and go over the plan once more,” Spenser said.
Alexa headed up the stairs. “I’ll get her.”
After Alexa disappeared up the stairs, Tanner told Spenser that he needed to apologize to him.
“Apologize for what, Cody?”
Tanner leaned back against the pool table as Spenser did the same and settled to his left.
“A few months back, while I was in New York City, an outfit called the Conglomerate put a price on my head. It was chump change compared to how much Alvarado is willing to pay to see me dead, but at one point, I faked my death and was thinking about starting over.”
“Starting over?” Spenser said. “You mean give up the Tanner name?”
“Yeah, but I see now that if I had done that, it would have been like spitting in your face.”
“I don’t get you, Cody. How would that have been an insult to me?”
“You passed the Tanner name on to me when I was still very young. I don’t think I fully appreciated just what an honor you gave me by doing that. Since I’ve met Alexa, I’ve come to remember how special it is to be a Tanner. I won’t give up the name until I find someone to pass it on to myself.”
Spenser smiled. “It’s not a legacy that many would appreciate, being the best killer in the world. But I was always proud to be a Tanner, and Cody, you’ve only set the bar higher. I’m so proud of you, boy. Don’t ever forget that.”
“Thank you, but I just wanted you to know that I get it now, and that the name Tanner is more than a name. It’s a statement.”
Spenser quit leaning back on the pool table and placed a hand on Tanner’s shoulder.
“This hit on Alvarado, the killing of a man who’s as protected as he is. It will take you to a whole new level and leave no doubts that you, that Tanner, is the best assassin in the world.”
“It’s all I’ve ever wanted to be since the night Alvarado and his men killed my family. If I was then what I am now… I would have killed them all; I don’t know how I would have done it, but I would have killed every last one of them.”
Spenser stared into Tanner’s eyes. On the night Tanner’s family was massacred, Alvarado had arrived with over three dozen armed men who were experienced and merciless killers. Sixteen-years-old and untrained, Cody Parker managed to kill eight of those men while wounding others. The Cody Parker who stood before Spenser now was no longer a boy. He was highly trained, experienced, and had proven himself against those who were believed to be his better, such as the late German assassin, Hans Gruber.
If any man on the planet could not only survive, but triumph against such overwhelming odds, Spenser knew he was looking at him.
Spenser took his protégé by the shoulders. “You’re the best, Cody, and don’t ever doubt it.”
Tanner grinned. “I had a great teacher.”
When Alexa reached the kitchen, she had to stifle a chuckle, as she saw Abrasion handing Amy flowers. Alexa stood in the threshold and just watched the two of them, while remaining unnoticed.
“Where did you get these flowers, Lionel?”
“They’re growing wild out back there and there’s a few along the side of the house too.”
“All right then, and thank you. I’ll put them in a vase, and we can all enjoy them as a centerpiece for the dining room table.”
“Okay, but I picked them just for you.”
Amy sent Abrasion a patient smile. “We discussed this, Lionel, remember?”
Abrasion shook his head. “I wasn’t hitting on you. I just saw the flowers and thought you should have them.”
Amy smiled and gave him a peck on the cheek.
“That’s fine, as long as you remember that I’m with Spenser and that you and I can only be friends.”
“I get you, Amy,” Abrasion said.
Alexa watched as he drifted out the back door, then she walked over to Amy with a grin on her face. “Someone has an admirer.”
“He’s a sweet boy, and I’m flattered.”
“Still, can you imagine, thinking that you would be interested in him, after having been with a man like Spenser?”
“It’s just a crush. Once he meets a girl his own age, he’ll forget all about me.”
“Spenser wants to see you in the basement; we need to go over the plan.”
“All right,” Amy said, and the two women headed for the basement steps, as they did so, they passed by an open window.
Outside that window, Abrasion stood with a handful of wildflowers he had just picked from the area alongside the house. He had overheard Amy and Alexa’s conversation about him. After releasing the flowers, he stepped on them, as his face twisted in anger.
“I’m not a boy, Amy, I’m a man.”
12
Once A Spy, Always A Spy
At the Alvarado compound in Mexico, Martinez looked at his phone with a face showing frustration, as his call to Scar went to voice mail once again.
“Call me!”
It had been two days since they last had news about Tanner, and Alvarado was becoming more agitated by the hour.
Once again, Martinez had been ordered to come to the drug lord’s office. When he saw that Malena was also present for the meeting, he understood he had just about run out of time.
“Is there any news?” Alvarado asked.
Before answering, Martinez looked at Malena and saw that she wore a smug smile. When he turned back to Alvarado, he noticed the gun sitting on the desk, in easy reach of his right hand.
“Well, speak up,” Alvarado said, and as Martinez opened his mouth to lie, his phone rang. When he saw the number displayed, he let out a sigh of relief.
“I need to take this call; It’s about Tanner.”
“Take it then,” Alvarado said.
Martinez answered the call by saying the words, “Give me some good news,” then he listened for several seconds, and as he listened, a smile formed on his lips.
“I’m with the client and his wife. I’m going to put you on speakerphone, and I want you to repeat what you just told me.”
Marti
nez pushed a button, held up the phone, and a voice filled the room.
“I can confirm that Tanner is still with the woman and that a man is helping them as well. I also know how they’re planning to enter the compound.”
“How can you know their plans?” Malena Alvarado asked.
“Conrad Burke is helping Tanner. He wants Tanner to survive his encounter with you so that he can then utilize the man’s skills. I know all this because I’m in the employ of Mr. Burke, although I do plan to retire after I’m paid handsomely for the information I have.”
Those last words caused Martinez to grow angry. “You’ve already been paid by Hexalcorp, and paid a great deal.”
“True,” said the voice. “But that was when I was a simple corporate spy. I’ve been around long enough to know when I’m holding a winning hand. I want two million now and a million more when Tanner and his friends are dead. Do we have a deal?”
“I’ll pay you what you ask,” Alvarado said. “But I’ll want proof that you can deliver what you say you can.”
“I figured you would say that, and so I’ll play a little recording. I made it when Tanner and the others revealed their plan.”
A bit of background noise came through the phone, and then a voice was heard, Tanner’s voice.
“You have news?”
“Those satellite images are all the news you need, Tanner. There are hundreds of men surrounding that compound and the desert beyond it; as soon as you come within a mile of that place Alvarado will eat you alive.”
“I’m aware of that, but since Alvarado won’t leave the compound, I have to go to him.”
“Yes, but how will you do it. You must have a plan.”
There was a short gap, and then Alvarado heard Tanner speak to his companions.
“What do you two think?”
A man spoke, and Alvarado recognized the voice. It belonged to the man who had crippled him.
“I think that having Conrad Burke on our side would be a big help.”
The Tanner Series - Books 1-11: Tanner - The hit man with a heart Page 141