by Taylor Lee
“Jesus fucking Christ! You gotta be fucking kidding!”
Jax leveled a hard stare at Greg Bannon. It was a toss-up as to who looked more shocked. His lieutenant or their Special Ops buddy McElroy, now the police commissioner. Shoving out another hard sigh, Jax nodded. “Yeah, that was my reaction, Greg. I’ll admit I was looking for dirt on Vega, something that would put a little shit on that Shinola shine of his, at least in the eyes of a particular VCU sergeant. But this? No, this was a gutshot.”
Jax wasn’t surprised when Mac, the most judicious of his former Special Ops team, was skeptical. “I presume you know that if there is a cartel connection to the Vega campaign, this is a goddamn fucking explosion that could trip the San Andreas fault.”
Jax sighed. “Yeah, Mac. That’s an understatement. But as I told Serge earlier, first things first. Having been connected to one of the most vicious Mexican cartel leaders in a past life is not necessarily a campaign killer. Knowing how adroit both Garza and Vega are, they could twist it to their advantage. Another example of the hideous past they had to overcome to get where they are today. Potentially, the association could make Vega even more of a folk hero.”
“You’re right, Jax.” Greg’s voice was as fierce as his expression. “I don’t have to tell you, man, we sure as shit better have proof before we release this. Dammit, Vega’s entire campaign is built around an anti-drug message. Not to mention an anti-trafficking plank, which is the other commodity El Blanco is known for.”
Serge broke in. “Unfortunately for the Vega for Victory campaign, today one of my most connected UCs confirmed that the connection between Garza and Vega and Joaquin Blanco didn’t end twenty years ago. Worse, there is preliminary evidence that El Blanco is not only supporting the Padrones, they’re also funding the Vega campaign.”
Jax ran his hands though his hair, tousling it more than usual. He managed to keep the fervor out of his voice. “The problem is, even with the information from Serge’s UC, we don’t have proof. But Greg is correct. I don’t have to tell you that we need one thousand percent unassailable proof before we go public with this accusation.”
“How good is your UC, Serge?” Mac’s query spoke to the efficacy of Jax’s claim.
Serge didn’t pull his punches. “As connected as they come, Mac, in that it is Jose Rodriguez, one of Jax’s guys on the Somalian squad. Only problem is that all of Jose’s information is second and third hand. It’s apparently common knowledge among the higher ups in the cartel, but Jose has never seen either Vega or Garza with anyone in the cartel.”
Max was quiet, then said thoughtfully, “Hmm, it would seem that we need our own plant in the Vega campaign. Someone who could provide unassailable proof that the campaign leaders have ties to the fucking cartel.” He pinned a hard gaze on Jax and added, “Of course it would have to be someone close enough to the campaign and its leaders, not to mention smart enough to unearth what has to be the most well-kept secret since Jimmy Hoffa’s burial site.”
Jax held up his hands and shook his head. “Forget it, Mac. She’s not an option. To begin with, Viviana will never believe that her superhero has feet of clay, much less this. No, she will simply think her jealous lover is trying to muddy up a competitor. And I have to admit I’ve given her cause to mistrust my judgment.”
Not able to stay seated, Jax strode to the cabinet and made a production of retrieving a bottle of Glenmorangie and three glasses. After he plunked them on the table in front of Greg and Mac and sank back onto his chair, he nodded to the screen. “Hope you have access to some good booze, Serge. I don’t know about you, but in my mind, this conversation requires the best.”
For several long moments, Jax sipped on the potent alcohol, trying to reconcile his tumultuous feelings. On one level, he admitted he was glad that his rival was unsavory, although unsavory didn’t begin to describe the potential connection Serge had uncovered. At the same time, he knew Viviana would never believe this bombshell was anything other than an outrageous attempt on his part to discredit a rival. Moreover, the fact that Vega was involved in the very criminal activities Viviana had spent her life fighting was too hideous a coincidence. It made her participation a non-starter.
“I know what you’re thinking, Jax. Given Viviana’s background, this is almost too cruel a cut.” Serge was sympathetic. “But man, if it’s true—and we all know damn well it is, we can’t keep her in the dark.” Serge breathed out a hard sigh. “Besides, Jax, what does it say about Vega that he would take advantage of Viviana’s past like this? Knowing that she understandably has a blind spot when it comes to the issues that nearly destroyed her life, it’s clear he played on that insecurity to win her allegiance.”
For the first time since Serge unveiled his findings, Jax allowed himself to feel the anger roiling in his gut. The more he acknowledged the perfidy of Vega’s actions, particularly the way he’d played on Viviana’s painful past, the more his fury flared. Eying his friend on the screen, he said softly, his voice rife with danger, “What does it say about him, Serge? That he is the biggest goddamned charlatan that ever walked this earth. In addition, he is a dead man walking.”
****
Viviana glanced at her phone and sniffed. Turning to Mick, she said, “Well, well. It appears that the king has spoken and our presence is required after all. They must need someone to make the coffee.”
As angry as she was that Jax had dismissed her and sent her back to work with Mick picking up the loose ends of their investigation, Viviana couldn’t help but be glad that he wanted her and Mick to come to his office ASAP. She’d known from his steely expression and non-committal response to her inquisition that something big was up. That he’d relegated her and Mick to the bench while ordering Greg to meet him in his office had both infuriated her and confirmed the importance of Serge’s information. What she couldn’t understand was why Jax had refused to throw her a bone. Jesus, she knew he had Serge working on the cartel connection. That was hardly news. They’d learned as much talking to Carlos and other Diablos members. Hell, Manuel Ortega had confirmed the Padrones were connected to the cartel without admitting a damn thing.
Walking into Jax’s office, she’d expected to see Serge on the monitors but was surprised to see Commissioner McElroy sitting across from Greg. The expressions on all their faces, particularly Jax’s narrowed gaze, confirmed the oncoming discussion was a serious one. Not surprisingly, her stomach flipped uneasily. She had a moment of dread that someone else had been killed, which would explain their solemnity but not Jax’s shutting her out of the discussion.
He rose to his feet and met her gaze as he walked toward her. Putting his hand on her arm, he led her to the chair next to him. As he seated her, he motioned for Mick to sit beside Greg. Nodding to the monitors, he indicated that Serge should speak.
For the next several minutes while listening to Serge’s calm recital, Viviana acknowledged that it was becoming harder and harder to breathe. On one hand, it didn’t make sense that her lungs were shutting down, given that Serge was speaking in short, declarative sentences as though he were recounting expected mission details and not the hideous tale he was explicating that was tearing her world apart and ripping a hole in her heart. Mick’s surprised gasps were the only reaction to Serge’s calm recital from the serious men at the table. As she tried to absorb what Serge was saying, Viviana became aware that Jax was holding her hand and pressing his knee against her thigh, confirming his presence. After what seemed like a lifetime, she realized that Serge had stopped talking and Jax was speaking to her. Holding a glass of water in front of her, his voice was soft, solicitous. “Here, darlin’, drink this.”
Viviana stared at the glass, then knocked it out of his hand. The glass shattered as it hit the floor with a splintering crash. The sound galvanized her. It gave her the energy she needed to rise to her feet. Clinging to the edge of the table, she met Jax’s troubled gaze. The concern in his eyes shot a mass of steel to her spine. She was gratified that her voice
was as calm as it was, given that her fury made it almost impossible to speak.
With an effort, she spit out the words. “You goddamned . . . fucking . . . son of a bitch. How dare you?” Hanging on to the table, she glared at him. “You . . . you . . . couldn’t stand the fact that another man had a chance to capture me? Even knowing that was impossible? Even knowing that would never happen, Jax? The fact that he’s as compelling as he is made it necessary to dishonor him? To destroy him?” Viviana hated that her shaking legs made it barely possible to stand and that her voice was so shrill she didn’t recognize it as hers. She tried to act normal and not like a crazy person, but seeing the pain in Jax’s eyes, she couldn’t stop railing at him. She backed up, spurred by her rage. “But to choose the very issues that have ruled my life to destroy him? Was that necessary, Jax? Just in case I may have found him attractive? May have been tempted by his charisma, his passion for the issues we both cared about? That we are fighting for?”
His voice was low, comforting. “Viviana, sweetheart, come here. Let me hold you.”
She stepped back, then fiercely shook her head. “Never. Do you hear me? Never again.”
****
Viviana didn’t know how long she crouched on the floor, hanging on to the rim of the toilet. The vile liquid choking her, making it impossible to cry or continue yelling at Jax, had long ago been deposited in the toilet. She didn’t try to stand, knowing it was impossible. Leaning back against the walls of the metal stall, a hideous thought struck her. She refused to believe that Serge was correct. That Enrique was the evil man he was describing. But the troublesome signals, the strange coincidences flashed through her mind. Trying to crush the fleeting memories, the images that refused to be crushed, she managed to stand. Leaving the stall, she leaned against the nearest sink, horrified at the woman she saw reflected in the mirror. Refusing to take on the men in the other room looking like she did, she washed her face and brushed the hair off her stark-white face. Knowing that Jax was waiting for her in the hallway gave her the strength to leave the comforting confines.
When she stumbled toward Jax’s office, she saw him waiting in the doorway where she’d known he would be. Hanging on to his arm, she walked into the room and glared at Serge’s image on the monitor. His troubled expression mirrored the other men’s. Only Jax’s arm around her made it possible for her to ask the question burning in her throat.
“Serge, do you have pictures of Joaquin? And his . . . his cohorts?”
Serge nodded in response, then flashed a series of photos on the screen. A piercing wail Viviana didn’t recognize as hers shattered the tense silence. She would have collapsed if it wasn’t for Jax’s strong arms that held her next to him as he whispered that he had her and would never let her go.
Chapter 29
Viviana, to be clear—you do not have to do this. In fact, I don’t want you to. It is too fucking dangerous.” Glancing at the solemn group surrounding the table, Jax laid down his marker. “Do remember, given that I am your chief, I have the deciding vote.”
Viviana sniffed. “That may be true for the rest of the team, but you know it’s never worked for me.”
Mick chortled, breaking in before Jax could respond. “C’mon, boss man, admit it. She’s right. Hell, she might even agree to your commands to get you off her tail. Unfortunately, the minute you look away, thinking that she’s agreed, she slips through your juggernaut and is off and running—flipping you off as she goes.”
Jax met Mick’s grin with one of his own. Only the steel hardening his voice undercut his relatively humorous response. “I concede, Detective O’Reilly. Sergeant Moreau does have a tendency to agree to follow orders only to decide that they don’t work for her—and then set off in the opposite direction.” He gazed at Viviana through half-closed eyes and added, “The problem for our wayward sergeant is that her chief also happens to be her lover, giving him access to a number of remedies to keep her in line that aren’t available to other wannabe commanders.”
Mick eyes danced salaciously. “I gotta admit, Chief Hughes, a lot of men have tried and failed to corral my partner. Not sure how you manage to have the last word, but you’re doing something right, even if she puts up a hell of a fight before she concedes.”
Jax allowed an enigmatic smile to curve his lips and said with a shrug, “Did you ever think the fight is simply part of the dance, Detective? After all, what is more enticing to an arrogant SOB like me than an impudent woman who continuously pushes out the boundaries, forcing me to ramp up my response and take her in hand?”
When Mick laughed uproariously and Mac and Greg followed suit, Viviana leapt from her chair and glared at Jax. Seeing the humor dancing in his half-closed eyes, she conceded that he was goading her before he laid down the law. Instead of responding angrily, she forced herself to smile and said sweetly, “Why, Chief Hughes, you must be thinking of one of your other women, the ones who refuse to bow and scrape before you. Surely you aren’t thinking of sweet, little, obedient me?”
As the others laughed, Jax rose from his chair and captured her in his arms. Hugging her tightly against him, he murmured, “Ah, Viviana, would that any of my women bow and scrape before me, least of all you.” Tightening his grip on her as she tried to wrestle free, Jax’s expression hardened. Glancing at the men around the table, he said with a sigh, “The problem that we face, lady and gentlemen, is that as much as I hate it, and like all of you, I admit that Viviana is the best—and probably the only—person who can successfully infiltrate the Vega camp.”
“Do you mean that, Jax? Or are you just saying that to placate me before you roll out some elaborate plan that ensures that I will never be alone with Enrique or Nicolas?”
Still holding her next to him, Jax met her gaze. “No, Viviana. To be successful, you not only will have to be in the same room with those two despicable men but you will need to entice them.” His voice was grim. “I can’t believe that I am saying this, but you need to convince them, at least Enrique, that you are beginning to see him in a different light. That you might even be interested in him.” Pushing her away, he said scathingly, “How about it, Sergeant Moreau? Think you can release the Enchantress and get that fucking asshole to make a pass at you?”
Viviana tried not to show her surprise at Jax’s outrageous suggestion. Instead, she said somewhat seriously but not able to hide her saucy smile, “Hmm, Chief Hughes, if past experience is evidence, I’m reasonably certain I can get Enrique to come on to me.”
As all of the men at the table laughed at her insolence, Jax swatted her butt and yanked her up next to him. “I’ll ignore that remark, Sergeant Moreau, and assume you are merely referring to your previous undercover work—not your experience with that fucking asshole, who truly is going to get his ass kicked!”
Knowing how close both he and Viviana were to the edge, not to mention the rest of their men, Jax led Viviana back to the conference table and began planning their mission in earnest. Watching her don her professional, hard-eyed cloak, he marveled at this extraordinary woman of his. Seeing his men gazing at her in admiration, no doubt marveling at her strength, he wished he could explain to them just how vulnerable she was. If they’d been with them last night after Viviana had collapsed in his arms when she recognized Joaquin Blanco and others as the men she’d seen with Enrique and Nicolas, they might understand. But as Jax had come to know over the last year with this volatile woman he deeply loved, Viviana didn’t show her vulnerable side to anyone except him. It was a gift and a challenge he treasured. Chastened by her willingness to trust him, he treated that trust with the utmost care.
Last night, declaring that they would reconvene at 8:00 a.m. sharp the next morning, Jax had sent the others on their way appropriately humbled by the task they were facing. Practically carrying the shattered Viviana to his car, he was pulling into his condominium garage minutes later. Disregarding her pitiful protests that she wanted to go home, he opened the passenger door and scooped her up in his arms.
He didn’t put her shivering body down until he filled the garden bathtub, then deposited her naked body in the fragrant steaming water. Waiting until he was sure he could leave her alone, he went to the kitchen and threw together a hasty feast of soup, bread, and hot chocolate. After drying her off, he wrapped her naked body in a warm throw and carried her up to their rooftop refuge.
Ignoring her insistence that she wasn’t hungry, he held her on his lap and fed her spoonful after spoonful of the steaming soup until she’d eaten it all, including three slices of sourdough bread. He liberally laced the hot chocolate with Bailey’s and held the mug to her lips, asserting that she needed to drink it all. When she finally let down enough to relax in his arms, he began to interrogate her. In halting sentences contorted with sobs, she told him about the men she’d seen and some of the conversations she’d overheard. Dismissing her anger at herself for being so gullible and for not acknowledging the clear signs she had seen, Jax held her in his arms until she drifted off into an exhausted sleep.
****
Now seeing the competent woman standing toe-to-toe with his impressive former operatives, Jax was filled with pride. Serge’s UC had confirmed that several of El Blanco’s key henchmen planned to be in Oakland following the Vega for Victory rally tomorrow. Jax decreed this was a golden opportunity to make their move. Oakland was close enough to San Jose that they could rely on Mick O’Reilly’s crack SWAT team to lead the raid. They couldn’t take a chance on bringing other departments into the assault, at least until they were vetted. Instead, augmenting Serge’s DEA squad that was already here and Mick’s team, Jax planned to call on his off-the-grid special operatives he’d relied on in the past when the mission was too sensitive to call on the local PDs.