by Kari Lemor
He wanted to see the slime bag’s face when they cuffed him and hauled him away. Actually breaking his face for all the pain he’d put Meg through sounded good too. Unfortunately, his superiors might frown on such an action.
Philip adjusted a few knobs until the static cleared away. Chris perked up when Moreno yelled angrily, “I need to know who told the cops. Convince me it wasn’t you.”
A groan came across the equipment and he almost stopped breathing. Fear resonated from Meg’s voice. “It wasn’t, Mr. Moreno. I swear. I’m here most of the night and I sleep late. And the guy I’m staying with, he doesn’t like me to be away from him. He’s only here for a little while longer. I wouldn’t have the time to go to the cops.”
“If it wasn’t you, then who the hell was it?” Moreno’s voice exuded anger. “When was the last time we swept this room for bugs?”
Chris assumed he was talking to someone else and he wondered who was in the room with Moreno and Meg.
“A few days ago, Sal, but I can do it again.” Damn, it was Sonny.
The sound of a door opening and closing came through the headphones and Chris looked at Philip with concern. “We need to get her out of there.”
“We don’t have anyone ready to go in yet,” Philip answered. “Most of the guys on this case are at the different warehouses waiting for the shipments to come in. We weren’t expecting anything from Moreno on this end. My job was to make sure Moreno didn’t change any of the times or locations at the last minute. If we go in now and arrest him, we don’t know how many of the people who work there are loyal to him. They could make a call and change or cancel the shipments. Then we have nothing and this whole op is blown sky high.”
Philip was right, but he couldn’t sit here and listen to the terrified voice of Meg as Moreno verbally abused her. He had no way of knowing if her wince had come from fear or pain.
“You just sit there until we figure this out.” Moreno’s voice was quieter now but no less lethal. He got nervous when he didn’t hear anything from Meg. Then the door opened again and Moreno said, “Good, sweep the room.”
He sat nervously knowing Meg had the electronic device on her. She must have known what trouble she’d be in too as she spoke up.
“Mr. Moreno, I swear I didn’t do anything. Let me get changed and start work. I’ll even be real nice to your friends tonight if you want.”
“You can start by being nice to me.”
Chris attempted to identify the voice. Who else was in the room?
“Of course, Mr. Barone. You know you’re my favorite customer. Let me just get out of these sloppy clothes.”
Barone. Shit. He gritted his teeth, his jaw tight, his fists clenching. That was another one whose face he wanted to break. Meg was stalling for time by cozying up. The man was more than a sleaze. He probably wouldn’t waste any time in trying to get her into an intimate position.
“What the hell,” Sonny yelled. “This says she’s got some sort of transmitter on her.”
The sound of flesh hitting flesh echoed through the headset. Meg’s cry of pain lanced through him, his heart sinking, his gut on fire.
“You bitch! You lied to me. After all I’ve done for you, you go behind my back and give me up to the cops.”
“This thing in her hair,” Sonny said, “It’s transmitting something.”
Meg’s cries echoed through his head. He stood up, had to get her out of there. Philip shook his head and mouthed, “Wait for back up. I’m calling it in now. Sounds like they’ve got at least three guys in there, probably all armed. You’re not going to help her if you’re dead.” Philip was right but his fear for Meg was overriding all his training.
“I didn’t know, I swear I didn’t know,” Meg sobbed. “One of my customers gave it to me a few days ago. She said it would look pretty in my hair. She even gave me a card and said to tell all my friends that she makes these.”
“What did this lady look like? She look like a cop or a Fed? She must have been.”
He breathed a small sigh of relief that Moreno seemed to buy her quick explanation. He couldn’t believe after all this she could actually come up with a story that fast and convincing.
“I don’t know,” Meg answered, fear still lingering in her tone. “She was just some chick. She had short blond hair and was lots taller than me, even in my heels. I think I have her card somewhere. I could go look for it.”
“Sonny, go get Katie’s bag from her locker,” Moreno ordered. Moreno, Barone, and Sonny. Three guys to one cocktail waitress. The odds seemed a little unfair.
“And you, bitch,” Moreno’s voice roared and there was the sound of something, or someone falling. Meg? “How could you just take something from someone who was probably a cop?”
“I didn’t know, Mr. Moreno. I didn’t know. She was in here all the time. She was starting to become a regular.”
“How long?” Moreno’s voice demanded and Meg grunted again. What was that bastard doing to her? The thought of the bruises on her arms from a month ago made his temperature rise and he started seeing red.
“Like three weeks, maybe a month. Not much longer I don’t think.”
The door opened and closed again. “Here’s her bag, Mr. Moreno.”
“Find it. I want that number. And if this bitch shows up tonight we take her down and make her disappear, got it? Now where is this card?”
“I’m looking. I might have taken it out and left it at the hotel. I can get it after work. Or I can run over there now and get it.”
Chris held his breath wondering if a slight miracle would happen and Moreno would allow her to leave. Did her story of the woman customer ring true to him? Did he believe her enough?
“I don’t think so,” his chilling tone made Chris break out in goose bumps. “You just sit there. Sonny, if she moves, shoot her.”
“Do you mind, Salazar,” Barone piped in. He’d almost forgotten the slime bucket was there. “I could keep her occupied for a while if that’s okay. I’ve been wanting to get my hands on her for a long time. I’ve waited over a year for this delicious one.”
Moreno sighed but agreed. “Fine, do whatever you want. I need to think and figure out what to do? And destroy that bug!”
Tons of static filled the receiver and it went dead but not before they heard Meg whimper again. He threw the headphones down, grabbed another small listening device, pocketed it, and headed for the door. Philip looked up startled but seemed to understand where he was going and why.
“I’ve got a call in for backup but it could be a little while. Try and hold on until we can get there. I’ll keep my ears open on your channel.”
Chris didn’t wait for anything else. He ran around the block to the club and slowed just enough not to appear suspicious when he entered. No sense in one of the other muscle-bound thugs trying to throw him out before he got close to Meg. If Barone did anything to her, he’d kill him. He’d rather die than see anyone hurt her.
His eyes adjusted to the darkness and loud music as he walked quickly through the somewhat empty room. It was still early and only a few diehards had found their way in. He glanced at the bar to see if he could give a nod to Dave but he wasn’t there. The man had to be around somewhere, but Chris didn’t want to waste any time in getting to Meg. It had already been a few minutes. God only knew what Barone had done to her in that time.
Maneuvering through a few waitresses, he headed down the hall to the back room, not sure exactly what he was going to do in there. His gun would have been nice but the check at the door prevented it. He’d blow a hole in Moreno’s head and everyone would be happy. Okay, maybe not the most legal way to do things, but it worked for him.
Making his way past the restrooms, he managed to evade any other bouncers and stood outside the back room taking a deep breath. Okay, he’d have to wing it because he couldn’t leave Meg in there to face Barone, not to mention the other two scum bags. He gave a quick knock on the door
and when he heard the lock being released, grabbed the handle and pushed hard.
“Hey,” he greeted enthusiastically as he barged into the room. “Wanted to put my name in early. Wondering if I can horn in on one of the games tonight? I’m feeling lucky.”
All eyes turned to him and he could tell no one was happy to see him, except Meg. Her eyes were filled with tears and now a tiny bit of relief. Barone had his arms wrapped around her and she was sitting in his lap. No pretense needed for the anger that surged through him.
“Hey, what’s the deal? You know she’s mine. What the hell are you doing with her? I’m here for another few days and I don’t like sharing. You’ll get your turn.”
Sonny stepped behind him, pushing something into his back. The end of a gun?
“You want me to take out the trash, Mr. Moreno,” Sonny offered. There was no love lost between them. Sonny still held a grudge from their earlier altercation.
“What is he doing here?” Moreno shouted and Chris could see the man was becoming unhinged. Apparently the thought of being put out of business by the cops was taking its toll.
“I wanted to check about playing tonight,” he answered back trying to appear casual. “But I don’t like finding my woman back here with one of your lackeys. Why isn’t she out serving drinks?”
He took this opportunity to look more closely at her. Marks were already forming on her face where apparently Moreno had hit her and her eyes were red rimmed. His fists clenched tight when he wanted to be driving them into Moreno’s face. Stay in control, keep calm. Getting all heroic would most likely get both of them killed.
“Shut up.” Moreno bellowed in his direction. “I need to think. You,” he ordered to Chris, “sit down and shut up. Your girlfriend here has been spying on me and my associates and I need some information. Now.”
He walked back over to Meg and motioned for Barone to let her go. The fat bastard ran his beefy hands over her curves before reluctantly doing as Moreno indicated. It took all of Chris’s self control but he sensed Moreno was in no mood for his objections. He certainly wouldn’t let either one of them simply walk out.
“What do you mean, she’s spying on you?” Stall for time, back-up should arrive soon. “She’s been with me whenever she isn’t here. When the hell would she have time to report to anyone? She doesn’t even have a stinkin’ cell phone.”
“I said, shut up,” Moreno bellowed again, his voice low and dangerous. “How do I know she’s not reporting back to you?”
Meg’s eyes widened in fear. This time for him? Moreno roughly grabbed Meg’s arms and stared menacingly at her. “Is that it, my dear? This guy is using you to get information for him?”
She remained quiet giving her head a small shake. Moreno reeled back, slapping her so hard she fell to the floor. Chris attempted to go to her but Sonny grabbed his arm, pressing the gun in his ribs, pushing him toward one of the chairs indicating he should sit. Moreno now seethed, his breathing heavy.
He considered taking Sonny’s gun but there were two other men in this room who could seriously hurt them. Barone watched every move he made--with Meg in here he couldn’t take the chance. Continue the bluff until backup arrives.
“I need some information and I need it now,” Moreno ranted again. “I’ve got shipments on their way--I need to know which one the cops have targeted. I can’t afford to call them all off.” He grabbed Meg from the floor shoving her into the chair facing Chris. Moreno turned to him and glared.
“Perhaps we should pay a little attention to the boyfriend and see if anyone decides to talk.” He knew the punch was coming but couldn’t avoid it with a gun pressed against his back. The blow snapped his head back and he tried to stifle the groan that erupted from his mouth. Another one managed to knock him sideways. Sonny got in the act and elbowed him in the side of the neck causing him to fall on the ground. A swift kick to the back from Moreno had Meg crying out.
“Stop. Hurting him isn’t going to get you anywhere. I’m only doing it for the money. He doesn’t even have a clue what’s going on.”
Moreno stopped his foot from connecting again and Sonny pulled Chris back into his chair, his gun never wavering. Meg was trying to protect him. That was his job. Before he could protest, she started speaking again.
“He’s just some businessman I’ve been mooching off so I didn’t have to live in that slum anymore. I get to spend my days by the pool with free home-cooked meals before I come to work. And he’s been buying me pretty things to wear. But he’s leaving soon so I had to do something to keep me in better accommodations. I didn’t want to go back to where I was before.”
“Wait.” Chris shouted stalling for time. Fear churned in his gut at the look of venom that crossed Moreno’s face at her confession. “What do you mean you were just mooching off me? I thought we had something good going on here. Are you telling me it was all a game? You were only using me for my money.”
Understanding lit her eyes and she continued the act. “Oh, please, don’t play the injured party here. You’ve been getting plenty from me in return for your investment. I know you weren’t teaching me all those kinky sex tricks for my benefit. You more than got your jollies from them.”
He glared at her, hoping Moreno would buy their little act and waste more time. “I can’t believe this,” he said infusing hurt into his voice. “You’re nothing but a two-bit gold-digger. I thought I meant something to you. I was even planning to leave my wife for you.”
“Your wife?” Meg exploded. “You’re married? You bastard.” She launched herself in his direction but Moreno intercepted her, grabbing her around the waist. He twisted her around and slapped her already bruised face.
Chris couldn’t stop himself. He shrugged out of Sonny’s grip, his jaw clenching. He couldn’t allow them to hurt this woman who meant everything to him. But showing too much concern would get them both killed.
Moreno stared at Chris’s angry face, smirking. “I think we can still get some use from her.” He pulled a lethal-looking knife from behind the bar and pressed it to her throat as he pushed her back into a chair. “Maybe someone will give me the information I want if they actually see I mean business.”
Moreno pressed the knife deeper, a little trickle of blood appearing. Meg whimpered as tears rolled down her face.
“Don’t damage her too much, Salazar,” Barone ordered. “You can’t exactly let her go and she’s too precious to kill. I have the perfect place to keep her. There’s a nice secure room in one of my getaways where she’d be comfortable. I could have lots of fun with her. I don’t imagine I’d tire of her for quite a long while.”
The contents of his stomach churned. He’d die before he’d allow that slime ball to do what he hinted at to Meg. Unfortunately if he tried anything stupid, like grabbing for Sonny’s gun, he’d be dead and she’d be left to the sadistic hands of the fat man. His options seemed limited.
“You can have her once I’m done here and I get the information I need.” Moreno chuckled when he checked out the expression on Chris’s face. “A little deeper and I might hit the carotid artery. Have anything to say, loverboy?”
“He doesn’t know anything,” Meg sobbed, still trying to protect him even with the knife digging into her neck. His gut twisted. Was her sob from pain or fear--or a little of both? What could he do that wouldn’t get them both killed?
“Well, someone knows something and they better tell me quickly because we’re running out of time.”
Meg’s shoulders shook as the knife dug deeper. He gritted his teeth as blood dripped from her neck. Wait for backup, it’s what you’ve been trained to do. But Meg was in danger. He couldn’t sit still, couldn’t let her down. He was her white knight for Pete’s sake. And he loved her. He loved her. It hit him like a mortar attack. If anything happened to her he wouldn’t be the same. He hadn’t been the same since he’d met her. He needed her in his life.
“Okay,” he yelled as Meg’s pain fi
lled eyes reached out carving a path through his heart. “I’ll tell you. Move away from her and I’ll tell you everything.”
“Finally.” Moreno threw Meg on the floor where she crumpled into a ball. She didn’t look good. Too much blood oozed from her wound. Had the knife done more damage as Moreno pushed her away?
“Okay, give.” Moreno took a few steps toward him, lifted the bloody knife he’d held to Meg’s neck and waved it in front of his face. Sonny’s gun was still aimed directly at his head.
Chris took a deep breath sneaking a swift glance in Meg’s direction. Damn. She wasn’t moving. He looked back at Moreno and said, “The Feds are moving in on your shipment that’s coming in through pier 12 at the marina.” He named off the operation that was least important in the whole scheme of things.
Moreno threw him a deadly look. “How do you know this?”
Despite the risk, he squared his jaw and answered, “Because I’m a federal agent.”
Moreno’s fist flew through the air connecting with his jaw, snapping his head back. Pain exploded throughout and he knew he’d be sporting a few bruises too, if he lived through this.
Moreno threw a few more hits before he commanded, “Barone, go and tell them to hold the delivery.”
The knife hovered in front of Chris’s face. “Well, since kidnapping a federal agent is as bad as killing one, I guess it doesn’t matter what we do to you, does it?”
Moreno glanced at Sonny who gave a satisfied smirk as he screwed on a silencer. He moved around so he faced Chris, an eerie chuckle slipping from his mouth. The gun pointed straight at his face. How the hell could he get out of this one? Could he rush the guy?
Before he could move, Meg pulled herself from the floor and plowed into Sonny. Chris grabbed Moreno and slugged him. Damn that felt good. He hit him once more but as he turned back toward Sonny, heat seared through his shoulder. Stumbling backwards he fell to his knees. Barone had returned, pointing a gun straight at him. Sonny staggered to his feet turning the gun on Meg who had fallen back to the floor in a heap.