by David, Kori
“I’ll do better next time. With the proposal, I mean.”
“Maybe I’d consider it then. As long as the sex is still thrown in.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The look in those dewy green eyes was as serious as his own. The words would come later, but it was enough to know that she was even jokingly considering it. And he would do better next time. Because deep down he was an old-fashioned guy. He’d get down on one knee with ring in hand and beg her to marry him.
He didn’t worry that she would say anything but “yes.” He was a Marine, and failure was not an option.
Chapter 11
Lily thought they would have checked into one of the hotels in Sweet Hill, but Jesse drove them fifteen miles south to his sister’s ranch. It was a ten-acre spread with a couple of cows, some milking goats, and chickens. They’d put their bags into the mother-in-law casita that sat about one hundred yards away from the main house. Jesse’s mother liked to stay there when she came to visit the family.
Brian, Jesse’s brother-in-law, was out working with the animals and Jesse was in the house talking with his sister. They’d had a nice lunch together, while the kids clamored for Uncle Jesse to show them some attention. They clearly adored their uncle.
Lily made her phone calls and found out that her stepfather had been holed up in his office since before the store opened. His secretary knew better than to disturb him when his door was closed so she hadn’t seen him all morning. He was there, she assured Lily, because his brand new BMW was parked in his spot.
“I’d like it if you stayed here while I go and talk to your stepfather.”
Lily spun from the window she’d been staring out of. “I want to be with you.”
Jesse shook his head and grabbed his bag. “I need you to be safe. We don’t know if he’s the one that ordered your kidnapping or if he simply told the cartel about the pictures. Either way, I want to see him alone.”
“Man to man?” She was about to argue more, but the look on his face told her that she was staying put, no matter what.
“Something like that.”
“I don’t like it, Jesse. Not one bit.” She tossed her head and shot him a cold look. “After everything we’ve been through, I deserve to be there.”
He dropped the bag and stalked toward her. She was in his arms with his mouth covering hers in a kiss that heated her entire body. She tangled her tongue with his in an angry dance before she shoved at his wide shoulders.
“Don’t use this against me.”
Jesse frowned down at her. “I would never use what’s between us against you. But you have a large target on your forehead. The best move here is to keep you safe.”
When he kissed her and moved away, Lily felt cold. She wrapped her arms around herself as she watched him head to the door. Without her. “Please be careful.”
I love you. The words were there, but she kept them firmly inside.
“I always am.”
Then she watched him leave. He’d borrowed his brother-in-law’s truck, just to be safe so the minivan was still parked out front. And Lily had the keys. The only reason she’d given Jesse some resistance was to keep him from being suspicious. She had her own confrontation to get through. Once he was gone, she palmed the keys and headed toward the main house.
This was something she had to handle on her own. She hoped Jesse would understand.
***
The drive took thirty minutes, and Jesse spent the entire time on the phone. Little Mike was able to make contact with the Colorado Sheriff’s office and confirmed that there was torture involved. The signature ‘H’ had been carved into the dead General’s chest, confirming that the Huerta enforcers were the ones who’d killed the man. They’d released the body to the military happily, turning over the grisly investigation to them.
When he hung up with Mike, he placed a second call.
“I’m in place.”
“That’s why you are the best,” Jesse replied.
“You’re sure about this?”
“It’s the only thing that really makes sense. The money trail leads to that house and Lily needs to have her say and get some questions answered. I don’t like it, but I understand it. Where are you?”
“In a big-ass oak tree about five hundred yards out to the south. I have view of the road and most of the house. There are big windows on this side including the office. I have my target in sight.” There was a chattering noise in the background.
“What is that?”
Damon sighed. “Pissed off mama squirrel. I’m too close to her nest.”
“Try not to get your ass kicked.”
“You owe me for this, Outlaw.”
Jesse chuckled. “Damn right I do. And, Shadow?”
“Yeah?”
“Call me the second you see my girl. Keep her safe.”
“Copy that.”
Jesse disconnected the call as he pulled into the parking lot of Tate’s Guns and Ammo supply store. The sign advertised quality weapons at discounted prices. William Tate had made a name for himself in Texas as a shrewd businessman with an eye for quality weaponry. He’d also made a small fortune doing it.
Then he’d married Lily’s mother and gained political influence. And together, they were a force to be reckoned with within Texas politics.
Jesse sat in the truck for a few moments to watch the flow of customers in and out. They were the typical hunter types, some weekend warriors and several fathers taking their sons and daughters in for their first gun. The foot traffic was steady enough that Jesse decided to go in and make contact.
The inside of the store was impressive. They didn’t just sell guns. There was camping and fishing equipment, hunting bows, knives, and clothing occupying another side of the store. A young and very cute little employee flounced over with a bright smile.
“Can I help you find anything, sir?”
Glancing quickly at the name pinned to her shirt he replied, “You sure can, Cindy. I’m looking for Mr. Tate. I have some business with him and I’ve never been to this store before. Could you be a doll and point me to his office?”
“Of course.” Her smile widened as she pointed up the staircase. “Just go past the indoor shooting range. His office is through the door to the right.”
He nodded to the girl and returned her smile. “Thank you, Cindy.”
“My pleasure.” Then she left him to help the next customer coming into the store.
Jesse found the right door. When he entered he was in a plush sitting area being glared at by a stern-faced woman in her sixties with a bun so severe he worried that her eyes were being pulled out of place.
“How may I help you?” Even her tone was frosty.
“I have some business with Mr. Tate.”
“Mr. Tate is not to be disturbed.”
Jesse smiled and did his best to charm the old dragon. “I’m sorry. I should have been honest with you from the start, Miss…?”
“Stover.”
He suppressed a shiver. She sounded like a schoolmarm and looked like she’d be handy with a ruler. As a weapon. “Well, Miss Stover, you see this is really a personal matter involving family.”
At this she crossed her arms. Clearly, charm wasn’t going to work on this woman. Hell, even her shirt was pressed and starched, just like her personality. “When that door is closed, Mr. Tate is not to be disturbed.”
Jesse didn’t have time for this, so he did what he should have done in the first place. He bypassed the dragon lady and opened the door to the inner sanctum. The outraged gasp behind him as the Stover woman jumped up to chase him only registered briefly because the scene in the office took his entire attention.
William Tate was dead.
Jesse spun and grabbed the secretary by the arms, preventing her from entering the office. He didn’t want her to see the blood, the ‘H’ carved into her employer’s chest, or the severed tongue laying on the desk in front of Tate’s body, which was duct taped to his exp
ensive chair.
“How dare you—”
“Who visited Mr. Tate before I did?” The urgency of his tone and the look on his face must have convinced the woman that something was wrong because she stopped struggling and answered.
“He was already here when I arrived. The door has been closed the entire time and I don’t disturb Mr. Tate when the door is closed.”
“I need you to call 9-1-1 and get the police over here as quickly as you can.”
“What’s going on?”
“William Tate has been murdered.”
Her hand flew up to her mouth and she sagged into Jesse’s arms. He led her back to her chair and set her down gently. Picking up the phone he held it to her ear. “Call the police. And do not enter that office, understand? It’s now a crime scene.”
She nodded as he dialed 9-1-1 for her. Once she was occupied giving the address and answering questions, Jesse backed out of the office. The last thing he needed was to be tied up with questions from the police. He walked slowly out of the store, neither looking right nor left. Just another customer exiting the building.
He was already headed to his next destination when he heard the sirens in the distance. His phone rang at the same time. “Yeah?”
“Show time. Get your ass over here.”
“Shit. Is Lily there yet?” Jesse stepped on the gas before he heard the answer.
“I can see the minivan in the distance. ETA three minutes. Our friends from Mexico arrived ten minutes ago. Three of them. I recognize two from the warehouse. Is Tate under wraps?”
“Tate is dead. They got to him before I could.”
“Damn, his testimony would have been useful.”
“That was their guess. His tongue was sliced off. The third man, is he tall and muscular with a scar on his face?”
“Yes.”
He had to grit his teeth to keep his suddenly thumping heart from leaping out of his throat. At least that’s where it felt like it was lodged. “Slow her down.”
“Copy that.”
The call ended as Jesse cleared the city limit sign. He stomped on the accelerator, feeling the truck jump. He was doing well over one hundred miles per hour when he started praying. Praying that he was able to get there in time.
Because if he lost Lily, he would make it his mission to kill every single member of the Huerta cartel. He wouldn’t rest until there was no evidence that any Huerta member ever existed.
Chapter 12
The loud pop and sudden pull to the left had Lily stomping on the brake. “What the heck?” Rolling to a stop, the van dipped down at the front driver’s side.
She was in sight of her destination and focused so hard on the confrontation about to happen that she never saw anything in the roadway. So what on earth happened? It took some deep breaths to calm her racing heart. The sudden silence when she turned the engine off and killed the radio brought the thud of her heart into focus and she needed to calm down.
Getting out, Lily skirted the opened door and looked down at the flat tire. There was no glass bottle, or nail, or anything sticking out of the deflated rubber. It was just, inexplicably…flat.
“I don’t have time for this,” she muttered.
Reaching inside for her camera case, she threw the strap over her body and shut the door, took another deep breath and started walking.
The house was up a small hill, nestled in a ring of massive oak trees that shaded the immediate yard. It was a show piece from a bygone era and was reminiscent of one of those stately plantation homes so prevalent in the South. White siding blended nicely with white washed brick, it had a large porch with several sitting areas and a swing. It even boasted classically carved columns. Four of them.
It was the perfect façade to hide the impossibly imperfect people that lived inside. But it was never a home.
By the time she reached the front door, she was cold inside. Not from the weather, but from the knowledge that after today, she’d never set foot inside this place again. Ever. She hoped the tracking device Jesse had hidden in her case was still active because she wasn’t sure she was going to be able to leave on her own. The feeling of being watched was heavy and chills broke out up and down her arms before skittering down her spine. Unfriendly eyes were on her, but she didn’t turn back. Not now. Not this time.
The door swung open. “Liliana.”
“Hello, Mother.”
***
Damon Dupree adjusted himself on the wide tree branch and watched as Lily entered the house. He was far enough away that he needed the scope to see the expressions that chased themselves across her face as the front door opened. He’d hoped to slow her down a bit more when he shot out her tire. But this was one determined little lady.
He could only hope that Jesse was close enough to be able to protect her when the shooting started. He wasn’t about to let anyone involved in the Huerta cartel leave the house alive. He’d learned long ago that justice was a whimsical dream. Something Americans told their children to make them feel safe in a world full of monsters. If something bad happened, then justice will be had.
It was bullshit.
The little guy didn’t win against the street thug or even big business. He was crushed or killed because he wasn’t able to defend himself. Damon didn’t fool himself into believing what he did was noble or even enviable. But it was necessary.
He’d seen the evidence of the Huerta involvement with his own eyes. If he or Jesse didn’t mete out the punishment, then the three criminals in that house would simply bounce back across the border and become untouchable again. Only to continue paving a swath of terror and torture on both sides of the border.
But here—now—they were close and more than touchable. And they’d been found guilty of more than one crime. By him. And Damon didn’t shy away from carrying out their sentence.
Death.
***
“What a nice surprise.”
Lily followed her mother through the richly appointed foyer, past the wide Gone with the Wind staircase, and into the study. It doubled as an office and had the best view of the estate grounds from the enormous bay windows. But Lily registered the familiar sights in the way that only someone who grew up in such grandeur could. It was normal. The smell of the leather chairs and the faint scent of the magnolia perfume her mother preferred lingered in the air and made her nose wrinkle.
“Somehow, Mother, I don’t think this is a surprise at all.”
Virginia Richardson-Tate had been a stunning woman in her day. Still beautiful, she was more subdued in hairstyle and tailoring since taking office. She habitually wore her gray- streaked chestnut hair in a tight chignon and some kind of flowing silk shirt/skirt combo that flattered her still trim figure.
Today was no different.
Not an affectionate woman, she waved Lily to a chair and seated herself behind a massive mahogany desk. No hug. No kiss. No touching. Merely a polite nod before leaning back and studying Lily.
“No, I suppose I am not overly surprised by this visit.”
There were so many questions and accusations Lily wanted to hurl at her mother, but that would get her nowhere. Her mother never responded to what she deemed a verbal tantrum. She preferred polite conversation and civility.
So she started small and civil. “Where is Henrietta? Doesn’t she usually answer the door?”
“I gave her the day off. It seemed—prudent.”
“And giving Robert a key to my home? Did that also seem prudent?”
Virginia gave her daughter a thorough once-over. It made Lily feel like a bug under a microscope, a feeling she was used to. “He wanted his ring back, dear.” She said it as if it were the most obvious answer in the world.
At least she was being honest. “A ring he had no right to have. Even a judge agreed.”
She waved her hand at Lily as if her response were an irritating gnat. “You chose to get a divorce and now he wishes to marry someone more suitable to his lifestyle.”
<
br /> “You mean young enough to be trained properly. And you decided to help him.”
“Of course, and despite her occasional—exuberance—she has the right pedigree. He needs someone by his side while he runs for mayor. Public opinion is much more favorable for a married man. Bachelors are still frowned upon.”
And, Lord knew, public opinion was far more important to her mother than her daughter. Lily pulled the photo out of the pocket of her camera case and slid it across the shiny desk. It came to rest at the edge. It was the one secret she’d kept from everyone. A picture that put her mother at the same seedy motel with a dead General and a cartel thug known for his viciousness.
“Well, Liliana, you have some claws after all. I didn’t think you had it in you.”
“And I didn’t think you would condemn your only daughter to torture and death.”
Virginia arched an eyebrow at the venom in Lily’s voice. “And what makes you think this picture proves anything?”
“At first I thought it was William involved with the General, but then I realized that your husband never was that smart. And you were the one with the Army contacts, since General Maddox has been one of your political supporters for years. So it had to be you. I just had to wait until you showed up to prove it.”
“This proves nothing. Only that you have an overactive imagination and a decent camera.”
“I thought so too, until I confronted William about it and made the mistake of telling him that I was going after proof. Two days later I was kidnapped. That was your idea, wasn’t it?”
Lily pulled the rest of the photos from her folder and slid them in front of her mother who scanned them all without expression. Even if Lily couldn’t convince the police that her mother was involved in a gun running scheme, the pictures themselves would block her ambitions.