Hidden Prey (Lawmen)

by Cheyenne McCray

  Alejandro came on the line. “Pablo and John called just now. They know where Tori Cox’s mother and father are and they have both the woman’s and her boyfriend’s computers. If we need any more information then we should be able to find it there.”

  “Good.” Diego leaned back in the padded leather office chair. “Make sure you send men who will not fail this time.”

  “I will, Father.” Alejandro never showed weakness, which pleased Diego greatly. “What do you want me to do with Carlos?”

  Diego did not hesitate. “Shoot him.”

  A moment later he heard Carlos begging for his life and then a single shot.

  Alejandro came back on the line. “It is done.”

  “Good.” Diego drew in a long breath then let it out. “Have his body dealt with and send men to take care of the woman’s family. Have the mother and father held hostage until we get the woman.”

  “It will be taken care of, Father. We still have the tracker on her phone.”

  Diego disconnected the call and set the cell phone on his desk. He clenched his jaws tight and reined in his emotions. He did not lose control. This was a temporary problem that would be dealt with.

  A knock on the doorframe had Diego looking in the direction of the door. His granddaughter stood there and she looked confused. He mentally cursed himself for not making sure the door was closed so she would not hear anything she should not.

  He put on a smile for her. “How is my angel?”

  She smiled back. “Maria brought dresses for me to try on for my Quinceañera. You said you wish to approve of the dress I am to wear.”

  “Of course.” He pushed back his chair and left the encrypted cell phone on the desk. His own cell phone was in his pocket, but it wasn’t guaranteed to be secure like the encrypted cell phone was.

  When he reached the doorway, Angelina linked her arm through his. “She has them in my bedroom. You can wait in my sitting room and I will model them for you.”

  Diego patted his granddaughter’s hand. “I am looking forward to seeing you in the dresses.”

  Angelina’s bedroom was in the wing on the opposite side of his home. He preferred that she be as far as possible from where he held his business dealings. When they reached her sitting room, he sat back in one of the richly upholstered chairs.

  Maria was waiting in the room, and she gave Diego a deferential bow. Angelina smiled then whirled and went through the connecting door into her bedroom with Maria following close behind.

  Angelina returned fifteen minutes later, smiling and wearing a lavender dress that almost reached the floor and barely showed her ankles. However, it bared most of her back and as far as he was concerned, it was cut far too low for a young woman.

  He shook his head. “No.”

  Her face fell. “I think it’s beautiful.”

  “No,” he repeated. “It is too revealing for a young lady of your age.”

  Holding back a pout, she left the room with Maria and in another ten minutes returned wearing a lemon yellow dress. This one had puffy sleeves, but bare shoulders and a low neckline like the lavender one.

  He frowned. “Who selected these dresses for you?”

  “I did, out of the portfolio the dress maker sent.” Angelina grasped her skirt and held it up as she spun around. “Isn’t it lovely?”

  He narrowed his eyes at Maria who looked fearful. “Is there anything more modest?”

  “Yes.” Maria gave a nod. She turned to Angelina who now appeared crestfallen. “The pink one. Your grandfather will like it.”

  Angelina frowned. “But I don’t.”

  “Come.” Maria gestured to the connecting door. “When you have it on you will find it beautiful on you.”

  Angelina didn’t look at her grandfather as she left the room. A part of him wanted to give his little angel anything she wanted, but he would not allow her to bare herself at such a young age. She was going to be but fifteen years old. Yes, a young woman, but still too young for such things as dresses that showed too much skin.

  This time when Angelina returned, she wasn’t smiling. She wore a pink floor-length dress with many flouncy layers. It had puffy sleeves and suitably covered her back and chest. It was the perfect dress for a young woman.

  “That is the one.” Diego smiled and stood. “You look as beautiful as your mother did at her Quinceañera. You look so much like her.”

  Angelina still wore a frown. “Are you sure you don’t want to see any of the others?”

  “This one is perfect.” He beamed at her. “I know beauty when I see it and you are the rarest of beauties.”

  Her frown faded a bit. “I think I look like a little girl in this dress.”

  He shook his head. “You look very much like a young woman.” He approached her and took both her hands in his. “I am proud of you. Your mother would have been so very proud of you as well.” He squeezed her hands. “I know she he is looking down from Heaven and singing with the angels as she watches over you.”

  Angelina’s smile returned. Diego knew how much she liked to please him. She was a lot like her mother that way. Rosanna had been a daddy’s girl, and Angelina was her grandfather’s girl. He would have it no other way.

  He took her by the shoulders and kissed one of Angelina’s cheeks and then the other. “Do you know how precious you are to me?”

  “As precious as you are to me.” She smiled. “I love you, Grandfather.”

  “And you know that I love you more than life itself.” He gestured toward the door connecting to her bedroom. “It is time for you to get ready for bed.”

  She gave him a hug then turned and headed into her room, Maria following.

  When the door between rooms closed, Diego put his hands behind his back and rocked on his heels. His granddaughter was truly the most precious thing in his life and he would do anything for her.

  He left the sitting room and headed back to his office and the reality of his business. He kept it as separate as he could from his personal life. As far as he was concerned, his granddaughter would never know the realities of his world. She would grow up wanting for nothing and living the life she so richly deserved.

  When he reached his office, he closed the door behind him, moved behind his desk, and took his seat. Now to make sure one woman didn’t cause his family any problems. No one would be able to protect her. He had long arms that stretched from Mexico to the U.S. and no one could escape his grasp.

  No one.

  CHAPTER 13

  Tori rubbed her arms with her palms as she went to the bedroom window of the new safe house she had slept in last night. It was a two-story house and she wanted to peek out of the blinds to better see the neighborhood she was in.

  She felt wrinkled and grubby, and she needed to brush her teeth in the worst way. She was still wearing the clothes she’d worn yesterday since all of the new clothing and toiletries had been left at the other safe house. They’d had no time to gather anything once the agents were ready to sweep her away again.

  The Sierra Vista safe house was just as sparsely furnished as the one in Bisbee had been, but this one wasn’t as dusty—it looked like it had been recently lived in. This pantry contained more food than the one at the other house, but that wasn’t saying a whole lot.

  In truth, she didn’t really care about any of that. She had trusted Landon that she’d be safe at the other house, but that hadn’t been the case. What if the Jimenez Cartel found her here, too?

  A knocking sound caused her to jump and turn to the open door to see Landon, who had just knocked on the doorframe. His green eyes met hers and he seemed to be drinking her in just as she was devouring him with her gaze. No matter everything she’d been through, her attraction to this man was potent, something that could not be diluted. It was almost the only constant she had to hold on to.

  She wanted to trail her fingers down the strong line of his stubbled jaw to his square chin. She wanted to run her tongue along his firm lower lip and nip at
it before kissing her way down the column of his throat.

  What was she thinking? Her cheeks warmed as she stared at him and he met her gaze head on. She remembered the feel of his lips on hers, his body snug against her, the feel of his cock pressing through their clothing and against her belly…

  She cleared her throat. “Good morning.”

  The corner of his mouth turned up, a hint of a smile. She was grateful that he set aside the moment and raised his hands. He held several familiar shopping bags.

  “One of the other agents retrieved everything for you.” He gestured for her to step aside and she moved back and opened the door for him. He set the bags on the bed and faced her. His brows furrowed. “How are you doing?”

  She shrugged. “Do you know how they found us?”

  He frowned. “We haven’t found anything. We even checked for trackers on the vehicles, and nothing.”

  At her look of concern, he attempted to reassure her. “We have high-tech equipment that detects trackers and the agents have combed every vehicle. We’re exhausting all options and we will figure this out.”

  She rubbed her arms with both hands. “I hope you’re right.”

  He took a step closer to her. “I am.”

  “What now?”

  “You’ll stay here.” He met her gaze squarely. “I’m going into the office and I’ll be back later.”

  Panic rose up inside her like a flock of birds, and she moved her fingers to her throat. “I don’t want to be alone.”

  “You won’t be alone.” He cupped the side of her face with one hand and rubbed her cheek with his thumb. His touch sent a thrill deep inside her belly. “You’ll have three agents protecting you night and day.”

  “Let me go with you.” She hated the tremble in her voice. “I don’t want to stay behind.”

  Landon moved both hands to her upper arms and squeezed. “You’ll be perfectly safe here.”

  She wanted to say, “I feel safer with you,” but the words wouldn’t come out. She would just sound like a baby if she did say them. Instead, she said, “I’d like to see my parents.”

  He shook his head. “It could put you and them in danger. We still have agents outside their home on watch.”

  She bit her lower lip before opening her mouth to say something.

  His cell phone rang. He un-holstered it, checked the display, and brought the phone to his ear. “Agent Walker.”

  He listened for a moment, a frown deepening on his face. “You’re certain?” He was quiet as the person on the other end spoke again. “Thank you, Lieutenant.” Landon disconnected the call and holstered his phone.

  “That was the lieutenant from the Tucson Police Department.” Landon looked grim. “They found Gregory Smith’s body early this morning.”

  Tori stared at Landon, and shock speared her body. “Gregory is dead?” Even as the words left her mouth, she couldn’t believe they were true.

  Her knees went weak and she would have dropped to the floor if Landon hadn’t caught her. He brought her close to him and held her in his arms. She was grateful for the help, at the same time her mind spun with the news.

  “What happened to him?” Her words were muffled against his shirt.

  Landon hesitated then squeezed her tighter. “He was tortured and then shot.”

  Tori’s entire body went limp this time. Her mind reeled, unable to fully comprehend what Landon had just told her. Gregory? Tortured and shot?

  “I’m sorry, Tori.” Landon’s lips were close to her hair as he spoke and held her tightly. “A woman’s body was found with his, but she hasn’t been identified yet. No purse and no ID on her. She was strangled to death.”

  Tears rolled down Tori’s cheeks and her throat was tight. “Gregory’s intern didn’t show up to work the same day he didn’t. The police should start there.”

  “I’ll let them know.” Landon’s voice was soft but firm.

  “It’s my fault.” Tori tipped her face up to look at him. “They’re dead because of me.”

  He shook his head. “Don’t take blame for what the cartel has done. It’s not your fault. You just happened on something that you weren’t intended to see. You’re not to blame.”

  Tori couldn’t stop the tears. Each one felt like a hot trail burning its way down her face. A chest-wracking sob left her and she buried her face in Landon’s T-shirt. His shirt grew damp from her tears but she couldn’t let go. He was a lifeline that she needed to hold onto.

  She raised her face to look up at him again. “My parents. Maybe Gregory did find their address and gave it to the cartel.”

  “We’ll get them to a safe house.” Landon rubbed her back with his palm. “Now that Gregory’s body has been found, that steps things up to a whole new level.” He took her face in his palms. “I need to make some calls now. Will you be okay?”

  She nodded. “Just get them to safety.” Her eyes swam with tears. “I lost my brother. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to my parents.”

  Something dark flashed in Landon’s eyes and he looked like he was going to say something.

  She went on, “I want you to be the one to get my parents somewhere safe. It has to be you.”

  Landon frowned.

  “I mean it, Landon.” She put determination into her tone. “Make sure they’re safe.” She paused. “This might sound dumb, but can you get something for me while you’re there?”

  His brow had wrinkled. “What do you need?”

  “I have an old clarinet at my parents’ home.” She felt a wave of embarrassment rising up in her. “I can’t stand not playing. It helps me relax and takes me to another place. If it’s possible, pick it up when you get my parents. Please.”

  He hesitated a moment then kissed her on top of her head. “I’ll be back.”

  Her muscles relaxed. “Thank you.”

  He straightened before he turned and walked out the bedroom door.

  Landon clenched and unclenched his hands and his gut felt tightly coiled. He needed to tell Tori that he’d been the one to kill her brother, but now wasn’t the right time.

  The old woman’s words came back to him.

  “You will die if you tell her the truth. If you don’t tell her, she will die.”

  What could the old lady mean by those words? Had she meant the fact that he killed her brother? Landon couldn’t imagine anything happening to Tori. He’d already been through losing someone and he didn’t want that to happen again. He didn’t want to lose Tori.

  His chest hurt and he inhaled deeply then exhaled, trying to calm his thoughts.

  He pulled his cell phone from its holster and called one of the two agents watching Josie and Henry Cox’s home.

  “What’s the status?” Landon asked when Agent Bracken answered.

  “Not a stir.” Bracken sounded bored or tired. Or both.

  “Stay sharp.” Landon heard the edge in his own voice. “The witness’s boyfriend was murdered last night or this morning, and he may have given up the parents’ address.”

  “Shit.” Agent Bracken’s tone was much more alert.

  “We’re getting Josie and Henry Cox to a safe house.” Landon looked down the hallway as he spoke to Bracken. He made up his mind—he would go himself, for Tori. “Hang tight. I’ll be there in another thirty minutes.”

  “You’ve got it.”

  Landon disconnected the call then pressed speed dial for his RAC. When Aguilar answered, he told her what he needed and she gave the go ahead.

  “Don’t take any chances with our star witness,” Aguilar said. “We need to nail the sonofabitch for Miguel’s death.”

  “We will get them.” Landon said he’d be in touch before he pressed the “end” button on his phone.

  He returned to Tori’s room to find her standing where he’d left her.

  “I need to help.” Her tears had dried, but her eyes were swollen from crying. “I can’t just stay here. I need to see my mom and dad.”

  “You need to
stay safe.” He hooked his finger under her chin and met her gaze. “I’m going to your parents’ home now. I called and all is clear. We’ll get them to a safe house and you won’t have to worry.”

  “What if the cartel finds them like they found me?” Her voice wavered as she spoke.

  “We’re taking extra precautions, Tori.” Landon hated the fear he saw in her eyes and wished he could take it all away. Goddamn but he wanted to wipe those fuckers out so they could never touch an innocent like Tori again.

  To do that, they’d need to take down Diego Jimenez, El Demonio, himself.

  The half hour drive from Sierra Vista back to Bisbee seemed to take too damned long. He found himself drumming his fingers on the wheel as if that might hurry things along. When Landon and Agent O’Donnell finally reached Tembly Avenue in Bisbee, Landon parked behind the agency vehicle that was stationed in front of the Cox’s home. The two agents on duty sat inside the unmarked car.

  Landon climbed out of the black agency SUV and walked up to the car. He rapped his knuckles on the driver’s side tinted window, but the agent in the driver’s seat didn’t respond. Landon knocked again. A bad feeling spiked inside him when the agent still didn’t turn. Landon yanked open the door. The smell of gas hit Landon head on.

  Agent Bracken was slumped in his seat. Landon coughed from the gas. The other agent was in the same condition. Landon put his fingers to Bracken’s neck. His pulse was strong. He was alive, just knocked out from the gas.

  “Jesus.” O’Donnell spoke from over Landon’s shoulder.

  “Call for backup,” Landon said. “They’ve been gassed.” Landon’s heart thundered. “We’ve got to get inside the house. Whoever gassed them might still be here.”

  O’Donnell called for backup and he and Landon ran toward the house, keeping low. They went to the rear of the house, weapons drawn. One of the panes in the back door window was broken, the door itself slightly ajar.

  Adrenaline pumped through Landon. He eased the door open with his foot, keeping his Glock ready in a two-handed grip. He cleared the kitchen with one sweep of his eyes and his weapon. He glanced down briefly to avoid stepping on the broken glass as the sound could possibly alert the intruders. He glanced over his shoulder at O’Donnell who nodded.