Armored Hearts [The Town of Pearl 7] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever)

by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  Fenton pulled out a grenade. This would do the trick and then some.

  He pulled the pin and tossed the grenade then covered his head as he hid behind the tree.

  The explosion rocked the general area and a cloud of smoke erupted to the sky.

  He turned to head back to his friends when the sound of gunfire then bullets barely missing his flesh fell upon him.

  He saw the culprit immediately, locked eyes with the guy, and fired his weapon.

  Fenton killed him before the guy had the opportunity to fire back.

  He quickly headed toward Ford and Flynn, who now had Smith standing as the helicopter lowered down to pick them up. The wind was blowing from the helicopter rotors, the sound loud, and nothing could be heard until Ford gave him a hand to help him jump into the helicopter.

  “The grenade was really fucking necessary with us this close, too?” Ford asked as he gave Fenton a hand.

  “Yes, sir. I thought you’d like to get back to the estate and tell Grey and Fisher all about the exciting journey we went on this weekend.”

  Ford shook his head and slapped Fenton on the shoulder as Flynn helped Mr. Smith get into the helicopter.

  “Hey, we didn’t get killed, so I will be telling Fisher and Grey all about the job they missed.”

  “Yeah, and maybe even add a bit more action in the story just to get under their skin,” Flynn added.

  “Just another day’s work, gentlemen,” Ford said to them, but Fenton felt different. He felt like he didn’t want to do shit like this anymore. The smell of gun powder, death, and the risk to his life was no longer giving him the adrenaline rush it once had. He liked the ranch, the estate, and all it had to offer. It helped him to live with his demons and fears from the past. He was a hardened man, a lost soul. He had his team. Deputy Grey Moore, who’d found a second calling in the local Sheriff’s department in Pearl. Then there was Fisher Lent, a Texas Ranger who loved his job. Their commander, Ford Montgomery, was the one who still enjoyed organizing and strategically planning these missions when they came up. Then of course there was Flynn O’Connor, a martial artist and weapon connoisseur, who had a passion for photography that helped him deal with his emotions and past.

  Fenton had shit. He hunted. He was a tracker for hire, a survivalist, and a man who felt out of place in most everywhere but surrounded by his team.

  He didn’t trust anyone but his four buddies. Everyone else, he cautiously appraised.

  He really didn’t want to do this shit anymore. He was getting tired of it. The fear, the adrenaline rush, the not knowing if he would live or die, or who would come out on top, him or the bad guys trying to stop him from completing his mission. He was tired of getting fucked over by the government, dealing with drug lords, corrupt officials and any other asshole with deep pockets that thought they could hire Fenton and the team to do their dirty work.

  He didn’t want the dangerous missions anymore. Tracking and rescuing people who were lost was one thing, but getting shot at? That was no longer an adrenaline rush he craved. Now, when he looked into a man’s eyes before he killed that man in order to survive, he felt guilty, unsettled, and hollow inside. It was time to stop before he wound up dead.

  The thought didn’t bother him as much as he thought it would. Who would miss him? Who would care if he died on the field of battle? Especially now, since he basically did dangerous shit like this for kicks and giggles. And of course, money?

  “Hey, what’s with you?” Ford asked him.

  He glanced at his commander and then at Flynn, who looked just plain relieved to be heading out of the danger zone.

  “I think this is the last mission of this kind I want to be part of.”

  Ford kept the same expression but squinted slightly.

  “You? Really?”

  Fenton nodded then pulled the material of his military jacket out so Ford could see the hole from the bullet that could have hit his flesh and even killed him if it were a half inch to the left.

  “I’m done. No more missions like this,” Fenton confessed.

  “I agree with Fenton. I’ve had it, too. I’m just not feeling it anymore. It feels wrong, and like I’m just asking to die out there in some foreign country for nothing really worth dying for,” Flynn added.

  Ford looked at Flynn and then nodded his head at both men.

  “Then we’re done. Any other jobs come our way, we’ll discuss it as a team and decide to decline or engage.”

  Fenton nodded in agreement and instantly felt relieved.

  Fenton faced kill or get killed too many times in this lifetime. Not anymore. No stranger, or some high commodity, was worth giving his life for.

  “Things have changed for all of us. Our perspectives on life, and our hopes for the future. Whatever we decide, we decide as a team, as a family,” Ford added.

  “Yes, sir,” Flynn said and smiled.

  “Yes, sir,” Fenton added before he leaned back and took a nap in what would hopefully be the last time he would ever be sitting in the back of a military chopper again.

  * * * *

  Ford completely understood Fenton’s position. In fact, he had been contemplating calling a house meeting so they could seriously discuss limiting the risky jobs they had been doing. In fact, he would be fine stopping them altogether and just focusing on enjoying the property and their home in Pearl, as well as beginning to truly settle down.

  Income wasn’t an issue. The riskier the missions, the higher the price. Plus, the five of them had combined their money and settled down together. It was what they were all used to and it made adapting to civilian life a hell of a lot easier. They weren’t social men. Men that engaged in community activities on a regular basis. They showed their faces every now and then. Fisher and Grey were the ones who had adapted quickly and even landed jobs in law enforcement. But not the rest of them. They preferred to live by their own rules, and just live in peace and quiet on their own ranch. Their friends called their ranch and home an estate. The house was over six thousand square feet, not including the finished basement and storm shelter underground.

  They owned a hundred acres of land and didn’t plan on doing anything on it but ride their dirt bikes, fish, swim, and just enjoy the outdoors. When they’d first purchased the land and started building their home, they camped outside through all weather conditions. Their friends thought they were crazy. But they were just happy to be free. Overjoyed to not worry about bullets flying over their heads while they tried to snag a nap because they were on the hunt and entirely exhausted. It took a lot of time to just relax and not jump at every small sound, or freak out and panic at every loud sound.

  Their anxiety levels had been through the roof until Fenton told them that they needed to live outdoors. To know firsthand that this was home, their place of peace, security, and serenity.

  Just as he thought about that, his satellite phone rang.

  He glanced at Flynn and Fenton. Knowing that Fisher and Grey knew they were on a mission and would be returning in a few days, it had to be important.

  “Hello?” he called out over the hum of the rotors on the UH-60 Black Hawk.

  “Ford, it’s Silas. I need a favor.”

  As soon as he heard from their good friend and on the satellite phone, Ford knew that it was serious. He listened in as Silas explained in quick detail about the Russian mafia abducting and roughing up his sister India, and then ditching her on the side of the road. He felt his anger, in fact even shared it. He’d never met Silas’s sister before but knew they were close.

  “I need to get her out of here and someplace safe without these dicks finding out. I’m staying back here in Salvation to help my friend handle the problems. I won’t even set foot near where she’s going just as precaution until this situation is resolved or blows over. Can you help me out?”

  “Of course we can help. Just tell me what you need, where she’s located, and when do you need this done by?”

  He listened as he looked at
Fenton, who appeared pissed off and annoyed. Hadn’t he just said that they would cut back on any missions and maybe end the freelance work entirely?

  This was different. Silas was a close friend, a fellow soldier. His team were good people and they would do the same for Ford and his team if any of them were even close to their families.

  This woman was in serious danger. The more details Ford got, the angrier he became.

  “We’ll take care of everything, Silas. She’ll be safe. I personally guarantee it.”

  Chapter 2

  “I’m scared, and everything hurts, Dmitri,” India whispered as Dmitri gathered India in his arms and carried her up the ramp to board his private jet. He glanced around, being sure no one was watching, despite the fact he had about a dozen men surrounding the entire location.

  “I know, baby, but staying in the hospital like some sitting duck wouldn’t be wise. Your brother and I have a plan. You rest, and let me take care of the rest. Okay?” he asked, glancing down at her battered face. He wanted to kill Iakov with his bare hands, but that would be Storm and his team’s job. Silas and the others had asked for his help in transporting her to a secret location. Her life was in danger now. Andrei, Iakov, and the others could have killed her. She needed protection of the strongest kind and the men they had in mind would ensure India made it through this and was kept safe and secure.

  “Where are we going?” she mumbled as he walked her toward the back of the plane and into the private bedroom. He gently placed her down on the bed.

  She moaned and he had to lift her gently as to not hurt her more, she was so bruised up. She looked terrible and kept passing out from the pain. This was the longest she had stayed awake and he assumed it was because of the fear she had. Dmitri was never described as a compassionate man or even caring, but to see an innocent woman like India hurt so badly as a form of revenge was really pissing him off.

  “To a safe place. When the danger is over, your brother or I will come to you. Be strong and trust these men we’re placing you with.”

  “Aspen? Will Aspen be okay?” she asked, eyes closed and falling under the control of the painkillers he had her take before he got her out of the SUV.

  “Her men will make sure that she is. Don’t worry. You’ll be safe in Pearl.”

  Her eyes were closed as she whispered the word Pearl before falling asleep.

  He stared at her. She had one badly swollen eye, her cheek a mess with bruises as well as her neck, her shoulders, her back and ribs. Fucking everywhere. Even her thighs were bruised. He thought about the men Silas was sending her to be protected by. Grey, Fisher, Fenton, Ford and Flynn were bad-ass men. They were retired Special Forces, but also guns for hire. They did crazy shit to protect people, and they would surely protect India.

  He nodded at Victor, his main guard and medic. He was a scary looking guy and big. Dmitri knew the crazy bastard was capable of just about fucking everything, but he also had the medical knowledge of a doctor. His abilities and degree came into necessity too many times to remember. Victor, despite his roughness and kick-ass attitude, had a very steady hand, and was a pro at stitching things up. Dmitri had needed him plenty of times.

  Dmitri trusted him fully and so did his associates. He would care for India until they left her in Ford and his team’s hands. They were a group of soldiers currently involved in everything from local law enforcement to freelance tracking jobs for the government. Grey was a deputy in the Town of Pearl Sheriff’s Department. Dmitri considered him the most approachable of the men. He had a mean streak in him and expected respect. Dmitri respected that about Grey. Fisher did work for the Texas Rangers. Which was kind of crazy. Dmitri knew Fisher was a man covered with tattoos that appeared intimidating like a biker, yet clean cut like some first-class business man. Fenton was a crazy bastard. He was a survivalist, tracker, and expert hunter. He did secret jobs for the right price. Both Dmitri and Storm had used his abilities many times in the past. He was the one that Dmitri feared being around India. Fenton always seemed on the edge, just on the brink of losing it. He wasn’t a man to mess with or to rub the wrong way, so avoiding him was the best way of dealing with a man like Fenton. Dmitri wished he could give India some insight into these men. But she hadn’t stayed awake long enough to listen, and truthfully, she was in so much pain, she probably wouldn’t retain an ounce of information.

  Then there was Ford. Their leader, and the man Silas contacted right away for help. He was a weapons expert, strategic planning and operator for hire. Plus security and protection for high-profile individuals with bull’s-eyes on their foreheads. He’d helped to save some pretty important entrepreneurs and government officials along with Flynn O’Connor, freelance soldier, photographer, and all-around man of few words.

  He took a deep breath and released it.

  India would be safe with them.

  “Boss, I have the files ready to send to Ford and his team. Her vitals are good, her ribs will take time to heal, and the supply of meds is more than sufficient. Would you like me to e-mail everything on India to Ford now?” Victor asked him.

  “Yes, that would be great. I want them to have everything they need and to take extra care of her.”

  “They will. Are they bypassing that women’s shelter, or is that still the stopover location before trekking to their estate?”

  “I think they’re bypassing the shelter and going to get her right to their own residence for protection. After all, Silas and these men served together years ago in the service. They’ve worked with one another over the years from what I gathered. Our part in this operation ends the moment she’s taken from the plane. We need to fly back to Chicago and help with whatever plans Storm and his team have to take down Andrei and his associates.”

  Victor smirked and rubbed his fist into the palm of his hand.

  “I’m all for that. I’d like to teach Iakov a lesson on how to treat a lady.”

  Dmitri smirked.

  “You may just get your chance, Victor. We all may.”

  * * * *

  “I don’t really think that there’s anything to discuss. Silas asked us to do him this favor. It’s different, Fenton. I know you want to quit the dangerous assignments and break off from the shit, but this is different,” Ford explained as they all gathered around the kitchen.

  They were having a quick family meeting though their assistance was needed pronto. Ford had given the okay immediately. For him, there was nothing to discuss. But with Fenton wanting to back out of it, and with the quick discussion they had on their flight back from the Middle East, this rush meeting had to happen.

  Ford looked at Fisher as he cleared his throat and leaned over the island in the kitchen, resting his elbows on it.

  “I say we do this because of Silas. Anyone else and I’d agree with Fenton about taking a break and backing down from the crazy shit assignments. After all, Grey and I can’t even go along with you on most because of the civilian law enforcement jobs we have. We worry every time you, Fenton, and Flynn leave for some assignment. Fenton’s right to call it quits,” Fisher told them all.

  “I agree with Fisher. We do this. The Russian mafia aren’t going to come out to Pearl to go after the woman when they really want her best friend. And if they did, shit, like I, like any of you, haven’t faced fucking Russians before,” Flynn stated sarcastically and they all chuckled. Hell, they’d faced the Russians, the Slavs, the Iraqis, and just about any other culture that fucked with the United States of America.

  “She’s in bad shape. Dmitri’s right-hand man faxed over the information. She’s going to need a lot of time to heal up,” Ford told them and passed out the files him and Flynn had made copies of for them to see.

  “Son of a bitch, she’s hot,” Grey said and then turned the page.

  Ford saw all their expressions change.

  “What are the chances we can get Galvin, Gus, Harper, Orin, and Mace to watch over this woman while the rest of us take out the fucking lowlives
that hurt this woman?” Fisher asked.

  “I know. It’s tough to look at. But they didn’t kill her,” Ford said, referring to the pictures and the woman’s condition.

  “Why didn’t they?” Fenton asked quietly. Ford had a feeling that the moment Fenton got the particulars on this case and saw what these thugs did to India that he would want to help.

  “She wasn’t the one they were after. They were sending a message to her friend, Storm and his team’s woman. She’s Porter Jones’s sister,” Ford explained.

  “It’s a no-brainer. Let’s do it. She needs us and we’re capable of handling all aspects of this including her medical condition right now,” Grey said.

  “So are we all in agreement?” Ford asked them and they all nodded their heads and said yes.

  Fenton just stared at the picture of India and so did Flynn.

  “What’s the plan? What do you need me to do?” Fenton asked and Ford nodded his head. Ford Acknowledged Fenton’s professionalism in conceding to do this last job because it was the right thing to do. Hopefully it didn’t become more complicated than it appeared to be.

  * * * *

  “Are you sure you can handle things, Dmitri? I’m scared. I caused her to get hurt,” Aspen confided in Dmitri over the phone.

  “You didn’t cause this, Aspen. Iakov and Andrei are assholes with no respect for any one and especially not women. They did this because they knew it would get to you,” Dmitri replied, trying to console her.

  “It did get to me,” she told him.

  “You need to be strong and to listen to your men. They’ll protect you and keep you from harm’s way. Do what they say and I will take care of India. You know I would never let anything happen to her?”

  “Of course, Dmitri. One day you’ll make some woman an amazing husband.”

  “Not me, Aspen. There’s no woman out there for me. I’m not the commitment type of man, you know?” he asked and chuckled.