by Amy McKinley
“I took care of loose ends in the States and am on my way to retrieve Liv. She’ll return home with me, where we’ll proceed as we did before our visit. Everything will go as planned.”
“That’s no longer an option. Spin her death however it will benefit the career laid out for you. This little hiccup may even help gain sympathy and escalate your political rise. Go home and stick to the original timeline.”
Fuck!
He waited a beat, mentally counting to slow his volcanic rage. “There’s no need. I’m here to collect Liv. I’ll keep the schedule with her. It’s less messy.”
“No. Mateo is there to handle your loose end.”
She is not expendable. Veins in his neck and temple throbbed. “Liv is mine to deal with!” Not Mateo’s to toy with…and slowly kill.
Before he could damage the progress he’d made with his father over the years, he hung up and threw the phone on the bed. It bounced several times only to land, undamaged, on the floor. Shit! His scalp stung from thrusting his hands through his hair and yanking on the strands.
Mateo would not interfere with his life. His destiny. His wife.
Alex’s mind raced. Mateo was either on his way or already there. What can I do? He paced back and forth in front of the hotel bed. As Alex made one last pivot to resume his tread in the opposite direction, the cell phone that had bounced off the bed and landed on the floor caught his attention.
He smacked himself in the forehead. I can’t believe I didn’t think of that. He retrieved the thankfully intact phone and thumbed through the coded contacts until he found his informant, David, within Mateo’s men. He shot off a quick text and dropped on the bed to wait. Not even a minute later, a reply came through about Mateo and his team’s pending ETA.
An hour.
Mother fucking shit! He tore open his suitcase, dumped his clothes out, and popped the hidden compartment open, where his guns, ammo, and knives hid. Checking the cartridges in his gun, he shoved the extra ones in pockets and strapped the two knives on either side of his calves. His father and brother’s vision for the future could go to hell. It was time for him to take charge and teach his brother a lesson.
And to save Liv.
The SUV Alex rented bumped over the winding coastal road that would take him near the winery. As he drove, his mind wandered to one of the first times he’d visited his father’s home. Mateo had been there. No matter how much he tried to push the memory away, it came of its own volition.
Alex swatted an insect buzzing around his face. The heat from the sun blazed down on their heads as Alex walked behind his brother, Mateo.
He hadn’t wanted to come, not really. His dad, whom he didn’t really know, had requested he come for a visit. At eight years old, he didn’t have a say in leaving his home when his mom said it was time to go.
Taking a step to the side, he continued to follow Mateo through the fields—coca fields. Mines littered the outskirts to keep unwanted trespassers away. He tried his best to step in the same spots Mateo did. If he didn’t, he ran the risk of an explosion, one where he could lose his legs, if not his life.
Voices carried from ahead, and he squinted to see what they were doing under the lean-to. A man used a long stick to stir something in a metal drum. Others stomped around a squared-off area, trampling on the leaves underfoot.
Mateo stopped, and Alex clipped the back of his shoulder. Smirking, Mateo broke off a long, green leaf and offered it to him. Alex took it from his hand, unsure what he was supposed to do.
“Eat it. Take a bite.”
He didn’t trust his half brother but couldn’t figure out how taking a bite of a leaf would be bad. Lifting it to his mouth, he tore a piece of it off with his teeth and chewed on the bitter, fibrous plant. Scrunching up his face, he spit it on the ground and dropped the leaf. Brows furrowed, he balled his fists and glared at Mateo’s laughing face. One punch. If he didn’t get that his older brother would beat him into a pulp, he would do it.
“You’re just like them.” Mateo indicated the workers in the field. “Necessary, but replaceable. You’ll never be like me. This, everything my father owns, will be mine. You’re nothing.” He had spat on the ground by Alex’s feet, shoved him out of the way, and walked in the opposite direction to Juan Carlos’s home.
With a growl, Alex tore himself out of the childhood memory. Mateo was right. Alex never should have allowed them to manipulate him. This time, he would turn the tables on his brother.
Chapter 33
“Morning, Liv.” Joslyn smiled, ushering her further into the kitchen. “Have a seat and some coffee with me.”
Just the thought of sitting at the kitchen table with Joslyn made her miss Rachel that much more, but she needed some girl time. Liam had sensed it too, or maybe he was afraid of another female meltdown, and had suggested she seek Joslyn out. So she had.
She and Joslyn were such opposites in looks. Jo embodied the essence of a spring day, with her platinum hair and dainty features, while Liv contrasted with darker tones. Despite Jo’s diminutive five feet two, her mere presence filled the room and made it clear that she could go toe to toe with anyone. Liv liked that about her. According to Liam, Jo’s role was to ensure that everyone had an extra set of eyes on the approaching enemy. She did that by staying on the roof and monitoring the drone.
Liv’s heart skipped a beat at the thought of Alex being included in that group of enemies. The realistic part of her understood the way it had to be. Even though she longed to hide behind the assumption that he played both sides and worked undercover, she knew deep down that wasn’t the case.
Then when Liam had pieced together the puzzle for her of where and why Alex grew up apart from his father, the lack of legal connection to Juan Carlos’s empire, his strategic marriage to her, and access to her father and their friends, her final hope that he was working undercover had disintegrated.
Joslyn’s smile eased Liv’s bubbling anxiety one step further, and she flashed a smile of her own. The sounds of video games and good-natured teasing from the teens trickled into the kitchen, where their mom sat, coffee cup in hand.
Liv fixed herself a cup and joined Jo. “Your kids get along so well. That seems a little unusual from my experience, especially an older boy with his younger sister.”
“Yeah, there are moments they don’t. With two highly trained teens, that leads to a recipe for disaster now and then, but you’re right. They are really close. Makes sense with everything they went through.” She waved her hand. “That’s a topic for another day. How are you doing?”
Liv lifted a shoulder and let it fall. “I’m all right.” A myriad of emotions played through her mind. “Alex will be coming soon, and I’m conflicted. I’ve talked to Liam about my feelings so much that I’m surprised the man doesn’t lock himself in his office or flat out leave the house.”
Joslyn chuckled. “Deeper conversation can make the toughest man run for the hills, and Liam’s pretty alpha.” She snickered. “Ya know, I see the way he looks at you.” She held up her hand. “Don’t misunderstand me. You’re going through a difficult and confusing time. Just understand Liam can handle way more than you think, despite the instant flash of panic at the thought of tears or emotions. Matt’s a big softie when it comes to me and the kids too.”
With another sip, Liv asked one of the questions that burned inside her. “There’s so many variables with Alex and his involvement in the Ramirez cartel.” She met Joslyn’s gaze with a tortured whisper. “I know what I have to do, and I’m letting Alex go. It’s not an overnight thing, to be able to shut my emotions off when I’m still married to the man. I mean, it’s easier since he’s done terrible things. God, he killed my best friend. How could I love someone like that? Then there’s Liam. I’ve come to see him as a friend. It’s nice. And while I’m grateful for his support, when this is all sorted, I want to stand on my own two feet.”
Leaning back in the chair, Joslyn nodded. “It’s incredibly difficult sifting throu
gh all that.”
Air rushed from Liv’s lungs. “It is, and it doesn’t change the fact that I love Alex in some twisted way. Not the person he’s revealed himself to be but the man I used to know. We built a great life together. Well, apparently it’s pretty unhealthy, just like my parents’ marriage was, based on secrets. In a way, the cycle repeated itself. Still, my parents would never wish Alex’s ambitions, his secrets, on me.” She grimaced. “Well, that’s not entirely true. Alex’s goals were in line with their expectations. But he let me lead the life I wanted and mostly kept that part separate. Now I get it. His family had plans of their own for him, and I’m coming to understand he must share them.”
Joslyn took another sip of coffee, her attention never wavering as Liv gathered her thoughts. “I’m letting him go, piece by piece. With my…accident at his family’s home, a large portion is just numb.”
“You’ll heal. The key is finding something to help you cope and leaning on those who care about you. I can tell you that Liam does. I’ve known him for a while now, and he’s stronger than you think. Lean on him.” Her eyes narrowed, and her gaze pierced Liv. “You said accident?”
“Oh.” The sharp pain she’d lived with since then had dulled enough over the past few days that she could answer without breaking down. “I tumbled down a flight of stairs and lost…” She waved the last of the sentence away when understanding flashed across Joslyn’s face. There was no reason elaborating on how she fell; it wasn’t relevant to their discussion. When Joslyn reached across the table and squeezed her hand, Liv let go of even more discomfort. Still, she preferred to change the subject, and Joslyn let her.
“Tell me about the kids. You said they’re fully yours, but I sense there’s more to the story.” She fought the yearning inside her that the mere mention of children evoked. Someday, she would have another chance.
“They had a rough beginning. Their parents…” Joslyn shook her head and frowned. “At the time, I was an agent for the FBI, and their parents were my targets. The things those two witnessed, experienced… But life’s weird like that. Sometimes something you never thought you’d want, that you didn’t think you could do, falls in your lap. That’s sort of what happened, and honestly, my life is better for it. They’re pretty amazing. Before, I didn’t want anything to do with having a family. I worked well on my own. They changed that. So did Matt.”
Joslyn’s face lit up as she spoke of her family, and Liv shoved aside her envy. “You all seem so perfect together.”
“We’re happy but far from perfect.” Joslyn chuckled. “They have gone through so much in their young lives, and it’s only made them stronger. That’s part of why they’re so close. I’m fortunate that Matt came into my life when he did. Dylan needed a male role model, and we couldn’t have found a better one than Matt.”
“I’m glad it worked out so well for you all.”
“Liv, my point is that sometimes things happen for a reason. Even terrible ones. There’s always another door, and it’s usually the one you’re meant to go through.”
She nodded, having similar beliefs.
“Go ahead and rely on Liam. After the next twenty-four hours, you’ll see all of him. There’ll be no secrets, no worries.”
Fear settled in her gut. “Because Alex will be here.” Any hour. Same with the cartel—any minute or any hour.
“Yes, and he won’t be alone.”
“No, he won’t, but I’m not scared of him. It’s his brother that worries me. Mateo commands a small army of his own. For some reason, I’m caught in the middle of Alex and Mateo’s battle for power. I’m the pawn.”
Chapter 34
“I’ve got movement,” Jack broadcasted through their earpieces from on the roof. Not too long ago, they’d received word from Trev, who took the harbor stakeout. Men were headed their way. Now, with Jack’s sighting, the reality of the situation hit her like a truck. Liv’s breath sawed in and out, and her grip tightened on the banister, her gaze darting around for anyone—Joslyn, the kids, Liam.
Jack’s voice commanded they take action. “Liv, Jilly, and Dylan, head down to the secured room now.” Where’s Liam? “Jo, take my position. I’m going to ground.”
Liv couldn’t move. The only thought playing like a loop in her head was that Alex might be there. Things needed to be said between them, face to face. Lost in thought, Liv paused until she caught a glimpse of Jilly’s dark-blond hair as she sped to the kitchen from the living room. The touch at Liv’s elbow made her jump and whirl around. Dylan stood slightly behind her, his lips pressed together in a grim line.
“We need to go.”
She reacted to his quiet command. Still so young, but his tone and demeanor belied his youth. Jilly clutched the secret doorway at the opening to the lower level, waiting for them. Dylan’s frown deepened, and he scolded his sister. “Why are you waiting? You should have headed down as soon as Jack gave the order.”
Jilly rolled her eyes before she led the way downstairs. Locks slid into place, and she dropped a steel barricade rod across the door. Liv looked behind her. Was that there before?
Dylan winked. “Just a precaution. It’s doubtful they’ll get into the house.”
Liv took a stuttered step into the cavernous space. Jilly and Dylan walked with purpose to the cabinet that housed weapons. Dylan took out guns, ammo, and knives and distributed them between him and his sister. He took another gun and extra clip from the cabinet and handed it to Liv. It was the 9-millimeter Liam had shown her how to use. He must have told Dylan which one to give her.
“The safety is on, but I loaded it for you. Keep this on you, okay?”
She nodded, stunned at the change that came over the teens. They were too young, in her opinion, to handle the situation she’d brought them into with calm acceptance. How was it possible that they handled weapons with such ease and took charge in a way that would rival almost all the adults she knew?
Jilly jogged across the open area to a room filled with computer equipment and a wall of monitors. She clicked on the light and turned on all the screens. Without realizing it, Liv found herself in the doorway, glued to the pictures on the wall. The images were of the vineyard, all angles of the outside and inside of the house, both levels, and even an aerial view.
Jilly pressed the button on her earpiece. “Screens are up.”
Dylan did the same, their words connected to the earpieces they all wore. “Armed.” Dylan’s hands settled on her shoulders, and he maneuvered her into one of the chairs. “You can sit here and monitor the house. If you see anything, report it in, okay?”
Liv nodded, but she struggled to tear her gaze from the monitor in front of Dylan, specifically, the three SUVs parked outside the gate. Each held eight—a total of twenty-four—dangerous men against Liam and two other men, not counting Joslyn, the teens, and herself.
She watched in horror as Ramirez cartel members streamed through the vineyard with guns raised.
“How?” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “How will we…” Terror gripped her and froze her words before they formed. It would be a slaughter.
Jilly reached over and squeezed her shaking hand. “This is a piece of cake. Don’t worry.”
Liv turned to Jilly. “There’s too many of them.”
“Nah. They can handle this. If they need us, we’ll go up.”
“Not you, though,” Dylan chimed in. “You’ll be our eyes down here. Jack isn’t watching the monitors any longer, and we need someone on them. That would be your job.”
“But this isn’t your fight. If anything happened to you… I don’t think I can do this.” Liv stood and started for the door.
“No, no, no,” Jilly chanted as she grabbed Liv’s arm and Dylan blocked the way. “We’re a team, which is pretty freaking cool. The others have been doing this for as long as we’ve known them. They’ve totally got this. Promise.”
“Where is Jo? Your mom?”
Dylan brushed off the question without a care. �
�She’s on the roof with an M2010.”
Jilly looked back at Liv and rolled her eyes. “Dylan is such a boy.” At his glare, she laughed. “Why would she know what that means?” She redirected her attention back to Liv. “It’s a sharpshooter. Mom’s a great shot. Well, if we had Hawk here, she’d be on the ground, in the action, in a heartbeat.”
“Who’s Hawk?”
“Oh, he’s an amazing sharpshooter. Dad says he’s the best he’s ever seen. But he’s mainly on the other team.” Jilly’s eyes sparkled before she turned back to the monitors.
Again, Dylan ushered Liv to her seat while her head spun.
“They go out on missions sometimes. This is nothing. Trust us. Turning yourself in will only cause more problems.” Dylan pointed to one of the outside monitors. “Look at the way the cartel members move, their guns. Do you really think those men will leave anyone who lives here alone, even if you tried to turn yourself in to them?”
No, he was right. They were ruthless. She’d seen it firsthand when she had docked with Alex’s brother and father. His family would kill them all for aiding her. “I made a mistake. I never should have come here.” Her body trembled with the weight of the lives of the people she had come to care about. “Now you’re all marked. They won’t stop.”
“Not going to happen,” Dylan answered, his attention back on the monitors. He pressed the button again and spoke to their team. “They split into six groups, all entering through the vineyard from the front and sides of the house. Three men downed by trip wires. Arrival approximately ten minutes. New lone wolf from the rear.”
What? Squinting, she scrutinized the monitors to see what Dylan was talking about but only saw a group of men, not one. A burst of speed snagged her focus, and she watched in awe as Jack jumped up from a hiding space, virtually undetectable, to take down three men. The fourth, he disarmed and fought. It didn’t take long.