Back to You

by Claudia Burgoa

  What neither one took into consideration when they set up this mission is that, unlike the rest of our operations, this one is at home. My home. Today, I’m only a few blocks from my family. My loved ones are within a thirty-mile radius. What if something goes wrong? I can’t lose any of them. Shit, I swore to protect them just as I protected my country for years.

  My friends, partners, and brothers in blood weren’t here on that tragic Tuesday when the sky lit up, and the towers burned to the ground. Nine-eleven is a day that we all remember. I not only remember it, but I also relive it. The scenes are ingrained in my mind, seared with pain and tears. I saw the flames from the street corner as I was on my way to meet my dad. I wanted to discuss my plans to change duties within his company. My life had been set up for me. I would work for him. One day, when he retired, I would take over Everhart Enterprises.

  “Son, we’re trapped,” he told me over the phone. My chest constricted with his words. My stomach churned. It felt as if an entire battalion had punched me in the gut and left me breathless. He gave me so many instructions at once. I still remember each word, each plea, each piece of advice.

  “Take care of your brothers, Harry.” Mom implored.

  Completely numb, I assured my parents I’d take care of my brothers. I sounded the same way I did when Hunter was only two years old, and Fitz was five; and Scott and I were assigned to babysit them by ourselves. I had no fucking idea what I would do without my parents, but I pretended that everything would work out without them by my side.

  “We’ll be okay,” I promised as I watched from the buildings only a few miles away as the raging fire continued to consume the lives of so many people. “I’ll always look after them.”

  They ordered me to call Scott and help him come back from Boston. They reminded me that Fitz had a weekly appointment with the allergist on Thursdays. That Hunter would need me more than anyone else.

  “We will always watch over you and your brothers,” Mom promised.

  “We love you,” they said in unison before hanging up.

  “I love you” were the last words I ever heard from them.

  “Are we there yet, boss?” I joke, trying to erase those memories and breaking the fucking tension. I regret not sending my family out of town. Everything would be easier to handle if I knew they were safe.

  “It’s almost over,” Tiago informs me as I clean the sweat from my forehead.

  We’re on top of one of the tallest buildings in front of Central Park in the middle of August at noon watching, waiting. I’m sweating like a fucking pig.

  “Can I complain about the fucking weather?”

  “Tiago, you have permission to shoot him if he talks again,” Mason Bradley, our fearless leader, barks. My ear buzzes after his loud voice comes through. I pull out the communicator for a second, moving the binoculars toward him. His trademark scowl is directed at where he knows I hide. His mouth continues to move.

  I place the earpiece back, and I hear shit that makes no sense. “. . . fucking, Everhart, I swear I’d make the rest of your life miserable.”

  “The asphalt is melting,” I complain waiting for his comeback. However, that’s when I spot him. My eyes move to the guy with cropped dark hair and a dark camouflage jacket. He marches to Hawk. “Our informant is approaching, Hawk.”

  Hawk nods once, training his eyes on the man. The moment that they shake hands, I set the timer.

  “We have three minutes,” I call through the communicator. “Bradley, do your hacker thing. According to your intel, Kassi’s people might be onto us. Though I was bitching earlier about the lack of action, honestly, I would like to avoid Armageddon.”

  Camo-boy sets a black portfolio in front of him. Moving my sight to the left, I spot Bradley tapping his computer urgently.

  “Two minutes left,” I warn him. “Can you fucking rush it, geek?”

  Bradley’s eyes fixate on his work but the corner of his lip tugs. He tilts his head, his black hair shining against the glare of the sun, and I almost miss the red fucking dot on his shoulder.

  “Fuck!” I move my sight, searching for whoever is pointing a laser at his head.

  “What are you doing?” Tiago asks as I stand up and pull out my binoculars, searching for the man who might kill the boss.

  “Got you fuckers.” I pick up my M24, point at his head, and pull the trigger. Then move the gun, shooting at the guy aiming at Hawk.

  “Tiago, send a few men to the building right across the street to clean the area. Bradley, hurry. They are onto us.”

  “Done.” Bradley jumps out of the seat nodding our way.

  Tiago and I wait a few minutes, keeping an eye on Hawk and Bradley while they disappear through the crowd without leaving a trace.

  “Thank you, gentlemen. This was another successful mission,” Bradley announces through the communicator. “The plane is waiting for us. Everhart, are you coming with us? You don’t have to be in Seattle until Wednesday. Everything else can be handled remotely. The Brussels project starts mid-September.”

  Adjusting my jaw, I rotate my neck to loosen the tension. What the fuck happened to “I will buy part of the company so I could do whatever the fuck I wanted?” But I get it. There are jobs that we have to do ourselves. “I’ll take the offer of staying home for a few days. Call me if you need me though.”

  While I gather my equipment, Tiago speaks. “I’ll take Brussels and any other shitty job you have for the next couple of months.”

  I secure my gun, close the case, and stand up glaring at him. “What do you want?”

  He takes a deep breath and looks at me. “My sister needs help.”

  Wiping my forehead, I take a few seconds to think about that sentence. “Wait, fucker. You have a sister?” Wiggling my eyebrows, I grin. “Is she hot?”

  “What part of she’s my sister, and you don’t mess with her, don’t you get?”

  “Just a minute. I’ve known you for almost twenty years, and just now you happen to mention a sister?”

  He nods once. “Half-sister.” His brows furrow as his eyes divert toward the horizon. “I love my mama, but the family shit is a mess, and I keep it as far as possible from my life.”

  “Is it safe to assume that your father is alive?” He nods at my question. “So, you have a sister that you just learned about?”

  “Look, I’m not going to give you the dirt. Luna . . .” He rolls his eyes. “That’s my sister’s name, is moving to New York. This is the first time she’s working undercover outside the DC area. We just don’t feel—”

  “Wait a minute.” I lift my index finger. “Undercover? What is she? CIA, FBI . . .”

  He exhales heavily. “She’s an FBI agent in the human trafficking department. My sister is a chameleon and can blend in easily. However, she could use a well-known guy to help her navigate the social life in the Big Apple while keeping her safe.”

  I let out a guffaw. Shaking my head, I crouch to finish picking up my shit. “I get you, brother. If Hazel, who is like a sister to me, were in her shoes, I’d call you to give me a hand. But are you fucking serious? You want me to babysit?”

  “Human fucking trafficking,” Tiago growls at me. “It’s my understanding that she’s trying to find the root. The main fucking guy of one of those cells. You know what’s going to happen to her if she gets caught?”

  I run a hand through my hair, let out a breath, and nod. They’ll torture her until they break her and then they might kill her . . . Or they might let her live, and she’ll be reliving the hell they put her through for the rest of her life.

  “My old man and I don’t see eye to eye,” he continues. “But I care for my sister.” He stops, closing his eyes as he breathes a couple of times, his rough expression is drawn in agony. His eyes open, staring at me in a pleading way I’ve never seen before today. “I trust her. But if I can help to keep her safe…we can’t lose Luna. You get me?”

  Placing my hand on top of his shoulder, I squeeze it. “Luna w
ill be safe, brother. I’ll be whatever she needs and make sure she’s safe. As long as you’re my bitch for the next one hundred years.” I laugh, moving toward the elevator. “Gotta meet the family for lunch, you want to join?”

  “Nah, I’m flying to Florida to check on my momma. I’ll contact you when I get more intel on Luna’s assignment.”

  Harrison: On my way to Juanes.

  Hazel: You’re joining us for lunch? What happened to the job?

  Harrison: I told you it’d be quick.

  Hazel: Hooray, you didn’t die today!

  Harrison: Order me a shot of Patron if you arrive first, bumble bee.

  Hazel: I won’t be the first. I’m in the middle of a meeting. Your brother is slaving me. We need help!

  Scott: I’ll order a bottle of Don Julio to celebrate. Jensen is waiting for us in the car. We’ll be there before you.

  Scott: And we are in the process of hiring a few new employees. Stop complaining, buttercup.

  Afterword

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you so much for reading the Chaotic Duet. This book began as an attempt to rewrite a story and became it’s own magical tale. As many of you know, my inspiration comes from life, events and people I’ve met. Abby is inspired and dedicated to a couple of strong women who I know, and I love dearly. This book is as much as they allow me to talk about heir stories, but know that they are thriving.

  Thank you for reading this. For accepting a little piece of my heart.

  After you finish the book, and if you enjoyed it. Please, do me a big favor and leave a review. Let other readers know about it and spread the word. I love to hear from readers, so please don’t hesitate to email me

  Thank you much. Love you all,

  Claudia ♥

  Acknowledgments

  Acknowledgements

  Love this part, as much as it becomes pretty hard to write because I have a terrible memory. If I forgot someone, I’m so sorry. But believe me when I say that I’m grateful for you.

  First and foremost, I’d like to thank God for all the blessings in my life.

  To my family, thanks you for all your support even when most of you are thousands of miles away from me.

  To my wonderful and loving husband, who is my inspiration, my partner, and my everything. We always keep going, no matter what kind of surprises we find along the journey. To my beautiful kids, you’re the engine that keeps me going. Paulina, you’re a light, keep shining. I’m so grateful for your help and for you choosing me as your mom.

  Andie, thank you so much for those amazing covers. It wasn’t easy but look at these beautiful books.

  My alpha readers, Michelle, Patricia, and Yolanda.

  Michelle, you’re my guardian angel. Your patience, your support, your friendship means so much to me. Thank you so much for reading the story and for all your feedback, your hard work, your kind words and for keeping me sane. Love you.

  Patricia, I value your friendship, your support, and your time helping me with this story. For keeping things running and making sure I’m alive.

  Yolanda, girl, I can’t wait to see you again. Thank you so much for your friendship, your kindness and all your encouraging words.

  Christine, thank you for not unfriending me, even when there’re days I’m super absent. Love you from here to the moon.

  Mara White, thank you so much for your patience and for transforming my words into works of art.

  Kristi, thank you for proofing this baby. For always being there for me. You’re not a friend, you’re family. Love you so much!

  Jess Estep, for your support spreading the word about my books. To the Inkslinger team thank you for everything.

  Kaitie, thank you for being you and for everything that you do.

  To Melissa for giving me pointers on how to handle Abby’s mental condition and helping me along the way in this journey called life.

  Lara, I can’t thank you enough for being you. My friend, my hooker and my cheerleader.

  Lesa, thank you for helping me change my life one breath at a time.

  The ARC team, girls you’re my rock. Your love and dedication makes me want to keep going. Even when my words get a little too angsty for your taste though