by Louise Dawn
“A rifle and a knife. Guess you were relying on your team to do all the legwork.” His hearing still hadn’t fully returned, and he felt like he was floating in a desensitized bubble, saturated in the horror of losing Pearl.
“Please…” Harland gasped. “Please don’t kill me. You… wouldn’t kill a defense… defenseless—”
“An eye for an eye. You killed the woman I loved.”
Everett walked up beside Antonio, and Harland began to plead with him.
“A striking blow is all you’ll get. If he doesn’t kill you, I will. You took my sister from me.”
“I swear—”
“Where’s Aysha?” Antonio pulled out his knife and pressed it to Harland’s thigh.
“Who?” The man looked confused.
“You don’t even know her name!” Antonio shouted the words.
“The little girl,” Everett stated in a deadly tone. “Where’s Rajin and the kid?”
“Three… three miles away—at the west end of the property. In my cabin.”
Antonio stood and aimed the Glock.
“Wait! What if she’s still alive? The woman? Pearl Bandara. Will you still kill me?”
Antonio paused, and Everett stepped forward.
Chapter Twenty-Four
"Sir, there are reports of intruders. Harland wants us to evacuate."
Gritting his teeth in frustration, Rajin stood. His daughter sat on the edge of the bed and still hadn't stopped crying. She refused to eat or to play with her new toys. He was ready to give her the spanking she deserved. Since when had she become so spoilt? Had she always been this stubborn? This difficult?
"I want Mommy." She stuck out her chin and glared at him defiantly.
The reason Rajin couldn't leave. Not just yet. The mother—a loose end who sat down the hall. So many times, he'd imagined destroying Pearl. Taking her apart. First, he'd break her heart and take away Aysha. Then he'd break any bonds she'd made in the States. The brave agent who'd stood by her side was now hunted prey. That was her fault. Finally, he'd kill her with his bare hands.
"Let me go and find her. Wait here, little one." He stroked his daughter's hair before leaving the room.
"Sir, we have to go."
"Inna.” He still spoke occasional Sinhalese and switched to English. “Wait. I have one last thing to do."
Rajin walked down the passage. A difficult act, but one that would close the door on his old life. He would never again live in Sri Lanka or see his family relations. At least his daughter. He could start again and had already decided on a luxury villa in Cuba. His only absolute requirement was a good school for Aysha.
He tried to imagine their new life. She'd want for nothing. Rajin had already established valuable contacts in Cuba, and there was nothing he wouldn't do for his new kingdom. Rajin always succeeded in business and in life. His new beginning, but the end of the road for his beloved Pearl.
Hesitating outside the door, he thought of old times. Their first few months of marriage where he'd actually been happy. All he'd wanted was to see her smile, and he'd succeeded. Rajin had quickly learned that she preferred fun trips over material gifts. She'd liked to sightsee and chat with the locals as they'd traveled together.
But, when he'd returned to Colombo for work, things had changed. He'd focused on his ambitions and on assisting a corrupted president. He'd explored his dark tastes for torture. Pearl no longer shone so brightly in his world, and she'd smiled less whenever they'd spent time together. When she'd fallen pregnant, he'd wanted a son. He got a princess instead. One that he now had to protect.
Feeling regret over Pearl's decision to betray him, Rajin opened the door to greet the woman he used to love.
Her shoulder burned, and her head ached. Pearl cowered against the headboard and watched the large predator in the room. He was an unpredictable monster, and she knew that he was capable of evil acts. She saw it in the way Bronco moved. The way he smiled. The way he looked at her.
Bronco paused to look out the window. His stiff posture indicated simmering frustration, and she purposely remained still. Pearl tried to piece together the last few hours. She hadn't been conscious when they'd brought her to the cabin. The last Pearl had remembered, she'd been tied to a chair while Antonio had gone insane. They'd shot him with a tranquilizer as she'd fought against her restraints. Where was he? Was he still alive? Her head buzzed as she fought through the panic. Was he being hunted by these heartless pigs?
After Antonio had been dragged from his cell, the questioning had begun. Bronco had asked for the USB. She'd denied knowledge of its whereabouts, and she'd been slapped and punched a few times by one of the guards. She'd known that worse would come, and she'd braced herself when he'd held a knife to her finger, promising to sever it from her hand.
But then Bronco had stopped him. Something had pricked her in the arm, and she'd woken in this room. They hadn't restrained her but didn't need to. Bronco sat between her and the door—like a massive dog, guarding a bone.
"This is all your fault. I shouldn't wait for Rajin. I should kill you now."
Rajin? They were waiting for Rajin? Adrenaline surged, and Pearl forced herself to remain still. Aysha would be close by. Were they in the same house? Bronco had just woken up a tigress with his words, and Pearl would take him on.
Bronco rounded the bed, and Pearl shifted away.
"Why am I reluctant? I usually like toying with pretty girls." Bronco touched her shoulder. "Is it because of Snax? Or because I actually like you?" Tracing a finger down her arm, Bronco raised his lips into a smile.
"When I first saw you at that splash pad park, I must admit, I felt a little jealous. I watched as you kissed each other under the spray. What a perfect moment."
"And you don't get to taint it with your vile words."
"Spunk. You have that too. I like your spirit. Is that why I always feel the need to rescue you?"
"Is that what you did? In that cell? 'Rescue me' from your men?"
"I don't care about the flash drive. Rajin does. I was just trying to be a good little minion." Bronco shifted closer. "You're distracting me from my job."
"Perhaps it's because you actually care—for Antonio. Where is he? Is he okay?"
A muscle ticked in Bronco's jaw, and he stilled. "Why do you have to go and ruin the mood." In a flash, he had her pinned to the bed, straddling her in an immovable hold.
The savage look in his eyes turned her blood to ice, and Pearl held her breath as he wrapped a meaty hand around her neck.
"One twist is all it would take." His fingers squeezed, and she tried to buck beneath him. His short nails bit into her flesh as her tears leaked onto the pillow. "This has nothing to do with Antonio Torres. Nothing!" Bronco shook her like a rag doll, and Pearl fought for air.
Throwing her against the headrest, he suddenly released his hold and rolled away. He sat with his back to her as she tried to breathe through the pain. Her throat ached but not as bad as her heart. She'd almost died—just yards away from her little girl.
Vowing that she'd never experience the horror again, Pearl reached for the ceramic bedside lamp and swung with all her might, crashing it over Bronco’s head. He keeled over like a felled tree, and Pearl stared at his prone body in shock.
Run. The voice in her head told her to get to Aysha and find a way to rescue Antonio. But she couldn't move. Not yet. Pearl needed a plan. Spotting the handgun tucked into Bronco's shoulder holster, she gingerly bent over and removed the weapon. She'd been taught to shoot on her parents’ farm. A shotgun can't be that different from a handgun, right? Pearl backed away and examined the weapon. The safety sat on the trigger. That's all she needed to know.
The door handle turned, and Pearl stumbled back. Panicking, she slid behind a dresser and waited. The man that stepped through the door had her straightening and preparing for battle.
The sprawling two-story cabin was tucked against red rock, and Antonio had opened his car door before Everett had even come to
a complete stop. Mercenaries immediately fired upon Everett's men, who immediately took the offensive.
Antonio dropped two targets as he raced for the front door. A guard stepped from the entrance, his gun aimed at Everett, and Antonio launched himself up the wall, rounding and kneeing him in the face.
"That's some Spiderman shit!" Everett grinned as they breached the entryway. Back-to-back, they fought emerging bogies, careful to take men down with knives and fists before a firefight ensued. Antonio was unsure of Aysha or Pearl's location, and a stray bullet could slam into the wrong person. Everett was a solid wingman and took down the enemy with deadly accuracy. His hand-to-hand combat had a brutal edge that spoke of his life on the streets.
Only adrenaline kept Antonio on his feet. Lack of sleep and food combined with his endless battles with the enemy ate at his last reserves. His battered body begged for rest, but all he wanted was to rescue his angels. Gritting his teeth, he dove towards a combatant and wrestled him to the ground.
Without pause, he was back on his feet and moving towards the stairs. Rifles at the ready, Everett covered his ass.
They cleared the rooms one by one. A couple of servants cowered in a corner, and they shepherded the staff down the stairs. The third room had Antonio gripping his weapon. Blood stained the floor at the side of a bed. Otherwise, the space sat empty.
Everett's strained expression probably reflected his own, and Antonio felt like he'd shatter if he didn't get to Pearl and Aysha. Two doors remained. Antonio neared the door to the right, and two gunshots blasted through the silent space. Kicking the door in, he swung to face his mortal enemies and the woman he loved.
Chapter Twenty-Five
She pointed the gun at Rajin's head. "I know you're armed. Pull out your pistol and throw it my way."
Rajin eyed Bronco, who still lay beside the bed.
"If you don't want to end up like him, throw me your weapon."
"Do you even know how to use that Sig? C'mon, honey. I just came to talk."
"My teenage years were spent with guns. Any sudden moves, and I'll shoot you through that cold heart."
"Under the same roof as our daughter? You'd kill her father?"
"To protect her. Yes, every time."
"She's in no danger."
"She's just surrounded by deadly men and caught up with an international war criminal."
"What do you want? You can't have Aysha. Do you want to walk away with your life? I can do that." Rajin had his hands raised but still looked too relaxed.
"Gun! Now!" Pearl shouted the command.
Distant pops had her jumping, and she glanced at the window.
"Pearl—"
"Now!" she shrieked, and the Sig wobbled in her hands.
Obeying her order, Rajin did as she asked, and she picked up his gun and threw it at the window. Glass shattered. Swinging her aim back to her ex-husband, she lifted her head towards the door. Could she shoot him in cold blood? What if he tried to make a move? Her wrists trembled under the weight of the gun, and she gritted her teeth. She knew she was weak and dehydrated, and needed to act fast.
"Where's Aysha?"
"Calm down. I'll take you to her. You look like a crazy woman." Turning his back, Rajin walked back up the passage, and Pearl followed. He shot her a glance, and she kept the weapon aimed at his back.
"You're going to scare our child."
"As long as you don't make any sudden moves, she'll be just fine."
Rajin stopped at a closed door. "She's in there and just had dinner."
"You first." Pearl pointed her weapon at the door and watched as Rajin stepped into the room.
Hands in pockets, he did as asked and stepped around to face her. Pearl followed, her eyes falling on the bed. Her pulse hammered as she realized the room was empty.
"Do you hear the chaos? Do you honestly think I'd leave her in a compromised location?"
Pulling a folding knife from his pocket, Rajin flicked it open and smiled.
"Where is she?" Pearl shouted the words as hysteria had her finger moving to the trigger.
"My personal protection team went ahead. And now it's my turn to join my daughter."
A guard stepped from the bathroom, his rifle aimed at her head.
"I'm a good shot." Pearl settled her aim at Rajin's chest. A strange calmness came over her, and she widened her stance. No one would ever take away her child—especially not her child’s father. "Maybe he'll kill me, but not before I squeeze this trigger."
"Is this where the party is at?" Bronco shuffled into the room; the door clicked shut behind him as he held the back of his bleeding head. Distant shots and shouts drifted from the open window. If that was a rescue team, they were too late.
Knowing she was outnumbered, Pearl backed up to the wall. She would die, but so would Rajin. Having faith that Everett would rescue Aysha—no matter how long it took, Pearl knew that her daughter would have the chance at a safe life with a family that loved her. Pearl's last act of love would be to remove the only threat and protect Aysha the best way she knew how.
Recalling the hours in the cell, where Antonio and Pearl had spoken about an impossibly sweet life, had tears gathering. She'd loved the potent agent and wanted a future by his side. Praying that he was alive and okay, she hoped one day he'd find happiness after the heartache.
Raising her chin, Pearl saw Rajin's dawning realization. He knew what she'd do and, moving fast, he raised the knife blade in a pinched grip and swung it her way.
Pearl released a breath as she fired the weapon at Rajin's chest, and the guard fired simultaneously. She braced herself, waiting for the impact of the bullet. The knife burned as it ate a path past her shoulder, and she staggered back as Rajin fell to his knees.
Still standing and confused, Pearl swung her gun towards the guard who should've shot her. He looked bewildered and re-aimed his rifle at her head. A body lay at her feet, and she glanced down at Bronco, who clutched at his tactical vest.
The door blew inwards, and men rushed into the bedlam, Antonio in the lead. He didn't hesitate, and his bullet sliced through the guard's skull as she watched in a numbed stupor.
An iron grip wrapped around her gun hand, and in a smooth move, Bronco jerked her down and wrapped himself around her weak body. Her weapon now lay in his hand as he held it to her temple.
"Back the fuck off, or she's dead."
Looking like an avenging and bloodied god, Antonio stepped closer. His aim never wavered as he took in her predicament. Pearl felt surprisingly calm, even though she'd just shot her ex-husband in the stomach. He would've killed Pearl and would no longer be a threat to Aysha—even if he survived. Still, she had the urge to hurl.
"Forget about me." She spoke softly and felt blood dripping down her arm as Bronco held her in an immovable grip. "Aysha is still with Rajin's men. Find her before they leave."
"We'll find her, but I'm not going anywhere. It's going to be okay." Antonio circled as Bronco twisted, keeping her at a good angle. "It's over Bronco. We've captured Harland and his men. Come quietly with us."
"I'll find my niece." Everett shot Pearl a desperate, furious glance before leaving with a few of his men.
"Fuck all of you." Bronco shifted backward, pulling her along. "I shouldn't even be here, but I got caught in your little drama and waited too long to exfil. And this bitch clocked me over the head."
"Yet, you still saved me." Pearl's rasped words had Bronco squeezing tighter, and she struggled to pull in a breath.
"Shut up!"
"You stepped… between me and that bullet." She glanced towards the fallen guard. The one who should've killed her only a few moments before. "Why?"
"Shut your damn trap." His body shook. She guessed from a combination of pain and confusion.
"Thank you for saving Pearl." Antonio's quiet words sat in opposition to the intensity rolling off his every move. He looked like a hardened warrior, coiled and ready to strike. "Let's end the insanity. She has a child who needs h
er mother. Let her go, man."
Bronco shook his head, and his breath rasped across her ear. "You have the perfect life—flawless military career. Amazing family. I remember spending a Christmas in your unblemished circle. Your mother's incredible cooking. And now… now you have her. All this sweetness."
Bronco touched his lips to her head, and she froze.
"You're in love… with Pearl." Rajin gasped from the corner. He held his bleeding side and chuckled nastily. "She's always been irresistible… to men. Damn whore."
In a blur of movement, Bronco swung the handgun and shot Rajin in the head. Pearl screamed. The weapon returned to her temple, and she felt the heat of the muzzle burning her skin.
"Easy…" Everett's armed men all looked on edge as Antonio exchanged a desperate glance with her.
"Why the hesitation, bro? Are you feeling a little weak? Is your aim off? Worried you'll make a mistake and kill your angel?" Bronco tightened his hold, and Pearl fought against dizziness.
"I don't want her hurt—any more than she is." Antonio chose honesty. "Pearl is my world. And I don't wanna have to kill you—not after knowing that you saved her. But, if you continue stroking that trigger, you will die."
"Evil grows inside me like a poisonous weed." Bronco sneered. "I've always been defective, and right now? Right now, I'm happy because I'm holding onto a beauty that I'll never deserve. How messed up is that? As usual, you'll get the girl."
"Will I?" Antonio's focus never wavered. Pearl could see that he'd lived through hell. He looked bruised, torn, and bloody. But the look in his eyes gave her faith.
"Yes. Because it's the end of the road for me." Bronco shoved her aside, and she heard Antonio shout. The room erupted in gunfire, and Pearl covered her head. Her legs still lay across Bronco's lap, and she scrambled away.
Glancing back, she saw men twisting Bronc0 to his stomach and pulling out restraints. Blood pooled beneath his large body, and she watched as it spread her way. Antonio knelt in front of her, blocking the gory sight.