by Posey Parks
“Yeah.” He didn’t glance in my direction.
“I’m working on our Wednesday job.”
Sebastian peered over his shoulder.
“I guess Sydney hasn’t realized you’re using Jacob.”
Sebastian laughed. “Funny Dillon.”
I shook my head.
“Brandon, what about you?”
“People watching.”
He had his sights set on something or someone down the beach. I followed his line of sight.
“You’re watching your wife?” my brows wrinkled.
“Yeah, there isn’t a better view.”
“Awe spoken like a true romantic,” Tony snickered.
“So what I own that shit. I’ll do whatever it takes to show my wife she’s all that matters. I almost lost her guys.”
Marco reached across and smacked his shoulder. “This is the best place to make your woman feel special.”
Brandon’s face lit up. “Yeah, I swear I held her in my arms dancing last night for about an hour. Didn’t matter if my legs were tired. I’ve stood in the operating room longer than that.”
“Dude, I feel that.” Dominic pointed toward Brandon. “Tonight, after a pleasant walk on the beach, I’ll make love to Carmen under the stars again. She loves that shit.”
My thoughts drifted.
I glimpsed at my phone vibrating in my lap. “Yeah,” I answered.
“Dillon, I need to bring an important matter to your attention,” Romeo stated.
‘Important matter’ sounds off alarms in my head.
Staring out the window of the Suburban, the trees flashed by as Tony darted down the highway. Balling my fist in my lap, I remained calm to the naked eye. I didn’t want Sebastian asking questions.
“What’s up?”
“A rafting manager flirted with Sierra. She shut him down, of course. He stared at her with lust and malice in his eyes.”
I wanted to slam my fist through the window. “And?”
“We followed him.”
“Did that lead you to anyone we know?”
“Um. Yes,” he paused. “Sierra.”
It took everything inside of me not to explode. Blood coursing through my veins, I needed out of the truck.
Tony rolled to a stop in a parking spot outside the hotel.
“Dillon, I’ll grab your room key.” He met my gaze through the rearview mirror. His brow lowered.
I grinned. “Thanks, Tone, what floor?”
“Two.”
Everyone climbed out of the truck. Sebastian stood outside the door.
“Are you coming?”
“Yeah, be in soon. On a business call.”
“Ok.” He slammed the door shut.
“Boss, are you there?”
“I am. What the fuck do you mean, he led you to Sierra,” I growled.
“He’s followed her since Chicago.”
My body vibrated. Is he crazy? What was his deal? “Dillon, someone must’ve helped him because I hadn’t noticed him until we arrived in Chicago. We’ve kept eyes on him. Marcelo had followed him from the rafting park. He didn’t follow them to Chicago. It was like he knew they’d be there.”
My heartbeat thudded my ears. Someone helped him. We needed answers.
“Did he follow the girls to and from the club? No, he waited for them to return to the RV park.”
“Where is he now?”
“Sitting in the parking lot of Gates barbecue.”
I punched the driver’s seat. “Fuck,” I roared.
Silence.
“Don’t make a move unless the girls get into trouble then intercept him. But allow him to think he’s undetected. Tomorrow, I’d like to meet him. You know, have a harmless conversation.”
“Yes, sir.”
My door swung open as I ended my call. “Come on. We’re leaving for the cigar bar soon.” Dominic stood in my way.
He harbored a man in the back of his limousine bus. The only reason he hadn’t killed him yet was because his wife asked him not to.
“Everything ok?”
“Yeah, of course,” I flashed a wide grin.
“You lying son of a bitch. I’m your brother. I know you.”
“Then you know I’m handling the problem.”
He stepped back. “Oh, so there’s a problem? What kind? Are the wives in danger?”
My heavy hand landed on my brother’s shoulder. “I’ll let you know soon.”
“You fucking better.”
I embraced him. “Something’s off.”
“Dillon, I know. We’ll figure it out together.” He slapped my back.
“Yes, we will.”
The following day, Marcelo followed Tom to his hotel room. My guys looked into him. He was a ghost. How was that possible? I’d need Sebastian to dig into his life deeper.
Standing outside the hotel door, Romeo and Rémy were at my side. I knocked once. The door swung open.
“Marcelo.” I glanced up into his gruff face. He had the coldest eyes. He stood six five. Marcelo rather blend into the shadows, then drive around with the other bodyguards. Stepping across the plastic, I clutched my gloved hand in front of me.
“Where’s Tom?”
Marcelo extended his hand.
I walked to my right. “Tom.” My arms widened.
“It’s good to meet you.”
He was slumped in the plastic lined tub. Blood trailed down his face, dripping on his chest. Musk and sweat filled the air.
I crouched to his level. “Do you know who I am?”
His left eye was swollen shut. He stared at me with his one good eye.
“Did you scream like a bitch? That’s the only reason Marcelo would lay hands on you.”
He peeked over my head. “That sasquatch hit me for no reason.”
I grabbed his wet blond hair, pulling him closer. “Motherfucker there was definitely a reason,” I bit out through barred teeth. “My wife.”
His one good eye blinked twice.
“Let me refresh your memory.” I slammed his forehead into the side of the tub.
“Ah,” he screamed.
“The woman rafting with her friends. You asked her a question about her husband. What was the question?” He shivered in my grip.
“You can tell me what you said or I can cut your eyeball out of your head.”
He slobbered, sobbing.
His lips tightened. “Does your husband love you...” Tom paused. “Or is he over compensating?” His eye closed.
“I bet my cock is bigger than your scrawny ass’s. My wife is the most important woman in my life. I have no problem killing a miscellaneous bastard who thought they had a chance with Mrs. Magarelli,” I roared.
I shoved his head against the wall before I rose. “Clean him up. Throw him in the limo bus with Dominic’s pet project.”
“Got it boss.” Marcelo’s bulky frame squeezed past me. I peeked over my shoulder as I stood on the bathroom threshold. He yanked Tom out of the tub like a rag doll and tossed him to the floor.
STANDING ON THE PORCH at the ranch, Dominic sat on the swing beside me.
“I guess we’re flying our cargo first class to Punta Cana.”
We stared at the cows grazing in the wide-open pasture.
“Dom, we are. Do you think there’s a connection between the men?”
“I don’t think so,” Dominic replied.
“Romeo said he didn’t notice Tom until Chicago. Could your guy have told him the girls were there?”
He slammed his fist into his open palm. “I want answers now.”
I gripped my brother’s neck. “Me too. Let’s wait until we’re in Punta Cana.”
He exhaled, resting his hat on his hair. He whipped the back of his hand across his forehead. “Fine,” he growled.
The alarming news my best friend shared after our fabulous yacht excursion caught me off guard. Three men salivated over our wives. What were the chances of that happening while we were away? I called my grandf
ather’s right-hand man Tornado.
“Hey, this is Dillon. How are you?”
“I’m doing well. The old man keeping you busy?”
“Here and there.”
“We received a few extra packages in Punta Cana?”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah, I need you to check for other volatile packages that could or will arrive while I’m away. They may come from UPS.”
“Say no more. We’ll put them away for safekeeping if they arrive.”
“Good. I knew I was calling the right man.”
“Always. Talk to you soon, Dillon.”
I threw my phone on the bathroom counter.
“Dillon. How long will you be in the shower?”
I glanced at my distorted reflection in the foggy mirror. “Baby, I’ll be out soon. Don’t worry, we’ll arrive at the club right on time.”
“Ok,” she yelled over the shower.
I rarely called Tornado. He usually spoke to Cruise. A direct call from me implied danger was in our backyard. He needed to know they were volatile packages. That meant we didn’t know our enemy's plan. Tornado had to keep my grandfather safe. Even though he wasn’t the boss anymore he still had deep ties to key people in the underground world.
Later that night, I dipped out of the club and crashed Marco’s private party.
“Tom, we’ve established you three know each other. The damning question I’ve asked repeatedly, you’ve yet to answer. Who sent you?” I sat in the chair before him, glaring into his blood-shot eye.
“You know how this ends. I can either make it quick or take my time. I’d prefer to take my time,” I growled.
Sinister laughter left my throat. “The person you work for, did they inform you I enjoy grinding up those who betray me?”
His frail body shuddered violently.
“If they didn’t divulge that information, they used you.”
“Dillon, Dillon.” Marco smacked my shoulder. I snapped back from my memory.
“Yeah.”
“Let’s have a talk with our wives.”
“Yup.”
Sitting in a cabana, Sierra sat next to me, arms crossing her chest.
I peeked into her beautiful face. “Direct your anger at me, not Emoni.”
“She and Marco discussed her arriving at the location beforehand. I think maybe out of respect she waited for me to talk to you.”
Her brows lowered. “And you should have.”
I placed her hand in mine. “You’re right. I’m sorry. That was wrong of me. Please don’t take your anger out on Emoni.”
“I love you, Sierra. I should have told you what happened. The guy blindsided me. Showed up here while I was on vacation with my friends. I was pissed. Marco handled it very well.” She blushed at him.
He grinned from ear to ear.
Sierra threw her arms around Emoni.
“I love you. Sorry I took my frustrations out on you.”
The girls made up.
It was time for one-on-one time with Sierra, like I promised.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
SEBASTIAN
ASSASSIN
TO THE NAKED EYE WE appeared relaxed, soaking up the sun. Enjoying our vacation in Punta Cana. We were, but as trained assassins we made stakeouts look like excursions. In reality, we were on hyper-alert. Sydney and I hiked up a Mountain lush with greenery. We laid on our bellies for two hours surveying the island through binoculars and sniper rifles. The sun beat against our backs like razors. Not pleasant.
Peering through the binoculars, I monitored patron’s demeanor. Sydney kept her sights on the large ship that docked today. If any large gun crates left that ship, we’d follow it.
“Brandon, come in?”
“I’m here, buddy. What’s up?”
“How’s it going?”
“Good, I’m flying the drone over hotel entrances monitoring new guest arrivals. Zoey’s job is chill. She’s sitting amongst the guests in the center of a popular restaurant, eavesdropping.
“Is that what you call eating breakfast so slow it’s cold, while reading a book on my iPad.”
We laughed.
“Hopefully, I’ll hear something soon.”
“Zoey, I’ll join you soon. I’m starving.”
“Brandon, is that the only reason you’re joining me?”
“No, babe. I miss you.”
“Guys, focus,” I gritted out.
“Sorry Sebastian. Jacob, any luck on the guest’s itineraries?”
“Brandon, I have leads. Samantha’s checking them out now.”
“Sebastian, how are things on the mountain?”
“Jacob, one sec.”
“Sydney, any new movement on the ship?”
Her eyes widened. “I’m not sure. There’s a tan tarp in the center of the ship. Can’t tell what it is.”
“Brandon, can you help us out?”
“Sure thing.”
“Let us know once you’re upon the ship.”
“Will do, Sebastian.”
“Guys, I’ll check back in fifteen minutes.”
“Roger that,” they stated.
I reached over and massaged Sydney’s lower back. “Take a break.”
She sighed. “Ok.”
Sydney tugged at the collar of her T-shirt. “It’s so hot. My clothes are sticking to me.”
“We’re almost done for the day.”
“Good, I can’t wait to lie on the deck of the speedboat.”
“Sounds like I’ll have the best view behind the wheel.”
She laughed. “Yeah, you will.” Sydney leaned over and kissed my lips.
“I’m back, guys,” Brandon stated.
Sydney grabbed her rifle and peered through the scope.
His mission was risky. If the man patrolling noticed the drone on the ship it could set off alarm bells. Luckily, only one guard patrolled this morning.
Brandon flew the drone low on the side of the ship.
“You have a window of opportunity if you ascend at the rear.”
“Sebastian, got it.”
My breath caught in my chest as I watched Brandon fly the drone low along the edge of the tarp.
“Jacob, do you have visual too?”
“Yes. I’ll download the pictures from the drone.”
“Brandon, the guard is on his way back. Get out of there.”
He zipped to the right over the edge.
“Whoa,” he shouted.
I dropped my head.
“Man, that was close,” Jacob exhaled.
“Sure was. Brandon, great job,” Sydney stated.
“Yeah, dude. Superb work.” I smiled.
“Good job,” Zoey whispered.
“On my way, baby.” You could hear the smile in Brandon’s voice.
“Jacob, we’ll meet at your villa tonight.” I grinned at Syd.
“See you guys tonight at seven.”
“Yup.”
I sat up. “Sweetheart, let’s pack it up.”
Sydney crawled into my lap and wrapped her arms around my neck. “I love you, Mr. Johansen.”
My teeth clenched her chin. “Love you too. I’ll fuck you in the shower before we hit the water.”
“I look forward to every inch you have to give,” she blushed.
Biting her earlobe, I laughed.
We’d develop an airtight plan and shut down the targets’ operation.
Wednesday morning, we’d discuss the plan with the rest of the team.
∞
Gathered around the oversized countertop at Jacob and Samantha’s we discussed the intel we collected today.
Snacks and drinks were spread out on the center of the counter under an exquisite chandelier. The fuel we lived on while preparing for a mission. The dinner Samantha ordered sat on the counter behind us.
My mafia family problems were mounting. They needed this vacation more than us. Another war would greet them once they returned home. I felt bad pulling them along on our
mission. Although they were eager to help. They didn’t enjoy asking for my help either. Their reasoning was based on who my mother represented in the mafia family. She was the queen of the underworld. My father snatched her away from a life of killing.
Mom probed. “Have you spoken to your cousins in Jersey?”
“It’s been awhile, but yeah,” I lied.
Mom didn’t want that life for Seth and I, but she’d love to get a little taste. Dad loved her enough to tear her away from that life.
I peeked around the counter. Jacob’s anxiety had completely subsided. His need to be close to Samantha was probably unhealthy. That was the end result when your family tore you away from your first love. Years later you met her and fell in love. Then you learned she was the reason for the whole in your heart you couldn’t explain. So yeah, I got it. He wanted all things Samantha.
Brandon and Zoey’s connection was different. Their bond felt restored. He kissed her temple and pulled her close. The other day he bit Jacob’s head off. Tony confided in me and explained Brandon’s situation. We’d help him get past the bullshit. That was what we did, supported each other. No such thing as boredom in this circle.
Who didn’t love action and adventure? The average person enjoyed watching it on television or reading about it in a book. We lived it more often than not.
“Sebastian.” Sydney squeezed my thigh.
I snapped back from my thoughts.
“What are we thinking could be in those crates on the ship?” I glanced at Jacob.
“Guns for sure. The other crate could be explosives. We need to send Tony and Nadine onto the ship Wednesday night. He’ll take the captain's place. Nadine will be his backup.”
“Sounds good. Everyone’s wearing prosthetics?” Sam peeked into our faces, turning her hands upward.
“That’s to be expected,” I stated.
“Right for most of the team. Will your cousins Dominic and Dillon wear prosthetics?”
“Yes, everyone is on board.” It was best the teams’ identities remained concealed.
“Good.” Samantha popped a chip into her mouth.
“Sebastian, what do you have?” Jacob nodded toward me.
“The Smithsonian will deliver two paintings. One is the real deal, and the other is the fake. We’ll steal both. The president doesn’t want either painting circulating. The fake will be on display.
I uncovered a black site. The team that plans to steal the Cherie plan to steal ancient Egyptian gold arm bracelets. Those are up for auction. The bidding begins at five hundred thousand dollars. They’re worth three million.”