by Sydney Addae
Angus laughed. “I don’t think that’s how it works. I could be wrong, though.”
Silas smiled. “Worth a shot. I need to contact the others before the challenge.”
Angus nodded.
Silas inhaled deeply and sought Grandfather, something he didn’t enjoy doing. “Grandfather? I have questions.” He waited a few moments and called out again. When there was no response and the sun peaked over the horizon, Silas began cleaning the area. He placed the cleaned fish in one of Jasmine’s large plastic containers and snapped on the lid.
Angus continued cleaning his catch while Silas enjoyed the simplistic beauty of the island waking and the sunrise.
“Think Jasmine will cook these for lunch for us?” Angus asked.
“Probably. Can’t think why she wouldn’t,” Silas said and stiffened. Taking a deep breath, he stood and ran down the beach to the other side. A male body moved sluggishly in the water, trying to swim but failing.
“This is ridiculous,” Silas growled low in his throat as he dove into the water to help. The man had gone beneath the water twice and wasn’t moving as much. With strong powerful strokes, Silas reached him, lifted his head above water and swam to shore.
Angus stood watching. “Dead?”
“No. Not yet.”
He placed the man on the beach and stared down at him. Angus rolled the guy over and slapped his back a couple of times.
“Why’re you doing that?” Silas asked as Angus released the guy when he coughed, and water flowed from his mouth.
“I don’t know, just seemed the right thing to do at the time,” Angus said. They stood above the guy shivering on the ground with large bruises on his forehead, back, and leg.
“What now?” Angus looked around. “I don’t see or hear the boat. Want me to scan him?”
“Yes. I’m tired of people interrupting my vacation by showing up here. Find out what he was up to and where he belongs so he can return,” Silas said.
Angus stooped and touched the guy’s shoulder. “Are you alright? Is there someone we can call? Do you need anything?”
Silas watched the man try to talk and realized the bruises might be worse than they initially thought.
Angus whistled, picked up the guy and stood. “We need to get him warmed up. Have Solo send a boat to take him to Panama. You’ll understand once I explain what happened.”
Silas contacted Alpha Solo and watched Angus carry the human up the bank toward the trees. “I don’t want him near our mates.”
“I’ll take him to the caretaker’s cottage,” Angus said without slowing down.
Silas looked at the ocean again, checked for others and when he didn’t sense them, he returned to finish cleaning the area they used to clean fish, grabbed the buckets and their gear and headed toward the house, first. Then he would meet Angus and talk to the human.
<<<<>>>>
Silas entered the caretaker’s cottage, noticed the young man lying prostrate on the sofa and waved at him. “Who is he? What happened to him? Why is he on my island?” Jasmine would be awake soon and he needed information for her. She should be pleased that he rescued the man and allowed him on the island. If that didn’t prove he was trying to do better and become more open-minded nothing would.
“Jandro Alvarez. Estevan’s his uncle and it seems he’s snapped. This one has no idea why his uncle flew into a rage and attacked several people who works for him. When Jandro tried to leave, the old man attacked him.”
Silas frowned as he looked at the much younger guy. “Attacked him? Did he allow the old man to hit him and not fight?” That made no sense.
“They blindfolded him, two men held this one while his uncle punched and slapped him around,” Angus said disgusted. “He’s still terrified.”
“I don’t understand. Why did he do that?” Silas asked unable to fathom that level of cruelty against a family member. It went against everything Jasmine and he had built over the years.
Angus shook his head. “Seems the uncle was really angry when he learned Lynda escaped and fled to the Embassy and that the police are asking questions. He thinks it triggered his uncle’s breakdown. This one was happy, relieved she lived and escaped. By the way, he didn’t participate in hunting the humans which also upset his uncle. As the night drew on, the uncle grew more and more angry, lashing out and hurting people. There were some calm moments when they talked liked they had before and then a few hours ago the old man flipped.
Silas inhaled deeply and stuffed his hands inside his pockets. For several years he owned this island and another one in the Caribbean and had never experienced problems like this. Was it time to get rid of this one? Yes, if humans, either dead or alive, continued washing up on shore. “Why is he here? Why not go to the mainland?”
“That’s where he was going. His uncle’s men chased him in the boat, and he got turned around. They rammed the boat, pulled alongside it, dumped him out and left him in the water. He just started swimming and landed here,” Angus said, looking at the chap. “Just graduated law school, slated to start work next week with his father. His parents were supposed to pick him up earlier, but he never saw them. Beneath all that he’s concerned about the old man and his parents.”
Angus met Silas’ gaze. “That’s a sick bastard.”
“Agreed. Wonder if he’s coming here today?” Silas said before looking down at the young man again.
Angus shrugged. “If he comes, he dies. This will stop the next time he comes to the island or in our waters. No more bodies Silas. We’re on holiday and this sicko acts like it’s good to shoot at people.”
“The moment he shot at Jasmine and Shyla, he died. Before I return home, Estevan will be taken care of. No one shoots at my mate and lives to shoot another day,” Silas said, tamping down the anger that flared whenever he thought of the bullets flying close to his mate.
Angus nodded. “When will Solo’s envoy arrive?”
“I’m waiting to hear from them.” He looked at the young guy again who started shaking uncontrollably. “I could be wrong but he doesn’t look good.”
Angus ran to the back room and returned with several blankets. He dumped them on the young man and spread them out. Moments later, Jandro’s teeth stopped chattering and he settled down.
“Silas? I see fish in here, do you want it for breakfast or later?” Jasmine asked.
“Later, please. I’m feeling eggs, bacon and pancakes if you’re up to it. I worked up an appetite last night,” he teased.
“You certainly did and I plan for you to work up another appetite later today so I’ll let you know when the pancakes are ready.”
He smiled and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Another body washed ashore. He’s not dead. We’re in the caretaker’s cottage waiting for the boat Solo is sending to take him to Panama where his family lives.” He spoke with few pauses until he got it all out.
“Is his being here related in any way to the guy who hunted Lynda?”
“Yes. It’s his uncle.”
“What?” Her voice rose.
Silas told her what Angus learned through the chameleon bracelet.
“He’s crazy,” she said succinctly. “Seriously, I bet when the dust settles they’ll find out this guy is crazy.”
“Maybe, but if he comes anywhere near this island again, he’s dead crazy or crazy dead,” he said, seriously.
She sighed. “Make him some warm tea or hot soup. He needs something to warm him up from the inside. I’ll let you know when breakfast is ready.”
“Jasmine.”
“Huh?”
“You’re still planning for me to work up another appetite later today, right?”
She didn’t respond immediately. “Most definitely, we’re on vacation and I’ve got you all to myself.” She tried to inject her former enthusiasm into her voice but it wasn’t the same.
“And I’ve got you all to myself. Call me for breakfast and then we’ll talk about lunch.”
She chuckled and
left.
Silas told Angus what Jasmine said about giving the young man something hot. While Angus was in the kitchen, Silas sat in a chair in front of the young man buried beneath the blankets. “A boat is on the way to carry you home to Panama. I suggest you check into the hospital and get checked out, you almost drowned. There may be internal damage from some of your bruises. My brother is getting you something hot to drink. My mate says it’ll make you feel better.
“Thank you.” The two words sounded worse than a frog croaking but Jandro was alive.
Silas extended his legs with his hands clasped across his waist. “Is your uncle searching for you? Will he come here looking for you?”
“Dooont knnooww.”
“What about your parents?” Silas waited for an answer.
“Cccaaalll ttthhheemm.”
Angus entered the living room with a large, green, steaming mug.
“What’s that?” he asked Angus.
“Chicken broth. No tea or coffee. Just some bouillon.” Angus removed a few layers from Jandro and placed the steam beneath his nose. Jandro opened his eyes and looked slowly at Angus.
“Noo.”
Angus stepped back and took the cup away.
Silas wasn’t surprised when Jasmine entered the cottage holding a bag. She glanced at the man on the sofa and continued to the kitchen. “I wasn’t sure they had coffee or tea or anything here.”
“If you had asked I would’ve told you,” he said as he followed her into the kitchen.
“I know.” She pulled down a mug, filled it with water and placed it in the microwave. “You want some coffee?”
“Not particularly. Pancakes, eggs, bacon.” He looked in her bag. “I don’t see them in here.”
She grinned. “I just finished the batter, Shyla’s cooking them. Shouldn’t be much longer.” The microwave dinged. She took the mug, placed the teabag in it, added a large spoon of honey and carried it out front. “What’s his name?”
“Jandro,” Silas said from behind her.
“I want him to drink this tea, Silas. Are you going to give me a hard time about that?” Jasmine looked over her shoulder at him.
She looked tired and he realized dealing with all the dead bodies had taken its toll. He had brought her here to rest and relax but that wasn’t happening. “Try not to get too close to him Jasmine. If he grabs you or touches you in a familiar way my beast won’t handle it well. It’s going to take a lot to allow you close enough to give him the cup.”
She sighed, turned and pulled back the cover from his face. “Jandro. Sit up and drink this tea, it’ll make you fill better until you reach home. Sit up now and drink this, Jandro.” Her implacable voice wasn’t one to negotiate with. It was meant to be obeyed.
Jandro stared up at her for a few moments.
“Sit up and drink this tea. You’ll feel better. Right now your throat hurts, this will help,” she said.
He pushed at the covers.
Angus helped Jandro sit up and took the cup of tea from Jasmine and held it to Jandro’s mouth. He took the first sip and looked away while swallowing. The next sip wasn’t as bad. Soon he took regular sips until the cup was empty.
When Jandro finished, he looked up at Jasmine. “Thank you,” he said in a raspy whisper.
“You’re welcome. The boat’s on the way to take you to the hospital. On the way you can call your parents, tell them where to meet you,” she said.
Jandro closed his eyes briefly and reopened them. “Thank you.” He wet his lips slowly as if touching them hurt. “Tio Estevan... he’s, be careful. He’s full of anger. I’ve never seen him like this before. He’s... he’s destroying people for no reason. If he has a reason... I don’t know. He... he killed people.”
Silas thought that was an understatement but didn’t say anything.
“Is he coming here?” Jasmine asked, surprising him.
“Probably. You...” he looked at Angus. “You won against him. It’ll fester until he retaliates. You should leave.”
“Leave? This is my island,” Silas said. The idea of leaving, running from Estevan or any person never entered his mind.
“He will bring many others. With guns and more.” Jandro frowned. “He’s worse. I’ve never seen him like this before.”
Jasmine looked at Silas. “I told you something was wrong with the man.” She spoke to Jandro. “Thank you for the warning. We appreciate it. Where is your uncle’s home? Is it close to this island?”
Jandro frowned.
“I’m curious because he keeps showing up here and we’re an hour from the mainland by boat,” she said.
“He lives on ...on...the border of Columbia....” He took a few deep breaths. “And Panama. Not too ...close or... too far.”
“Why does he come all the way here? There are closer islands,” Jasmine asked.
“Mistake.”
Jasmine frowned. “What?”
“First time, mistake. Then the woman tricked with the boat... she... swam here... Tio upset because ... because it’s... it’s far.” He swallowed hard.
“Hold on, I’ll get you some water.” Jasmine entered the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of water and handed it to Angus who held it to Jandro’s mouth.
“Thank you,” Jandro said when he finished. After a few breaths, he continued. “He did not want to be here. Too far. But the female swim here after sending her boat in the opposite way.”
“Why did he send the bodies yesterday? That was overkill,” Jasmine said in a mild conversational tone.
Jandro frowned. “What?”
“The bodies that washed up on shore yesterday. There were three of them,” Jasmine said.
“Two men, one woman?” Jandro asked as he closed his eyes tight.
“Yes. All three were dead. Shot somewhere else and brought here to our island,” she said. “Why would he do that?”
Jandro released a sigh, pulled the covers tight around his shoulder and leaned back. “He said we were going... going fishing. Never mentioned the bodies. I wondered what happened to the guys. Leo and the men took the girl. Then the one who escaped. That’s... that’s why he was angry. I fell asleep on the boat when we didn’t start fishing. He sat on deck the whole time and then left.”
Jasmine leaned against Silas’ chest. He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her gently.
Jandro leaned back and then curled into a ball on the wide sofa. “I’ve never seen him like that. He was out of control, whipping anyone who came too close with a wide leather strip. He called me a traitor because I wanted to leave. Swore I’d never... I’d never see my mother again. They dumped me into the water.... Like garbage. I ... saw the rocks... and, and... swam in this direction.” His body shook again.
“Another cup of tea,” Jasmine told Angus since Silas wouldn’t release her when she tried to move.
Angus nodded and entered the kitchen.
“Solo’s sending a copter, he couldn’t get a boat for another five hours. Should be here in 15 minutes,” he told her.
“Is it taking him to the hospital?” she asked.
“Yes, I believe it is. I had Solo contact his father, Rafe, let him know where to meet the copter. They’ve been worried since Estevan told them Jandro died at sea somewhere. They are keeping Jandro’s whereabouts quiet for now.”
“Good,” she said watching the young man. Turning in Silas’ arms, she tightened her hold around his waist. “You saved his life.”
“Yes I did.”
“He’s not Wolf and you saved him, that was nice of you.”
He frowned. “Just nice? Not amazing? Or awesome? Or super-duper?”
She laughed and kissed his chest. “All of the above. I’m proud of you for working on that. I know it’s a change for you. I hope you don’t get into trouble for becoming involved in human affairs.” She winked at him.
He slapped her butt.
Angus returned to the living room with the hot tea.
“Tell Angus to take Jandro into th
e bathroom, turn on the hot water and let him stand beneath it a few minutes. When they’re done, the tea will be ready to drink.”
Silas told him.
Angus placed the tea on the coffee table, picked up Jandro and strode toward the bathroom.
Jasmine headed to the door.
Silas grabbed her hand and pulled her back. “Where are you going?”
“Breakfast is probably ready. I worked up an appetite last night, too. I’m hungry.”
“You’re not waiting for me?” He rubbed her butt a few seconds longer, toying with the idea of taking her for a long, sexy walk through the trees.
“Nope. I’ve delivered the tea, got us a few answers, and I’m heading back to the house to eat. See you after the copter leaves.” She brushed her lips against his, pushed away and strode to the door.
“Baby, can you at least bring me a plate?” he asked as the door closed.
<<<<>>>>
Silas had just finished breakfast when Solo told him the helicopter would touch down on the beach in less than five minutes. The shower and another cup of hot tea helped Jandro to the point he was more alert. He shared additional information with them about his uncle, including the layout of his uncle’s home, and an estimate on the number of people who lived there.
“Sir, what you must understand is this. Most of the people who live in that area are poor and depend on him for work to meet their basic needs. He’s always taken good care of them which keeps them loyal. In over 50 years, none of them have ever talked to the police or turned on him. I believe the others would kill such a person. Tio has many faults, but he’s been good to a lot of people as well,” Jandro said.
“We have no plans to travel to his home,” Angus said. “I’m trying to understand how a man can hunt people, real people, or try to kill his own blood, that’s all.”
Jandro took a shallow breath and closed his eyes for a few moments. “If I had not been there, if I hadn’t seen the four, I would not have believed it. You must understand, he wasn’t like this before. Outside of business, he’s never been a real patient man and has no time for foolishness but this? Hunting down innocents as you say, like animals? No. That’s not the Tio I know.”
