“Double, take a chair,” he orders, pointing to the empty seat at the opposite end of the table.
I have never been at the table before. I’m too caught up in my emotions for Yesnia and the worry to take in the magnitude of this moment. Pulling the chair out, I turn it around and straddle it. Sitting down, I’m uneasy. Being still doesn’t feel right when I should be doing something, anything to get me one step closer to her.
“Who is Yesnia Dominguez-Almanza to you?”
“My woman,” I reply boldly.
“Karma,” he says looking to the beast of a man. He’s over six feet tall and built like a Mack truck. “Bring the shit to the table.”
Dillon “Karma” Jacoby steps up. “Draven did some digging. She’s being held by a man named Medina. Streets say dude is crazy for power. He’s not willing to pay his dues and work up, so Sanchez cut him loose. Now, that said, Sanchez and Almanza got beef. Had this terf war for years. They both got balls and manpower, what they don’t have is the level of psycho Medina has.”
Every word I burn to my memory. Every detail matters right now. Yesnia is with a lunatic. It doesn’t calm any part of me to know she’s in this situation. In fact, it only makes me want to beat the shit out of her father even more.
Karma continues, “Link, he’s arranged for us all to cross over in a tunnel. Link will meet us at the point outside El Paso. He says once we cross, we gotta stay focused on getting the girl and getting the fuck out before we end up in some Cartel shit storm that he promises we don’t wanna be in.”
Link, as in Lincoln Jacoby, is brothers with Draven and Nixon who make up the core of Jacoby Investigative Services. He’s the oldest and the best tracker in the United States. If someone needs to be found, he’s your man. Ven, as in Draven, is the hacker who can find any trail on the dark web. Nix is the youngest, wildest, and risk taker of the three. Nixon is fearless in a balls to the walls scary kind of way. It works for their company and those of us who seek their services.
“How big of a player is Medina?” Tank asks.
“Depends on how you look at it. Link says the fucker is crazy, and that alone makes him dangerous. As for man power, he has little so we can get in, get out, and make it all clean. We just have to know he’s completely unpredictable. His ego is bigger than his reality so he thinks he has more pull than he does.” Karma explains and I find myself twisted inside.
“What do we know about his leverage? He’s got to have connections or money to pull this shit off.”
Karma nods. “Nix reached out to some guys that run security for Almanza. Medina didn’t yank Yesnia up himself. He hired Sanchez’s second string in a side deal. Sanchez has some unrest in his organization. He has men wanting to move up in the ranks and they are tired of waiting their turn.”
“Cartel’s are like that mob shit, gotta wait for a man to die to get the next rung up in the ladder,” Shooter adds.
Again this is shit Javier knows and should have shielded Yesnia from. He’s the highest man up in his organization. He knows that puts the biggest target on his back. It’s clear if you see him interact with his wife and his daughter just once they are his weakness.
“Yeah, so playing on their need for clout,” Karma continues, “Medina offered them money he doesn’t have and positions that don’t exist. Fucked up the way this is playin’ out. Medina created the perfect storm for Sanchez. If Paco, who is a key player in Medina’s operation, hadn’t gotten drunk and told a hooker he was fuckin’ how they were takin’ out the Almanza and Sanchez Cartel’s truly there would be a war no one saw coming. Unless Almanza shuts down his emotions—which he is not and is already in Mexico making plays for Sanchez’s territory—he’s not gonna see what’s right in front of him. Sanchez is too smart. Everything points to him too easily. His guys killed four of Almanza’s security and three more are critical. That’s just from the house. The men who did it were all recorded on Javier’s security system. The plane used to smuggle the girls out of the country, Sanchez owns. But Sanchez did not call the order like Almanza thinks.”
“Do we know what moves Almanza is going to make?” I ask wondering if maybe I should have given him a chance to speak on our call.
I don’t like the bitter taste of regret. I don’t like second guessing myself. I didn’t want to hear a word from Almanza because to me he’s as guilty as Medina for Yesnia being in danger. Shit like this should not happen.
Ever.
Karma shakes his head. “He’s always been quiet about what he does. Devil’s Due are helping through their connections, but so far all we know is Javier Almanza personally plans to see this through to the end and he is in Juarez.”
“Do we have eyes on Yesnia and Laura yet?” I ask wishing I could just see for myself she was okay. Whatever war Javier starts is on him. I want to get Yesnia and the rest will be what the fuck it will be.
Karma shrugs, “Boys are tryin’ their best. Nix and Link are trying to get their contacts down there to get into the building we believe she and Laura are being held in. It’s not easy especially since Medina is a wild card. We don’t want to do anything that would put the women in more danger.”
“What do we know about Laura Shell?” Tripp asks. “How much liability are we going to have going in?”
“She has no one,” Karma states. “We don’t have concrete information on her at this time, but she has no family to trace.”
Tripp looks to me so I share what I know. “She was a nurse working for the private doctor Almanza called in for Yensia when he had her underground. They bonded, so when Yensia healed, Almanza put her on his payroll as her assistant.”
Tank sits back in the chair. “Almanza put Yesnia underground before?”
I nod. “Short version, Mari Dominguez grew up in love with Javier Almanza. Back then, Maricio Dominguez and Javier were tight. Maricio, being Mari’s older brother, had some jealousy issues with Almanza moving up in the ranks down in Juarez. Shit hit the fan. The two fought and Javi lost an eye and his woman to Maricio, and Maricio lost the cartel. Maricio took his sister and built a life in the US when Yesnia was born. No one bothered to inform Javi he was a father. Fast forward, word got to Javi that Mari was in the US, and he went on the hunt. Finding out about Yesnia, he made the call for her to be transported to him as leverage over Mari. I made the run, you know the details. When I left, Maricio came for his sister and niece. When it blew up in his face, he shot Yesnia in the back to buy himself the chance to escape. Javi, being smart, let the world think Yesnia was dead. That’s when I got the call because she was asking for me. I took my time off in Chicago to stay with her. Now, she’s healed, she was with her family by her choice. Almanza failed to keep her safe.”
Tank gives me a pointed look. “We sure Almanza didn’t pull another stunt? Are we certain Almanza isn’t staging this with Medina as a reason to shut down Sanchez?”
Karma answers me shaking his head. “No, Draven is sure the word on the street is true. Almanza doesn’t even have a clue who Medina is. Nix and Link were clear: Medina is setting up a war between Almanza and Sanchez so they can do enough damage to each other to clear the path for him.”
Tripp nods. “We go in as one. Karma takes lead in Mexico behind his cousins who are already setting shit up down south. Double,” he locks his eyes to mine. “You keep your head clear. We’ll take the vans, so we can secure the girls easier and safer than bikes. We enter the space, you and Hawk focus on Yesnia and Laura. One goal, get in, get the girls, get out. What blood falls in the path is not on us, but not one man in this room is to hold back.”
I nod feeling like something is finally happening. Wheels are in motion and we’re another step closer to me having Yesnia again.
“Any man not taking our brother Axel’s back, step up now and tell me why,” Tripp declares. I wait wondering if anyone would back down. I’ve never asked a single thing from the club so I don’t know what I expect.
Not one man takes the out.
Hellions ri
de as one, always. It’s good to sing it ring true again.
Tank sits back and smirks. “Fuckers don’t know what’s comin’.”
I feel the burden inside me ease as my mind prepares for war.
My phone rings in the basket. Tank stands and goes to it. Seeing the caller ID on the screen he hands it to me. I look, and this time, I see it’s none other than Mari Belle, Yesnia’s mother.
“Yo,” I answer on a clip wondering if it would really be her on the line or Javier.
“Axel, you find my Yesnia. I know Javier is trying, but I know you love her. You get my daughter, and you keep her with you.”
Her voice is pained.
“I plan to,” I tell her the damn truth.
“No, Axel, you will. I know you will.” She pauses and then whispers, “She loves you. Please go and be with her.”
“I will,” I mutter before clicking off.
And I most certainly mean every word of it.
10
Yesnia
I may be down, but don’t ever fucking count me out!
“Medina,” we hear a man say from above us.
Who is Medina, I wonder. Laura and I instantly still and give our full attention to the voices. “Got a message for you. Sanchez is on to you. Almanza has arrived in Mexico to make a move on Sanchez. If Sanchez gets word to Almanza, this might not work.”
There is a laugh and I immediately recognize it as the man in charge when they came down here.
“You doubt me you fool! I have Almanza’s daughter. I have all the power. Chico, you think too much.”
The days and time are lost so I’m not sure how many hours have passed. I only know we have finished the water and eaten all the sandwiches. Chico is the man who touched Laura so Medina must be the other man. I don’t know who Sanchez is either. This is a moment full of confliction. Human nature has this desire for information. It’s why we are naturally curious. My instincts wish my dad shared more of his business with me. At least then I would know who I was up against. The flip side to that is I don’t want to be in that world more than necessary. Which means the less I know the better.
“I don’t care that Sanchez is onto me.” The man I think is Medina continues. “Almanza is already going to end Sanchez before Sanchez can make a move or get the word to him. He’s fueled by a father’s love. He’s not thinking smart.”
“You owe too many markers, Medina. You’re gonna get us all killed.”
“Almanza went to lock down within two hours of us getting his daughter. He’s underground planning a retaliation on Sanchez. This is how Almanza operates. He goes dark until he’s in place and lights shit up. In a matter of days, he made sure his entire organization was unreachable while still getting his ass to Mexico. Watch. He’ll make his move today. Sanchez will have no choice but to retaliate or die. They’ll end each other by the end of the week.”
“How can you be certain? We’ve had the girls four days, and he hasn’t made a single move on Sanchez’s organization. Everyone has gone quiet, other than Almanza popping up in Juarez.”
“All of the cartels are on high alert. Of course, silence is to be expected. Just relax.” There is movement and then the man speaks again. “Paco, take them more water and those sandwiches. Can’t have them die on us yet.”
Panic fills me.
Yet.
They don’t expect us to live.
They’re going to kill us.
Laura and I sit huddled together in the corner trying to make it so he doesn’t notice our freedom of movement. The door opens and Paco comes down the stairs. He doesn’t even look at us before he sets the gallon jug and box of sandwiches down and exits the room.
I see the outline of a phone in his back pocket and an idea comes to me. Chugging the water, I then scarf down a sandwich. I’m going to need my energy. The risk is great in what I’m going to do, but so is the reward. If they don’t send Paco back down, this will fail, but if they do I have a chance.
I nod to Laura.
“Excuse me,” she calls out to the door. “My friend. Yesnia. She’s not looking good. I think she’s sick. Excuse me, sirs?”
“Paco,” we hear the man we assume to be Medina yell. “Paco, go see what’s wrong down there.”
In a matter of seconds, the door opens, and I quickly shove my fingers down my throat. As Paco makes it to the bottom step, I fall into him stumbling and aligning my hand with his pocket to get the phone. Promptly, I begin to hack and throw up the contents I just ingested all over his shirt.
This is disgusting.
But it’s necessary for survival so there isn’t a damn thing I wouldn’t do to get a second chance at life and freedom.
Grabbing the phone as I throw up a second time down his pants, I move the device carefully to my back, where Laura takes it from me.
Paco reaches out to steady me while muttering his disgust in Spanish.
“I’m so sorry,” I say backing away from him.
“What do you need?” he asks through gritted teeth.
“Ginger ale. I think I’m feeling better now, but some ginger ale or a soda of some sort would help.”
“Fuckin’ Americans,” he mutters before turning away. “Pampered princess probably wants the shit on ice too.”
As soon as the door clicks, Laura hands me the phone with a smile. “No passcode!”
“Estúpido,” I mutter, taking the phone and dialing the one number I know by heart.
“Double,” he answers on the second ring.
“Axel, it’s me,” I whisper. “I don’t have much time.” Laura moves closer to the door area. She’s listening to them while I focus on my call.
“Where are you?” he asks, and I hear panic in his voice. “I know they took you, are you okay? Tell me what’s around you. Tell me if you’re hurt.”
“I’m okay for now, but this guy, I think his name is Medina, won’t keep it that way long. Somehow he got us to Mexico, I think. I’m not sure. We’re in a basement or somewhere with a dirt floor.”
“How are you calling me?”
“I stole a phone.”
“Fuckin’ hell, babe,” he mutters.
“Axel, I know my father will try to come get me, but if it’s too late, I called you because I need you to know, I love you.” The tears well up in my eyes and threaten to fall.
I was wrong to send him away. I was wrong not to take a chance on us. I was wrong and I want him to know how I feel.
“Oh, fuck no! Yesnia, we are not doing goodbye. I’m on the way to get you. How many men have you?”
“We have only seen three, but there may be more. I really don’t know much that can help, Axel. They’ve kept us down here with water and frozen sandwiches.”
“I need you to be strong, baby. We’re comin’.” I hear the sounds of the phone shuffling. “Trace this call location, now!” Axel tells someone else. “Yesnia, be strong for me, baby.”
“My dad is with you?” I ask, stunned but not completely surprised. He has always trusted Axel with me and he knows I am comfortable with him.
“No, baby, the Hellions. We’re comin’ to get you and Laura. Just hang on. I promise you I’m gonna get you outta this. I’m not far, you gonna stay strong for me?”
“Okay,” I whisper. “Axel, I don’t think I’m in Chicago. They keep talkin’ about Mexico.”
More shifting can be heard. “No, baby, you’re not in Chicago. You are indeed in Mexico, but so am I. Already made our way down here. Just need you to be strong. Don’t give up on me.”
“Never,” I whisper, and Laura gives me wide eyes as we hear movement above us.
Quickly, I tell Axel one more time, “I love you,” and then I end the call and turn the phone completely off before shoving it in the sandwich box. I commit his voice to memory. Every moment with him has been a memory to keep me strong. Axel is my rock even if I sent him away stupidly.
Laying on my side on the dirt, Laura comes over to me as the door opens and Medina comes in. We
stay huddled together with some space between us and the box housing the phone in hopes they don’t get suspicious and then find it.
“Here is your coke,” he mutters, handing the can to Laura. She pops the top while I lay on my side holding my stomach continuing to the keep up the ruse that I’m sick. “Paco had to change his clothes.” Medina smirks, “you dirty girl.”
My stomach rolls truly making me want to puke again, but this time all over him the sick bastard.
“Drink up,” he says, “Come on. Once you finish, then you call your Papá.”
I sip the soda thinking at least I can talk to my dad and maybe know more about what is going on. But I refuse to give this man what he wants easily.
From his back, he pulls a gun, and Laura gasps. Just when I allow myself to think shit can’t get any worse, it always does. This is a prime example. Fuck.
“You will not say anything about who has you or where you are,” the man instructs, and I nod. “Chico, bring me Sanchez’s phone,” Medina yells up the stairs.
The gold teeth man enters with a smirk, handing me the device. “You’re gonna use this phone, and if your padre asks you, tell him Sanchez has you, comprende?” Medina commands.
Again, I nod as Chico hands me the phone with it ringing on speaker phone.
“Almanza,” my father answers on the second ring.
“Dad, it’s me,” I speak clear English.
“Yesnia, you okay? Are they hurting you?”
“I’m okay. It’s not who you think,” I spew out, and the butt of the gun comes down on Laura’s face. She cries out in pain. My friend keeps suffering because of me. I should have played it safe.
“I told you,” Medina whispers.
I nod and lock my eyes to Laura, hating that she’s paying the price for my disobedience.
“I’m going to get you home,” my father states. “To the men listening, I’m coming for all of you. One by one, I will end each of you.”
My father clicks off, dashing my hope of knowing anything.
Bleed for It: Hellions Motorcycle Club (Hellions Ride On Book 3) Page 9
