Regan Harris Box Set

by Kelly Wood

  “RUN!” Liam shouted. He grabbed Jax’s hand and pulled her into the trees. Ben was next to them, keeping pace.

  I sprinted for the tree line but turned back when I realized Gracie wasn’t with me. She stood behind the car, completely out in the open. Her hands were raised and she actually smiled as the car neared her.

  My body urged me to keep running but my mind made me waver. I couldn’t leave her. I would never forgive myself for running away from danger while she stayed and faced it. I knew what she was thinking. The men would take her to Guy. That’s all she cared about, getting back to her husband. Even if it meant facing down a drug cartel.

  I hadn’t wanted to bring her along for this very reason. She was putting all of our lives in danger with her obsession over Guy. I didn’t fault her for wanting to see her husband. I did fault her for putting us in danger to do it.

  The vehicle barreled down on us. I didn’t have time to run back to her and then drag her away to safety. I had two choices. Run away and leave her or run back and face the danger with her.

  I made the only choice I could. I pulled my gun out and threw it into the trees where Liam and Ben had disappeared with Jax. At least one of them might find it and put it to good use instead of the cartel confiscating it from me. I turned on my heel and ran back. I held my hands up, hoping they wouldn’t shoot an unarmed woman. I stepped between them and Gracie.

  The SUV slowed down and three men piled out, yelling at us. Their words were too loud and too fast for me to piece together. I just knew they were angry. At the sight of their comrade in our trunk, the anger mounted. One pointed his gun at my chest and poked me with it several times. Pain radiated through my sternum, but I was okay with it as long as he didn’t pull the trigger. I would die instantly with the gun an inch from my heart.

  Gracie spoke from behind me, her Spanish flawless. I was pretty sure she was telling them their friend was alive. Just watch him breathe and see.

  The tallest man, the driver, reached down and smacked the unconscious man across the face. He groaned in response, relieving some of the tension. He seemed to be in charge as he barked orders at the other two.

  I was jerked around and a zip tie was used to bind my wrists together. The hard plastic dug into my skin. I pulled against it to no avail while I was patted down. Gracie was quickly bound too. The man laughed when he found her Taser. He tossed it to the leader before we were shoved into the tailgate of the SUV.

  Gracie sat sideways with her legs in front of her next to the back of the rear seat. I squeezed in beside her, facing her with my feet resting by her body. It was uncomfortable with our heads bent down to our chests and our hands behind us. Not that our captors cared.

  Two of the men lifted their friend out of the trunk and helped him into the back seat. He turned and glared at us as he rubbed the back of his head. The leader yelled for the other two men to follow the runners. He pointed toward the trees where Liam, Jax and Ben had disappeared, before speeding away. Gracie and I bounced around the cargo area as the car swung around to head back the way it came.

  “¿Hablas inglés?” I asked.

  “No. Cállate,” the driver said.

  I hoped he was telling the truth. It would give Gracie and me a way to communicate. I didn’t speak any other languages which left Pig Latin as our only other means if they could understand us.

  The driver spoke rapidly to the other men. The gun stayed pointed at us but the man holding it turned toward the driver.

  I used the time to prepare myself. I pushed my shoulders against the wall and raised my butt into the air. I slid my hands down until they rested against the backs of my thighs. I sat my rear back down and took a moment to catch my breath. The new position forced my head down and chest against my legs. I couldn’t inhale enough air to feel satisfied so I took many short breaths instead.

  I pulled my left leg up while pushing my hands down. I managed to get my foot through the opening and under my wrists. The other leg fit much easier, and I soon found myself bound in the front instead of the back. My wrists and shoulders felt the relief instantly. Now, I was at least able to run. I relished my small victory.

  “What are you doing?” Gracie whispered.

  “I don’t know. Anything I can to move easier.” I shuffled around and found a more comfortable position. “Why didn’t you run?”

  “I... I froze.”

  “You didn’t freeze. You were smiling. You wanted to be caught,” I called her on her lie.

  “I just want Guy safe.” Gracie glared at me, challenging me.

  “Your loyalties are screwed up right now. Can you get your hands in front of you?” I whispered. Her face sagged at the reprimand.

  Gracie shook her head back and forth. “I’m not that flexible.”

  “Regan,” Gracie began. I shook my head at her. I didn’t want to hear whatever she had to say but she continued. “We need Guy.”

  I let my anger out. “No, you need Guy. I get it. Sort of. Right now, our only goal is to get out of this alive,” I whispered back.

  “With Guy,” Gracie demanded again.

  “No.”

  “He can help us. Think about it. We’ve pieced together all the information we have by hiding in closets and traipsing through woods. We need Guy to tell us what happened. He may actually know where Gray is. He can’t die.”

  “Silencio!” The order came from the driver again. As our conversation grew more heated, our voices had raised.

  I lurched to the side as the vehicle pulled into the parking lot, kicking up dust as it went.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Ben Jackson

  Woods surrounding Pulhapanzak Falls

  Honduras

  Branches and twigs scratched Ben’s face as he raced into the woods. He forced his legs to work harder and followed the sounds of Liam and Jax crashing through the woods in front of him. He didn’t turn to look but assumed Regan and Gracie were following him. He hoped Gracie could keep with the pace.

  Tension mounted in him as he waited for gunshots to ring through the air. He expected the men to follow them, but so far, no sounds of a chase could be heard behind him. Ben breathed a little easier as they put distance between themselves and their pursuers.

  Jax and Liam slowed down in front of him and then stopped. Jax rested her hands on her knees. Bent over, she took large, gulping breaths from the exertion. Ben and Liam were barely winded.

  “Come on. Let’s go.” Ben waved, urging them on.

  “Where’s Regan?” Jax wheezed.

  “And Gracie?” Liam added.

  Ben looked over his shoulder and cursed. No one was behind them but it didn’t mean they weren’t followed. The silence he’d felt comfort in just moments ago should’ve been a warning that even Regan and Gracie weren’t with them.

  “Stay here. I’ll see what’s going on.” Ben moved away, quickly backtracking his steps. The path back was clear. No sign of Gracie or Regan.

  Ben eased onto his stomach and crawled to the edge of the forest. He watched as Regan and Gracie were shoved into the vehicle. As it pulled away, Ben inched forward to see where the car was going. The SUV sped away down the road.

  Ben stood up and walked toward the road, his eyes on the ground in front of him. He gasped when he spotted the gun. Regan’s gun. He slipped it into his waistband and watched the car speed into the parking lot from the tree line.

  Only Regan could get involved with the mob and a drug cartel all in one week, Ben thought.

  The small hairs on the back of Ben’s neck stood on end as he neared Liam and Jax’s hiding spot, alerting him that something wasn’t right. Ben crouched down and used the trees to hide him as he got closer. The slight scent of pepper hung in the air and burned Ben’s nose. Ben found Liam and Jax where he’d left them, but they weren’t alone. Liam had his gun pointed at one of the cartel men while another stood next to him with Jax in a headlock. One quick movement and Jax’s neck would break like a twig. Tears ran down the f
ace of the man holding Jax. His eyes were red and swollen. Jax must’ve gotten to her pepper spray before he subdued her. Her face bore the evidence as well. A red welt, shaped like a hand, blossomed on her cheek. The four of them stayed focused on each other, all deadlocked in the stand-off, unaware of Ben’s presence. Ben eased his gun from the waistband of his pants and prepared himself to strike, but first he needed Liam to know he was there.

  Ben stood up from his crouch, placing his head between the two men and directly in Liam’s line of sight. Liam’s eyes bounced to his before returning to the man on the left without giving away any clue Ben was there. Jax whimpered, fear overcoming her. Ben hoped she could remain calm long enough for them to act.

  Ben couldn’t shoot the man holding Jax in the back. He feared the bullet would go through him and hit her. An unforeseen injury wasn’t needed right now. Ben raised his hand and prepared to strike with the butt of his gun. Liam began speaking to cover any sound Ben made.

  “Okay. I’m putting my gun down. Just don’t hurt her.” Liam loosened his grip on the gun and started to lower it to the ground, his eyes never leaving the man staring at him. Liam squatted slowly.

  Ben brought his hand down, his full strength behind the blow. As he did, a shot fired from Liam’s gun. The sound was deafening as it bounced back off the trees.

  Jax screamed.

  The butt of Ben’s gun hit home. The man crumpled to the ground. As he fell, his arm tightened around Jax, spinning her around and pulling her down with him. Ben grabbed the man’s arm and pulled it free before pushing Jax away with his other hand. The barrel of the gun still in his hand struck her chin as she fell back onto her rear.

  Ben didn’t hesitate. He aimed at the head of the man lying on the ground unconscious and pulled the trigger. Jax covered her scream this time with her hands, but loud whimpers escaped as she stared at the horror. Her eyes widened in fear as she stared between Ben and Liam.

  Liam rushed to Jax’s side and held her in his arms. He whispered in her ear to calm her from the horror she’d just witnessed. Liam kept Ben in his sights as he tried to comfort Jax. Ben wiped the sweat from his brow and ran his fingers through his hair.

  “We’re evening the odds,” Ben said, his voice cold.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Regan Harris

  Pulhapanzak Fall Parking Lot

  Honduras

  Gracie and I were unceremoniously dumped onto the ground after being pulled from the Jeep. I stood up and helped Gracie up with my bound hands. No one seemed to notice that my hands were in front of me now instead of behind me.

  “Thank you,” Gracie whispered.

  Before I could get my bearings, a gunshot, a scream and another gunshot rang out. My heart beat faster. I recognized the voice. Jax. Worry worked its way through me.

  “Tus amigos están muertos.” Your friends are dead, the driver said with a grin. Even my limited Spanish could translate that.

  “O tus amigos.” Or your friends, I countered. The grin vanished. He backhanded me across the face.

  A coppery taste filled my mouth. I spit out the blood. My aim was off and I missed his shoe. He raised his hand for another strike. I held my head up straighter and looked him in the eyes.

  Laughter filled the parking lot, ending our argument.

  For the first time, I got a good look around me. Frank and Michael stood to one side. Three men held guns on them. Guy stood about twenty feet away. His eyes watched Gracie for a moment before moving around the crowd. Two dead men lay on either side of him.

  Ah, the gunshots from earlier. I knew Ben had stopped himself from correcting me. I could see it in his face that I’d said something inaccurate. The sound of a gunshot was unmistakable, so it only could’ve meant one thing. There were two shots fired close together, not just the one that I’d originally thought I’d heard.

  Another man stood by Guy, laughing and clapping his hands.

  “I love strong, American women. Feisty.” He clapped his hands again. His English was flawless and spoken without an accent. His skin tone appeared more of an unnatural tan than truly Latino. More like burnt with a hint of orange.

  Tanning bed or spray on? I wondered.

  “El jefe?” I asked. My guess was based on how the others regarded him. With a little fear and a lot of reverence.

  “Ah, my reputation proceeds me.” White teeth gleamed under his smile. He was handsome except for the whole drug lord thing. His eyes were a rich brown. “Come. Let me take a good look at you.”

  Someone pushed me from behind. I stumbled and fell onto my hands. The palms already sore from the earlier scrape took the brunt of my weight. I looked up to see anger flash in el jefe’s eyes. He made a cutting motion across his neck.

  I turned and watched as the driver hit the other man guarding Gracie over the head with his gun. His head split open as he fell. Blood leaked out onto the dirt parking lot. I turned away quickly.

  If this man could kill one of his own without a second thought, what would he do to all of us?

  El jefe held me by the shoulders and inspected my face. I did the same to him.

  “Bonita. But I do prefer long hair. Although, this,” he rubbed a strand of my hair between his thumb and forefinger, “suits you.”

  “I have Guy to thank for the cut.”

  “Guy? Which guy?” El jefe seemed confused as he looked around. I realized my mistake.

  “Oops, Garcia,” I corrected.

  “Garcia did this to you?” El jefe asked. “Part of his revenge on... Frank, is it?”

  “Yes. I just got caught up in the middle. I’d love to go now.” I smiled my biggest and brightest smile.

  El jefe laughed again. “Sorry, señorita. That is not how el jefe works. I don’t let witnesses go. I don’t let anyone go.”

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Ben Jackson

  Woods around Pulhapanzak Falls

  Honduras

  Ben, Liam and Jax slithered along the ground to get into position. Thanks to Regan losing her gun, all three were now armed. They’d left the bodies where they fell. Ben was sure the cartel would find them and clean up any mess before they left the area. Or they’d leave them there to rot. It didn’t matter to Ben either way. The guns used couldn’t be traced back to him.

  Ben, Liam and Jax laid on their stomachs and peeked out from under the leaves and bushes to watch what was unfolding in the parking lot.

  One of the men pushed Regan forward. He received a crack to the skull for his efforts, taking out one more captor for Liam and Ben. Jax covered her mouth with one hand while the other held the gun. It visibly shook in her hand. She’d need to calm down if she were to be any help.

  Ben and Liam eyed the sight before them. Gracie stood nearest to them with one guard on her. Their vehicle partially blocking the woods. Regan and another stood facing each other in the center of the largest group. If Ben believed his eyes, he’d think the man was fond of Regan already.

  Other than the hostages, Michael and Frank, the man holding Regan was the only other person without a weapon. Three men pointed their guns at Michael and Frank. Guy didn’t seem to be with the new group, but he didn’t seem fearful of them either.

  “I think that’s el jefe.” Ben used his chin to point. His hands held his gun in front of him.

  “Agreed. We’re still outnumbered,” Liam said. Jax stayed quiet. She hadn’t spoken a word other than asking for a gun since the attack earlier. She made Ben nervous since he didn’t know how well she could handle the weapon. It was splitting his focus making sure she didn’t accidentally shoot one of them.

  “Not really. One of us can take out the guard holding Gracie. That evens us up. Three on three,” Ben replied.

  “How do you suppose we do that?” Liam asked.

  “Nobody is watching Gracie and the guard. You and I sneak up. You grab Gracie and cover her mouth while I deal with him. The SUV will offer us some cover.”

  Liam was not happy with the idea, but
he knew they had to be daring to shift the control in their favor. Liam reluctantly agreed.

  “Let’s wait a few minutes and watch. El jefe could still see us from his position. When he turns away, we move,” Ben said. He glanced at Liam for confirmation.

  Ben and Liam got onto their hands and knees and prepared themselves to move quickly when the moment happened. They didn’t have to wait long. Regan pointed to Michael and Frank, el jefe turned toward them, giving Ben and Liam their moment.

  Liam and Ben moved toward Gracie, barely making a sound as their feet touched the gravel. Liam grabbed Gracie, wrapping his hand over her mouth so she couldn’t make a sound as he pulled her toward the trees. Ben wrapped his hands around the guard’s neck and twisted. A small popping was the only sound made. Ben lowered him to the ground behind the vehicle quietly. He was back with the others only moments later.

  Guy watched the whole thing play out but didn’t say a word or move in any way. For the first time in thirty years, he was happy to have someone take her away.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Regan Harris

  Pulhapanzak Falls Parking Lot

  Honduras

  “I think I have a better idea,” I said, replying to el jefe’s threat that he didn’t leave witnesses. My only available weapon was my mind. And my mouth. I needed to use them wisely.

  “A better idea? I will humor you. Continue.” He smiled at me.

  “Do you know who those men are?” I asked as I pointed to Michael and Frank. El jefe turned to look at them.

  “Yes, family members of the man Garcia lost,” he said.

  “I meant, who they really are?” I emphasized the question.

  “My humoring is over. What are you trying to say?” Gone was the nice, smiling man. In his place stood a cold-hearted killer. I could see it in his eyes as I stared back at him. He blinked and his eyes shifted. A flash of blue could be seen on the edge of the brown iris.