by Zoe Dawson
“What? Why?”
“Classified. Just suffice it to say I’d rather not be a guest to their hospitality.”
“Copy that,” Jason said. “Do you think this will change things? It seems that Molina is treating our women well.”
Max’s lips thinned. The brief on Badunzye wasn’t good. He had an appetite for women, especially Western ones he could hurt and rape. He also would find a Western doctor valuable. Carolina, with her beauty, would also be someone he wouldn’t miss, although she was Paraguayan, a citizen of the county that was allowing him to raise his blood money for his up-and-coming organization. Max decided to leave out this information. Jason was already freaked out enough about allowing Carolina to stay in the camp. He couldn’t jeopardize the chances the women had if they were the only people standing between Molina’s son and death. Instead he said, “That could change in a heartbeat if Renata loses the kid. I’ve got a bad feeling in my gut.”
“Best not to ignore those feelings,” Jason said. “When that happened to me, I was kidnapped, lost my memory, and will most likely go to prison for deserting.” His voice was torn and ragged. “I loved serving in the Marines. I love Carolina. I don’t want to lose her either to this stupid conflict or to distance.”
“Be honest with the Marines when we get out of here. That will go a long way in smoothing things over. But they still may charge you. All you can do is relate what happened. Carolina will be honest, and that’s one strong ally. NCIS and the SEALs can back up part of your story. We got it firsthand from the Corta Cartel after we apprehended them fresh from your two friends’ torture.
“They weren’t my friends.”
“If it’s any consolation, Jason, Hanson was sorry for what he did. He said it wasn’t worth it. Losing the Marines, his honor, and his freedom. You were brave and true to your duty. If JAG can’t see that, screw them.”
“I don’t care about JAG. I only care about my commanding officer, my fellow Marines. I need them to know that I would never desert. Never. I just couldn’t remember. Or maybe I didn’t want to. That betrayal of trust and for everything we stood for is unforgivable. We were there on a humanitarian mission. Those people were decimated, whole towns gone. People buried in rubble needed us. They decided to rob thugs and murderers and involve me. Hanson should rot in prison and Schellenberg and Taggert got what was coming to them.”
Max watched through his night vision binoculars as Badunzye conversed with Molina. His face ravaged by worry over his son, Molina gestured to the barn, then to the small tent where Renata and Carolina had disappeared. He looked to be pleading with the Al’Irada leader. Maybe for helo transport?
“Seems to me the Cartel owes you a debt of gratitude. If you hadn’t hidden their dough, your three friends would have it all in an offshore account, enjoying their ill-gotten gains.”
“What’s going on down there?” Jason asked, seeing a scuffle between the leaders as weapons bristled from both sides and Badunzye broke away from Molina and headed toward the tents.
“Max?”
“We have problem. It looks like Badunzye is going to take a look at our women. Jason rose, but Max reached out and pushed him back down. “No, Jason. It would be suicide to go down there now. We must be patient. We are their only hope if things go wrong, and there’s only three of us. We have to be strategic, ghosts in the shadows. Trust me.”
“But those bastards have resources, choppers, vehicles. They could take them anywhere, and we wouldn’t be able to stop them.” There was no more anger, just the desperation of a man who wanted to save the woman he loved.
“I know,” Max said fiercely, feeling Jason’s urgency and his pain. “But we have an ally right now. Look at Molina. That’s not a drug runner leader or a businessman. That’s a worried, protective, and grieving father.”
He handed the binoculars to Jason, and he settled down enough to look through the eyepieces. “He’s going after him regardless of the weapons.” Jason let out a loud exhale. “Molina is pulling him away and he’s pissed. Badunzye and the Al’Irada are backing down…for now.”
“That’s all we need for now. We’ve got to keep our cool or we’re all going to die.”
Jason’s jaw flexed and that anger was back. “For now,” he whispered.
Great, he had a Marine on a hair-trigger, two sets of the worst of the worst Paraguay had to offer, they were cut off from civilization, communications impossible, and he had to put aside his personal feelings to tap into his professional side, the warrior.
“How about we work out an alternate plan, Jason? I think we’re going to need it.”
Jason smiled. “Now you’re talking like the badass I know you are. What do you have in mind?”
As the morning progressed, Max felt better about how they had worked the problem, and with a plan in place, they all dozed while Renata and Carolina slept.
When he woke up, Badunzye and Molina were still talking and drinking. Max would give his left nut to know what they were saying.
Renata emerged from the tent and headed for the barn, grabbing a bottle of water along the way. She must be checking up on the kid. She ran her fingers through her permanently tousled, long dark curls, combing them away from her face, a habit of hers he found too damn fascinating and distracting. Most of the rebellious strands sprang back into place, and Max’s fingers itched to push them back again, remembering how silky-soft it was and as an excuse just to touch her. She stopped to stretch her back, then opened up the water and drank, her delicate throat working. She drained the bottle while scanning the jungle for him, but he must have been too heavily concealed. The disappointment on her face told him she hadn’t found them in their hidden blind. She tossed the bottle in the trash.
Max watched as Badunzye followed her with his hooded, cunning eyes. Max’s gut dropped. That bastard was formulating or had already formulated a plan to get at her. Max didn’t have to be a rocket scientist to recognize the lust in Badunzye’s eyes. What did he have up his sleeve? When she disappeared inside the barn, Badunzye returned his attention back to Molina. The savvy Nexo leader hadn’t missed Badunzye’s gaze or the look on his face. For all Max knew, Molina might want her for himself. It would be beneficial to have a doctor on hand to patch up their members. These two were supposed to be working together, but Max had to wonder if there was a rift that was building. He could use that to his advantage.
“The enemy of my enemy,” Max whispered.
He shifted and Jason woke up. “What’s happening?”
“Nothing right now. Renata just went into the barn. She’s probably checking on the kid.”
Jason stretched, pulled out water, offered the bottle to Jugs who drank, then he finished it off. “I’m going to take a leak. Be right back.”
“Take Jugs with you. He needs to go out and stretch his legs.”
“Come on, boy,” Jason said, then left the blind.
Max refocused on the compound, feeling like his limitless thinking was being tested during this whole ordeal. He’d had to accept concepts and situations he’d never encountered before. He was truly understanding that opening his mind to different possibilities and scenarios was stretching him as a man and a SEAL. Renata was changing his perspective about relationships and moving him into a different mindset. It wasn’t about avoiding entanglements. It was about figuring out how to make them work in the environment he lived in. Facts remained he was in for the long haul, he was going to be deployed, and he was going to be in harm’s way. These were things he couldn’t change because of his decisions—dedication to the brotherhood and the Navy.
Limitless thinking was about coming at the problem in a different way, finding someone who understood, wanted the same things he did, and was willing to sacrifice to have them. That was the key.
And he’d found that person in Renata. For the first time, he let himself think about something beyond the temporary or the impossible. It was only those things because he limited himself in scope, emotions, and att
achment.
There was no doubt in his mind that he was in love with Renata. The wheres and how tos would have to be worked out, but he wanted to work on them hard enough to keep her in his life. He didn’t have to endure being alone. There would be a path forward as long as he kept an open mind and Renata was willing to go there with him.
Renata was torn right now between her perception of what she wanted. She was a talented and gifted surgeon and she’d thrown that away because she didn’t want to be put in a box or a fishbowl. She wanted her own identity, and in the process of trying to find it, she’d fled from what she actually loved.
As night fell, Max’s anxiety increased. It looked like the Al’Irada were ramping up. If Badunzye was going to make his move, it would be soon.
Max, Jason, and Jugs would be ready.
Renata checked Enrico again. He was nearing the end. It would only be a matter of hours, or maybe even minutes before he lost his fight against organ failure. All she could do was keep him comfortable and pray that her immunity against any reprisals by Molina would hold fast. Her deepest and most heavy concern was about Carolina. She wasn’t protected, and Molina could take his wrath out on her friend. Renata couldn’t let that happen.
There was no way to talk to Max and let him know the terrible danger they were now in that Enrico was dying. She had to find some way to get Carolina out of the camp before it happened.
She turned to her friend. “Carolina. It’s not going to be much longer. He’s fading.”
“Oh, God. What will we do?”
“Not we. Me.” She clasped her friend’s hands. “I’m going to Molina and tell him his son is on the mend, and that there was no reason for you to stay. I’m going to demand he let you go.”
“No. What about you?”
“He’s unable to hurt me. If he does, it will be very bad for him and his organization.” She glanced toward the door and the guards. “When Enrico dies, Molina will grieve, but he isn’t going to give up his livelihood or his association with those men out there. When I tell you to go, you go. Do you understand me?”
“I don’t want to leave you.”
Renata could feel Carolina trembling.
“I know. I appreciate it.” She tightened her grip on Carolina’s hands, shaking them slightly for reassurance. “Max and Logan are watching us. They’ll see you get released. Just walk until they find you. All right?”
Carolina closed her eyes, tears leaking from beneath her lashes. “You are so brave. I will do as you ask and pray that all will be well.”
“Tell Max to stay put. I know what to do. Everything will be fine,” Renata said. “Let’s go now. I don’t know how much longer he’ll live.”
They walked to the entrance and slipped through. She scanned the compound for Molina and found him talking to one of his men near a large number of crates. The back of the truck was open, and several men were loading them up. She headed toward him, Carolina on her heels.
When he saw her coming, he broke away and met her halfway. “How is he?”
“He’s doing well.” Renata tried to make her smile natural and her expression sincere. His shoulders relaxed but stiffened again at her next words. “He’s not exactly out of the woods, but I can manage him just fine by myself. I want you to release Carolina and let her go home.”
“Now you’re taking orders from a woman?” Badunzye said, coming up to them eating an apple. He chewed and looked from Molina to Renata, his expression one of disgust. “A Western woman, no less. She’s nothing but an infidel whore,” he scoffed.
Molina’s eyes narrowed. “She voluntarily walked in here and offered to save my son. She’s braver than some men I know. She’s also off limits to us, which I have already explained to you. It is dire and affects our business and transportation routes. Don’t make me explain it again,” he said through clenched teeth.
Badunzye threw away the core. “As you wish,” he said, his tone mollifying, but Renata didn’t trust him for a moment. The eerily calm yet calculated look in his eyes sparked a sense of unease deep inside her.
“Thank you for letting her go. She kept him alive until I got here.” It was true. Carolina had helped to keep Enrico stabilized and bandaged his wound along with giving him antibiotics and fluids. So, it wasn’t a lie. But Renata left out the fact that Enrico’s chances of surviving the GSW had been slim to none to begin with.
He was quiet for a moment, and her heart went into her throat. She had to get Carolina out of here. She was the vulnerable one. Not that Molina couldn’t turn on Renata. It could happen, but she had to take the brunt of Enrico’s death into her own hands. Leave Carolina out of this. She had to live here with these monsters. Retribution was a definite threat. She wanted Carolina out of the camp when Enrico passed. It would buffer her from Molina turning his grief into revenge with Carolina as an easy target.
“She may leave,” he said. Her trapped breath rushed out. “Thank you for what did for my boy. You have my gratitude.”
Relief rushed through Renata. She bowed her head to him and turned to Carolina. “Go now. Thank you for what you did. Safe journey.”
Carolina hesitated, then wrapped her arms around Renata and hugged her tight. “Until we meet again, my friend,” she whispered raggedly, the soft drops of her tears falling against Renata’s skin.
“Go,” Renata whispered, and Carolina turned and headed directly for the gate. But before she had gotten all the way there, Badunzye intercepted her. Grabbing her around the waist, he pulled her to him. She struggled and he slapped her hard across the face.
Molina, rage on his face, strode after her, Renata following at a run.
“I claim this woman,” Badunzye said, his eyes blazing with rage and lust when Molina reached them.
“I have given her permission to leave. She was my captive and that decision is mine. Step aside.” He raised his hand and his men brought their weapons up in threat.
Badunzye spat at the ground. “You are soft, Molina.” The two men faced each other over Carolina. Renata decided that it was best to let the drug runner leader handle his business partner. This wasn’t only about Carolina, but about power. She clenched her hands at her side. Meeting Carolina’s terrified gaze, Renata tried to calm her as best she could with silent encouragement.
Suddenly, he shoved Carolina so hard, she fell to the ground with a soft cry. Renata rushed to her as Badunzye marched away. Renata asked, “Are you all right?”
“Yes,” Carolina said, the red outline of Badunzye’s hand on her cheek.
“Okay, go now. Hurry.”
Carolina started to run, glanced back once with a thankful expression. The guards opened the gate. She rushed out into the night and was swallowed up into the darkness.
Rubbing at her arms, more for comfort, Renata, relieved that Carolina had escaped, turned back toward the barn.
Badunzye’s dark, sinister eyes watched her progress. As she ducked inside she could almost feel cold steel at her back.
She went over to the stall where Enrico lay, his breathing fast and strained. If she’d gotten to him sooner, and they had been at a hospital, she had no doubt she could have saved his life. She felt impotent and sad that he was so young but resolved to move forward with her plan. He had chosen this life. She couldn’t forget what kind of men they were. Butchering, raping, and killing was in their blood. For what? Drugs, money. They dumped marijuana and cocaine into the pipeline and reaped their blood money.
All of them disgusted her.
She had done her duty, been true to her oath. She could console herself with that and getting Carolina out of this death trap.
She leaned against the barn wall and dozed. Something woke her up. A muffled sound, like someone in pain. She opened her eyes, peering through the gloom. No one was at the door. It was empty. What had happened to them? Then she saw boots quickly disappear into one of the box stalls. She hastily pulled off her boot and reached for the knife inside, quickly slipping it into her pocket.
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br /> She rose, her back to the wall, but there was no escape from this room. Slow, steady footsteps came toward her, and Badunzye and two men materialized from around the edge of the stall.
He nodded to the one with long hair, and he walked to Enrico. Pulling the pillow from beneath his head, he jammed it over his face.
“No!” she screamed, but the other man, the one with a scar from his temple to his chin, grabbed her and covered her mouth. Enrico started to struggle weakly as his air was cut off. Finally, in seconds, he stopped moving. She bit the man’s hand and raged, “You animals. You murdered him.”
“Shut her up.” Scar punched her, and she saw stars, falling to the hay next to Enrico’s body. Her jaw throbbed, pain arching into her temple. “Bring her.”
Hands grabbed at her. She kicked and fought, but Scar was too strong. He pulled her up and dragged her into the back of the barn to the last stall. He shoved her inside. She stumbled and caught herself against the stall support.
Badunzye and Long Hair followed. “There will be no barrier now between you and me.” His dark gaze raked down the length of her, not bothering to disguise the fact that he wanted her.
“Once Molina finds out his boy is dead, he will let me have you. A Western doctor is valuable to us. You will go to Waziristan and serve us.”
His meaning was clear, and for as frantic as her heart was beating, she refused to panic or allow him to get the upper hand. His meaning was clear. She would be his sex slave.
“I’d rather die.”
He chuckled, his stare turning hot and predatory. “Such bravery in a very beautiful, tempting whore,” he said as he strode into the stall and grabbed her hair, a wholly sexual smile curling the corner of his harsh mouth. “Keep watch,” he said. “There’s no reason to wait to put a whore to her task. You can have her when I’m finished.”
