by Jillian Neal
Everyone nodded their understanding as the Governors all shared extremely concerned expressions.
“Now this is the worst possible situation because Wretchkinsides doesn’t want anything. He’s probably ordered Cascavel to kill her as soon as they hear us coming so I’ll do my best, Crown Governor, but I don’t know if I can get her out.” Vindico pled to Governor Haydenshire.
“You always do, Daniel. Just please be careful.” Governor Haydenshire urged. At that moment as tension and terror crackled through the room Rainer spun. He heard someone sobbing.
Bitter Regret
The Petersons fell into the room, followed by the security guards. Rainer knew that he would never be able to remove the harrowing sounds of Yvette Peterson’s screaming sobs as they reverberated through his entire body.
“Dan, please, you have to help me! I know we haven’t always seen eye-to-eye, but that’s my little girl.” Peterson choked. Vindico shook his head in baffling frustration.
“Lachlan, I will do my damndest, but I told you something like this would happen. You lie with dogs like Wretchkinsides you don’t just get bitten you get eaten alive!”
“I know. I should’ve listened. I just never imagined.” Peterson pled feebly. He turned to Governor Haydenshire. “I never knew what they were capable of. He just said they would make you drop out of the race. I’m so sorry. I just didn’t know.”
Governor Haydenshire drew a deep breath. He reached for Mrs. Haydenshire’s hand.
“Lachlan, there are things so much more important than winning. I sincerely hope that not winning this election is the biggest regret you have this evening and for the rest of your life. I will do everything in my power to see that Samantha is rescued. I do; however, know precisely what you’re going through as several of my children were threatened in all of this insanity that you decided to turn a blind eye to. I hurt for you, and I pray that this ends with us all being able to put our lives back together.”
After shaking his head and drawing a steadying breath, Vindico dialed the precinct’s number back.
“We’re heading out. Make certain you’re not seen or heard. Elite Iodex will go in. Once we’ve secured them, you can move in and load up whoever survives.” Vindico drawled furiously.
With that, Adeline fell apart. She sobbed uncontrollably as she fell into Logan’s arms. Logan glared furiously at Vindico.
“Geez! You think you could not say shit like that in front of her!” He spat viciously.
“I didn’t tell her to come back here, Haydenshire.” Vindico came right back with his eyes narrowed in on Logan.
“Daniel,” Governor Vindico narrowed his eyes. “I know what happened, and I know what you’re doing. But you need to simmer down and get your head together son, before you get someone hurt or worse.” Vindico drew another deep breath as he turned to Fitzroy.
“You in?” He quizzed.
“Hell yeah,” Fitzroy vowed. “I’ve waited my whole career to watch you spear the snake. An image flashed in Rainer’s mind. Vindico’s tattoo, the one on his left breastplate, sported a large snake with a spear through it numerous times. Blood dripped from the dying snake.
“Then let’s do this.” Vindico grabbed the keys to the Expeditions, from his desk, and directed everyone to a vehicle. Rainer wrapped Emily up tightly in his arms.
“Rainer,” Emily shuddered and gasped as she knotted his shirt in her fists. “Please be careful, please.”
Rainer kissed her heatedly and then choked over what he was forced to say next.
“Baby, uh, if I’m not back when you leave, I love you, and I’ll call you as soon as we’re through. Ok?” He promised.
“No, I can’t leave until I know you’re ok. I won’t. I won’t. They can’t make me!” Emily sobbed as she clung fiercely to Rainer.
“Em, shh, shh,” Rainer soothed as Governor Haydenshire moved in.
“Come here, baby girl. He’s going to be just fine, and we’ll get you to the airport if he gets held up.” Governor Haydenshire forcefully pulled Emily’s hands off of Rainer.
Rainer felt like he was being rent in two, as Emily convulsed in her father’s arms.
“No,” she shouted and broke away from his grasp. “Wait!” She rushed back to Rainer. “Take the ring, please!” She begged.
“Emily, no.” Rainer refused. He wasn’t taking the ring off of her, and he was certainly not going to risk her going to Brazil for three weeks without it, if he didn’t get back in time. He held Emily’s shoulders and leaned until he was staring into her eyes.
“I will be fine, and I will either pick you up at the farmhouse, or I’ll be at the arena to see you go. Ok? I promise Em, but I’ve got to go.” Rainer willed her to understand as he tried to push calming energies into her, but she was frantic, and he had very little access to anything calming at the moment. He brushed a kiss across her lips and felt her tears on his own face. She finally nodded as her face fell into her hands. The last thing Rainer heard as he raced out of the office was her terrified, desperate sobs.
Rainer holstered the pistol Fitzroy handed him as he climbed into the Expedition that the Elite team was occupying. He quickly removed the jacket to his tux, as Logan pulled off everything but the red shirt and jeans he’d donned to play Popeye.
Vindico cranked the car and flew out of the parking deck.
Rainer glanced at the dashboard clock. It was after one in the morning. Emily’s flight was at seven. She had to be at the arena, to board the Angels jet, at six. His stomach churned. He wouldn’t break his promise to her. He’d find a way.
“Hey man, I’m sorry. I know you and Em had a big night planned.” Logan whispered so that no one else in the car heard him. Rainer tried to remember what he’d been dreaming of all evening long, until everything had fallen apart.
“I have to be at the arena at six. I can’t let her go without seeing her.” Rainer pled in terror filled whisper. He willed Logan to understand. Logan offered him a kind smile as he nodded.
“I’ll get you there. I won’t let you let Em down.” As the lights of D.C. faded quickly in the distance, Rainer tried to push all of his fear and disappointment over Emily’s leaving away and focus on saving Samantha.
State police cars met them, as they neared the Potomac. The cars moved into position, behind the Expedition Vindico was driving.
Vindico turned the lights off on the SUV and every other car following them did the same. He turned down a long two-lane road that wound around the industrial buildings that preceded the shipping docks.
“You think we’ll get her out?” Logan choked in a barely audible whisper. Revulsion washed over Rainer. He didn’t want to think about it. It was just too much. He couldn’t imagine Peterson having to live with the fact that he’d caused his daughter’s death.
“I hope.” Rainer vowed as doubt threatened to overwhelm him.
Vindico parked the car between two towering shipping crates as the other drivers tried to hide their vehicles as well. He moved his hands to the windshield and began scanning. Rainer braced. If anyone in the building picked up on his energy in the scan, it might all be over before they’d even been given a chance to get Samantha out safely. Vindico pulled his hand away and shook his head.
“There are only three guys. Like I said, they aren’t planning on her surviving, and they don’t have anything to lose, so there was no need for a full team. This is what Cascavel wanted. He just wants me.” Vindico sneered.
“Well the feeling’s been mutual for awhile now.” Fitzroy vowed. “So, let’s give him what he wants.”
“Oh, I plan to.” Vindico vowed. Rainer and Logan shared a quick glance. Vindico sounded pleased to be where they were and to be doing what they were doing. He sounded like he’d been looking forward to this for some time.
“All right, there are two by the bay doors.” Vindico pointed to the large sliding doors on the west side of the metal building. They were blocked from the moonlight.
“You cast your shie
ld, and chamber your pistol in the car. They hear or see anything they’ll kill her. Mark my words. There must be a loft on the east side. Cascavel and Samantha appeared to be up there. So, be careful. If he’s above you he’s got a distinct advantage.” Vindico warned. “We need to take out the two by the doors without Cascavel knowing, so move silently and follow my lead.” Vindico gave the final orders as Elite Iodex exited the car but didn’t shut the doors. Vindico shook his head at the officer’s who began opening the doors on other SUV’s and squad cars.
He reached for his phone. Vindico silenced it then texted his instructions for everyone to remain in their cars until he called for them, and that only the Elite team would be performing the rescue. Rainer lowered his chambered pistol between his legs as he moved in a crouch, behind Logan.
They edged silently and stayed in the shadow of the building. Rainer’s heart hammered as he tried desperately not to make a sound.
They neared the bay doors, and Garrett gave the signal to sink to the ground. Everyone followed suit and began low crawling along the cement blacktop.
Rainer felt his forearms scrape and start to bleed, but he ignored the pain and focused on the task at hand.
The silence echoed with terror. Tension crackled through the line of Elite Iodex as they stood and backed silently up to the metal wall. They slid along the building and made certain to stay in the cover of darkness.
Vindico halted abruptly. He held up his pistol and shook his head. He summoned, inside of his shield, indicating that they were not to shoot the guards at the door. They were to take them down with energy in an effort to keep Cascavel from knowing they were there.
The Hiss and Strike of the Snake
The team gave a single, cadenced nod. Rainer could hear his heartbeat loudly in his ears. He felt his blood pulse. It was filled with terrorizing fear as it coursed through his veins.
Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream shattered through the night. It took Rainer a split second to realize it was Samantha. His heart flew as Vindico cursed.
“Move now,” he shouted as Fitzroy and Garrett summoned and took down the guards.
Bullets flew from overhead. Rainer deflected two with his shield. He heard them ricochet against the metal building.
They advanced quickly, until Rainer heard Garrett’s gasping string of curse words.
“Garrett!” Logan panicked. Rainer jerked to the left and saw blood pouring from Garrett’s shoulder. He’d been hit when one of the guards had momentarily weakened his shield.
“I’m fine. Just get Samantha.” Garrett kept his hand pressed firmly on his shoulder while blood oozed between his fingers.
“No,” Logan shook his head. He moved to Garrett and wrapped his shield around him instantly. Vile revulsion flooded through Rainer’s body. He blinked back tears as bullets continued to fly. The harrowing repercussions of the slugs shattered around the metal walls.
He was unable to think beyond what he’d been instructed to do. Rainer followed Fitzroy as they raced behind Vindico up a set of sheered metal stairs. They halted at the top of the grated metal steps. Samantha was slumped in the corner. She appeared to be breathing but not conscious.
“Vin-di-co,” Cascavel drawled in a simpering Spanish accent. “So, nice of you to dress for our meeting.” He gestured his pistol to Vindico’s tux. Rainer tried to understand what he was seeing as he watched revulsion wash through Vindico. Both men held guns, as did all of the men behind Vindico. They were all pointed at Cascavel. Vindico shook his head as Rainer tried to understand why Cascavel’s jeans were unbuttoned and unzipped.
“You’re a sick bastard.” Vindico spat furiously. “And the last time we met seems you went down, but I’m not letting you do this anymore. You’re not walking away this time. It’s over Cascavel!” He threatened ominously.
A harrowing, evil, laugh echoed from Cascavel.
“You can’t stop me, Vindico. You didn’t stop me last time, and you won’t tonight.” Cascavel stated pompously. Fitzroy edged to the side and attempted to cast a shield over Samantha, but Cascavel was faster. He shot a heat cast at Fitzroy making Fitz use his shield for himself.
Still following Vindico’s orders that no one was to take Cascavel down but him, Rainer and Portwood kept their shields up with Ericcsson and Tuttle behind them. Ramier had stayed below to keep the guards subdued. He’d called in a Medio medivac team for Garrett.
“Zee last time we met…” Cascavel drawled hatefully. “Good times. You got the jump on me. I was tired. Been having fun fucking up your girl. What was her name?” Cascavel goaded evilly. Vindico’s eyes flashed, and Rainer’s stomach clenched tighter. If Vindico hadn’t pulled the trigger after a comment like that, then he had more patience than Rainer could ever hope to have.
Vindico narrowed his eyes and shook his head. He edged closer to Cascavel. As if his mind had created shield casts of its own, the horrific details of what had happened to Amelia began to slowly seep through Rainer’s understanding, in confusing, gruesome, appalling detail. Like turning the dial on a telescope, Rainer felt abject hatred course through his veins. He understood that Amelia hadn’t just been murdered on the night of her capture. Cascavel hadn’t just been trying to get Vindico to pull the trigger. He’d been telling the truth, and he’d done the same thing to Samantha.
Bile rose violently in Rainer’s throat as he watched the deadly tango that Vindico and Cascavel were engaged in. Cascavel refused to move more than a few inches from Samantha, and Vindico edging tediously closer with each passing moment.
“Come on, Dan. He’s yours. Just end him.” Fitzroy kept his gun pointed at Cascavel’s chest, but Vindico continued the dance. Rainer knew he had no intention of making the first move. He was going to kill Cascavel in self-defense. He was trying to save Samantha first.
Suddenly Cascavel flinched slightly, and Rainer gasped as Cascavel threw his right arm to the side and pulled the trigger. He killed Samantha at point blank range.
“NO!” Vindico shouted, but he wasn’t fast enough. Cascavel turned and pulled the trigger again. This time Vindico deflected the bullet. He threw it with every ounce of strength and unmitigated hatred that coursed through his massive body. It ricocheted and lodged deep in Cascavel’s thigh.
Fury flashed in Cascavel’s eyes as Rainer watched Vindico drop his gun and summon a furious blue and green swirling orb. His double predilected cast lit the blood-drowned loft. It churned and swirled with abject hatred and vengeance. Everything that had made Dan Vindico the man he was lit inside the ferocious storm of malice he was holding in his hand.
He let his eyes close for a split second and then he threw. Rainer felt blood spray across his body as Vindico casted Cascavel. He was able to get in through the bullet wound. He exploded every major artery in Cascavel’s body starting at his groin, then his abdomen, and then moving to his heart. He burst the vein in his neck and with a wave of his hand brain matter mixed in an appalling swirl on the floor at Rainer’s feet. Cascavel fell instantly as blood poured from the remains of his body.
Utterly stunned by what he’d just seen, Rainer’s mind attempted to block out the horrific images. Samantha Peterson’s bloody, bruised, and mostly undressed body and of Cascavel’s corpse, limp and drowning in a pool of his own blood.
Repulsed
Rainer wasn’t certain how it had happened, but Iodex officers and state police were escorting him down the stairs. Fitzroy stuck close to Vindico. He refused to let anyone else get near him.
Rainer stumbled out of the warehouse into the inky blackness of abhorrent reality. Logan rushed to him frantically.
“Garrett’s ok,” he assured Rainer. “They’re not even taking him to the hospital just sending him to mom and dad’s. Ad’s gonna, uh… take care of him.” Logan explained. Rainer couldn’t understand what he was saying. His mind still brimming with fired shots, spewing blood, and murder.
It took Rainer a minute to understand that Logan was holding him up and helping him walk.
> “What’s wrong with me?” Rainer demanded suddenly. He tried to force his body to stand on its own.
“Nothing, man. That was just a lot of blood. It was a lot to see. You kept stumbling. Let me help you.” Logan soothed. “Look there’s Dad, ok?” He pointed to the Governor’s Suburban as it pulled in. All of the blue lights were flashing. They gave an odd, blue glow to the horrifying night. Logan sounded utterly relieved to see his father.
Rainer assumed the Governor had come because of Garrett. He didn’t care why he was there. In that moment, Rainer just wanted the man that had raised him to tell him that everything was going to be all right. He forced his feet to walk in the direction of the Suburban, but suddenly someone else’s hands were on him. He wrapped his arms around Emily as she sprinted from the car and into his arms.
“What are you doing here?” He gasped as he felt air fill his lungs and his brain snap back into normal speed.
“They called when Garrett got shot. I made dad bring me with him.” She sobbed as Rainer nodded his understanding. He clung to her until he realized that he was getting blood on her. He pulled away disgusted and repulsed.
“Rainer, it’s fine. I don’t care. Let me help you. Let me calm you down. I want to take care of you.” Emily pled but Rainer shook his head combatively. He couldn’t have any part of Cascavel on her. He swallowed down the vomit that flooded his mouth.
“Emily, don’t touch him.” Governor Haydenshire raced to them after making certain Garrett was all right. Emily spun to argue, but the look on her father’s face had her mouth closing instantly.
“Logan, go help your brother with the seatbelt.” The Governor gave Logan the next order. Logan nodded as he eyed Rainer carefully. He turned and sprinted to help Garrett get in the car.
“Emily, go get back in the car. We’re going home.” Governor Haydenshire commanded with all the authority of the new Crown Governor.
Tears were still falling down her face. Utter confusion etched Emily’s demeanor as she walked away sobbing.
