The target of his attack lay spread-eagled across the coffee table. Brody kicked the man behind him in the right kneecap. A hard snap echoed through the room. The man went down with a shriek. Brody struck out and grabbed the taller guy with a gun. He squeezed the weapon between his bicep and the side of his body and then yanked if from Chavez’s henchman and turned it on the other men.
“Look out!” Kate screamed.
Chavez leaped at him with both fists flying. The gun slid from Brody’s hand, and the other men rushed to their boss’s aid.
Chavez jabbed Brody’s stomach, slammed his fist into his face and kicked him to the ground. Pain swam through Brody’s body at an alarming rate. He refused to allow the effects to deflect his judgment.
Back on his feet, his survival skills kicked in. Brody swung at Chavez, landing a solid punch to the chin. Two men behind Brody grabbed him while another one tied a rope around Brody’s neck. Chavez grabbed the cord and pulled it tight.
Brody struggled to breathe. With his hands grasped by Chavez’s men, his options were running out. His eyes hurt, and his face grew taut from lack of oxygen. Brody’s body shook uncontrollably, and he twisted as hard as he could to get free. Darkness closed in on both sides.
With only his feet to protect himself, Brody stepped toward the enemy, brought up his right leg and struck out. He slammed his booted foot into Chavez’s groin. The rope loosened as Chavez flew backwards, dropped to the floor, and rolled into a ball, his hands clutching his crotch.
The two men holding Brody upright released him and he allowed his body to go completely limp as he slumped to the floor. Gasping for air, he managed to get to his knees.
“Stay down,” Chavez ordered, holding a gun to his head. “I’ll kill you both.”
“You will anyway. You’re a fucking coward. Only a weak son of a bitch hurts a woman.”
“Shut up. I have sent men to destroy the village where you took your friend.”
“Fuck you.”
Kate stood in the middle of the large room. One of the drug lord’s men held a knife at her throat.
Brody stood, and Chavez stepped back. Blood dripped off his chin and his hand trembled. There was something Brody hadn’t seen before. Fear in the killer’s eyes. Panic rolled off Chavez like lava from a spewing volcano.
A shudder of fury drove Brody forward. On the balls of his feet, he dropped his right shoulder then came up with the heel of his hand beneath Chavez’s chin. His head flew back. Brody spun, dropped low and kicked the man attacking from behind in the chest with the heel of his boot. The man crumpled. A quick strike from the edge of Brody’s right palm to the third guy’s neck sent the man to the floor unconscious.
Only the man holding the knife to Kate’s throat stood. Brody faced him unafraid. Adrenalin pulsed through his veins faster than an illegal drug. It appeared he was surprised to find himself the last man standing.
“I’ll kill her,” he said in a shaking voice.
With ten feet between them, Brody bunched his hamstrings, braced his back, and ran, full out, toward the man. Shocked, the guy loosened his hold on Kate just as she stepped aside, and Brody jumped up and drop kicked him in the face.
Brody fell on his left shoulder, jumped up, grabbed Kate, and together they dove through the window. They rolled off the porch and hit the ground running. They found the hole still in the south side of the compound and escaped.
They managed to make it to the Jeep with bullets flying everywhere. Brody took out his weapons, and as the men poured out, picked off two and Kate got one. Chavez’s men came from every direction, so Brody threw two grenades into the La Hacienda then leaped into the vehicle.
***
Outside Washington, D.C.
Monique Sutherland drove her new BMW down the George Washington Memorial Parkway south toward the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on Tysons Boulevard in McLean, Virginia. The eleven mile trip was one she made every Thursday. She and Ben Reed, Assistant Director of the CIA, had a standing appointment they never missed.
Monique couldn’t afford not to show. She needed Ben Reed and his support too much to be flippant. Besides, he was harmless. That made him easy to use and manipulate. He only wanted to fuck the brains out of a twenty-five year old once a week. She on the other hand, led him around by his dick.
After giving her keys to the valet, she pressed her palm down the front of her Oscar de la Renta metallic jacquard dress and walked into the opulent entrance. She tossed back her dark hair, capturing looks from every man in the lobby. She headed directly toward the elevator, stepped inside, and pushed the second floor button.
Without as much as a hum, the elevator glided upward and stopped just as gracefully. The doors silently slid open. She stepped out and went directly to the private cocktail lounge where Ben sat at their regular table in the back of the bar. She smiled and joined him.
The bar was elegant with a touch of the 50’s. Dark wood paneling covered the walls. Deep plush carpet and posh upholstered chairs spoke of great wealth. The bar was private, for exclusive guests only.
In the corner a woman wearing a sexy evening gown played the piano and sang jazz in a sultry voice that mingled with the bar’s classiness.
Ben stood, leaned over and kissed her cheek before Monique sat, crossed her legs and put her clutch purse on the table. He’d already ordered her a Cosmo and she smiled before taking a delicate sip.
She hated the drink but Ben thought all young women drank either cosmos or martinis. The imbecile had obviously watched too much Sex in the City because he didn’t have a clue what women her age wanted. What they didn’t want was a man twice their age drooling all over them.
“So how was the little fucker tonight,” Ben asked, adjusting the lapels of his suit jacket. If jealousy crossed his mind, he hid it well. But what right did he have to display any emotions? He had a wife, two kids, and a mansion in the suburbs.
She leaned forward, giving Ben a complimentary view of her cleavage. She forced a smile that might resemble plaster of paris. “I could refer to the vice president as the fastest man in D.C., but it wouldn’t be because he runs.”
Ben tugged on his expensive tie and puffed out his barrel chest. A touch of arrogance brightened his face, implying she could never put him in that category.
Truth be told, neither were good in bed, and that’s the way she preferred this whole trio thing. While sex might be an elixir for powerful men, it did little for her. When she wanted a good fuck, she knew where to go.
“Did he say anything?”
Monique pursed her lips and batted her eyelashes. “He just bitched about Davis. If the president knew the things Rafferty said about him, he’d kick his ass out.”
“On the hill, no one cares for Davis. The man’s too damn honest to be a politician.”
“I don’t imagine the ‘good ole boys club’ likes the fact he’s black, either.”
“We don’t give a fuck what color he is. We’re all here to make a buck. Davis thinks he’s here to serve the people. That’s dangerous.” Ben held up his glass and rattled the ice cubes. Seconds later another shot of Kentucky whiskey on the rocks was set in front of him and the empty glass removed.
Monique took a sip of her drink and placed it back on the table. Calmly she folded her arms and leaned in. “So, what’s next?”
“We’ve got the Falcon agent secured. Rafferty has a shooter, and Scott Wheeler with the Secret Service knows his role.”
“Who’s in charge of the president while he’s in El Paso? Do you have someone who can make it look good?”
“I’m working on that. I tried to get Wheeler next to the president, but he needs to be further to the left so it’ll look like he took out the Falcon agent who shot the president.”
“Just make it look good. If they suspect someone within is trying to assassinate the president, we all die.”
“Leave the details to us. You just need to be pretty.”
Pretty and stupid. If the cocksucker only knew. Mo
nique smiled, wet her lips, and gave him her come-fuck-me look. “I’m very good at that, huh?”
“You’re the fucking hottest thing I’ve ever stuck my dick in.”
She giggled. “And once Ron and I are married and I’m first lady?”
“You won’t be in a class by yourself, sweetheart. Most presidents’ wives put out in order to get their men elected. Remember a stiff cock has no conscience or memory.”
She laughed and took his hand. The day she made first lady, Ben Reed would learn a few things. For one, he’d see how she’d used him and played him like a stolen credit card. She’d show his wrinkled ass. “Let’s go to the room so I can practice my skills.” She reached out and captured his lips. Her tongue slid in his mouth and she faked a moan. Lifting her head, she met his heated gaze. “Let’s go fuck, Mr. Assistant Director of the CIA.”
“I’m stiff as a rod already.”
“Good, we’ll start in the elevator.” She stopped as if an afterthought. “Did you get the files I asked for?”
“They’re in the room, but you’re going to have to work you sweet ass off to get them.”
She looked at him and raised a brow.
He chuckled. “I want it all tonight, baby.”
Chapter 13
Only a miracle and a fast car allowed Brody and Kate to get to the village before Chavez’s men showed. They barely skidded to the side of a stucco hut before the shooting began.
Looking around, Brody rubbed his fingers along the edge of his jaw. The villagers had done exactly what he’d instructed. They dug a small ditch around the village, drained the gasoline from the Olds, and poured the accelerant on the ground. After doing that, they covered the trench with dried brush.
Once they lit the fire they had time to shoot Chavez’s men at random. Several were killed, but Brody knew they couldn’t hold off the assailants forever. And they didn’t have to. Just long enough.
Kate and A.J. killed several of the attackers. A.J. managed to blow out the tires of one vehicle and the men abandoned it and ran toward La Hacienda.
Emotionally Brody felt good about everything they’d accomplished. With each confrontation, the villagers grew bolder.
Soon Chavez’s men would return to La Hacienda. However, right now Brody’s body screamed in pain. He’d taken a beating and every joint and muscle ached. His back contracted every time he straightened his shoulders.
And Kate had to be suffering even more after how Chavez had treated her. She didn’t complain, though. As bad as Brody felt, he was grateful they hadn’t been cut to pieces when diving through the window.
Cheers rang out in the small village, grabbing his attention. A smile crept across his face as he watched the people celebrating another victory.
Brody hugged Kate and slapped A.J. on the back. They had made a difference today and that was important to everyone. Even A.J. looked healthier, and more like his old self.
As the crowd gathered, Brody said, “You need to realize you can live in fear, or you can fight for the right to live in peace. It’s your choice.”
“Today we made them run away,” Alberto said, his rifle held high. “We beat them.”
“Today, Alberto. There’s always tomorrow,” Brody reminded.
“But if we remain strong...”
“You have to face the fact that Chavez has many men who can still come to your village and kill your families.”
“How do we stop them?”
Usually he fought to the bitter end no matter the odds. That’s how he rolled. Now things were different. “We put our heads together and come up with a plan.”
The people cheered with renewed hope. In the distance Father Ayaaya eyed him carefully. No doubt he feared burying his parishioners. Brody didn’t want that either, but there came a time when a man had to fight.
Brody walked to the padre and put his arm around his friend. “I know this talk of violence disturbs you, Father Ayaaya. But every man must do what he has to for the protection of his family.”
With a tight, condescending smile, the padre said, “I am aware of that, Mr. Brody. But killing solves nothing.”
“Don’t you agree that Chavez is brutal to these people? Hasn’t he harmed them enough?” For fuck’s sake, what did it take to open the man’s eyes?
“Only God can determine that. It isn’t our place to kill.”
Brody studied the padre closely. He suddenly didn’t like what he saw. A man unwilling to fight himself but not against others dying for his cause. “I’m sorry you and I disagree, padre. There comes a time when every man has to make a stand. Violence thrives because men do nothing.”
The padre stepped away and turned to his church. “There was no violence here until you brought it.”
Brody stood in the courtyard and thought of the religious man’s words. Had he brought trouble to these people...to their lives? If that was true then he’d accomplished nothing.
“What’s wrong, Brody?” Kate asked. Her delicate brows furrowed. Reaching out, he stroked her cheek as he realized how proud he was that through all the crap, Kate had not broken down. CIA or not, she was still a woman. However, she had balls of steel. He’d trust her to cover his back any day. His mind wasn’t going to go to the part where he admitted his feelings for Kate.
Brody rubbed his jaw and stared at the church. “The padre isn’t too happy with us being here. He says we brought all this trouble to his people.”
Kate touched his shoulder. “Do you believe that?”
He gazed into her intense blue eyes then down at her full mouth. Through all this she still smelled of honeysuckle and warm summer nights. He pulled her to him and captured her lips. They were warm, moist and welcoming. He drew her closer against his chest and deepened the kiss, but was careful of her split lip. His head spun and her warm slick body melted into his.
Breaking the kiss, he said, “I don’t know what I believe.”
“Let me explain something.” She waved her arm toward the village. “Look around, Brody. Do you see any young women or boys other than Manny? Say between the ages of sixteen and,” Kate shrugged her shoulders, pushing her shirt tight against her full breasts. “I don’t know, twenty?”
His gaze roamed over the village. He thought back to earlier when he and Kate had first arrived. “No, there aren’t any.”
She put her hands on her hips and Brody nearly lost it. His palms itched to cup her warm, taut breasts. “Wonder where they are?”
Brody looked again then folded his arms across his chest. “Yeah.” He frowned. “Yeah, I do.”
“Most have been sent to neighboring cites to stay with relatives.”
“Why?”
“When I first came here, my assignment was to see how powerful Oscar’s guns and weapons stash was and if he was a threat to our security. He was. I also learned he was the key operative in this area for human trafficking.”
“What?”
“Oscar Chavez used to take young women and boys from these villages and sell them on the slave market.”
The news made Brody stagger with disbelief. “I didn’t know that.”
Motherfucker.
“The reason I almost got caught escaping is because he held a trailer of young women and boys waiting for delivery about five miles south of here. I couldn’t leave those innocent children behind.”
Brody pulled her to him and squeezed. His heart thudded loudly in his chest, and his eyes watered. How cruel could a man be? “I’m proud of you.”
Hands on her shoulders, he held her away so he could look at her. Even battered as she was, her beauty blindsided him. The blond hair he loved to caress, her full, delicious mouth and eyes that shot arrows of passion into his heart.
No one could question her courage. Few men were as brave as Kate Stone. “I’m glad you did that.”
She blushed weakly, shyly. “So am I. After they were released I told them to warn their families that they had to go away and stay far from this place.”
Brody surveyed the village and the Mexican people who’d suffered at the hands of a madman. How could a parent live with the fact that daughters and sons were being sold as sex slaves?
He couldn’t help but wonder why the padre didn’t want to stop the kidnapping of innocent children. Instead he blamed Brody for bringing violence to an area that Chavez had made impossible for decent people to live. That didn’t make sense.
Roberto and the other villagers came to him with a bottle of tequila. “We want to make a plan. One we can do when you must go away.”
For once Brody felt unsure what to say. It would be nice if he had magical powers right now instead of being a mere mortal. “I’ve just learned that Chavez has been taking your children to sell on the slave market. I’m shocked to hear that.”
The padre came out and stood off in the distance, listening. He and the man of the cloth were about to have a come-to-Jesus meeting.
“I told him about the tractor trailer full of young children I released two years ago when I came here,” Kate said.
Salina crept toward Kate with tear-drenched eyes and trembling hands. When she stopped, she stood inches from Kate. She pulled her into an embrace. Several women joined in the hugging.
It was a fucking love fest. “We did not know who had saved the ones held prisoner. But one was my sister,” Salina said. “She is in Mexico City with our aunt.” Salina kissed Kate’s cheek. “Thank you for risking your life.”
Kate looked uncomfortable. “It’s my job.”
Salina and the other women smiled. “You do your job very well, Miss Stone.”
Brody noticed the padre staring at him. Maybe he and Kate were useful after all.
“Tell us what we must do,” Manuel asked.
“I promise you, before this is all over, Oscar Chavez will either be dead or imprisoned in America. And La Hacienda will be gone.”
Cheers went up and Brody pulled Kate against his side.
A.J. stepped out of the hut and joined them. “Thought I’d come out and see what all the ruckus was about.”
9 Ways to Fall in Love Page 59
