Hidden Prey

by Cheyenne McCray

  Maria waited in the room and she gave Diego a deferential bow. Angelina smiled then whirled and went through the connecting door into her bedroom with Maria following close behind.

  Angelina returned fifteen minutes later, smiling and wearing a lavender dress that almost reached the floor and barely showed her ankles. However, it bared most of her back and revealed too much skin for a young woman.

  He shook his head. “No.”

  Her face fell. “I think it’s beautiful.”

  “No,” he repeated. “It reveals too much for a young lady of your age.”

  Holding back a pout, she left the room with Maria. Ten minutes later, she returned wearing a lemon-yellow dress. It had puffy sleeves but bare shoulders and a low neckline like the lavender one.

  He frowned. “Who selected these dresses for you?”

  “I did, out of the portfolio the dressmaker sent.” Angelina grasped her skirt and held it up as she spun around. “Isn’t it lovely?”

  He narrowed his eyes at Maria, who seemed fearful. “Is there anything more modest?”

  “Yes.” Maria gave a nod. She turned to Angelina, who now appeared crestfallen. “The pink one. Your grandfather will like it.”

  Angelina frowned. “But I don’t.”

  “Come.” Maria gestured to the connecting door. “When you have it on you will find it beautiful on you.”

  Angelina didn’t look at her grandfather as she left the room. A part of him wanted to give his little angel anything she desired, but he would not allow her to bare herself at such a young age. She would be but fifteen years old. Yes, a young woman, but still too young for such things as dresses that showed too much skin.

  This time when Angelina returned, she didn’t smile. She wore a pink floor-length dress with many flouncy layers. It had puffy sleeves and suitably covered her back and chest. The perfect dress for a young woman.

  “That is the one.” Diego nodded and stood. “You are as beautiful as your mother did when she was Quinceañera. You resemble her so much.”

  Angelina still frowned. “Are you sure you don’t want to see me in any of the others?”

  He beamed at her. “I know beauty and you are the rarest of beauties. This one is perfect for such a treasure as you.”

  Her frown faded a bit. “I look like a little girl in this dress.”

  He shook his head. “You look very much like a young woman.” He approached her and took both her hands in his. “I am proud of you. Your mother would have been so very proud of you, as well.” He squeezed her hands. “I know she is watching from Heaven and singing with the angels as she watches over you.”

  Angelina’s smile returned. Diego knew how much she liked to please him. Her mother had always wanted to make her father happy too. Rosanna had been a daddy’s girl and Angelina was her grandfather’s girl. He would have it no other way.

  He took her by the shoulders and kissed one of Angelina’s cheeks then the other. “Do you know how precious you are to me?”

  “As precious as you are to me.” She smiled. “I love you, Grandfather.”

  “And you know I love you more than life itself.” He gestured toward the door connecting to her bedroom. “It is time for you to get ready for bed.”

  She gave him a hug then turned and headed into her room, Maria following.

  When the door between the rooms closed, Diego put his hands behind his back and rocked on his heels. His granddaughter was truly the most precious thing in his life and he would do anything for her.

  He left the sitting room and headed back to his office and the reality of his business. He kept it as separate as he could from his personal life. His granddaughter would never know the realities of his world. She would grow up wanting for nothing and living the life she so richly deserved.

  He closed his office door, moved behind his desk, and took his seat. Now to make sure one woman didn’t cause his family any problems. No one would be able to protect her from him. He had long arms that stretched from Mexico to the U.S. and no one could escape his grasp.

  No one.

  Chapter 13

  Tori rubbed her arms with her palms as she went to the bedroom window of the new safe house she had slept in last night. She wanted to peek out of the two-story house’s blinds to better see the neighborhood she was in, but Landon had given her strict instructions to stay away from the windows.

  She felt wrinkled and grubby and she needed to brush her teeth. She still wore the clothes she’d worn yesterday since all of the new clothing and toiletries had been left at the other safe house. They’d had no time to gather anything once the agents had been ready to sweep her away again.

  The Sierra Vista safe house was as sparsely furnished as the one in Bisbee, but not as dusty—it looked as if it had been recently lived in. This pantry contained more food than the one at the other house, but not by much.

  In truth, she didn’t care about any of that. She had trusted Landon when he’d said she’d be safe at the other house, but that hadn’t been the case. What if the Jimenez Cartel found her here too?

  A knock caused her to jump and turn to the open door to see Landon. His green eyes met hers and he seemed to be drinking her in just as she devoured him with her gaze. No matter everything she’d been through, her potent attraction to this man could not be diluted. It was almost the only constant she had to hold on to.

  She wanted to trail her fingers down the strong line of his stubbled jaw to his square chin. She wanted to run her tongue along his firm lower lip and nip at it before kissing her way down the column of his throat.

  She had lost her mind. Her cheeks warmed as she stared at him and he met her gaze head on. She remembered the feel of his lips on hers, his body snug to hers, the feel of his hardness pressing through their clothing and against her belly…

  She cleared her throat. “Good morning.”

  The corner of his mouth turned up, a hint of a smile. To her relief he set aside the moment and raised his hands. He held several familiar shopping bags.

  “One of the other agents retrieved everything for you.” He gestured for her to step aside and she moved back and opened the door for him. He set the bags on the bed and faced her. His eyebrows furrowed. “How are you doing?”

  She shrugged. “Do you know how they found us?”

  He frowned. “No. We even checked for trackers on the vehicles and nothing.”

  At her look of concern, he attempted to reassure her. “We have high-tech equipment that detects trackers and the agents have combed every vehicle. We’re exhausting all options and we will figure this out.”

  She rubbed her arms with both hands. “I hope you’re right.”

  He took a step closer to her. “I am.”

  “What now?”

  “You’ll stay here.” He met her gaze squarely. “I’m going into the office and I’ll be back later.”

  Panic rose up inside her like a flock of birds and she moved her fingers to her throat. “I don’t want to be alone.”

  “You won’t be alone.” He cupped the side of her face with one hand and rubbed her cheek with his thumb. His touch sent a thrill deep inside her belly. “You’ll have three agents protecting you night and day.”

  “Let me go with you.” She hated the tremble in her voice. “I don’t want to stay behind.”

  Landon moved both hands to her upper arms and squeezed. “You’ll be perfectly safe here.”

  She wanted to say, “I feel safer with you,” but the words wouldn’t come out. She would just sound like a baby if she did say them. Instead, she said, “I’d like to see my parents.”

  He shook his head. “It could put you and them in danger. We still have agents outside their home on watch.”

  She bit her lower lip before opening her mouth to say something.

  His cell phone rang. He brought the phone to his ear. “Agent Walker.”

  He scrunched his brow, listening for a moment. “You’re certain?” His face was a mask of concentrati
on as the person on the other end spoke again. Then Landon said, “Thank you, Lieutenant.”

  He turned to Tori. “That was the lieutenant from the Tucson Police Department.” Landon looked grim. “They found Gregory Smith’s body early this morning.”

  Tori stared at Landon and shock speared her body. “Gregory is dead?” The words left her mouth, but she couldn’t believe they were true.

  Her knees went weak and she would have dropped to the floor if Landon hadn’t caught her. He brought her close to him and held her in his arms. Her mind spun with the news.

  “What happened to him?” Her words were muffled against his shirt.

  Landon hesitated then squeezed her tighter. “Someone tortured then shot him.”

  Tori’s entire body went limp this time. Her mind reeled, unable to fully comprehend what Landon had just told her. Gregory? Tortured and shot?

  “I’m sorry, Tori.” Landon’s lips were close to her hair as he spoke and held her tightly. “A woman’s body was found with his, but she hasn’t been identified yet. No purse and no ID on her. She was strangled to death.”

  Tears rolled down Tori’s cheeks and her throat was tight. “Gregory’s intern didn’t show up to work the same day he didn’t. The police should start there.”

  “I’ll let them know.” Landon’s voice was soft but firm.

  “It’s my fault.” Tori tipped her face up to look at him. “They’re dead because of me.”

  He shook his head. “Don’t take the blame for what the cartel has done. It’s not your fault. You just happened on something that you weren’t intended to see. You’re not to blame.”

  Tori couldn’t stop the tears. Each one felt like a hot trail burning its way down her face. A chest-racking sob left her and she buried her face in Landon’s T-shirt. His shirt grew damp from her tears but she couldn’t let go. He served as a lifeline she needed to hold on to.

  She raised her face to look up at him again. “My parents. Maybe Gregory did find their address and gave it to the cartel.”

  “We’ll get them to a safe house.” Landon rubbed her back with his palm. “Now that Gregory’s body has been found, it steps things up to a whole new level.” He took her face in his palms. “I need to make some calls now. Will you be okay?”

  She nodded. “Just get them to safety.” Her eyes swam with tears. “I lost my brother. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to my parents.”

  Something dark flashed in Landon’s eyes and he seemed about to say something.

  She went on, “I want you to be the one to get my parents somewhere safe. It has to be you.”

  Landon frowned.

  “I mean it, Landon.” She put determination into her tone. “Make sure they’re safe.” She paused. “This might sound dumb, but can you get something for me while you’re there?”

  His brow wrinkled. “What do you need?”

  “I have an old clarinet at my parents’ home.” She felt a wave of embarrassment rising up in her. “I can’t stand not playing. It helps me relax and takes me to another place. If it’s possible, pick it up when you get my parents. Please.”

  He hesitated a moment then kissed her on top of her head. “I’ll be back.”

  Her muscles relaxed. “Thank you.”

  He straightened before he turned and walked out the bedroom door.

  * * *

  Landon clenched and unclenched his hands and his gut felt tightly coiled. He needed to tell Tori he’d been the one to kill her brother.

  After the news of her boyfriend’s death, he feared she might fall apart if he gave her one more thing to contend with.

  The old woman’s words came back to him.

  ‘You will die if you tell her the truth. If you don’t tell her, she will die.’

  What could the old lady have meant by those words? Had she meant the fact he’d killed her brother? Landon couldn’t imagine anything happening to Tori. He’d already been through losing someone and he didn’t want it to happen again. He didn’t want to lose Tori.

  His chest hurt and he inhaled deeply then exhaled, trying to calm his thoughts.

  He pulled his cell phone from its holster and called one of the two agents watching Josie and Henry Cox’s home.

  “What’s the status?” Landon asked when Agent Bracken answered.

  “Not a stir.” Bracken sounded bored or tired. Or both.

  “Stay sharp.” Landon heard the edge in his own voice. “We believe the suspects murdered the witness’s boyfriend last night or this morning. He may have given up the parents’ address.”

  Agent Bracken’s tone sharpened. “Shit.”

  “We’re getting Josie and Henry Cox to a safe house.” Landon looked down the hallway as he spoke to Bracken. He made up his mind—he would go himself, for Tori. “Hang tight. I’ll be there in another thirty minutes.”

  “You’ve got it.”

  After talking with Bracken, Landon pressed speed dial for his RAC. When Aguilar answered, he told her what he needed and she gave the go-ahead.

  “Don’t take any chances with our star witness,” Aguilar said. “We need to nail the sonofabitch for Miguel’s death.”

  “We will get them.” Landon said he’d be in touch before he pressed the End button on his phone.

  He returned to Tori’s room to find her standing where he’d left her.

  “I need to help.” Her tears had dried, but her eyes were swollen from crying. “I can’t just stay here. I need to see my mom and dad.”

  “You need to stay safe.” He hooked his finger under her chin and met her gaze. “I’m going to your parents’ home now. I called and all is clear. We’ll get them to a safe house and you won’t have to worry.”

  “What if the cartel finds them like they found me?” Her voice wavered as she spoke.

  “We’re taking extra precautions, Tori.” Landon hated the fear he saw in her eyes and wished he could take it all away. God damn but he wanted to wipe those fuckers out so they could never touch an innocent like Tori again.

  To do that, they’d need to take down Diego Jimenez, El Demonio, himself.

  * * *

  The half-hour drive from Sierra Vista back to Bisbee seemed to take too damned long. He found himself drumming his fingers on the wheel as if that might hurry things along. When Landon and Agent O’Donnell finally reached Temby Avenue in Bisbee, Landon parked behind the agency vehicle stationed in front of the Cox’s home. The two agents on duty sat inside the unmarked car.

  Landon climbed out of the black agency SUV and walked up to the car. He rapped his knuckles on the driver’s-side tinted window, but the agent in the driver’s seat didn’t respond. Landon knocked again. A bad feeling spiked inside him when the agent still didn’t turn. Landon yanked open the door. The smell of gas hit Landon head-on.

  Agent Bracken slumped in his seat. Landon coughed from the gas. The other agent’s head rested against the window and he appeared to be in the same condition as Braken.

  Landon put his fingers to Bracken’s neck. His pulse beat strong beneath Landon’s fingers. The gas hadn’t killed him, just knocked them out.

  “Jesus.” O’Donnell spoke from over Landon’s shoulder.

  “Call for backup,” Landon said. “They’ve been gassed.” Landon’s heart thundered. “We’ve got to get inside the house. Whoever gassed them might still be here.”

  O’Donnell called for backup and he and Landon ran toward the house, keeping low. They went to the rear, weapons drawn. One of the panes in the back door window had been shattered, the door slightly ajar.

  Adrenaline pumped through Landon. He eased the door open with his foot, keeping his Colt ready in a two-handed grip. He cleared the kitchen with one sweep of his eyes and his weapon. He glanced down briefly to avoid stepping on the broken glass as the sound could possibly alert the intruders. He glanced over his shoulder at O’Donnell who nodded.

  From the direction of a hallway Landon could just see from the kitchen a male speaking with a heavy
Hispanic accent. “Tell me where your husband is and I might kill you quickly rather than slicing you up into one small piece at a time.”

  “I will never tell you.” The woman’s voice trembled. “Go ahead and kill me because you’ll never find him or Tori.”

  The woman shrieked and Landon had to fight the urge to charge straight toward the voices. He had to keep his cool, but he hurried through the small kitchen and dining area. He cleared the living room before easing down the hall and heard the woman’s sobs.

  “Tell me or I’ll cut you again.” The man spoke slowly, deliberately. “Now.”

  O’Donnell followed Landon, who peeked around the corner of the doorway into a bedroom just enough to see two thirty-something men with a woman of roughly fifty who was kneeling on the floor. Blood flowed down her cheek from where she’d been cut with a knife and her eyes were red from crying. Due to the strong resemblance to Tori, the woman had to be Josie Cox.

  One of the men, about five-six with a thin mustache, wore a tanktop and jeans. He stood behind Josie and clenched her hair in his fist. He gripped a knife laced with blood in his opposite hand, the knife close to her throat.

  The bald man who stood nearby topped the first man by three inches. He held a gun loosely at his side, clearly not threatened.

  Landon leaned back and indicated to O’Donnell that two armed men were in the room with the victim.

  Landon signaled the count then swung himself into the doorway, his gun pointed at the man with the knife. O’Donnell moved beside him with his weapon trained on the taller man.

  “Police!” Landon shouted the universal word for law enforcement used during a raid, startling both men.

  The bald man swung his weapon up to fire at them. O’Donnell shot the man in the chest before he got a shot off. The bald man fell backward, his gun clattering to the floor. He gasped and wheezed as blood bubbled from his mouth.

  O’Donnell immediately kicked the gun out into the hallway, away from the dying man. He moved back to the doorway and positioned himself so he could see into the hall to cover their backs. He kept an eye on the activities in the room.