Tony: Alvarez Security Series

by Jordan, Maryann

  The darkness of the attic appeared illuminated in a green hue as Tony moved stealthily from the window to the stairs. Vinny’s image appeared by his as they stopped. Both with audio amplifiers, they could hear the voices coming from below. No words were needed as they both assessed the risks. If Sherrie and Hernando were in the hall where the stairs were located, they’d never get a shot off without endangering her.

  Speaking softly into his radio, Tony ordered, “Keep him away from the stairs.” Gabe relayed that to Shane who headed off to the negotiator.

  The phone rang again and Hernando picked it up this time. “You gettin’ my transportation?”

  “We’re working on it, Mr. Valesquez. The chief won’t agree if we can’t have visual of Ms. Mullins to confirm that she is still alive.”

  “How stupid do you think I am? I let this bitch get near a window, then you’ll have a shot at me,” Hernando bit out, his gaze darting around at the windows in the house.

  “We’d just like to see her. You can move toward the living room and stay behind her if you like, but then we could see her easily.”

  “Not happening. Not going toward the front of the house.” Hernando looked down at Sherrie, still sitting on the floor, a smile crossing his face. “You look at the little window in the back door and you’ll see her, but not me.”

  No! she thought. The back door led to the patio from the laundry room. We head toward the back door, he’ll see Bernard. Her legs refused to obey, but several swift kicks to her hips had her crying out as she stood.

  Tony and Vinny slipped down the attic stairs and quickly passed through the hall by the bedrooms. They stopped at the top of the stairs leading down to the first floor, listening to the sounds below. Pulling off their night-vision goggles, they set them gently on the floor.

  “Target?” Tony whispered.

  BJ, still monitoring the inside security cameras, reported, “Sherrie and Hernando are moving toward laundry room off of kitchen. Neighbor is in there but have no visual on him.”

  Sherrie now stood in the doorway of the laundry room, visible from the window in the outside door. She saw nothing but blackness in the yard, but knew someone was watching. It gave no comfort. Her stomach in knots, her gaze drifted down seeing Bernard squatting next to the washing machine.

  Bernard lunged forward, pushing Sherrie down while taking a shot at Hernando. The shot rang out as BJ shouted “Go!” into the radio, sending Tony racing toward the sound. Escaping harm, Hernando shot over Sherrie’s head, hitting Bernard in the side, immediately dropping him to the floor.

  Sherrie tried to move out from under the bleeding man, her hands pressing against his wound. Twisting her head around, she stared into the barrel of the gun, anger fueling her being.

  Hearing a noise from the dining room, Hernando screamed out, “Come any closer and the bitch dies.”

  Tony and Vinny halted, just out of sight. Fuck! Tony stepped back slightly, allowing Vinny to move into place. As much as he wanted to spill Hernando’s blood himself, he would only place Sherrie’s safety in his best sniper.

  Her heart beating out of her chest, Sherrie glanced down at Bernard, seeing his eyes looking up at her. Get the gun, he mouthed.

  Glancing to the side, she saw his gun laying right next to her. She recognized the same type of pistol that Tony had used when teaching her to shoot. Sliding her gaze back up, she saw Hernando pointing his gun at her, but looking behind him at the dining room, listening for another sound.

  Tony must be in there. He came. As relief resonated through her, the sickening feeling of his being hurt cut into her solace. Eyes moving back to the gun, she slowly slid her hand forward until it curled around the grip. Lifting it, she tucked it into her front, hidden from Hernando’s eyes should he turn back around.

  Tony crept down the hall by the stairs and with Vinny in the dining room, both were ready to take Hernando down. Receiving the all-clear from BJ, Vinny prepared to move around the corner and shoot as soon as Tony distracted him.

  A shot rang out, Hernando’s cry screaming in the hall. Both Tony and Vinny instantly knew the sound did not come from either of their firearms. Rounding the corner, weapons drawn, they saw Hernando on the floor, his body jerking in the throes of death. Several feet away lay Bernard, blood still seeping from his wound. And in between the two men knelt Sherrie, covered in blood, the pistol still in her shaking hand, pointed at the man dying on the floor.

  Fuck. Her face bruised and eyes wild, Tony knew she was in shock. Her pajamas were covered with blood. How bad is she hurt? “Sherrie,” he called out softly, as Vinny radioed for help. Within a few seconds, the house filled with policemen as well as Gabe, Jobe, and BJ. Gabe looked at his twin for confirmation that he was all right before glancing down the hall, seeing Tony trying to approach Sherrie.

  “Baby, look at me,” Tony said again, this time with a little more force. Her eyes slowly raised to his. “Give me the pistol, baby.” He moved another step forward, his hand outstretched. No one moved, afraid to startle her. He watched her chest heave as her breathing increased. “Eyes, baby. Eyes on me.”

  The sound of gunfire still resonated in her ears as all other sounds seemed muffled. Staring at the man lying on the floor, she focused on the dark stain on the carpet. Her vision blurred as her mind tried to make sense of what she was seeing. Far away voices crept into her consciousness. Becoming louder. Clearer.

  Her gaze moved up toward the voice that seemed to be calling to her. Someone calling her baby. Eyes landing on Tony she saw his outstretched hand.

  Confusion filled her expression as she looked at him. “Baby,” he said again. “Drop the gun, sweetheart.” Tony watched as her gaze drifted to the gun in her hand, recognition flaring in her eyes.

  Gasping, she tried to open her fingers, but they were locked. Tony rushed forward, gently prying the gun from her frozen grip, wrapping one arm around her and handing the weapon behind him, feeling it taken from his hand.

  Vinny quickly secured the weapon as he rushed past Hernando to Sherrie. Gabe and Jobe had pushed past both of them to get to Bernard, calling for the EMTs.

  “Tony, let me see her,” he ordered, knowing his boss would not willingly let Sherrie go. Tony, arms shaking, only released her enough to see to her injuries. Vinny quickly motioned for BJ to assist. “Watch the back door,” he ordered, wanting BJ to help preserve Sherrie’s privacy. With Tony holding her up, Vinny pulled her pajama bottoms off, quickly assessing her injuries. Dark bruises from being kicked covered her thighs and hips. Her legs and feet were covered in cuts from the glass.

  He lifted his gaze to Tony, saying, “She’s got some glass in these cuts. The hospital will be able to get it out and get them cleaned. She may need some stitches.”

  So much blood was on her shirt, but Vinny’s hands hesitated as his eyes sought Tony’s silent permission.

  Tony nodded, trusting his men completely. Tony turned Sherrie so that she was facing him and Vinny slid her shirt off while standing behind her. He quickly ascertained no injuries from the back and with a swift eye on her chest was able to see that none of the blood on her shirt had come from her. She had another large bruise on her side and on her face. By then, BJ was handing Tony a sweatshirt he found lying on the washing machine and Sherrie was quickly covered again.

  Tony looked down, realizing that she was totally unaware of having been checked out. Only when Gabe yelled for the EMTs to enter did she snap out of her trance.

  “Bernard? Oh my God, he tried to save me,” she cried, trying to move toward him.

  “No, no, baby. Let them do their job,” Tony admonished gently, pulling her back. As Bernard was being taken out of the house on a stretcher, the group moved out of the laundry room.

  “I have to go with him,” Sherrie said, her gaze still unfocused.

  “Baby, you’re going to the hospital yourself. Just because you weren’t shot doesn’t mean you’re not hurt. We’ve got to get you checked out as well.”

 
Hernando was being lifted onto a stretcher, his breath raspy from the hole in his chest. His eyes landed on Sherrie, pinning her with his expression. “Y…you…ruined… every…thing,” he gurgled.

  Her whole body began to shake as her numbness left instantly. Thoughts of Betina and the host of other children coerced into being held captive flew through her mind. Chest heaving with anger, she looked down at his pasty face, recognizing imminent death. “Good,” she said simply.

  His eyes rolled back into his head as death claimed him. The realization that she had killed another human slammed into her. She began to drop to the floor but never hit as Tony’s arms swept her up into his. Her head drooped back as she slipped into unconsciousness.

  “Now,” he barked to his men, all falling into action. Once again Gabe drove, but this time Tony held Sherrie in the back seat as Jobe rode shotgun. Vinny drove the other vehicle as BJ called Jennifer. Quickly telling her the basic information, she knew to call the other women.

  Looking down at the unconscious woman in his arms, Tony thanked God she was safe. And cursed himself that it was her and not him that pulled the trigger.

  Chapter 24

  The waiting room was filled with friends and family. Suzanne, BJ, Jennifer and Gabe sat together in one corner. Matt and Shane met their wives, Annie and Lily, as they rushed there as well. Vinny and Jobe stood near Tony, ready to offer support the minute they were needed.

  Matt had reported that while Hernando was killed, Quentin escaped. The club and Hernando’s businesses were raided and the number of children found in all areas was astounding.

  “I can’t believe that he got away,” Jobe growled.

  Lily placed her hand on his arm, and said, “But think of all the children we helped save tonight.”

  Just then a nurse came through the ER doors and looked around at the impressive group of men filling the room. A look of confusion crossed her face for a moment as she looked back at her file. “Mr. Alvarez?”

  Tony stepped forward, but before he could say anything else, she said, “Ms. Mullins listed you as the fiancé.” He nodded, unable to speak at the moment. She continued, “The doctor will see you in the consultation room.”

  He moved to follow the nurse, the sound of others behind him not surprising. As the nurse looked back, she pursed her lips and said, “This is for family only.”

  Tony glanced around, seeing Gabe, Vinny, and Jobe. “These are my brothers.”

  Jobe spoke clearly, “Where he goes, we go.”

  She nodded and left them in the small room. A few minutes later, a doctor walked into the room, startled at all of the men standing there. “Mr. Alvarez?” she asked, her gaze moving among them.

  Tony nodded and stepped forward once again. The doctor smiled and said, “Ms. Mullins is doing very well, considering her ordeal. I am concerned about a concussion so we will keep her here for a while to make sure that she retains consciousness. We will of course have the hospital counselor see her and they will recommend a trauma therapist.”

  “So she’s all right?” he asked, his voice breaking. He could feel his friends take a step closer, knowing they were closing ranks.

  “Yes,” the doctor replied. “I was concerned about the bruising on her abdomen, so we’re doing an ultrasound to make sure there are no internal injuries. In fact, if you want to see her now she is just across the hall and you can be with her.” With that, she turned and walked out of the room as Tony quickly entered the ER bay across the hall. Gabe, Jobe, and Vinny told him they would be right there until they knew for sure that Sherrie was all right.

  The ultrasound technician was sitting next to Sherrie’s bed, moving the wand across her abdomen from one side to the other. Tony walked to her side and leaned down to kiss her forehead as she weakly smiled up at him.

  Her eyes red-rimmed and the dark bruising on the side of her face made Tony want to bring Hernando back from the dead just so that he could make him suffer again.

  The technician’s voice cut into Tony’s anger and he quickly tamped it down so that Sherrie had his undivided attention.

  “It appears that her kidneys and other internal organs are just fine. That was one of the things that the doctor wanted us to check. And of course, I know you are most anxious to hear that the baby’s heartbeat is strong and it’s very tightly settled in her uterus. This ordeal did not hurt the baby, just the baby’s mama,” he joked.

  Tony stopped breathing. The sounds of the ER receded to the back of his consciousness as he replayed the technician’s words. Baby? Baby? Oh, Jesus, oh, Jesus.

  Looking at Sherrie, he saw the shock on her face before her expression broke out into the most amazing smile. Overwhelmed, he leaned down for a kiss, tasting her tears on her lips. A kiss of awe. Of amazement. Of celebration. Of family.

  “Okay, daddy,” the technician said. “If you can move out of the room for just a second, I need to get this equipment over to the other side so they can get the portable x-ray out of here since she won’t need that.”

  Looking down at his beautiful woman, he choked out, “I’ll be right back, babe. I’ll just go across the hall and tell the men.”

  She smiled and nodded as she saw his chin quiver. Giving him another kiss, she whispered, “I love you.”

  “I love you too, babe.”

  Stepping out of the way of the equipment being moved in the small space, he went across the hall seeing the expectant faces of his men. His friends.

  “She’s going to be fine,” he said, his voice breaking. “And…we’re going to have a baby.” A sob tore from his lips as his legs gave out from under him. Dropping to the floor, he knelt as more sobs continued to rack his body. The wall of men dropped with him, each kneeling around, placing one hand on their friend. Silent tears slid down the faces of the other three men as they supported the one in the middle.

  Gabe, Vinny, and Jobe remembered the last time they knelt around Tony in such a way. That day, five years earlier, they supported their friend as he buried his wife and baby girl and then watched as he closed himself off to life. Until Sherrie came along. And they had watched as Tony slowly, painfully allowed life, and love to come back in.

  Tony slowly became aware of his surroundings, but felt no shame. There was nothing hidden from these men. Nothing they had not shared. Standing, he wiped his eyes before looking at each of them in turn. They all smiled. Sucking in a huge breath, he let it out slowly. “Seems like we’ve got some celebrating to do, but if you don’t mind, I think I’ll go back to see the mother of my baby.”

  *

  Two weeks later, Sherrie Mullins became Mrs. Tony Alvarez. Tony had insisted that they marry as soon as possible and showed her the ring that he had bought, but had been waiting for just the right time to give her. She insisted that she did not want a large wedding—just Tony’s father and friends. And Bernard to give her away.

  Bernard had been shot in the side of his chest, the bullet just passing through muscle. Within two weeks he was ready to walk Sherrie down the aisle, although with the injuries to her feet, they made a slow pair moving toward Tony.

  Standing in what was now their living room with the minister before them in front of the fireplace, they said their vows. Their friends sat in chairs moved in just for the occasion, with the dining room table loaded down with food for the reception.

  Sherrie, overflowing with happiness, looked into the caramel eyes gazing back at her. Dressed in a flowing, ivory, knee-length dress, her blonde hair streaming down her back with Baby’s Breath interwoven throughout, she looked like the princess he thought she was. The news they were having a baby had stunned her, but like Tony, she was ready to begin their lives together. No waiting. No second thoughts. Smiling, she pledged her life to him.

  Tony, resplendent in a dark suit, kept his eyes locked on the beautiful woman at his side. He had a second chance at love and planned on making every moment count.

  His father, standing next to him, glanced at the mantle noticing the small, fra
med picture of a smiling Tony with Marla and newborn baby Sofia. Sherrie did that, he knew. She had brought Tony out of the past while still celebrating all of life. Next to it was another framed snapshot, this one of Tony and Sherrie in the snow with the frozen lake behind them. And the two pictures looked perfect side by side. He knew that the mantle would soon be full of other pictures of them. Now, and later with children. Life goes on, he thought. And thank God it does.

  Tony kissed his bride with all the love and passion he had for her, holding her tight as he handed her an envelope. Turning to the gathering, he proclaimed, “I have a gift for my new bride. One that holds a special meaning to us.”

  She looked up in confusion, her hand holding the plain envelope. “What is this?”

  “Open it, baby,” he said gently.

  Licking her lips nervously, she opened the envelope and pulled out the sheaf of papers. A deed? “Oh my God!” she shouted, throwing her arms around his neck. Looking at the questioning gazes of their friends, he explained. “Mr. Marks sold the mountain cabin to us.”

  The laughter rang out in the room as his wife’s tearful smile filled his vision. Yeah, life goes on.

  Epilogue

  Waking up in the cabin several months later, Tony looked over at his wife. Her cherubic face with the mass of blonde hair spilling on the pillow had him holding his breath for fear of disturbing her. She opened her eyes, blinking at the light. Focusing on him, she smiled.

  “Hey, you,” she said softly.

  “Hey back,” he answered.

  Leaning in to kiss her, he then pulled back and lifted an eyebrow.

  She huffed as she said, “Yes, of course,” and moved to get out of bed. Returning a few minutes later, she climbed back under the covers. “It cuts down on the spontaneity when this baby is sitting on my bladder,” she groused.