What can he say that Renzo hasn’t? I should have thick skin, given how he used to criticize my work all the time. Of course, Renzo hadn’t been her boss and couldn’t fire her. In the short time it took Bennett to reach her, she’d already replayed the last few days and nothing came to mind that should cause her to be terminated.
“Vose, I need to speak to you.”
I figured that. “Yes, sir.” She followed him into one of the examination rooms. She thought at first it was someplace for them to speak privately. Instead, there was a woman, an older woman, sitting quietly on a chair in the corner. When they entered Hydria noticed the woman tensed up and tried to withdraw into the chair. She wanted to ease the woman’s mind, tell her it was okay, they were the good guys. But Hydria wasn’t sure if this woman was friend or foe.
Bennett shut the door behind them and approached the woman. He dropped down on one knee in front of her and spoke softly. “We were told you have information for us.”
The woman looked past Bennett and at Hydria. Hydria knew she needed this woman to trust her. Otherwise, she couldn’t be of any help. She softened her eyes as she’d taught herself to do with scared children, and with a small smile, Hydria nodded. The woman’s concern didn’t fade, but she turned back to Bennett and started talking.
“I have overheard men talking about weapons being delivered. They are going to use them to take back what you have stolen from them. You cannot let them do that. My granddaughter will be thirteen next month. If they gain control again, she will be taken. What good is living to this old age if only to witness pain and suffering of those you love?”
“We’re not going to let that happen. That’s why we need you to tell us everything you heard,” Bennett said. The woman looked once again at Hydria. “Ziva asked her to be here. You can trust Hydria. You can trust me.”
The woman’s eyes welled up, and as her voice and body trembled in fear and concern, she explained, “The rebels are planning on taking back the north in two days.”
“We know there is trouble and have sent a few more groups of men.”
“You don’t understand. There are some very bad men coming into Tabiq. They have been hired to do this. They don’t care about who they kill. Not your men or our people. All they want is power and money.”
Mercenaries? That meant they were trained killers, and this woman had every right to be afraid.
“They will not stop until they get Tabiq back.”
Bennett reached out and touched the woman’s trembling hand. Gently he said, “We won’t let that happen. Thank you for coming to talk to me. We all have to work together to bring Tabiq back to where it was.”
“Before the cruel man came and destroyed all that was beautiful about Tabiq.”
Hydria didn’t know who that man was. Bennett hadn’t told Hydria any history on how it became so bad, only that human trafficking was a normal occurrence, and it had plagued them, and only over the past few years had that started to come to an end. But obviously, there’s someone out there who doesn’t like the change.
“James Henderson can’t hurt anyone anymore. And whoever is trying to take his place, they are in for one heck of a fight. Now let me get someone to drive you home.”
“No. If anyone sees me with you or your men, they will know I talked. They will come after my family and me. I will go out the back, the same way I came in.” The woman got up with the use of her cane. Then she hobbled to the door and turned toward Hydria. “You are not from here, are you?”
“No, I’m not. But I assure you, I will do everything I can to protect the people of Tabiq.”
“I hope so, because this was such a beautiful place when I was a young girl. All I want before I die is to see it that way again.”
After the woman left the exam room, Bennett closed the door again. “Vose, this could get very ugly. Perhaps you should leave—”
“With all due respect, I have eleven years experience with the LAPD. I assure you I can hold my own.” Hydria didn’t want Bennett giving up on her so quickly.
“This isn’t about your qualifications. If there had been any doubt, I never would’ve hired you. Hydria, you have no idea what you might be getting yourself into. These people who have been hired, most likely are going to use the women as pawns or hostages in their sick games. Possibly as human shields. That means you’ll stick out, and they’ll want to take you down. If you want out, I’ll get you back to the States.”
“I can’t do that,” Hydria responded.
“No one is going to question you for leaving. This is a hostile country, and there are many Tabiqian women who don’t want to be here.”
“I’m a professional. No one should question it.”
“My plan when bringing you here was to alleviate the stress on Ziva, not to be thrown in the line of fire with my team. You’re serving that purpose here at the hospital.”
“Then after we address the issue at hand, I’ll continue my work here. We both know every man, or woman, is needed right now.” She pleaded her case and was confident Bennett would make the best decision for his team. Even if I’m a woman, my résumé speaks for itself.
Bennett shook his head. “Renzo said you were an excellent police officer, but I’ve yet to tell him I brought you out here. We can’t tell him about your brother, so we’ll need to ensure he understands I approached you on his reference alone. Understood?”
He said I was an excellent police officer? Hydria didn’t want to think about Renzo right now. It would only make her second-guess herself, which was dangerous. But who was she fooling? Thoughts of him crept up frequently and always had. Why should it be any different halfway around the world? “Renzo has absolutely nothing to do with me, with this.” Bennett peered down at her long and hard. She knew he was debating letting her stay or not. “I meant what I said to that woman. I’ll do anything I can to protect these people.”
“You’re about to get your chance. Pack your gear. I will supply you with the equipment, as well as the guns, you’re going to need. We’re going north.” Bennett walked out of the exam room, leaving her behind.
Although there was a lump in her throat, her adrenaline was pumping, and she hoped she’d made the right decision. Bennett had offered her an out for a reason, and part of her had contemplated taking it. But as soon as he mentioned Renzo, she was filled with the same damn drive to prove herself as she got when she tried proving herself to him on the force. When is Ren going to stop having power over me?
It was frustrating because it didn’t appear Renzo had a clue how much he affected her. She had tried reaching out to him, but he had closed that door for the second time. When was she going to get it through her thick skull that he wanted nothing more to do with her?
Hydria couldn’t place all the blame on herself. Renzo gave mixed signals. He put up the walls and then took her to his family. There was no need. Bennett had plenty of men who could’ve kept an eye on her, not that she needed protecting. And then he had Bennett return her check? That didn’t make any more sense than the rest. It would make any woman believe he cared about her, more than as an old colleague.
And this scrambled thinking is exactly what I can’t let happen. Hydria allowed her mind to conjecture about Renzo when she should be mentally preparing herself for whatever she was about to encounter in the north. If only it was as easy for me as it is for Renzo. Just close off my heart and don’t look back. But Renzo was the only person, never mind man, she’d ever opened up to. And look where it got me. She needed to be strong and stay focused, or Bennett would end up being right; he should’ve sent her home.
Hydria headed out the door and went to pack as instructed. She wasn’t on the police force any longer. Renzo wasn’t hovering above her with a higher rank, waiting for her to screw up. This job was a new start for her. It was her opportunity to prove to Bennett she was an asset to his team. And not just to him either. The Hendersons were a powerful and somewhat scary family. Impressing them now could lead to end
less possibilities. Heck, maybe someday I can start my own company like the Turchettas did.
She grunted to herself as she realized this entire pep talk had come full circle and somehow ended up right back where it started. Renzo Turchetta, you’re going to be the death of me. Hydria hoped that wasn’t a sign of what was to come.
Renzo had been in north Tabiq for a few days. They concentrated their surveillance on the wooded area two hours away from Chino, the capital city. Each time they intercepted one rebel, two more seemed to appear. Bennett had informed him they weren’t dealing with only locals anymore, but he didn’t see any sign of foreigners yet. Beside us. With the increase in numbers, he knew the locals were getting paid to try to stop any interference.
Although the Hendersons were doing everything they could to better Tabiq’s economy, investors were leery, and for good reason. The country wasn’t stable, and the last thing any of them wanted was workers to be taken as hostages and used as pawns in a battle for power.
He’d dealt with local gang wars back in LA. They were a challenge on their own and usually driven by drugs. That sucked, but Tabiq was battling for the right to sell their women to the highest bidder. Disgusted didn’t begin to describe what he felt when he came across any of those assholes. He barely held back from blowing a hole in each of them instead of rounding them up and handing them over to the local authorities. Even then the authorities weren’t prepared to deal with some of those guys.
But Renzo feared whoever was backing the rebels could eventually dish out enough cash to turn the tables again. We’re betting on the police to care more about their country than their wallets. That’s not a bet I’d take.
Hunger and poverty was no match for greed. Bennett understood that, but he wasn’t so sure the Hendersons did. They thought money could fix anything, but the opposite was true. Money can destroy a man faster than it can fix him.
Renzo had to admit it would be nice to have more backup right now. Bennett said more was on the way, but they couldn’t get there fast enough. The last group of rebels they encountered fought back harder than the others. It meant they were getting close. To what, he wasn’t sure yet. So far none of the prisoners detained had any more information than Renzo had. If they did, they would’ve spoken up. There were limits of what they could do to make the prisoners speak, and the line couldn’t be crossed. If it was, they weren’t any better than the scum they were trying to stop.
“Renzo, Stone said they would be at the camp in twenty. Do you want me to hold the line while you meet with him?” Cory asked.
Cory Horne, Tony Cobb, and Bobby Gordon might work for Bennett, but at the moment they were working and reporting to Renzo. The chain of command didn’t follow a paycheck. It was all about duty. Although he trusted Cory and the others, Renzo didn’t want to leave yet. His gut told him something was coming, and he didn’t want it to slip through the cracks.
“I’ll meet up with him later. Right now we need to keep an eye on that ridge. Something doesn’t feel right.” Renzo pointed to an area of trees that blocked their view. “I swear there was movement there. Brief, but something.”
“Want me to take a few guys and check it out? You can cover our six from here.”
Renzo wasn’t good about sending anyone and staying behind. But he was the most skilled long-distance sharpshooter. It explained why Bennett sent him off with these guys. They were damn good, but they didn’t have a sniper background. He had no choice but to send them.
“Don’t play the hero. We can flush them out if you suspect it’s a trap,” Renzo instructed as he got into position.
“Roger,” Cory said and waved for two of the others to follow him.
Renzo called out, “Keep your eyes open and your heads down.” He knew he didn’t have to tell them that as they’d each served with Bennett in the Corps. But as long as he was in charge of them, he’d remind them to be cautious.
Sure enough, it wasn’t long before whoever was in those trees realized they’d been made. Renzo couldn’t make out who they were or get a clear shot, but he could see the leaves rustling when there wasn’t any breeze. Cory must’ve noticed it as well, because he dropped down low and the other two followed. He watched as Cory raised a hand in the air showing three fingers, two, and then finally one. They were going to make a move and Renzo wished to hell he knew what it was they’d seen. Come on. Show yourself.
As though the rebels had heard him, one of them came out from behind a tree with his rifle aimed in Cory’s direction. Renzo aimed for his left shoulder and pulled the trigger. He saw the guy drop his rifle and fall backward. He’d tried to avoid delivering a fatal blow, but there were times when it was unavoidable.
Three more men appeared from the same area, and Cory and the others exchanged fire. In a matter of seconds, it was over. Renzo felt a jab in his gut when he saw Tony drop to one knee then fall forward. Fuck! “Status.”
Cory’s voice came over his earpiece. “Tony’s hit.”
“Bobby, get the medic here ASAP,” Renzo ordered.
“Roger,” Bobby replied.
Renzo wanted to rush over there and be by Tony’s side, but he needed to focus. This band of rebels was different from the others they’d encountered. Those bastards weren’t using the same old shitty guns they had before. Renzo didn’t need to see them. The sound was unmistakable. M-16s. These guys were too easy to take out. Even though they got off a lucky shot and hit Tony, if they were professionals, they could’ve easily taken them all out. They had the advantage of coverage in the tress. Our guys were sitting ducks. Although Tony might disagree at the moment, Renzo knew they’d gotten lucky.
Each of them realized this engagement was a game changer. They weren’t locals; although not trained, they were heavily armed. There was one question his team needed to know and fast. What else are you guys packing?
Once Tony was on the chopper, Renzo and the rest of the team searched the ridge. At first, Renzo thought there had only been four rebels, but they found six, and all were dead. Granted Cory and the others were good, but two of the rebels had been shot in the back and were farther in the trees than any of them could have shot. The question was, who killed them? Were they starting to fight among themselves? Could they have killed their own men so they weren’t captured? If so, what were they afraid we’d learn?
Renzo had been on many scenes where people died. The coroner could tell a lot by body temperature and rigor mortis. He wasn’t an expert, but there were basic things he knew. These guys seemed to be killed in the same time frame as the ones taken out by his team. It was his best guess, but there wasn’t anyone around who could verify his findings. If the rebels had killed two of their own, Renzo and his team would’ve heard it. Shots like that echoed through these hills.
“Something’s not adding up,” Cory stated.
“Can you tell what type of weapon was used to kill the other two guys?” Renzo asked.
“No, but whoever it was knew exactly what they were doing. Both these guys were dead before they hit the ground.”
“Looks like we stumbled into another group besides the rebels. But why the hell would they kill the guys who are working with them?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.”
“I think it’s time we meet with Stone. Let him know we’ll be there early in the morning. We’re not traveling these woods at night. Not now at least,” Renzo said, knowing it was his job to keep Bennett’s men safe. He was glad Tony’s injuries weren’t life-threatening, but he wasn’t taking any chances. Things were changing, and it wasn’t in their favor. And he was now a team member short.
He’d hoped his brothers wouldn’t be joining him in Tabiq. They might all know what they were fucking doing, but it would only give him more people to worry about. Besides, Rafe had his hands full dealing with the client they had. Only David was free to come and assist. Renzo wasn’t interrupting David’s celebration. Not after receiving the text saying Jada said yes to his proposal.
Renzo holstered his pistol again but knew it was going to be a sleepless night for them. He hated this. Right now he had more questions than answers. He respected what the Hendersons were trying to do here, but they might have to face that someone was challenging them, and it didn’t look like they were going to back down. Whether the Hendersons liked it or not, they may have to go back to the States and leave the fighting to professionals. Because this might become an all-out battle between good and evil.
Renzo couldn’t wait to talk with Bennett in the morning and meet the new recruits. He said they were good. They better be fucking awesome, because there was no room for error right now and no time for babysitting. He also hoped Bennett was bringing some good news with him; right now they could use some.
Chapter Nine
‡
Hydria never went to boot camp, but she understood why the military was so tough. Bennett had told her they were heading outside of Chino and would be staying in the main camp until they joined the other team members. She envisioned better living quarters. Like a separate one for women.
She needed to remind herself this was part of the job. The other members on Bennett’s team served in the military, and none of them seemed to blink an eye when she laid her sleeping bag down and slept in her clothes. Hydria had never shared a tent with six men before. How she was able to sleep at all amazed her. It wasn’t fear or desire. If they weren’t snoring, they were farting. If she had a pillow, she’d have put it over her head. Dragging her sleeping bag outside to sleep wasn’t an option, as it would draw unwanted attention from her new employer.
When morning came, she pulled her wild auburn curls into a ponytail and put on a clean dark maroon tank top. She wished she had something to blend in with the rest of the team. The others here were all dressed in camo. It hadn’t been part of her wardrobe. That hadn’t been a problem at the medical center. If anything camos and dark colors would’ve made her less effective there. Hydria needed to look less threatening and more approachable. That wasn’t going to be the case out here, or at least she hoped not. She had questioned Bennett when they were at the medical center, but he wasn’t concerned, that didn’t mean she wasn’t. He informed her if they were to encounter any women along the way, they may need to utilize her to break the ice as Ziva had. There was one major difference. Ziva was Tabiqian and Hydria wasn’t. And there’s only so much you can communicate with gestures. I might have dark hair and eyes, but once I open my mouth, they’ll hear my American accent. Can’t hide it.
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