by N Kuhn
Len waddles out of his little trailer, pointing a finger at me.
“You, you said she would be fine. You said there would be no disruption to my movie. Now I have a lead actor with a broken nose and a missing lead actress.”
Coming to a halt in front of me, he continues to waggle his finger in my face. Grabbing it, I twist and pull it until he grimaces in pain. Putting my face right in his, I let my anger and fear over Lianna explode onto him.
“And I told you, to tighten security. I even told you what was going on. Don’t you think that considering the situation, you could have shot a different scene, and got all these Asians out of here? The Yakuza slipped in, right under your nose. Now back off of me so I can do my job and get her back. Alive.” That probably wasn’t the smartest move to make, Len is a very powerful person. But, losing a few future clients is nothing compared to losing a Tuck to being killed or kidnapped.
Throwing the man aside by his hand, I march out of the lot. As I reach for the handle on my Jeep’s door, Buzz comes up behind me.
“Sir, they got a jump on us. We thought they were just extras who got lost in the lot. I’m sorry sir. What can I do to fix this?” Giving him a once over, he’s got a bump on his head, but doesn’t look like it will inhibit his performance.
“Jump in,” I tell him. The two of us drive off the lot. I have a storage unit I keep downtown with all my supplies. Guns, ammo, vests and more.
“We’re going to suit up, and then we’re going to get her. I know where she will be. I also have some reinforcements meeting us there.”” The man next to me nods solemnly, watching out the window as the city flies by. There’s so much to do and so little time right now. Making plans in my head, I have to find a way to track Akio, sneak up on him somehow, and get Lianna out alive. There’s also the little problem of El Burro. He will be there. I know it. I can’t let him slip through my fingers again.
Chapter 7
Clunk, clunk, clunk. What the hell is that noise? Trying to sit up and find out, I’m not able to move. My head pounds, and it’s the most awful pain, more so than any hangover I’ve ever experienced. Wiggling my hands, I find they are tied behind my back. There must be a blindfold on me, because I can’t see either. Where am I? Fear grips me, and I try to figure out what is happening to me. Trying to sit up, my head smacks into something, a low ceiling, or worse, a trunk. The last thing I remember was talking to Chase, and then screaming. Laying still, I attempt to listen to the noises around me. I hear traffic and it feels like I’m moving. I have to be in a car, so trunk wins. Panic seizes me, my throat goes dry. Trying to piece out how I got here, suddenly it all washes back over me, like a bad dream. I was heading to my dressing trailer, talking to Chase. We were between takes. One of the extras had asked for my autograph. When I turned to sign, someone grabbed me. Remembering now, I had seen Chase fall to the ground, blood spurting from his nose and my guards were getting knocked around. The screaming, that had been me.
I’ve been kidnapped. Now, more than ever I wish Tuck were here. With his big muscles, icy eyes and sharp shooting guns. There would be no argument from me. Anything he said, I would do it, if it means me getting out of this mess. But he won’t come. His job was to get me back to the studio, and he did. Now he’s not involved. I’m on my own. Tears warm my face as they fall and I’m helpless to wipe them away. As the unending stream falls, I feel so lonely and dumb. I’m stupid, look at the mess I’ve made of my life. No real friends, no family, nothing. Drugs, alcohol. That’s all I know, and now, because of those very same things I’m in this situation. With no way out.
Tuck’s words fill my mind. Sex trafficking, drugs, worse, death. I’m either on my way to being a sex slave or I’m going to die. Both options scare me equally. I’ve made some horrible mistakes in my life. I suppose I deserve this. Growing up, I had hoped for better. I never expected to be as big a star as I had become. It was tough, dealing with parents who were vultures, taking everything I made, everything earned with my hard work and watching them piss it away. They suffocated me and I guess overcompensating my so called freedom has resulted in who I am today. A druggie messed up loser. Pity roles given to me, no on I can trust. A haggard body, I can’t even turn on a man like Tuck anymore and now I’m going to die. Death before I’ve gotten to experience love, a real family, a real life.
Feeling the vehicle under me grind to a halt, my body is thrown backwards to the rear wall of the trunk, slamming my head into something. This does nothing to help the grinding pain between my temples. I can hear the doors open and close, next thing I know, the lid to the trunk opens. Shaking with fear, I’m not going easy. As arms reach out and grab at me, I start kicking my legs, screaming. If only someone, a passerby or anyone, if they hear me, maybe I can make it out of here alive. Just maybe. Until the gun is pointed in my face, cutting my fight off in an instant.
“Knock it off bitch or I’ll shoot you here and now.” A voice that sounds familiar to me, but I can’t place it, speaks next to my ear. Unable to see anything, I gasp for air, my fear leaving me breathless. It’s as if an elephant sits on my chest, and I can’t breathe.
“WH-what do you want with me? What are you going to do?” I mumble, knowing it sounds desperate. I can hear laughter. Cruel, mean laughter that shakes me to the bone.
“You should have just stayed and partied with me last night. Now, because your bodyguard had to go Rambo on my men, and insult me, I have to make an example of both of you.”
“Don’t you know who I am? You won’t get away with this.” More laughter.
“I know who you are sweetheart. That’s why you’re even still alive. That’s why we’re going to trade you for some goodies. El Burro will enjoy you.”
“El Burro? Who is that? What are you going to do to me?” Trembling, my voice wavers, cracking as fresh tears fall down my face.
“Just wait, you’ll find out,” the voice says to me.
Fear takes over my body, I can barely walk as they lead me to wherever we are going. Feeling myself thrown into a chair, my legs are tied to it, and I feel a rope wrapped around my body to hold me in place. The bag is removed from my head, and I’m blinded by sunlight as it sets through the window in front of me. Even being in sunny California, I shiver, my body covering in goose bumps. The wardrobe I had on was just a short flowing skirt of pink satin and lace and a white tank top. Blinking my eyes a few times, regaining my senses, I see the man Tuck had called Akio.
Looming in front of me, a nasty sneer on his face, there are two other men behind him. The one is Raj, the man I went to the bar with, the extra from the movie set. I don’t recognize the other one. Checking my surroundings, it seems as if I’m in a warehouse. We must be near the ocean. I can smell the fish in the air. It’s nauseating.
A door opens from somewhere behind me. Footsteps fall onto the concrete floor. Someone approaches us from behind. All three men jump to attention. A sharp voice fills the silence.
“Son, you dishonor me. You know better than to make mess this way. You will clean up with no help from me.”
“Father, what are you doing here?” Akio questions. His face looks like a chastised child. “I’m cleaning it up as we speak father.”
“You know better than this. You can’t cause such chaos in my town and I not hear about it. I know you too well son. Of course you would be here. What of the body guard? I hear he is still out there. Got away from three of your boys in the street this morning and many others. You just can’t seem to get him can you? You’re useless.”
“Yes father, don’t worry about it. We have her and the rat Razor to use. I’m sure he’ll want at least one of them back alive.”
“I have heard not from Burro yet, does he still plan to business with us next month?” Akio shakes his head yes. I thought Burro was coming tonight. He’s lying to his father, that can’t be good. Biting my lip hard, I keep from spitting out those words. The last thing I want is to be caught up in a family feud. I know that wouldn’t end well.
Both men seem to want me dead. If Akio doesn’t do it, his father most likely would. I can only sit here and watch as it all plays out. It feels surreal. Like a horrible B movie.
With nothing further to say, the old man disappears, his footsteps fading from earshot quickly.
“Let’s go, we need to get the cases and cash for El Burro,” Akio whispers, “Kei, you stay here, watch her. Be careful. If that body guard does give a shit, he’ll show up, and we must be ready.” Leaving without further concern for my welfare, Akio and Raj walk out of the warehouse, and I’m alone with my new guard.
“Can I get some water please?” I ask him. Being sober sucks. I feel everything. My tongue is dry, and thick in my mouth. The sickness in my stomach is intensified, all the pain I feel is so much worse than I’ve felt, and I want to throw up. I’m sure it’s withdrawal, but some of it must be fear as well. The man, Kei, ignores me. Sitting in a chair across from me, he just stares, silent. This is going to be a long day. I wish they would just kill me already.
After what felt like hours, Akio finally returns. He comes back with Raj left with him, plus two more guys. What, does he have an unlimited supply of soldiers or something? They just keep showing up, even when Tuck kills or injures some of them off two more materialize.
“Let’s go, grab her, and the cases. El Burro will be here shortly. Everybody out on to the dock.” Kei, my new silent best friend, grabs me by the arm, using his other hand to undo the ropes holding me to the chair. Lifting me up and over his shoulder, I’m carried out of the warehouse and into a chilly night. I think I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m going to die, and I’m alright with that. What do I have to live for anyways? More drugs? More money? More being alone? That’s not the life I want anymore. I want what Tuck has. An escape to the countryside, out of the city. I want peace and quiet, reading in the sun and someone to share it with. All things I’ll never have anyways, so death seems the better option.
“Yes, Mr. Tuck I presume,” hearing his name jolts me to attention. Akio has him on the phone. I have to let him know I’m ok.
“Tuck,” I scream, trying to pull myself off from the guy manhandling me. All things I’ll never have anyways, so death seems the better option. “Tuck, please, help m-” My pleas for help are cut off as a sharp pain raises across my face. Akio has spun around and slapped me.
“Mr. Tuck. As you can very well tell, she’s alive and well. We have your friend Razor too. Why don’t you meet us at the docks? You have one hour to get here.” As he hangs up the phone, I drown in a feeling of guilt. They took one of Tuck’s friends too? This is all my fault. I can’t believe I got him wrapped up in this mess. I don’t even know how I got myself wrapped up in it. The tears fall again. I’m scared. But this time, not only for myself. I’m afraid they mean to kill Tuck, and I feel horrible about Tuck’s friend. I really am a horrible person. No wonder why he didn’t want me. Pulling myself together, I have to find a way to buy time. Time for Tuck to find me, time for, I don’t know what, a plan maybe?
“So, lying to your father about Burro? Trying to steal his business? How’s that going to sit with Dear Old Daddy?” I ask. Right now, I’ll try anything I can to stall, and give Tuck the time he needs to get here. To get to me. Reaching back, he smacks me across the face again. I taste the blood from my split lip, as it leaks into my mouth. Smiling at him, being an actress after all, I can pretend it doesn’t bother me. Even if inside I’m screaming and crying. Dragging me towards a waiting town car, the thug throws me in the backseat, clamoring in after me. The automatic locks pop as the car is put into drive. I have no clue where we’re going. I know we’re close to the docks. Smelling the fish and salty air tells me this. I suppose I’m not as dumb as I thought. As much as I want Tuck to come save me, now I feel helpless and guilty. Maybe I don’t want him showing up here. If anything were to happen to him, I could never forgive myself. Right about now I feel crazy. I’m talking to myself and I can’t decide if I just want Akio to kill me or if Tuck should save me. There’s nothing left to do except wait. One way or another, I have a feeling it all ends here tonight.
Chapter 8
Pacing up and down the storage unit, my restlessness is turning lethal. The longer I wait, the angrier I feel myself getting. With no release for it, I’m going to be deadly. That call from Akio is driving me nuts. Slamming my fist into the wall, I know that she’s alive, but I’m going to choke that bastard for hitting her. Wishing it were his face and not the wall, I slam into it again. A hand falls heavy on my shoulder.
“Save it for him brother,” Colton Ferbez says to me. I feel useless right now. Buzz and four of my old Special Forces unit are here to help me. Colton Ferbez, Jenson Grimes, Harley Jackson and Anthony Watson. They were all there that night in the jungle. My buddies wanted the chance at El Burro, and I really needed the extra fire power. But Buzz, he is here because he feels bad about losing Lianna in the first place. I can’t blame him, I would have done the same thing. I guess I am doing the same thing. It’s just as much my fault as his that she’s in the hands of that jackass Akio. Finally, after what seems like years, my cell phone rings. Pounding the screen, I answer.
“Tuck.”
“Hey Tuck, I got that trace you wanted. You’re right, they are at the docks, and according to the pin point, near the old fishing warehouse. But, as I was pulling the trace, it moved, and is now over near slip thirteen. Hope this helps buddy. You ok? Do you need anything else? I’m here all night. Just let me know.
Chris has been owing me a favor for some time. He owns a large IT company in Simi Valley. When his daughter ran away with her boyfriend and nobody could find her, I had gotten to them and brought her home. She happened to be pregnant, and was afraid to face her parents, so she took off. According to Chris, they worked it out, and he’s a proud Papa now. Being as he’s the one I go through for all my tech gear and alarm systems anyways, I didn’t charge him, just told him I’d call in a favor sometime. Which I definitely pulled in today. I would call in any and all favors owed to me today if it would mean getting Lianna and Razor back alive, and a chance at killing Akio and El Burro. The only consolation was that both these evil men would be in the same place at the same time, very soon. I plan to wipe them both from the face of the earth.
Nodding to the men in my storage unit, we head out. Locking the door up behind me, we fill my Jeep. My unit isn’t that far from the docks. Akio had said an hour, but he’s already there. I don’t want him to have a chance to meet with Burro before we can reach him. At least, that’s what I’m assuming his intentions were. Handling one issue at a time. Flying at top speed through the city, I weave in and out of traffic, trying to break a record in the time it takes to get there. Finally reaching our destination, I throw the Jeep into park, and look back at my friends.
“Getting Lianna and Razor alive are our main concerns. I know we all want a piece of Burro for what he did to Rios. But he’s only our secondary concern. Him and Akio, secondary. Got it? We can wipe them out, after the hostages are secure.” Everyone agrees and we’re off. Creeping around building, we split up. This is just like old time. Buzz and Jackson are with me. Ferbez, Watson and Grimes go around the opposite side. Going through the boat yard, they will hopefully be able to flank the right side, coming up behind Akio. Slowly, and sticking to the side of the buildings, we edge forward. Taking the lead, I’m on the lookout for any sentries that Akio has placed around. I don’t see any. I wonder to myself how many times Akio has met with Burro. If I were him, I wouldn’t trust him enough to not have guards watching my back from somewhere.
Rounding a corner, I can finally see someone. Raising my fist, I signal the other two men with me to halt. The guy is facing the water, not a very good look out. Sneaking up to his rear, I rest my assault rifle on my shoulder with the strap. Reaching out, I place a hand on either side of his head, and before he knows what happened, I snap his neck. As his limp body crumples to the ground, I signal the others to follow. That’s all he had for
lookout? One man? This may be too easy, that, or it’s a set up. Creeping closer to the dock, I catch sight of my target.
Akio has three guy with him, and Lianna. Trying to hide my laughter, this kid is an amateur. Things feel like the old days. My Rambo sensations are kicking in again. I feel like I’m in my back yard, playing toy guns, sneaking up on Jeremy. The men have their backs turned to us and are watching the water. Waiting on Burro, I’m sure. Stealthily I move up, quickly and quietly taking out the three guys with Akio with head shots. As they one by one fall to the ground, blood seeping from the holes my silenced pistol put in them, Akio grabs Lianna. Holding her by the throat, gun to her head, she’s held in front of him. Like a shield. A look of acceptance crosses Lianna’s face, and it’s scary, almost as if she wants to die. Her perfect plump lips mouth the words ‘I’m sorry’. With a question lingering on my lips, I try to focus. She’s given up, but I haven’t. Aiming at Akio, I flip the switch on for my training. The deadly soldier that once was, emerges again. I hear my team mates walk up behind me.
