“Grenade!” Dexter shouted.
All three scattered and dove for shelter from the rolling grenade. Zach gave the signal for a strike and disappeared before detonation. Monroe remained quietly seated in his chair and appeared less than impressed. The grenade emitted a large cloud of smoke. Zach slipped in through the front entrance and Holden appeared through the back with his gun drawn. Dexter and the two gunmen realized the grenade was a decoy, saw the ambush, and immediately fired at Zach and Holden on opposite ends. Monroe casually straightened, smashed the chair with his foot, and rolled out of the ropes that were once around him. Monroe dove behind the nearby gang box with Zach and easily found the spare semiautomatic down the back of his friend’s pants. They’d obviously played this game before. Holden took cover behind a generator not far from the back entrance. Dexter and the two gunmen moved behind the old jeep and fired at the intruders. Zach leaned his back to the gang box and casually lit a cigar. He took several puffs from it, eyed Monroe, and grinned. Monroe offered no comment or question; instead, he fired back at Dexter and the two other hired killers. Zach casually lit a stick of dynamite from his cigar. Monroe met Zach’s nearly psychotic gaze with little reaction.
“I love this part,” Zach chirped cheerfully.
Monroe took his silent cue and rapidly fired at the three men, allowing Zach enough cover to stand and throw the dynamite at them. The cheap grin on his face was frightening.
“Fire in the hole!” Zach shouted with enthusiasm.
Holden saw the dynamite, gasped, and ducked behind the generator. The dynamite landed just before the jeep. Dexter and the first gunman saw the sizzling fuse attached to the explosive and dove out of the way. The dynamite exploded, flipping the jeep over and onto the second gunman, who didn’t have time to get out of the way. Dexter and the first gunman were catapulted through the air and landed roughly on the ground behind the overturned jeep. Dexter rolled several times but quickly recovered, reclaimed his gun, and fired while running out the main entrance, not caring that he had abandoned the other gunman. Holden ran after Dexter. The remaining gunman recovered more slowly from the impact and his unplanned flight.
Zach and Monroe charged him while he was down. The gunman recovered and fired at Monroe and Zach from behind the overturned jeep. Monroe leaped for cover to the sound of the first shot. Zach never slowed, scaled the overturned jeep, and kicked the gun upward from the gunman’s hand. The gun flew straight up into the air. The gunman caught the falling object as Zach leaped off the jeep, but what he caught was a grenade instead of the gun. Zach and Monroe ran for the back entrance as the grenade exploded, taking the last gunman with it, raining down chunks of his singed flesh.
Chapter Thirty-five
Dexter ran for Monroe’s Hummer not far from the hanger with Holden just behind him. He stopped alongside the Hummer and fired back at Holden. Holden leaped to the ground behind an overturned drum for safety. The wording on the drum read ‘gasoline’. Holden saw the warning, appeared alarmed, and shot at Dexter as he made a run for the side of the hanger instead. A stray shot hit the drum. There was a tremendous explosion and a fiery ball of flame. Holden was partially projected through the air as he dove for safety. He hit the ground alongside the hanger a little harder than anticipated. Dexter ran for the Hummer’s driver side door and threw it open. Jackie was crouched on the driver’s seat. She clutched the seat and steering wheel to brace herself as she kicked him in the chest with both feet.
Dexter was thrown roughly to the ground and the gun flew from his hand. Jackie gracefully jumped out of the Hummer and approached him where he lie on the ground. Her expression was cold and hard. Dexter scrambled for his gun. Jackie kicked it out of the way and stared down at him as he looked up at her, now on his backside. Dexter slowly moved to his knees and watched her, obviously contemplating his next move and hers. She removed her semiautomatic then casually tossed it aside.
“You want me?” she growled lowly. “I’m right here. Let’s end this.”
Dexter hesitated only a moment then sprang to his feet and lunged for her. Jackie spun into a roundhouse kick and struck him in the chest. He stumbled back with surprise and rubbed his chest. She went for a second kick, but he was anticipating it and grabbed her ankle, twisting her leg. Jackie used the momentum from the twist to flip her entire body and struck him in the face with her free foot. He flew backward onto the ground, striking it harshly. Jackie rolled across the ground and immediately sprang to her feet facing him. Holden was about to move in from alongside the hanger when Monroe suddenly stood alongside him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Let her go,” Monroe announced. “Therapy, man. It’s good for her.”
Zach mysteriously appeared near the fight in progress and casually sat on the Hummer’s hood while puffing on his cigar. He watched the fight with a pleased smirk on his face. Dexter only got in one good shot while Jackie dominated the fight with high kicks and defensive blocks. She kicked Dexter in the face with a final blow, throwing him against the Hummer’s hood not far from Zach. Zach eyed him from only a few feet away and grinned through the cigar clenched in his teeth. When it appeared as if the battle had ended, Holden and Monroe approached them and the Hummer. Monroe grinned and slapped Holden on the back while raising his brows and indicating Jackie.
“Pretty hot, huh?”
Holden eyed Monroe without response. He obviously didn’t care for his version of ‘hot’. As Dexter weakly clung to the Hummer hood for support, Jackie grabbed him by the throat and stared into his eyes.
“Give Lyle a message from me,” Jackie snarled through gritted teeth.
Jackie rammed her knee into Dexter’s groin and released him as he dropped to his knees while clutching himself. Monroe and Holden suddenly stopped and grimaced. Zach grinned lustfully while watching Jackie.
“God, you are sexy,” Zach groaned softly.
Jackie eyed Zach, hid her smile to the comment, and then walked toward Holden and Monroe as they continued their approach. Dexter suddenly removed a small semiautomatic from a hidden ankle holster and aimed it at Jackie’s back from where he knelt on the ground near the vehicle. Holden saw the gun and immediately raised his weapon.
“Gun!” Holden shouted.
Jackie only had to hear the word and threw herself into a roll across the ground, giving Holden a clear line of fire. Holden shot Dexter twice in the chest. His body jolted before striking the Hummer then falling to the ground. Zach remained casually seated on the Hummer’s hood and watched Dexter collapse lifelessly. Zach loosened his finger on the trigger of his carefully hidden gun. No one needed to know that he had the situation under control if Holden had failed to take out Dexter in time. Jackie looked back at the dead man on the ground then allowed Holden to assist her to her feet and gather her in his arms. She smiled as he held her.
“Nice shot,” Jackie announced cheerfully.
Monroe’s expression suddenly dropped. “Oh, God,” he groaned and rolled his eyes. “She’s keeping him.”
Holden released Jackie and holstered his weapon. Monroe approached Dexter, kicked his shoe, and then looked at Jackie while giving a nod at the dead man.
“Was this the ringleader?” Monroe asked.
“Yeah, that’s Dexter, the governor’s second in command,” Jackie replied.
Monroe searched the dead man’s pockets, removed Dexter’s cell phone from his jacket, and tossed it to Zach. Zach caught the cell phone and pressed a button while casually puffing on his cigar. Thankfully, cell service seemed to be working.
As the phone was almost immediately answered, the governor’s familiar voice spoke hastily. “Is it done?”
“Yes, Governor,” Zach said in a creepy tone. “It’s done.”
“Who is this?” came the governor’s confused response from the other end.
“You should have sent more men,” Zach said low and evilly. “I don’t appreciate my talent being wasted on mere play dates.” He hesitated then grinned. “We shoul
d arrange for our own play date. It’ll be fun.”
Zach disconnected the call, smiled deviously, and wiped his prints from the phone. Monroe hid his smile, sharing in Zach’s twisted and devious nature.
“You’re sick, man,” Monroe remarked.
Zach tossed the cell phone over his shoulder and maintained his devious smile through the cigar. Monroe eyed Jackie and indicated Holden with a nod.
“So what are we doing with the fed?”
“He’s relinquishing me into your custody,” Jackie informed him cheerfully.
Monroe appeared slightly surprised then smiled proudly. “Oh, well, in that case, I may not kill him after all.” He glared at Holden as his look turned serious. “--for taking my clothes.” Monroe then looked across the airfield and appeared horrified while pointing at the sports car. “--and my Ferrari?” He looked at Jackie and appeared to pout like a child. “You let him take my Ferrari?”
“We didn’t have much choice,” Jackie protested. “Your house is somewhere in the Atlantic.”
Monroe groaned and shook his head. Zach looked at his watch then to the sky and stared with more than a passing interest, catching everyone’s attention. Holden looked to the sky as well and listened. A helicopter was heard approaching. As the large helicopter came into view, Holden straightened with concern.
“Is that--?”
Monroe smirked and nodded. “Oh, yeah.”
The helicopter gracefully lowered to the ground several yards away from them. Three intimidating looking men with assault rifles jumped out before the helicopter had completely landed, flanked them, and immediately aimed their weapons at Holden. It was unclear if they intended to shoot first and ask questions later. Jackie gasped and jumped in front of Holden. She didn’t want to find out the answer after the fact.
“It’s okay! At ease!” Monroe ordered.
The three men lowered their weapons on command. As the helicopter shut down, a fourth man appeared and joined them. The men smiled deviously at Jackie and swarmed her. Jackie playfully screamed as the first man, Ross, lifted her up and kissed her quickly on the lips. She was tossed from one man to the next for their official greeting. Holden watched with concern then appeared suddenly aware of Zach standing alongside him with a disapproving look on his slightly psychotic face.
“Pitiful display of male dominance, don’t you think?” Zach remarked.
Holden eyed Zach, who had once again mysterious appeared alongside him. Jackie approached Holden, took him by the hand, and led him toward the four intimidating looking men.
“This is Special Agent Holden Falcone,” Jackie announced then glanced at Holden and indicated the serious looking men. Despite being mostly middle-aged men, they still retained their muscle mass and stature. “Holden, this is the rest of my father’s old SEAL team. Ross, Beck, Gil, and Kirk.”
They eyed him with moderate distrust. Holden gave Jackie’s hand an oddly firm squeeze. Ross finally smiled and extended his hand.
“Pleasure to meet you, Agent Falcone,” Ross announced cheerfully.
Holden accepted his hand and appeared relieved that the men were friendly--ish. The other men quickly joined in to greet him, their moods immediately turning jovial and less intimidating. They finally looked around at the destruction and at Dexter’s blood-soaked body on the ground near the Hummer.
“This looks familiar,” Kirk muttered. “Someone certainly screwed the pooch.”
Gil puffed on his cigar and grinned at his comrade. “Now, see, this is what happens when you leave Monroe in charge of shit. Momma’s boy can’t coordinate anything but his wardrobe.”
There was a round of laughter from the men. Monroe sneered at Gil and didn’t appear amused. Kirk eyed Monroe’s battered and bleeding face.
“Using your face to pound on someone’s fist again?” Kirk teased his friend.
Beck removed a cigar from his jacket and indicated the charred ground and smoke billowing from the nearby hanger. “You can tell Zach was here,” he remarked while lighting his cigar and eyed Zach. “Did you ever meet anyone you didn’t blow to bits?”
“That’s classified,” Zach teased.
“What a cluster fuck,” Ross scoffed while shaking his head. “Who’s cleaning this shit?”
Everyone pointed at Holden. Holden eyed them, groaned, and conceded. Monroe looked at Ross, tapped his watch, and gestured with his hand. Ross took his cue and looked at the other retired SEALs.
“Okay, men, stand by to stand by,” Ross bellowed. “We’re bugging out in fifteen!” Ross then looked at Monroe while aggressively chewing on his cigar. “You’re meeting us at the rendezvous, right?”
“I’ll be a few hours behind you, as planned.” Monroe turned to Holden, placed his hand on his shoulder, and gave him a stern, serious look. “If you and Jackie want to sneak in a quick one, you’d better do it fast.”
Holden seemed surprised by the suggestion, hid his embarrassed smile, and shook his head in response. Without hesitation, Jackie grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the smoldering hanger, startling him.
“Oh, okay--” he gasped and hurried to keep up with her as they disappeared inside the hanger.
Ten minutes later, Jackie and Holden emerged from the hanger, the stench of smoke lingering on them. Jackie was all smiles. Holden attempted to tuck in his shirt while hiding his boyish grin to their unplanned sexual romp. All six men leaned against the helicopter with their arms folded across their chests, cigars in their mouths, and looks of disapproval on their hard Navy SEAL faces. Holden stopped smiling when he saw their looks and immediately fidgeted. After successfully intimidating him, they straightened and Ross began shouting orders to the men.
“I want every swinging dick on station, now!” Ross cried out while gesturing with his hand.
The men sprang into action. Jackie kissed Holden quickly but passionately and smiled her goodbye.
“Call me as soon as you’re settled,” Holden reminded firmly without taking his eyes off her.
Jackie smiled and nodded, fighting her own tears. She didn’t want to show weakness in front of her father’s team. They’d never let her live it down, and it would be a long enough flight as they would undoubtedly torment her endlessly about her escapades with Holden in the hanger. She didn’t want to think about how much she’d miss Holden, and if he’d still feel the same about her when they finally met again. She’d never been in a relationship, so she had no idea what to expect. Ross jolted her out of her self-pity daze while yelling to the men.
“Drinks are on Jackie!” Ross yelled excitedly.
The men cheered in response and began piling into the helicopter. Beck stopped before Holden and handed him a business card.
“If you’re ever in Colorado and need a quality used car, give me a call,” he announced while grinning then joined the others in the helicopter.
Monroe remained behind with Holden. Both watched as Jackie and Zach joined the others in the helicopter. Jackie waved to them as the helicopter lifted off.
One of the men exclaimed, “Alpha Mike Foxtrot!” It was followed by a round of laughter as the helicopter flew away from the private airfield and the men left behind.
Holden glanced at Monroe and appeared bewildered. “Is that code for something?”
“Yeah, it means goodbye,” Monroe remarked then offered a slight shrug. “In not so polite terms.”
Monroe turned toward him, extended the Hummer keys to Holden, and glared while snapping his fingers. Holden frowned and handed him the Ferrari keys. Monroe snatched the Ferrari keys and shook his head with disgust.
“You can steal my woman, but don’t you ever touch my car,” Monroe growled.
Holden looked to the sky and the helicopter fading into the distance. He placed his hands in his pockets and frowned. Monroe noted his look and snorted a soft laugh.
“Relax,” he announced. “She’ll be safe. She’s in the best hands possible. Every single one of those men would kill for that girl.”
&
nbsp; “I don’t doubt it,” Holden replied while lacking enthusiasm.
Monroe studied him a moment then appeared humored by what he saw in Holden’s distant look. “Don’t worry; she’ll still want you when this is all over. If she wasn’t serious about you, she wouldn’t have gone into the hanger with you. No way would she open herself up to that sort of ribbing if she didn’t have strong feelings for you.”
Holden finally looked at Monroe and hid his pleased smile. “Thanks--for everything.”
“Remember that,” Monroe announced while grinning slyly. “I may ask for a favor one day.”
Chapter Thirty-six
Four months had passed and Governor Lyle Kempton was scheduled to go on trial for his role in the murders of Agent Harris Benton, and Vicki, the librarian. A crowd of reporters had gathered outside the courthouse as the governor approached the steps with his assistant and an entourage of lawyers. Television and newspaper reporters swarmed him with cameras flashing and questions about the murders. His lawyers kept them at bay and hurried him inside, away from the chaos outside the building. Police officers attempted to bring other prisoners in and out of the building through the crowd of onlookers and media. Even the streets were bumper-to-bumper with passersby attempting to get a look at the infamous governor about to be tried for homicide.
Within the safety of the crowded courthouse, Lyle appeared repulsed as gang members and prostitutes brushed past him in the tight quarters of the main hallway. Lyle walked with his assistant past several prisoners awaiting their trials. Gang members shouted profanities at one another from across the corridor while prostitutes appeared calm and collected. Lyle’s lawyers busily talked to the prosecuting attorney as they waited for the trial to begin. Lyle moved closer to his assistant and spoke softly with him while looking around the crowded corridor.
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