I shrugged.
“It’s in my blood. I gotta go.”
I had to get everything I needed in place to keep an eye on Max while she worked.
Roland called me as I was leaving my office.
“What do you have for me?”
“A lot, and I think you’ll like it. Why don’t we meet?”
We set up a time and place, and I was on my way.
For three weeks, we’ve been gathering intelligence on Mr. Shaw and his business. I’ve found out what he’s into and which cartel he’s working for in South America. It’s a low level cartel that’s trying to establish itself in the states. Border patrol and ATF are trying to prevent this from happening, so we’ve been gathering as much data as we could in order to provide them what they need. We also plan to provide our services in the event they want to eliminate this cartel as well.
I met Roland at a warehouse in Deep Ellum. I pulled up, and he was waiting for me outside. We shook hands.
“Man, this dude is by far one of the dumbest bad guys I have ever seen,” Roland informed me.
“He’s trying to get into a business he knows nothing about. And he’s sloppy. Do you know how many times I could have taken his life?” I told him.
Roland nodded.
“Yeah I thought the same thing. I could have easily put a bullet in his head twenty times over in one day, and he is messing with cartels?”
“I wonder what kept him alive all this time,” I asked him as we entered his warehouse.
“I can tell you that. The cartel is itching to get into the states. The reason why they used his daughter to get him in line with what they want to do is Shaw doesn’t want to ‘toe the line.’ He wants to be in charge of the operation on U.S. soil. But the cartel, of course, don’t trust outsiders. So they won’t let that happen. So the first time they took Max was to show them they mean business.”
My muscles in my neck grew taut as I thought about what they could have done to her.
“Do you know why they had her for so long?”
“No, not really, but I have a guess. I believe he tried to play hard ball, thinking they wouldn’t hurt her because they needed him. Little did he know this cartel was ruthless. They’re into women sex trafficking. They could have easily sold Max to the highest bidder. You know they would have made a fortune on her. Maybe that’s when he decided to play nice, I’m not sure. But I do know the second attempt was just to show they could snatch her again.”
“I wonder if they tried anything when she was in Philly.”
“I don’t have a doubt they didn’t. This cartel may be small, but they are resourceful. Besides, they have inside help within his organization.”
That bit of news raised my eyebrows. We came to his office, and I sat down on a huge plush couch. He poured me a Scotch, and I shook my head. I haven’t taken a drink since I came back from the beach.
Roland shrugged, took the amber color liquor down, and sat in a chair across from me.
“Ralphie and Sammy found a connection with two of Shaw’s men. They are working for the cartel for any information they need about Shaw. Shaw thinks he has loyal followers. So if they try and set up something to go against the cartel, the two little snitches blab to the cartel, and they take action. I know Shaw has to know he has a mole, but he probably thinks it’s one of his foot soldiers. He hasn’t a clue it’s two of his trusted men that have been with him for years.”
I took in everything Roland said. I knew how it was to have disloyal people around you. I knew it was time Shaw and I had that talk.
“Can you pick a time and place where we could meet? And can you give me everything you have on his snitches? I also want what the government has on him. I don’t want tapes, but I want proof of the wire taps that are everywhere. I’m going to plead with his reasonable side first. If that doesn’t work, then I’ll have to get messy. But before we do this, I need some things to take with me. I have just the gear.”
That night, I sat in the back of AB’s restaurant and watched Maxine. I sipped on water to stay sober, and I watched her closely. I found out that there were two of Shaw’s men sitting in the restaurant, but they stayed clear of her. I also recognized these two to be the snitches within his organization. Roland showed me pictures of them when I was in his office.
This, of course, forced my hand. I wanted her to know I was here, and I wanted them to know she had a friend here tonight. I’ve never seen them in this place before, so they either followed her here or stumbled upon her. I walked toward the bar and found a seat to wait for her to acknowledge me. It’s been three weeks since we had sex. I haven’t called her, but I did text her a few times to make sure she was okay. I couldn’t risk hearing her voice, or I would’ve have caved and found some reason to be at her doorstep and in her bed.
When she looked up from servicing a customer, she smiled. I smiled back, and she headed to me. She mechanically reached for the Scotch, and I put my hand up to stop her. She looked surprised but didn’t say anything.
I smiled even more and said, “I see you’re making yourself right at home?”
She nodded.
“Yeah, this place is cool. Not as busy as Lou’s bar, but I think I can handle it.”
“AB told me you were on stage earlier?”
“Yeah…um…one of the guys asked if I would do a mic check and…well…one thing led to another.”
She looked around as if she was looking for someone. I knew what she was doing, but I didn’t help her out. She busied herself with making a drink for someone next to me.
Then she asked, being as subtle as she could, “Um…are you by yourself tonight?”
“No, I’m not.”
She tried not to seem disappointed. I didn’t want her to know that I was here watching her, so I lied to her.
I changed the subject and asked, “So, how have you been? How’s the new rehab job working out?”
Her face lit up with excitement.
“Everything is going great with my job. I love it. DeWitt taught me a lot, and I’m so thankful. Knowing what I do has helped me be a little more independent sooner than I or my boss expected. The only thing that is kind of weird is that this week, for some reason…and I know it will sound silly to you but I…um…felt like I was being followed. I think you have me paranoid or something because…”
I sat up. “What do you mean you think you were being followed?”
She shrugged.
“I don’t know. It just felt like someone was watching me.”
“Did you see anyone watching you that gave you the creeps or something?”
I knew it couldn’t have been Roland’s guys, because they are experts at their craft.
I tried not to show a lot of interest, but I wanted to know if there were more of Shaw’s men out there watching her. Maybe the cartel has made it into the states for her again.
“No,” she replied. “I mean …well…I told Cory that I think I saw one of my dad’s guys watching me but…”
I stood and came around the bar. “Allura, do you think you saw one of his guys, or do you know that you did. Think back, angel. It’s important.”
She shook her head and said softly, “I’m not sure, Mason. Why? What’s going on?”
I could see she was starting to panic, and that was the last thing I wanted. When people panic, they can make stupid decisions. They do things that make sense in their minds. But for the ones protecting them, it can be a nightmare. I was so close to her. I wanted to kiss her and hold her close to me and tell her that everything will be okay. But I didn’t. Instead, I smiled. I tilted her chin up so she could focus on my eyes. I tried to show calm and peace, hoping she would feed off of this. On the inside though, I was calculating my strike.
“Nothing’s going on, and you don’t have to worry or be afraid. I told you I would keep you safe, and I will. I just need you to trust me. Can you do that?”
She studied my eyes, as I knew she would, and nodded. I smiled.
“Good. I have to go. But if you think you see someone you recognize again, call me. Okay? I don’t care what time you call my cell.”
“Okay.”
I smiled again and left her behind the bar. I walked outside of the restaurant. But first I talked to AB to make sure he would walk her and Tiffany to their cars tonight. I then called Roland. I told him I saw two of the snitches too close to Maxine. He told me he would send a few of the guys there. First, they would stay in the restaurant and then they would follow the guys to wherever they end up. I know he was thinking the same as I was: Was the cartel inside the U.S. and possibly thinking about taking her again?
I let Roland handle what he needed to do to keep Max safe. I trusted him implicitly. That trust didn’t come lightly. We did a lot together when we served in the Navy. But what brought us closer was the mission we went on after the service, when we had to go hunt and kill whoever was responsible for the death of Alex. It took a very long time to accomplish, and we did some things that neither of us want to come out. But we made those responsible pay dearly, and we haven’t had any regrets.
Never Forget, Never Forgive.
I texted Max that night and also Saturday night. I just wanted to see if she was okay and to make sure she didn’t see anyone else following her. She texted back “no,” which made me feel a little better.
Come Sunday, I made my way to where Shaw and his crew were eating Sunday dinner. It was the middle of the summer evening as I walked inside the restaurant. I didn’t waste any time. I took out two of his men that were standing next to the restaurant and four of his men in the front room of the restaurant. When I walked into the back, his guys all drew on me.
“What the fuck, white boy?” one of his goons said.
Another guy yelled out, “How did he get back here?”
Then he left to check on the others. I knew their bodies were already gone, but I still hoped I could get what I needed to say out before any bullets flew.
But at the same time I held my hands up in surrender, hoping I wouldn’t have to kill everyone in here without even saying my peace. Luckily for me, one of the guys from the restaurant was whispering something in Shaw’s ear; no doubt that I was seen talking to his daughter the other day.
“You a long way from home…Deacon, frisk him,” Shaw barked.
I watched the guy closest to me walk forward. I put my arms out so he could check me. I knew he wouldn’t be thorough, and he wasn’t. I have a small gun on the inside of my leg. Amateurs always hate touching anywhere close to a man’s dick, so I was counting on that. Deacon stepped back, and I put my hands down.
“May I?”
I pointed to the chair in front of him. He signaled, Deacon pushed me to the table, and I sat down without fuss. As I moved my chair closer, I positioned the holster around my leg holding my gun. I gutted my cargo pocket on my khaki pants, so I could easily grab my gun.
Deacon, of course, missed the maneuver… Amateurs.
“My boy tells me you know my daughter, Maxine. How well do you know her, exactly?”
I grinned.
“Let’s just say I know her well enough. Besides she’s not your daughter. She’s Ray senior’s daughter, and I know he’s probably turning in his grave at the lack of safety you’ve supplied HIS daughter.”
The look on his face was fucking priceless. He was downright livid, as I knew he would be. He lunged at me. He took his gun out, grabbed my shirt with his other hand, and stuck the gun next to my cheek. I let him, of course, because I knew he wouldn’t shoot me.
“You watch your fucking mouth in my presence, understand. Now, I don’t care who the fuck you are or who you work for, talk crazy again, and I’ll kill you.”
I smirked, and said, “Ease up, old man.”
I then directed my eyes at his chest, and he followed my gaze. That’s when his face went slack as he watched three red lasers dance around on his chest. The lasers then moved up as he released me and stood straight up. They ended on his forehead.
I didn’t look around at the other six in the room. I knew they were covered also.
I said, “You really didn’t think I came in here unprotected, did you? I may be crazy, but I’m not stupid. Now sit back down in your chair. I come in peace.”
My face grew hard, and I said, “Tell your boy to step from behind me.”
I saw him signal slightly and I then saw Deacon move to his boss’s side. I then smiled.
“Good. Now, I won’t take up any more of your time.”
“What the fuck do you want?” Shaw asked me.
I folded my arms, “Well, it’s quite simple there, Shaw. I need you to stay away from Allura.”
He looked at me knowingly. He knew if I knew her first name, the name which she doesn’t use, that I must know her intimately.
He laughed, which pissed me off, “You must be joking. She’s my daughter.”
I leaned in closer to him, rage instantly flowing through me.
“No, she was your daughter until you allowed a fucking child molester to come into your home. I can’t believe the mother fucker is still breathing after what he tried to do. But I’m not that lenient.”
I stared at him for a minute and then I backed off. I smiled again and continued.
“So here’s how I would like for this to proceed. Allura doesn’t want to see you. She doesn’t want to talk to you, so you need to keep your distance. I can be an understanding man if I want to, so I may be able to arrange a one-time visit, but that will be the last time. It seems that your troubles and the shit you’re into, manages to find her wherever she is…and that stops now.”
Shaw laughed again.
“And you think these idle threats are going to prevent me from seeing my daughter?”
“Look, Shaw, I am also a reasonable man sometimes anyway, which is why I’m here to make a deal. I have some information that will benefit you in the long run.”
Shaw looked at his boys around him and leaned back in his chair a little. He still had that stupid smirk on his face, and you know how much I hate to be smirked at. So, I guess he wants to play hard ball.
“Bring the shit in here,” I said out loud.
Shaw and his guys looked at me like I was crazy, but in less than a second, one of Roland’s guys with a mask walked in. Shaw and his men went for their weapons, but instantly, they were hit with over a dozen red lasers.
I watched as Ralphie brought out a tablet and some files. He brought up the images I wanted and walked back out. When he left, so did the lasers. I turned the tablet toward Shaw.
“Apparently, you have a few issues with your business. First, you have a non-silent partner.” I pointed to the picture of Juan Chavez, the leader of the cartel in South America. “Secondly, most, if not all, of your buildings are under surveillance, which by the way, I’m sure you are aware. You are a smart man after all.”
“So what? Are you going to take care of my silent partner and pest control?”
There goes that smirk again.
“Was the silent partner the one that kidnapped Allura?”
His smile faded, and I continued, “So apparently your silent partner has a few guys in the area. And I saw a few of his guys in the restaurant where Allura is currently working. That is a huge coincidence, don’t you think?”
I suddenly saw nervousness creep into the man before me. He looked at his guys and then back at me.
“I can’t control the movements of others.”
I ignored his statement and said, “You have a mole in your ranks, Shaw. Someone knew how to get in contact with Allura. Someone gave that number, her address, and place of employment to them.”
“How do you know that?” Deacon asked.
“Because…” I went through the tablet to show a series of pictures. “I’ve been watching them watch her. I’ve also been watching who has been watching you. And I have to say, Shaw; you need to beef up your security some. I mean, see that picture right there? That’s your hou
se isn’t it? And that right there is an image of you taking a shit. I mean, damn, I could have taken you out right there. Can you only imagine what someone could do if they were paid?”
Now fright crept into the man, and he squirmed in his chair.
“So, here’s what I am offering you. Apparently, these guys here,” I showed him a picture of Juan’s men, “are here for a reason. And would you happen to know if that reason might be to harm Allura? And before you answer that, understand I don’t give a shit about your business. My only concern is her. I will protect her with my life. You can be assured of that fact. So, if you aren’t playing nice again, and they’re pissed at you, I need to know.”
I watched the man in front of me contemplate what I said. He looked at the pictures and then back at me.
One of his guys said, “Come on boss, you can’t be listening to this shit. This white boy don’t know shit. He’s probably a cop.”
It was at that moment that I reacted. I pulled out my gun quickly and put a bullet into the man’s head. The guy that was closest to me started to react, and I shot him in the knee caps. He screamed and thrashed on the ground in pain.
I then pointed my weapon at Shaw. Deacon and the others had their weapons trained on me, but they were out gunned as my guys walked in the room with automatic weapons at the ready.
I stood and pointed to the file in front of him.
“Let me tell you what’s in there. It’s the bank account details belonging to these two on the floor. There are extensive wire transfers from South American banks to theirs dating as far back as five years.” I let that information sink in. “I know for a fact that these two idiots didn’t work alone, but I’m going to let you handle your house. All I want to know is if I need to be concerned about Allura. Are they here for her?”
I looked at Shaw, and he was sweating and breathing heavy. Deacon looked like he was going to throw up. The others in the room also were showing signs of distress. Apparently they didn’t think their closest boys could stab them in the back. I slammed my hand on the table to get Shaw’s attention.
“I don’t have time for you to figure this shit out. Tell me what I want to know now!” I barked.
Ruined: Loving An Alpha Male: BWWM Romance Page 32
