Stone Cold Christmas Ranger

by Nicole Helm

  If Alyssa was here, there had to be some kind of security in place. Not just alarms, but cameras surely, and if there’d been an FBI raid here a few months ago that had found nothing, surely they were not dealing with amateurs.

  He wouldn’t let that make him feel sick, because the most important thing wasn’t anything except getting Alyssa out, and he’d do whatever it took. Whatever it took, enough that he had to pray she was here, and safe.

  He glanced down the road as another car approached. It stopped five doors down and on the opposite side of the street. The headlights stayed on as Jaime got out casually, scanning the neighborhood in the exact way Bennet had. He nodded to Bennet and turned off the lights of his car, shrouding him back in darkness.

  What had Bennet’s hand resting on the butt of his weapon was another car three houses up from the current house parking as conspicuously. Of course, the minute the driver stepped out of the car and into the light of the streetlamp, Bennet could only stare.

  “Is that Vaughn?” Jaime asked as he came up to Bennet’s side.

  “It is,” Bennet replied, watching as his partner approached. “What are you doing here?”

  Vaughn studied the privacy fence in front of them. “Gabby told Natalie all the details, and I was instructed to help or be excommunicated or something, and I’m not keen on arguing with a woman and a newborn. Three law enforcement officers are better than one. At least when they’re the three of us.”

  “Then I don’t have to brief you?”

  “Alyssa is missing. We’re likely dealing with the Dominguez and Jimenez cartels in some capacity. We have no idea who or what is in that house. That about cover it?”

  “About,” Bennet muttered, eyeing the privacy fence again. “The fence is weird, and I assume if this really is some kind of cartel headquarters or meeting place or whatever, it’s got cameras everywhere.”

  “Likely,” Jaime replied. “Gabby found me possible floor plans, though,” he said, holding out his phone. “This was on the developer’s website, and it looks about right. Now, we don’t know what kind of modifications the owners might have made over the years, but it gives us an idea.”

  They each took a turn looking at the floor plan and committing what they could to memory.

  “We don’t know what kind of arsenal they have,” Bennet said. He didn’t mind risking himself, but he couldn’t put these two men at risk like this. He needed their help, he knew that, but he couldn’t risk their lives like this. “I want you two to stay back.”

  Vaughn scoffed and Jaime shook his head.

  “Look, they could be watching for us. They could be armed. You really want to get your head blown off? You’re supposed to get married soon,” he said, pointing at Jaime. “And you just had a kid.”

  “We’ve both done raids, Bennet,” Vaughn said. “We know the risks, and the best practices. I’ve got a vest on. You?”

  Jaime and Bennet nodded.

  “So, we do what we’d do in any other situation. We’re careful, but this is still our job. If something goes bad, it’s the risk we took when we took those badges. And I think Natalie and Gabby would understand since they consider Alyssa their sister.”

  “Fine. We do this together, but I take the risks, you understand? I screwed this up, and I let her out of my sight. This is on me.” Bennet knew Vaughn wanted to argue, but they didn’t have time. “We’ll split up to check the perimeter and see if there are any vulnerabilities in the fence. Vaughn, you stay here and watch for any comings and goings. Stay in the dark so no neighbors get worried and call the cops. Jaime, you take the east side. If they have a monitoring system, they won’t know you as any different from a neighbor walking down the street. I’ll start on this side, and we’ll meet in the back. Understood?”

  Vaughn had stiffened, and Bennet knew his partner well enough to know Vaughn didn’t particularly care to take orders from him. But, Vaughn didn’t argue. He and Jaime both nodded.

  Which was all Bennet needed to take off. He walked down the fence that hid the side of the house, running his hands up and down the surface, trying to find a weakness. He’d brought a few tools when he’d started out in case he’d have to do some not-quite-lawful breaking and entering. If he could find a decent crack or opening, he could possibly pry a section open and sneak in undetected.

  He had to believe they had the element of surprise on their side. They wouldn’t expect him to figure out their hiding spot, at least not this quickly, but that didn’t mean they weren’t being diligent.

  Bennet made it down the entire side of the house, and when he turned the corner, the shadow of Jaime was turning the one across from him.

  Bennet was half-tempted to just blow a hole in the damn fence, but that’d probably draw unwanted attention, and he might as well go through the front if he was going to go down that route.

  But there was something of a joint at the corner of the fence here. Where the side had been one long sheet of whatever material the fence was made out of, where they connected at the corner had something of a space. Oh, the materials butted up against each other and were clearly screwed together tightly, but Bennet had to believe with enough force he could pry it open.

  Jaime crossed to him. “You’re going to need a crowbar or something like it.”

  “Luckily, I came prepared to do a little breaking and entering.” He’d had no trouble jamming the crowbar into his pocket. It had torn the fabric of the pocket, but the curved part of the tool had hooked onto his waistband well enough to keep it secured.

  “Good thinking,” Jaime said, looking around the back. The house behind them had inside lights on, but none in the back to cast a light on them. Jaime positioned himself in front of Bennet so that if anyone did look out, they hopefully wouldn’t notice a man crowbarring open a fence.

  Of course, they might notice the tall, broad man just standing there, but Bennet couldn’t worry about that. He shoved the sharp edge of the crowbar into the small space between joint and fence and worked to pull it apart.

  It took longer than he wanted, but eventually the fence began to give, and once he’d separated the parts, he used his body weight to bend the joint enough he could step through and into the pitch-black of the backyard.

  “I’m going in. Get Vaughn.”

  “And if they pick you off?”

  “You know not to come this way, and you call in every law enforcement agency to handle the situation.”

  “We could do that right now, you know.”

  Bennet looked at the dark shadow of the house. “I can’t risk her safety like that. If she’s in there, if we let SWAT or some other high-handed assholes handle this, you know as well as I do she has less of a chance.”

  “Normally I’d argue with you.”

  “But you won’t, will you?”

  “No. I care about Alyssa, and apparently so do you. So, we’ll do this our way first.”

  Bennet was already stepping through the space he’d made in the fence. He stayed close to the side fence, using it as a guide to bring him closer to the house.

  There were no lights on, and with the moonlight hitting the upper half of the house, he could make out that there were no windows. Not one.

  Interesting. He couldn’t make out the bottom half of the house, but he could feel his way. He started at one edge and moved his body across the siding of the house until he felt the indentation of a door.

  He paused, listening to the quiet of night. Nothing moved, no shots rang out, and if there were cameras on this side of the house, he didn’t know how they’d be able to see anything.

  He had a chance. He crouched next to the doorknob he’d felt out. He pulled out the tiny penlight from his pocket, followed by the lock-picking kit he’d shoved into his jacket pocket.

  He heard Vaughn and Jaime quietly approach and went t
o work. If his picking the lock drew attention, ideally Jaime and Vaughn would have a chance to surprise anyone who came out.

  He didn’t care about his own safety right now. He’d gladly die if it meant they got Alyssa out of here in one piece.

  Still, he pulled the gun out of his holster and placed it next to his feet while he worked. He’d die for Alyssa in a heartbeat, but he wouldn’t die without a fight.

  * * *

  SALVADOR HAD LEFT her and Oscar alone while he “readied his supplies,” and Alyssa racked her brain for anything she could say to get through to her brother.

  “They’ll only kill you, too.”

  Oscar looked at her as though she were a fool. “I’m Dominguez’s right-hand man. Not only will he protect me, but hundreds of men who work for us will, as well. CJ can’t touch me. I’m nearly as powerful as him, and with Stevens in our pocket, it’s only a matter of time before we use every law enforcement agency in Texas to take down the Jimenez cartel.”

  “Dad would be so disappointed in you.”

  “Dad doesn’t know what century it is, Alyssa. He’s completely gone.”

  “So, you’re going to let this man rape and murder me?”

  Oscar’s throat worked for a few seconds before he turned away from her. He pressed his forehead to the concrete wall of the basement. “You don’t understand, Lyss. I have to do this. I don’t have a choice. Can’t you understand the position CJ put me in?”

  Alyssa opened her mouth to yell at him that she didn’t care about CJ or Jimenez or anything, she just wanted to live, damn it, but the doorknob on the door across from her seemed to...make a noise.

  Considering Oscar and Dominguez had appeared from behind her, she could only assume this door led somewhere else. Maybe even outside?

  Then the doorknob downright jiggled. She jerked her head to look at Oscar, but he didn’t seem to notice, either in alarm or to go open it for anyone. Not with his head pressed to the wall.

  Alyssa’s heart leaped in hope. Maybe it was foolish to hope, but Bennet wouldn’t give up. He’d do whatever it took. She knew he would, and if it was a chance...

  “Can’t you do one favor for me, Oscar?” she breathed, trying to sound sad and terrified instead of elated. “One last favor before you let me die?”

  “It’s not up to me, Alyssa,” he said, sounding sad and resigned as he thunked his head against the concrete of the basement wall. Over and over. “I don’t have a choice. You forgive me, don’t you? You will. I think you will. Once you understand.”

  “Can’t you bring me milk and cookies? One last time?” Even though it was a fake request, it caused a lump to rise in her throat, but she had to speak loudly enough that the increased shaking of the knob didn’t get his attention. “Please, Oscar, I’ll forgive you if you show me this one kindness.”

  Oscar turned slowly, and Alyssa forced herself to hold his gaze instead of looking at the jiggling knob. She had to keep his attention on her, or on the wall, but nowhere near that door.

  “You will? Really?”

  “I promise. I’ll do whatever you want of me, if you just... Bring me milk and cookies like you used to.”

  Oscar swallowed and nodded slowly, then more quickly. “Okay. Okay, I mean, I doubt we’ve got milk and cookies, but I’ll find a snack. A good one. He’ll have to let me do that. A show of respect. It’s a show of respect,” he said, and leaned down to kiss her cheek.

  She tried not to flinch, tried to smile tremulously as she squeezed her eyes shut, hoping a tear would fall over.

  “A delicious snack coming right up,” Oscar whispered, heading behind her where she couldn’t see. She could only hope he’d have to leave the room they were in. She could only hope whoever was on the other side of that door was someone who could save her. Who would.

  She heard the door open and close behind her and then prayed, fervently, for the shaking knob to do more than just shake.

  “Please, please for the love of God,” she whispered, watching the door and wishing with everything she had it would open and Bennet would be on the other side.

  When that happened almost exactly as she imagined it, she nearly couldn’t believe it. But the door opened with a click, slowly inching open, before Bennet appeared.

  She nearly cried out with joy, swallowing it down at the last minute. Tears erupted, but she swallowed down the sobs. For a brief second Bennet kneeled there looking around the edge of the door as if shocked to see her, but then he was all action and movement before she could even register it.

  He was at her feet, pulling the knife out of her bra before she could manage a word.

  “Tell me everything you know,” he whispered, the command calm and clear and helping to keep her focused.

  “There’re two men that I know of,” she whispered as he began to cut all her ties quickly and efficiently. “Dominguez and Oscar. But I woke up right here so I don’t know what’s up there. Oscar’s getting me a snack. Dominguez is getting what he needs to kill—”

  The telltale sound of the door behind her squeaking open had her stopping, icy fear gripping her. They’d kill Bennet and then her and—

  But the last of the ties fell off and Bennet shoved the knife into her hand as he pulled his gun. A shot fired and Alyssa cried out because she knew Bennet couldn’t have fired yet. His gun clattered to the ground, and he stumbled back.

  Alyssa clutched the knife in her hand, turning to see Salvador standing there, gun in each hand pointed at both of them. She tried to step in front of Bennet, but he was already on his feet, pushing her back behind him.

  “Are all Rangers this stupid?” Salvador demanded, pointing both guns at Bennet. Bennet stood there, shirt ripped and blood dripping from where the bullet must have grazed. He was standing, though, looking defiant and pissed as ever, so Alyssa had to believe he was okay. She had to.

  “Are all common criminals this stupid?” Bennet returned conversationally.

  Salvador’s laugh was low and horrible. Alyssa shuddered, trying to think. A knife didn’t trump a gun, but maybe she could throw it? Maybe she could lure him close enough to...

  “Oscar. Tie up the Ranger. He’s going to be our audience, I think. Yes, I think he’ll enjoy what I have planned for our little lady.”

  Bennet whistled, high and quick. Salvador frowned, and then a shot was fired from somewhere behind her and Bennet.

  One of Salvador’s guns clattered to the ground on a howl of outrage, red blooming near his elbow. “Oscar,” he screamed. “Shoot them!”

  “I... I left my gun in the kitchen,” Oscar whispered, wide-eyed and terrified.

  “You have three seconds to drop the weapon, Dominguez,” a man from behind them ordered. Alyssa looked back, and her knees nearly gave out. Vaughn and Jaime were standing at the door, weapons trained on Salvador and Oscar.

  Jaime began to count off. “Three, two—”

  But Salvador grinned. Everything else after that awful, soul-freezing grin went too fast. The next thing Alyssa fully understood was Bennet on top of her and the sounds of at least two gunshots being fired.

  “Bennet?” she managed, barely able to breathe between his crushing weight and the hard, cold concrete ground.

  He groaned, and panic clutched her throat. She tried to get out his name again, but her throat felt paralyzed. She felt paralyzed.

  “Vest,” he finally wheezed, pushing off her.

  “Vest?” she returned dumbly, but he was getting off her. He was standing up. He had to be okay. She rolled onto her back as he straightened to full height, looking a little too pale for her comfort. But he held out his hand as if she was supposed to take it.

  She could only stare. Surely, he’d been shot, but he was standing there trying to help her up.

  “You’re one lucky bastard,” Vaughn muttered, stan
ding behind Bennet and studying his back. “That bullet isn’t even an inch away from the edge.”

  Bennet merely grunted, now not waiting for her to find the wherewithal to grab his hand. He bent over and took her hand and tugged her onto her feet.

  “Are you hurt?” he asked, his fingers curling around her shoulders as he studied her intently.

  “You’ve been shot. Twice,” she returned, staring at his gorgeous face, a little afraid this was all a dream.

  “Yeah, and I’m still standing. Now, are you hurt?” he repeated, more forcefully this time.

  “No. I mean, Oscar knocked me out, but—”

  Bennet whirled around, but whatever he’d been about to do, Vaughn stepped in front of him.

  “Let’s let the law handle the rest of this.”

  That’s when Alyssa finally felt like things were real. This had all happened. She looked over at Jaime, who stood above the two men who’d kidnapped her. Jaime was talking on his cell, Salvador laid out in a pile of blood, but his hands were cuffed behind his back as he lay there facedown, so it was possible he was still alive.

  Oscar was in a sitting position, rocking back and forth, his hands also cuffed behind his back. Everything seemed to fade away at that moment except her brother.

  Her brother who had knocked her out. Who had been a part of a plan to rape and kill her. Who had considered that fine because he wouldn’t be the one doing it. All for revenge. All because CJ wouldn’t respect him.

  Alyssa pushed past Bennet. Whatever Vaughn and Bennet said to her, she didn’t hear any of it. She stormed over to Oscar, who was looking up at her with tears in his eyes.

  “I’m so sorry, Lyss. So sorry. Can’t you forg—”

  Alyssa didn’t want to listen to another syllable, so she bent over and elbowed him in the nose as hard as she’d elbowed the man who’d tried to abduct her last week.

  Oscar cried out, blood spurting from his nose.

  “I hate you,” she spat at him, a few tears spilling over her own cheeks. “And I’ll never forgive you, you weak, soulless bastard.” She turned away from him then, and Bennet was right there. Bleeding and beautiful.