“Pull her closer,” Estephon says. “I want her in the picture.” I hear him through a foggy tunnel.
Kennedy walks me forward until we’re so close blood splatters my yellow scrubs. My stomach heaves and I fight down vomit. Screams turn to gurgles as the man behind Al continues sawing at his neck. Then nothing but the squishy sound of a blade slicing skin. Al’s bowels release and the putrid smell combined with blood permeates my senses.
I’m crying so hard I can’t see. Kennedy released my hands at some point and his arm is around my middle holding me up.
“Perfect.” Estephon’s gleeful laugh also comes through a tunnel. “Moon will appreciate the irony. I am sending him the video, señorita, and then we will see if he chooses to speak to me.”
There’s blood everywhere. It’s on me and Kennedy. The man who beheaded Al is covered in it. Al’s body is on the plastic and his head is tossed beside his stomach. The only way I can control myself is to start a list. It’s the list of who I will kill.
Kennedy.
Estephon.
The man who killed Al.
The fourth man in the room.
I have no idea how much time goes by. I’m caught in a world of death. Estephon’s voice finally breaks into my thoughts.
“Señor Moon. How do you like my film? Your lovely lady enjoyed it, no? She will die next. This will make a good addition to my collection, no?” His voice has been repulsively pleasant to this point. Now it hardens and he bites out commands. “You have two choices on how your puta dies. You will deliver the money within the hour to the address I sent earlier. You and your men will leave the state tonight. The next video will be of your lovely senorita. I will have her cleaned up so she looks nice for the party, no? You choose how she dies. That is all I will give you—a bullet or the knife. And because I am a generous man, you may say goodbye.”
The phone is thrust against my ear. I take a breath and control myself. “Moon…” I’m trying not to hyperventilate.
The sweet sound of his voice flows through me. “I love you, baby. I’m sorry.”
He’s not coming for me. “I love you,” I say because he deserves to hear it. The phone is removed from my ear.
“Clean her up. I want her pretty for the camera.”
Kennedy pulls me from the room, closes the door behind us, and leads me in the direction of the bedroom I was in earlier. I stumble and keep my head down, completely cowed.
“You should have closed your fucking eyes,” he says in the hallway as we approach the bedroom.
He loosens his hold a bit as I walk like a zombie in the direction he guides me. This is my only chance. My knee comes out as I twist around. I miss Kennedy’s groin, but my fist slams into the side of his face and I kick him again. If I’m fucking going to die, I’ll be damned if I go down easy. Kennedy can beat me to death here and now.
He swings his fist and catches me on my good shoulder. I’m beyond feeling pain. I land a blow beneath his chin and hear his teeth clang together. I hope he bit his goddamn tongue off. His knee connects with my hip and we go to the floor with him on top of me. He has my hair in his fist, but it doesn’t keep me from twisting over to my stomach and bucking him off as I get my hands and feet beneath me. Where my strength is coming from, I don’t know. I’m not stopping until I’m dead.
Kennedy wraps his arms around my middle in a classic wrestling hold as I propel myself forward to try to gain traction with my legs. His weight is suddenly gone and I land on my hands and knees. I twist and look up. Gomez has Kennedy in an arm bar. Kennedy’s face goes from red to purple and his eyes roll back into his head. Gomez lowers him to the floor as I manage to rise to my feet. Gomez places his finger to his lips and then drags Kennedy’s body into the bedroom.
Gomez drops Kennedy and stalks to the bed, takes out a knife and begins cutting the sheets into strips. I’m hunched over Kennedy in case he moves. Gomez carries the strips over and quickly hog-ties Kennedy. After his arms and legs are taken care of, Gomez pinches Kennedy’s jaw, stuffs in a wad of sheet, and ties another strip around his mouth and head.
“How many?” Gomez whispers.
“Four. No, three now,” I whisper back. “That’s all I’ve seen, but there could be more.” My brain is working on autopilot.
Gomez removes his phone and types in what I said as I look over his shoulder. He’s calm and that keeps me calm. Gomez removes his gun from his chest holster, a Glock .45, and hands it to me. He pulls another gun, this one a Kimber, from the middle of his back.
Gunshots come from the front of the house. Gomez crouches and moves out of the room with me following. My left hand is on his shoulder and training takes over. Gomez fires as a man rounds the corner toward us. It’s the man who brought Al into the other room before they killed him. He goes down. We stay at the edge of the hallway. I’m waiting to hear “Clear” sound off in the house. That doesn’t happen. But then I see Moon walk from the room where Al was killed. He holsters his gun when he sees me.
I release my grip on Gomez. I’m going to lose it again. Gomez turns and removes the gun from my hand one second before Moon has me in his arms. I burrow into Moon’s blood splattered white shirt. “I’ve got you, baby,” he whispers. I’m done. My legs won’t hold me. Moon lifts me and carries me back into the bedroom. He steps around Kennedy as Kennedy’s eyes follow us. Gomez stands at the door to the room, his gun drawn.
Moon walks to the bed, and I begin struggling. “Shh, baby. I’ve got you,” he says again.
I don’t care. Only one thought runs through my mind. “Give me your gun.” Moon releases me and looks into my eyes. “Your gun. I need it.”
Slowly, Moon’s hand goes to his holster, and he removes the Glock and hands it to me. “Okay, baby,” he says as I wrap my fingers around the stock and check the chamber.
My focus turns to Kennedy.
Moon places a hand on my shoulder. I shake it off. “Madison,” he says.
I ignore him. Four steps. I lift my arm and shoot Kennedy between his wide eyes. I keep the gun trained on him even though I know he’s dead. My arm begins trembling, and Moon’s hand covers the gun. I release it.
I look at Gomez before turning to Moon. “I will never regret this.”
Moon places his arm back around me and I bury my face against his shirt again.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Seven months later…
WE’RE DRIVING UP TO a mountain cabin that Moon purchased near Flagstaff. It’s our getaway, and we both need a break for a few days. Gomez isn’t with us and I get to play Moon’s bodyguard. Gomez doesn’t like that much, but we don’t care. He’s left in charge of the main house.
I’m now a working member of Moon’s organization. The lines I’ve crossed can never be undone. I’ve accepted that. I have never regretted killing Kennedy. Bodies have a way of disappearing in Arizona. His is only one of many, including Estephon’s.
Philip was buried in Mexico in the village where Maria, Moon’s mother, grew up. A Catholic priest presided. Al burned in an airplane accident, and his body was buried at a private funeral that I wasn’t invited to. I have no idea how Moon pulled off a plane crash with the pilot and Al dead. I never asked. Maybe he has someone on the payroll inside the NTSB. Like the identity of undercover cops—it’s need to know and I’m good with that.
I’m no longer an active PI. Terry calls me from time to time and I have no trouble saying no. He doesn’t understand that my life is now dedicated to Moon and his organization. He knows I’m with Moon, and like the sleazy attorney he is, he gave Moon his card.
Fucking Terry the Fairy.
We now hold New Mexico, which has doubled Moon’s work. He’s often gone and he doesn’t like the fact that I rarely come along. His frequent trips don’t fit into my daily schedule.
I run the escort service now. Moon’s aunt took a permanent vacation to some place in the Caribbean. Moon assured me she is alive and well. I have no doubt he wanted her dead. If I wasn’t willing
to pull the trigger, I couldn’t allow her blood on Moon’s hands.
I get along with the girls. They respect me. There was quite a learning curve in the beginning, but I’m six months in now. Danita was skimming money from Moon. I think he knew it. I don’t skim. I gave up my apartment and live in Moon’s home. My home, actually, and it really does feel like home.
The ladies come to the house a little more often. We sometimes have family days and the women with children bring them along. We laugh, barbeque, and drink margaritas. Moon joins us and even speaks to people now and then. Gabriella and I had a long talk. She accepts me like she does Moon. I’m not all good and I’m not all bad. She’s warming up to the ladies who work for me. Our deal is that when Lupe visits, the ladies don’t come around.
I handle the money, the hiring, and in one case, the firing.
I go out with Moon in public. I’m proud to be seen with him. I’m also watched closely by the FBI. They made contact with me a few months ago. I told them I wanted my attorney. They held me for two hours before releasing me. I’m not afraid of them. My demons come to me at night in the form of a blade. It doesn’t happen as often anymore. Moon’s arms scare the ghosts away. When he isn’t home, I take coffee to the guys in the security room and they keep me company.
Moon is my best friend and Gomez comes in second. Gomez thinks I’m the shit. I think of him as the brother I never had. He travels with Moon to New Mexico. We’re looking for a person to be my Gomez. I want a woman and Moon wants a man. He’s a chauvinist in this one thing, and Gomez is on his side. For now, Moon’s security takes turns driving me around. They grumble unless we’re heading to the escort offices. They enjoy talking to the ladies.
I don’t ask questions about Moon’s other business. I dream that someday, that end of things will disappear. Moon has legitimate businesses that make him a lot of money. I make decisions on many of the charities Moon supports. He looks the other way when I give to police causes. I don’t care. I will always believe that there are good cops.
As we take the last turn in the road, Moon squeezes my thigh. I helped him find this place. It’s beautiful with rambling decks that wrap around all three stories. Two of his men live here full time. They live above the garage and make themselves scarce when we’re in residence. The house has a lot of security features, so we’re as safe as we can be.
It’s February and the Phoenix weather is beautiful right now. It will be hotter than hell in a few months. That’s why we bought this place. It’s our getaway when the heat’s too much. For some reason, Moon insisted we come up this weekend. I’m not exactly fond of the heat, but I absolutely hate the cold and Flagstaff is damned cold in February. I gave in because I miss Fred. He’s the goat who didn’t have a name. When we bought the cabin, Moon had an outside pen built and surprised me. Have I mentioned that I’m in love? Yes, with Moon too.
Flagstaff is a two and a half hour drive from Phoenix, and we don’t need to pack luggage because we keep a complete wardrobe here. It consists of jeans, shorts, and tees for both of us. We do have a few winter items because Moon insisted on it. No business suits for him, though. Those were my terms.
Moon just returned from a two-week trip to New Mexico. He arrived home at ten in the morning and we took off shortly after that. I told him I could drive, but he just gave me one of his lip quirks. I watch him as he drives. I don’t like the weary expression on his face.
After we arrive at the house, we walk in holding hands. He spins me around so I’m facing him the second the door closes. The man loves his wall sex. I also notice that he no longer looks tired.
I’m laughing. At least I don’t have on my boots. I kick my pumps off as Moon slides my shirt over my head and tosses it on the floor. “If you push me through the glass, I’ll never forgive you,” I say as I breathe into his mouth because he’s already kissing me. Our front door is partial glass and I’m worried we might break it.
“I thought we could try the couch,” he replies and leads me in that direction. The couch is comfortable, but the fact that he wants couch sex surprises me. At least until Moon bends me over the back, locks my fingers into the cushions, and pulls my leggings and underwear down my legs so my ass is displayed. His fingers dig into my waist and his cock slides home. Couch sex has just replaced wall sex as far as spectacular goes. This position does it for me. I was jacked for sex when Moon arrived home three hours ago. Sitting beside him in the car was pure torture. He nips across my shoulders and down my back. I go to my toes as he drives in and out. This isn’t slow like when he wants to make me wild. This is crazy fast with animal grunts. Fucking that shows how much Moon missed me. It’s rough and quick. It takes little to get us both off. This happens each time we’re apart.
That evening, we’re lying naked on a blanket in front of the fireplace. Moon fills two champagne flutes and hands one to me. We’re curled on our sides, his body behind mine. “Is this a special occasion?” I ask.
“Sí, Señorita Kinlock. Te cararias conmigo?”
As promised, I’ve been taking Spanish lessons. I suck at speaking it, but my understanding is growing. Or at least I thought it was. I don’t think he asked what I think I heard. Moon disentangles himself from me, stands, and walks to his discarded clothes. I watch his sexy stride and enjoy looking at his naked ass.
He returns with a small velvet box.
Oh my fucking hell. Moon—naked—takes a knee as I scramble to come to mine. He opens the box and an exquisite, large solitaire diamond is resting inside.
“Will you marry me?” he repeats in English.
“Sí, sí, sí,” I say as I launch myself at him and we tumble to the blankets. He laughs as I rain kisses over his face. It’s that beautiful sound that overwhelms me each time I hear it.
He has somehow managed to hold onto the ring box in my enthusiasm. He lifts my hand from his chest and slips the ring over my finger.
“I love you,” I tell him as I lean in and kiss him again.
“Te amo,” he says. He rolls us over and kisses me deeply. Tears stream from my eyes. I will have this man for the rest of my life.
And he will have me.
Chapter Forty
Two months later…
Moon
I WAS A YOUNG boy the first time my father told me how beautiful and captivating my mother was. He met her in a bar in Mexico City, where she worked as a waitress. He said the men watched her carry trays of drinks as she dipped, swirled, and sashayed through the bar. Their eyes were hungry as she smiled and laughed, evaded slaps to her ass, and admonished those who crossed the line.
Hours later, my father knew it was time to drag himself away. He also knew he was in love for the first and last time. She brought his check, he paid, and she handed him a slip of paper. In very precise English it read: I am off in one hour and will meet you at the back door.
He crunched the note in his fist and walked out. He thought himself a stupid man who would most likely be robbed and left for dead because such an amazing woman could not be interested in him. He had an hour to consider how stupid he was. He met her anyway.
They were both students—she nursing and him on summer break before he entered med school. For two weeks they saw each other, made love, and talked late into the night after she got off work. My father had no trouble talking to me about having sex with my mother, though he never went into detail; he just said I would meet a special woman one day and understand that the gift of her body is holy. Two weeks after they met, she took him to meet her family. They treated him respectfully, but they didn’t like him. The following day, my mother and father applied for her visa. They didn’t care what her family thought. My father understood that no man would ever be good enough for Maria Elana Santos Morales.
He told me the waiting for the visa was the worst months of his life. He started med school back in the states and all he could think about was my mother’s smile, her laugh, her delicate skin and her voracious appetite for life. He said, “Love can
take time to develop or it can hit you like a steamroller.”
I thought about his words the day I watched Madison sleep. She resembled my closest friend’s sister, but she was nothing like Theresa. I removed her shoes and pants before tucking her beneath the sheet. I fought it, but couldn’t help bending over and running my nose along the skin at her throat. I breathed in the most delicious scent in the universe. She was minty vanilla mixed with sweet musky sweat.
I watched her for more than an hour worried that I should notify Carlo to examine her. Every so often, she moved and muttered something indistinguishable. I had closed off most of my thoughts about my mother and father for years. For some reason, I sat there and for the first time in years, remembered the good times. Most of my thoughts included my baby brother. I have no idea why I was so drawn to the woman lying in the bed, but I planned to find out.
I know the exact moment the steamroller ran over me. Madison asked me to save a goat. I found that goat a home and then purchased it back for a ridiculous amount of money because I knew it would make her smile. We’ve recently added a new kitten named Phily to our family. No, I don’t care that Madison named her kitten after one of my men. Philip was a good man.
Madison also has Two-dogs. Not literally two dogs, but one badass rescued pit bull named Two-dogs. He’s three years old and follows Madison everywhere. He was our compromise over the bodyguard situation. Madison hired a woman and I had a dog trained for added protection. We’re both happy.
At this moment, I’m in bed with my sleeping bride, and I understand why my father sacrificed his life and died with my mother. Estephon taking Madison was hell. We were within a mile of his location when the video came through. If she had died, I planned to die with her. That’s what love is. All these years I’ve resented my father for leaving me.
I forgive him.
Love is everything.
Heat: An Alpha Male Criminal Romance (A Hotter Than Hell Novel Book 1) Page 24
