by Teagan Kade
“The Snake?” Archer fills. “The head of the Lacoya Cartel? You can’t be serious.”
I nod. “I am. The men had sent a photo of me to him. He liked what he saw, and I agreed on the condition my father’s life would be spared and the loan considered repaid. They took me then and there, a hood over my head that smelt like oranges, driving for hours to God knows where. Then I met Serpiente.”
“He didn’t…?”
I shake my head. “No. I was still a virgin, at least until last night. Believe it or not, but Serpiente is an incredibly religious man, refused to do anything until our union had been blessed.” I swallow down a hard lump in my throat. “He left on business, promising to return in three weeks. I was kept in a cage, barely fed for the first three days. Slowly, I gained the trust of the men and they allowed me to work packing the drugs that were coming in, then helping with the paperwork, the filing… By the end of the third week I had almost complete freedom in the compound. You’d have hardly known I was being held against my will at all—until one night I was told they were transporting me to him.”
I can see Archer piecing it together. “By boat?”
“Yes, during one of their late-night smuggling runs to Miami, right here where Serpiente has his own network of villas and men, tentacles that extend deep into America. You’ve heard of him?”
Archer nods. “Who hasn’t? One of the most ruthless cartel bosses in the world, by all accounts. We’ve had plenty of run-ins with gang members on the beach, regularly find bricks of coke washed up stamped with the cartel’s snake insignia. They’re fucking insidious.”
Another tear joins the first. “The things I saw them do…”
Archer stands and joins me on the sofa, holding me against him. “What happened next?”
“I knew it was my only chance at escape. Once they had me in another location I knew my life would be over, so I jumped, stood and leaped over the side of the boat when I could see the lights of the city.”
“They didn’t circle back, look for you?”
“They tried, but each time I would dive and keep swimming, deeper and deeper until my lungs felt like they would burst. I waited there in the cold vault of the ocean, waited for them to leave. I don’t know how many times I did it, only that I surfaced eventually to find they were gone but, I was exhausted, I couldn’t swim any longer. I tried to float, but…”
He holds me tighter, kissing the top of my head. “That’s when I showed up.”
“I almost died.”
“It’s okay. You’re safe.”
I pull away. “But I’m not. The man I saw in the salsa club. He was one of them, one of men who took me.”
Recognition flickers across Archer’s face. “There was this weird guy a couple of days ago, asking questions at the tower, seeing if we’d rescued anyone during the night. I thought it was strange at the time, but now… Now it makes sense.”
“What did you tell him?” I blurt.
“Fucking nothing, of course.”
I want to tighten into a ball and never leave the apartment again, but I urge myself to be strong, for my father if no one else, for Archer. “I don’t think they’re going to stop looking for me. And what if they find me? What then?”
Archer turns my face towards him. “Then they’ll have to get through me, and trust me, better men have tried.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
ARCHER
Everything makes sense now—the paranoia, the skittishness. But frankly, I’d have preferred it if she was a mermaid. The Lacoya Cartel do not fuck around. I know that much.
“The brand, on your shoulder…”
Winter reaches for it. “It’s theirs. It marks me as the property of Serpiente.”
“And Winter, that’s your real name?”
She shakes her head. “No, it’s Willomina, but now, here, it’s Winter.”
“Why?” I ask, smiling. “Why Winter, and don’t tell me it’s because you like the cold.”
I can feel her body relaxing against me. “There was a little girl in the apartment next to us who watched Frozen twenty-four hours a day. I don’t know, but she was the first thing I thought of, all that ice and snow—things I’ve never seen before. You’ve seen it, the snow?”
“We skied every winter. Surf in the summer, head to the snow for the winter. It’s beautiful, but you think you could handle the cold? It’s not exactly Havana.”
She tucks herself in tighter to my side, the warmth of her body radiating through my shirt, the supple weight of her breasts against my chest. “How could I possibly be cold when I have you to keep me warm?”
I groan in satisfaction. “It is a promising picture, isn’t it? The two of us, a bottle of Dom chilling while we make love in front of the fire.”
“Sounds wonderful,” she purrs, before snapping upright. “If I live that long.”
I take her face with both hands, holding her gaze. “Hey, nothing is going to happen to you. Not on my watch. I’ve got contacts too.”
“You think you can fight Lacoya? They control everything, everyone.”
“Not everyone.”
“I wasn’t saying…”
“No, no, it’s fine, but what I am saying is that there are still good people out there who would be willing to help, starting with my friend in the PD.”
She seems uncertain. “I don’t know.”
I look down at the papers strewn across the coffee table heavy with her handwriting. “And all this?”
She rocks forward and picks up a sheet of paper, eyes glazed over as she skims the words. “Everything I saw during those two weeks is here—the movement of the trucks coming and going, names, any detail I could pick up. I’ve kind of got a photographic memory, but this is a dead woman’s switch—in case something happened to me. The hood they used had a hole in it. I know exactly where they took me, know the inside-outs of their entire operation. They made no attempt to hide it from me, thinking I was just another woman snatched off the streets, a lowlife.”
I pick up a paper, now realizing what I was looking at. “That’s incredible.” I shake it in the air. “This could really help, really put a fucking dent in them, maybe close them up for good.”
“I can’t have them hurting my father,” she pleads, tugging at my arm. “He’s the only family I have left.”
I look at the paper in my hand but don’t really take in the words, thinking what to do. I’m a lifeguard—simple as that. Former soldier, yes, but all this is way above my paygrade. It’s very simple. We need help.
“What are you thinking about?” asks Winter, or Willomena. I don’t know what to call her now. Everything’s been upended, but the one simple fact I have to keep her safe, to keep her close. If it means laying down my life, I’d do it, no hesitation
To hell with the consequences, right?
Yes, I retort. Consequences be damned.
She is my priority now.
I lick my lips. “You can’t let fear get the better of you. I know you think you’re being hunted down, but if you don’t keep up some kind of normality, if you don’t get outdoors, you’re going to go insane. I won’t allow it.”
She stands. “But they are out there.”
I raise a hand. “Look, there’s a beach volleyball competition tomorrow, for charity. The police, the lifeguards, and firefighters all face off. I have to go, and I think you should come. No one’s going to touch you surrounded by police.”
Secretly, I’m thinking about Liam. I know he’s going to be at the comp tomorrow, know there’s a chance Winter might confide in him if they’re face to face again. I can keep it casual, light, make it seem unforced.
Winter isn’t convinced. “I don’t know.”
“I’ll be right there,” I tell her. “I won’t let you out of my sight.”
I see the suggestion of a smile. “Do I have to wear a disguise?”
I laugh, thinking about the lost property box. “I’m sure we could come up with something.”
When she doesn
’t reply, I say, “Come on, it will be good for you—sun, sand, great food, plenty of half-naked men pretending they’re in Top Gun.”
She smiles wider. “It does sound like fun.”
I pull her down to me, dragging her across my lap, holding her face in my hands. “Until then, why don’t we forget about everything and simply be together for a while, just you and me, maybe a sex toy or two?”
She laughs back, grinding up against my cock, a flat plane of heat pressing against the head of it. “You promise you’ll keep me safe?”
I look deep into the oceans of her eyes, into the pain I now know is hiding there. “You have my word.”
She reaches between us, her hand sliding underneath the waistband of my jeans and finding me hard. “Help me forget then. Take me until I’m numb.”
*
Something stirs beside me. I smile knowing it’s Winter, half-naked but fully satisfied.
Last night was incredible. Yes, the sex was next level, orgasm after orgasm blending together in a never-ending night of mutual pleasure, but it was far more than physical. Last night we connected on a level I’ve never connected on with anyone before. We were completely in tune, body and soul, moving, thinking as one. If I was being protective of Winter before, I know now I’d do anything to protect her—even catch a bullet if it came down to it. She deserves more in life than the shitty hand she’s been given.
You think she deserves you? says my inner voice. What can you offer her?
I shut that self-critic shit down real fast. I learnt a long time ago it doesn’t do you any good. That talk’s poison, liable to get you up from the inside-out.
“Mmmm,” Winter purrs, nuzzling into my shoulder. Her bare legs are tangled in mine, the heat of her sex pressed against my upper thigh. Suffice to say, it’s a welcome start to the morning.
I glance at the clock next to the bed. “We should really get up. I’ve got to be down on the sand in an hour.”
“For the big volleyball match?” she asks, one of her cheeks rosier than the other where it’s been against my chest.
A single shard of sunlight has found its way across the bed, halving her face and turning one of her eyes opalescent.
I smile back. “Like I said, it’s a real big deal. For charity yadda-yadda, but I think everyone knows the real reason is seeing a bunch guys getting sweaty with their shirts off.”
She laughs. It’s lighter than usual, unburdened. She taps against my chest with a closed fist like she’s knocking on a door. “You’re talking about this? People come from far and wide to see this?”
I block her hand with my mine, locking fingers. “Yes, as a matter of fact. This chest right here is the real moneymaker around these parts. Besides, I didn’t exactly hear you complaining last night? In fact, I’m surprised I can hear anything at all the way you were, you know…”
Her smile grows. “I was a bit loud, wasn’t I?”
“Not at all. I only think they heard you in Fort Lauderdale. No biggie.”
“You’re an asshole.”
“I’m your asshole.”
She throws her head back. “Maybe not the most romantic line I’ve heard.”
I shift sideways so she can feel my hardness, let it slowly grind against her skin. “Who needs lines when you’ve got this?”
“Careful,” she replies, reaching down to take hold of my cock, “you still need energy for today, remember?”
“Baby,” I tell her, “I’m the god-damn Energizer bunny.”
*
As usual, Main Beach is insane today. After this morning’s frivolities, we make it with less than five minutes to spare at the red-and-yellow tower colloquially known as the Ronald McDonald House. The court’s already been set up in the sand, a makeshift stage to the left with a DJ and live music, trophies ready to go for the winners, read: us. We haven’t lost a game in ten years, even if the local firefighters are a bunch of injectable gym junkies. The cops aren’t much competition. They’re just here for the free food.
I enter the tower first, finding Robbie standing there with his shirt off, a bottle of olive oil in one hand and cling wrap in the other. He appears to be applying it to his chest. I have no fucking idea what the cling wrap is for, and don’t really want to find out. “You looking to slide out of here like a seal, do some tricks for the crowd?” I suggest.
He turns about with that shit-eating grin I know all too well, Ray Bans in place. “Bro, I’ve got to look good for my fans out there.”
“Bro,” I laugh back, “you’re going to cook like a Sunday roast with all that oil.”
He spots Winter hiding behind me. “Hello there.”
I step aside, but her body language is still ten kinds of cautious. “This is Winter,” I tell Robbie.
He looks at me with an eyebrow raised saying ‘Why didn’t you tell me about this?’
I throw him a double-brow raise that replies, ‘You don’t need to know everything, dickhead.’
“Hi,” squeaks Winter meekly.
Robbie points between us. “You two are…?”
I pull Winter into my side. “Seeing each other, yeah, so paws off, big boy.”
He puts up his hands. “Hey, hey now, like I said, I’ve got plenty of fans out there. Swipe left. Swipe right. I can have my pick, baby.”
“You see what I have to deal with?” I tell Winter, which elicits a small smile.
Robbie’s right, though. These comps always deliver. I usually come home with enough numbers to fill a phonebook.
Not today, I think. They’re all yours, Robbie.
Amy enters the tower in a red one-piece looking every bit a younger Pam Anderson, but I only have eyes for Winter today.
The horn blows outside, signaling the first match is about to begin.
Robbie pushes me towards the door, smiling at Winter. “Nice to meet you, Winter, but your boy’s got business on the sand.”
I look at Amy, knowing the girls’ team won’t be playing for another few hours. “Amy, do you mind looking after Winter here, keep her at the tower?”
Amy shrugs. “Sure thing,” smiling at Winter with a wink. “Best seat in the house.”
I place my hands together. “I owe you.” I kiss Winter on the cheek as I pass. “I’ll be playing right outside. Anything you need, just ask Amy, okay?”
Winter attempts a smile. “Okay.”
Robbie and I hit the sand. It’s hot enough to peel skin off, but years of running around on it have turned my feet to Teflon. I look back to see Amy leading Winter out to the balcony on the front of the tower overlooking the makeshift volleyball court.
Robbie places his arm around my shoulder as he walk onto the court to join the others.
“Jesus,” I tell him, “you’re like a super-slippery Dwayne Johnson, and I’m talking the WWF years.”
Robbie laughs aloud, smiling and waving at the crowd. His bicep flexes against my shoulder. “You didn’t tell me anything about this mystery girl? Keeping her under wraps, huh, you dog?”
I slip, literally, out of his grip and take up my position as center, clapping my thighs and jumping on the spot to warm up. “She’s a special lady.”
“Yeah, right,” he bellows. “What’s the longest relationship you’ve been in, since I’ve known you? That girl, the one with the braces, the weird inverted nipples?”
“Brenda,” I confirm.
“She was two days, or was it three? A Benjamin says your Winter’s on her way back to her ice castle come tomorrow morning.”
I wave it off. “No, she’s different.”
Robbie cups his ear. “Excuse me. I didn’t quite catch that.”
“You heard me fucking fine, and she’s staying. I’m looking after her.”
He reaches down and grabs his dick, a cheer going up from a group of college girls to the left. “Looking after her with that shiny schlong of yours, I bet.”
“Beats your car crash of a cock.”
He blows me a kiss. “You fucking love it.”
The firefighters enter the court on the other side of the net in matching red speedos, flexing like it’s Mr. Universe. The crowd goes wild.
I stretch out as best I can.
“What’s the matter?” asks Robbie. “Long night?”
“Something like that,” I smile back, looking back to the tower and seeing Winter wave. I wave back wondering how I got so damn lucky. I know she’s what I’ve been searching for. Now I’ve just got to keep her close, keep her safe until I can untangle the mess she’s wrapped up in.
“You know they’re making a Top Gun 2, right?” says Robbie, flexing one bicep and then the other like the aforementioned Mr. Johnson.
“Really?” I reply. “Tom’s got to be, what, sixty?”
“Fucking Maverick hasn’t aged a day in thirty years. Real time-travel shit.”
The second siren goes off signaling the start of the match. I squat down, placing my hands together, glancing over at Robbie. “You ready for this then, Maverick?”
He smiles back, teeth blinding in the sun. “Bring it on, Iceman.”
It’s easy pickings. The firefighters put on a show, but they ain’t got game. The cops don’t fare much better.
This year is different in one way, though. I struggle to divide my attention between the game and the tower where Winter stands watching on. I look back one time to see her gone, see her emerge again with a water in hand, Amy pointing at the ball flying for my head. I barely managed to dig it back into play.
I meet Winter at the tower after the second game.
“I’ll leave you to it,” says Amy, giving me a sly wink as she disappears into the tower.
I lean over the railing.
“You’re sweating,” Winter notes.
I look down to the side of the court where Robbie’s busy mingling with the crowd… or every attractive, single girl in a two block radius rather. “At least I’m not a human oil spill.”
“He seems nice, your friend.”
I nod, squinting against the sun even though I’ve got my sunglasses on. “We’re tight here. A family.”
“It must be nice,” she says, sadness returning to her eyes.
I reach up to her face. “Don’t worry about your father. We’ll sort it out. I promise.”
