Her Devil's Kiss

by Linzi Basset

  “But the closest … oh, Governor White, I didn’t recognize you. Of course, we’ll take her there.”

  Alex watched as they drove off, unaware of the milling cops on the scene.

  “Governor White, I’m Officer Calvin Dodge, MPD. I believe you were here during the incident.”

  “Yes,” he responded and took his car keys out of his pocket. “I can’t talk now, Officer Dodge. I need to get to the hospital. In short, I arrived as he tried to choke her after he’d cut her face. I shouted out, he threw a Japanese star at me, I retaliated and shot him. Anything further can be discussed at a later stage.” He turned toward the exit. “I want a full report on the bastard, Officer Dodge.”

  “I need a full statement from you, Governor,” Dodge demanded as he adamantly followed him.

  “And you’ll get one. Later.” He pointed at the CCTV cameras in the corners of the garage. “Get the video recordings from those. I’m sure you’ll be satisfied with what you see.”

  That appeased Dodge and he turned to find the security guards. Alex immediately dialed Ethan’s number.

  “Hey, mate.”

  “Ethan, Pamela is on the way to your clinic. She’s been attacked and unconscious, I think he used a sleeper hold on her to put her out but she has a bad cut along her jaw. Get Nate Hart to be there when she arrives.”

  “I’m on it.”

  The connection was abruptly cut. Alex made the drive to the clinic in record time. He couldn’t get the vision of Pamela’s pale face covered in the crimson stain of her own blood out of his mind. With the knowledge he had about Five Star Enterprises, he knew the Sixth Order was behind the attack. It was time to tighten the noose. They needed a way to crack the fuckers, to get inside their heads and quick. There were too many of his friends and loved ones suffering because of their need to become all powerful.

  It felt comforting—floating in a black cloud. Her brows were drawn closer by the slash of two perpendicular lines as the soft din of morning sounds penetrated her sleep induced mind. A heaviness oppressed her body and she couldn’t move. Her eyes rolled in her sockets but remained stubbornly shut.

  Oh, no! She heard the cry in her mind as she experienced the same real fear of death as the last time Kieran had hit her. She relaxed as the soft hum of noises and the buzz of machines began to penetrate her mind. She finally managed to force her eyelids open. She licked her dry lips as she looked around and recognized the decor of Brodie Clinic. The room looked similar to the one Alex had stayed in after the explosion.

  I survived! He didn’t strangle me.

  A movement in her peripheral vision pulled her gaze sideways. She drew a staggered breath as warmth flooded her heart.

  He’s here. He didn’t get hurt.

  Tears burned behind her eyelids as she noticed Alex clasping her hand even though he was slouched in the chair with his head leaning against the back, fast asleep.

  His eyes opened … or rather snapped open to meet hers. Pamela had always been amazed at how quickly he woke up, like he was alert, even in his sleep. There was no trace of slumber remaining in his gaze that searched hers.

  He sat up and squeezed her hand. “How do you feel?”

  “Sleepy.” Try as she might, she couldn’t drag her eyes from his. She inhaled sharply as the memory of what had happened flashed in her mind. “I need your help, Alex.”

  Pleasure rushed through him at the soft words that floated toward him that she finally trusted him enough to ask for his assistance, no matter that the situation urged her to do so.

  “I didn’t think it was this serious at first,” she admitted quietly.

  “Forget about it for now. You need to rest. You lost a lot of blood and you’re probably still groggy from the operation.”

  “Operation?” She frowned and only now felt the pressure of the bandage covering her face. “Oh god, Alex, he cut me!”

  “Relax, baby. Nate already took care of it. He said it was a superficial wound and there would be no scar to remind you of the experience.”

  She shook her head and clutched his hand tighter.

  “You don’t understand, Alex. If I don’t do what he says, he’s going to kill Sally. I don’t even know if she’s safe as we speak.”

  Alex frowned as he searched his memory. “Sally Vera? Your friend from school?”

  “Yes.” Tears spilled from her eyes.

  Alex dragged the chair closer. He gently stroked her arm with his free hand.

  “I think you better start at the beginning.”

  The tale fell haltingly from her lips. “I started to believe it could be someone I prosecuted in the past since I’ve not received any further threats or anything that would implicate Five Star Enterprises.”

  “Leave it to me.” He lifted her hand to his lips, surprising her with a tender kiss in her palm. Her skin sizzled at the touch. “Try and get some rest.”

  “What about Sally?”

  “I’ll contact Lance to move her and her family to a secure location until we’ve resolved this.”

  Her eyes began to droop. She looked into his, suddenly scared to see him go. He’d already been hurt once and she couldn’t bear to lose him again. Not now that she’d finally taken the step to rebuild the crumbled bridge between them.

  “Don’t leave me,” she whispered.

  He leaned closer. His lips brushed over hers in a feathered caress. “I’m not going anywhere. Sleep, baby. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

  Alex didn’t move until she was in a deep sleep. He encountered Vincent, one of Precision Secure’s top operatives, standing guard outside the room.

  “I need to make a call, Vincent. I’ll be back shortly.”

  “Don’t worry, Governor, I’ll take care of her.”

  “I’ll feel better if you can sit by her bedside.”

  He watched him disappear inside the room as he made his way toward the lush garden to the side of the building. He had a brief discussion with Lance to arrange the move of Sally’s family. The second call he made was to Max.

  “I need you to relay all the intel you found on FSE to the rest of the team.”

  “Any particular reason?”

  Alex briefly explained what Pamela had told him about the threats. “MPD contacted me last night. The man who attacked her is the same bastard responsible for our operatives’ deaths on the farm, Blade Runner.”

  “Just like Samantha had said.”

  “Exactly. The threat he made to her is a clear indication that the Sixth Order is on the back foot. Crown International was their big money launderer, but since Jordan sold it, they’re screwed. My guess is they need this company to turn cash fast. Now, with the raids, more than ever.”

  “They’re obviously desperate to get all the cash off the streets that’s at the stash houses all over the States.”

  “Exactly and Select Liquor is National, which makes it a perfect shell company to launder money.” He started walking back inside. “I’m at Brodie’s and I’ll stay here until Pamela’s discharged. The Sixth Order will hear about their assassin's death, so I don’t want to leave her alone. She should be discharged tomorrow.”

  “Take care of her, mate. We’ve got this.”

  “Thanks, Max, just keep me in the loop.”

  Vincent went back to his post upon Alex’s return. He stood next to the bed and stared at Pamela. Her eyebrows drew together as she moved her legs listlessly. A soft whimper escaped her lips.

  “Move over, love,” he said in a gruff voice as he gently nudged her. He got in beside her. She immediately curled into him as he wrapped her tenderly in his arms.

  “I’m here, baby. I’ll always be here.”

  Alex finally admitted to himself that this was where he belonged—where they belonged—in each other’s arms.

  The rest of their issues would resolve themselves over time.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Lexi looked up at the sharp rap on the glass door of her office. She frowned as she recognize
d the tall blond man who she’d briefly met when she went with Lance to see Alex in the hospital. She waved him inside.

  “My apologies for arriving without an appointment, Ms. Calvert but I have a rather urgent matter to discuss with you.”

  “Please, sit.” She studied him curiously. “You’re the new owner of Crown International, Michael Flores. I believe we met at the hospital.”

  “That’s correct.” He sat down and stretched out his long legs.

  “What can I do for you, Mr. Flores?”

  “I assume Lance has told you that he and Jack have been assisting me with the changes at CI.”

  “Lance mentioned as much.”

  “What you might not know is that Jack and I teamed up on another matter as well.”

  “Mr. Flores, please get to the point. Quite frankly, I have no idea what I can do to help you in any way. I’m not business savvy like they are.”

  “The DNA results you did for Jack,” he stated flatly, noticing her brief start.

  She straightened. “What about them?” It served no purpose to deny knowledge of it. It was clear that he had inside information about the results.

  “Have you shared it with anyone but Jack?”

  “Before I answer any further questions, I want to know how you even know about those tests.”

  “Jack took me into his confidence. He needed someone to get close to the Sixth Order. Someone they didn’t know and couldn’t associate with Precision Secure. We’ve come close to unraveling their entire organization. Keeping the information you have quiet is crucial to our success.”

  “Our?” Lexi latched onto the word. They were still busy with the DNA analysis of the blood spatter found in the bunker of Jack’s house. “Are you saying Jack is still alive?”

  “If he is, he hasn’t contacted me. No, Lexi, I’ve singularly continued with the course Jack and I have started. Therefore, I ask again. Have you told Lance about the results?”

  “I intended to after Jack’s assumed death, but with everything that’s happened since, it slipped my mind.”

  “If Jack is still alive, it’s imperative that you keep it to yourself, for both his and my sake.” He handed her a cell phone. “There’s only one number saved on here. If you don’t receive one text message from me every day, you’ll know something happened. Then, you need to divulge the intel to the Precision Secure team and tell them to start at Jack’s farm.” He studied her intently. “Will you do that for me?”

  Lexi turned the phone around in her hands. “I don’t like where this is heading. There have been so many people hurt or killed over the past couple of months.”

  “And we need to put an end to it. We’re closer than ever, Lexi. The Sixth Order is slowly losing their hold on the advantage they’ve had over the authorities. They’re making mistakes. I promise you, the end is near.”

  Lexi contemplated the man in front of her. There was something about him that reached out to her. She was aware that Lance and Alex had their doubts about Flores but in a strange way, she didn’t share their view. If Jack had trusted him enough with those results, then so should she. She dropped the phone into her handbag.

  “Very well, Michael. I sincerely hope I won’t ever need to have that discussion with Lance.”

  “For your sake, I do too.” His smile was wry as he watched her wince. He got up. “Thank you, Lexi. I know Jack trusted you implicitly.” He shrugged as he turned to leave. “And so do I.”

  “I’m glad we could all finally meet you, Michael,” Rhone said as he shook his hand.

  “Pleasure is all mine.” Michael greeted each of the team as Lance introduced them. Everyone settled around the boardroom table.

  “Seeing as it’s after work hours, anyone join me for a cold beer?” Keon asked where he stood at the refrigerator. He passed it around and lifted his own in a salute. “Prost.”

  “We thought it was time we shared notes,” Alex rasped. “We uncovered some information that’s directly linked to Crown International. Or rather, one of your board members.”

  Michael sat upright. He glanced at Lance. “I assume this is about Carl Falcon?”

  “Yes,” Lance said.

  “I have to admit, I’ve had my suspicions about him from day one. I have yet to meet him. He keeps dodging my requests and according to the board members, he hasn’t attended any board meetings since the owner passed away. Not even to meet Gideon and Jordan when they arrived.” Michael looked at Alex. “I assume there’s more?”

  Alex briefly explained the connections they uncovered that Falcon had with Xenia Pharmaceuticals and Five Star Enterprises. “We also found him connected to four more companies in L.A and Canada.”

  “So, we can assume he’s the person setting up or buying into organizations to set up as shell companies?”

  “That’s what we believe.” Rhone sat back in the chair, his gaze intent. “What we want to know, is what you know.”

  “What makes you think I know anything you don’t?”

  “Because we weren’t born yesterday,” Keon rasped.

  Michael took a long sip of his beer. “Very well, it’s probably better to have your backing than trying to go at this alone.” He looked at the faces around the table. “Jack approached me while in London to help him crack open the Sixth Order.”

  “He what? Why would he approach an investor?” Max demanded.

  “I wasn’t always an investor, Max. Jack and I served together in Afghanistan on a couple of tours. We saved each other’s lives more than I can count. That time he was undercover for years, I was there with him. As you know I’ve been a UK citizen for years. I’m ex MI6.”

  “Now that makes a lot more sense,” Lance mused as he watched him with searching eyes. He glanced at Bruce. He nodded which caused them all to relax. If Bruce believed he was truthful, so did they.

  “What was the strategy?” Alex asked.

  “I had to get under the Sixth Order’s skin, infiltrate their ranks, so to speak and ruffle their feathers.” He chuckled. “I have to admit, it’s been quite entertaining. I love fucking with their minds. Anyway, they entrusted me with money to turn as a test whether or not they’ll trust me enough to continue using Crown International.” He shrugged and grinned. “I obliged, but I did it in such a way that the sale of the company they were after wouldn’t be smooth. I didn’t push the owners to accept the ridiculous amount they were after. In fact, I added a zero at the end.”

  “Hence the court case Select Liquor has against Five Star Enterprises and the reason they’re threatening Pamela.”

  Michael looked at Alex in confusion. “What does Pamela have to do with this?”

  “She’s the attorney handling the case. They set their assassins after her to scare her off. Needless to say, she’s shit scared,” Alex growled.

  “Any woman whose face was cut would be,” Keon rasped

  “Jesus, how did I miss this?” Michael was visibly upset.

  “You’re one man. It’s easy to slip up. Something I wish Jack had realized and involved all of us in from the beginning,” Rhone said sharply. He got up and paced the room. “What else do you know that’ll help us tighten the noose around their necks?”

  “Most of what I know, you do too. Where the server is kept that they stole with the MOKV designs. I assisted in uncovering the location of their operation hub and leaked intel to Alex to guide him to loosen Shutto’s tongue. Good job on that sweep, by the way.”

  “How did you know?” Alex asked.

  Michael shrugged. “I have ways and means. Any intel on other drug labs around the state?”

  “Yes, two. We intended raiding them immediately but had to depend on the PD and drug squats of those States. They’re doing the stings tonight, simultaneously.”

  “Perfect. It’ll make my task of unmasking the two leaders easier. I’ve already got them rattled.” Michael had no intention of disclosing that he knew their true identities. It was crucial to wait for the right time to act. He was wor
ried that if any of them knew who they were dealing with, there would be hell to pay … without proper planning.

  “Three leaders,” Alex informed him as he finished his beer.

  Michael’s head snapped around to stare at him. “Three? I’ve only encountered two, Dexter Powell and Mr. Zee. Zee, I believe is the head honcho and Powell second in charge. Who is the third?”

  “A man named Gun,” Bruce offered. “Unfortunately, we don’t know if it’s his first or last name and our searches haven’t brought anything to light.”

  Michael stored the information for further investigation later.

  “Care to fill us in on your next move?” Ethan enquired.

  “I like to surprise them. They’re pissed at the issue with Select Liquor, but I did it in such a way that I can turn it on them as the ones who were negligent in following through. I’m planning to drop in and pay them a visit later.”

  “To what purpose?” Keon watched him closely.

  “I’ve alluded that I want in on the deal with the MOKV. It’s time to push them harder.”

  “You’re risking your own life, Flores. There’s no way in hell they trust you now,” Lance said urgently.

  “Oh, I know they don’t, but they’re too greedy to get rid of me. I’ve got some of their money and I’m sure they want it back. It’s not much, but it’s the only leverage I have to stay within their reach.”

  “This is fucked up,” Max exploded. “They planted that bomb that almost killed three of us. Why wait? It’s clear Flores knows where they are, why don’t we take them in?”

  “Because like it or not, most of the intel you and I have is circumstantial. Nothing is going to stick in court.” Michael looked at each of the faces glaring at him in return. “I, for one, don’t want to fuck this up, and I can guarantee you, unless our timing is spot on, they’re going to walk away free men. Even if they don’t, I’m sure they would’ve left a backdoor open to keep the syndicate operational. The worst thing we want is for them to continue their reign of terror from behind bars.”

  “Michael is right,” Rhone said. He held up his hand as Max started protesting again. “We all want to end this, but unless we have concrete intel linking Powell, Zee, and Gun to the Sixth Order and everything they’re involved with, one or more of them are going to walk away. Once that happens, he’ll get the others free in no time.”