I carefully slide behind the hot steering wheel. With even more care, I gingerly put my seatbelt on. I pull out of the parking lot and notice one of Moon's black Caddies across the street. It pulls out and follows me.I take a few turns and enter the I-17 on-ramp. The Caddy stays a safe distance behind me until I take the Peoria turnoff and head into Ghetto Center. That's not actually the mall's name, it's just what it's known as. Off the road that circles the mall there's a large store that's been vacant for years. It went out of business ages ago and no one ever moved in. This isn't the nicest neighborhood. I drive into the parking lot. The Caddy pulls up beside me and Moon opens the back door. Gomez is driving and he isn't looking at me.I pop the locks and Moon opens the passenger door."What the fuck are you doing?" he asks before he shifts his body inside. He's not wearing a jacket and he's a bit more disheveled than I'm accustomed to.I'm more than ready for this macho thug
After obtaining a new rental, I purchase camo shorts, a green tank top, baseball cap, water bottle, and field glasses. Of course, I have all this back at my apartment. Being followed by Moon or his thugs is not part of the plan. The tables have turned.I know the area around Moon's home. I end up parked two streets over and hike until I find a place to sit and watch. The sun beats down on me and I do my best to conserve the water. I don't know if Moon is home. If he is, I'm following him. If not, I'll stay in a hotel and come back tomorrow.The sun finally begins setting and a spectacular array of light washes across the horizon. Arizona sunsets are to die for. I smile at the thought. Following Moon could get me killed. It's the whole sick cop humor thing. I'll appreciate this sunset like it's my last.About an hour later, one of the Cadillacs pulls out. I have no idea if Moon's in it and that doesn't matter. I know my plan could take a few days before it pays off. I stand up from w
I take the long way around to the rental car. It's still there. I hide in the shadows for ten minutes. Nothing moves, so I finally make a dash for the car. I need to go straight to the police. I would have called already, but I worried Moon or his thugs would hear me.I slip inside and close the door as quickly and quietly as I can and lock it. My fingers are shaking and I have a difficult time getting the key in the ignition.I freeze at a voice and the cold metal of a barrel against my head. He was in the fucking back seat and I didn't look when I opened the door and the light went on. I want to pound my head into the steering wheel."Drop the keys and place your hands on your head." My heavy breathing fills the car. "Moon wants you alive, but I won't die because of a fucking puta."Even with my limited Spanish, I know what he called me. I do as he says. He grabs my hands and a large chunk of my hair at the same time. The gun barrel leaves my head and he speaks into a phone. "Got
We're in the library and I'm sitting in one of two stuffed chairs staring at a wall of books. Gomez hands me a shot glass after filling two."Tequila, drink it."I down the glass without a second thought and he downs his. There's no lime to disguise the taste or help the burn and I can't stop from doing the funny twist thing with my mouth. He ignores this, takes the glass out of my fingers, and refills both. We drink another shot together."You've made a real fucking mess, pequeña."My head feels decidedly fuzzy. "I swear if you're calling me 'little sister,' I'll bite you again."A chuckle escapes him. "It means 'little one.' You fucking fight like a wildcat, though.""What good did it do me? I'm still here," I pout. He refills my glass, we drink, and he walks over to the house phone."Philip, bring us some chips." I'm relieved because I need something in my stomach. My head is spinning and my belly rolling. He hangs up the phone and turns to me. "You're safe here. Moon shouldn
I'm lifted from the chair and I let out a small groan. "Go back to sleep. I'm carrying you to my room," Moon says. My arms and legs are useless, so I do what he says.When I finally wake up, light hits my eyes and I struggle to climb out of bed before I puke. I run into Moon's bathroom and barely make it to the toilet. Chips and tequila are not a good combination when they come up. When I think everything is expelled from my stomach, I turn on the shower and strip off my bra and panties. Moon must have removed the rest of my clothes last night. My toothbrush is in the drawer beside Moon's, and I thoroughly brush my teeth and rinse out my mouth.I'm never drinking again. The water burns my scrapes, but I don't care. I wash from head to toe, including my hair. I feel horrible and that doesn't change as I stand under the water and let it pound down on me. I have no idea how long I remain like this, but I finally realize I'm delaying the inevitable. I leave the bathroom wrapped in a towe
Gabriella cooks a large brunch, and even with a hangover, I'm ravenous. She's especially quiet, and I notice a cautious look every few minutes as she serves us in the kitchen dining area. I wonder how much she knows. She can't be oblivious about who Moon is or what he does.She leaves us alone after I take my first bite and tell her how wonderful it is. I'm dressed in shorts and a tee. I wore a tight shirt because I don't have a gun to conceal. I sneak a look or two as Moon eats, but mostly I keep my head down and concentrate on the food.I have no idea what to say.I'm startled when Moon clasps my fingers. "No, I won't keep you here against your will, baby."I think about those words for a few minutes. He releases my hand and we continue eating.I finally look up. "What if I go to the police?"His lips make a small quirk. "I'll lie."He says it so easily. "Will they find Dandridge's body?""No."They'll ask why I didn't go straight to the police the first night. They'll ask f
In the afternoon, I take more ibuprofen to combat my nagging hangover headache. It has barely taken effect when Moon's aunt arrives with her gaggle of girls. Hell, they're not girls; I should refer to them as women. They look bright eyed and helpless, so I'll stick with girls. Forget that they're beautiful and elegant and feminine.I'm dressed in black BDUs. Moon sent one of his men to my apartment. Now I also have a utility belt and my favorite kickass boots. My top is a tight black unadorned tee that hugs my breasts and is long enough to tuck in. Because I'm working guard duty tonight, I'm taking it seriously. Moon walked into his room after I put my gun on my hip and pepper spray into its slip holster. He approved and we almost ended up back in bed. Moon left no doubt in my mind that he's completely turned on by this kickass female.Currently, he's meeting with the house security team. They're all pulling a shift tonight, but only two will monitor the cameras while the other four
When I head back to the dining room, Lupe and Gabriella are setting up the promised refreshments. They've included several bottles of wine along with cheese, crackers, and fruit. There's also a carafe of water. They leave without a word. I fill a wineglass with water and walk to the head of the table where the ladies left me a seat. Cori is sitting next to me."She served us food, which is a miracle, so I'll give you props. Ladies," she glances around the table, "the queen bitch isn't here. Introduce yourselves and be nice at least until QB returns."They laugh and the tension leaves the room."I'm Angela," the woman on Cori's right says. She's petite, Asian, and as beautiful as the other women. One by one they introduce themselves. A few give what I think must be their working names."Please serve yourself if you're hungry. I ask that you don't have more than a glass or two of wine. We need to stay alert. If something goes down, you'll follow me to a safe location." I sweep my eye
I stayed with Mr. Loche for two hours. When I came back to the cabin, Father Andrews and Madison were cooking dinner together in the kitchen. She was laughing and he was telling her that anyone can learn to cook, it just takes practice. I don't add my two cents that the meal Mrs. Loche prepared would have been safer. I word it a little more carefully, "Please don't encourage her. Gabriella will throw a fit if Madison moves in on her territory." They stop what they're doing and I receive my first genuine smile from Madison that I've seen in weeks."It's a simple lasagna. Mak can make it when you're here at the cabin. Even I wouldn't do anything to piss off Gabriella." He cringes with great exaggeration and Madison laughs.She looks at him with a huge smile. "You didn't tell me you know Gabriella.""I know her daughter. I've heard all the stories from her and I'm terrified of her mother."I walk to my wife and wrap my arms around her from behind. She leans into me and places her hands on
It's three more days before our guest arrives. I'm actually tongue-tide when Moon introduces me to Father Andrews. He's American but lives in Mexico and drove all this way to return a favor he owed my husband. He's younger than a priest has a right to be and he's too damn good looking for his job. I place him in his early thirties. It's strange because he looks oddly familiar even though I'm sure I've never met him.The three of us walk into the living room where Mrs. Loche put out cucumber sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies. Father Andrews's eyes light up. "I haven't eaten since breakfast and these look delicious," he says while filling a plate.Moon doesn't sit with us. "Mr. Loche and I are working on a new garden and clearing some land. I'll be next door if you need me." He leans down and places his lips on mine for a short kiss. It actually embarrasses me because Father Andrews is watching. Moon taps me under the chin in understanding because of the heat traveling up my neck and
With revenge motivating me, dealing with what happened was easier. The need for blood became a driving force that allowed me to put my thoughts and feelings on hold. Now my feelings, doubt, and shame overshadow everything. My mind is a dark hole with a smoky mist that Moon stands in to beckon me out. His hand is there. I can almost touch it, but my fingers slide away, a millimeter short, and the darkness covers me once more.Sleep is the worst. Nightmares make me toss and turn throughout the night. Most center around blood on my hands. They drip the red, congealed mess onto everything I touch and when I open my eyes it's still there. Or so the dream goes.I find it strange that I don't dream about what Fernandez did to me. It's his laughter, though, that wakes me night after night. Moon is always there to comfort me during those horrible hours. He pulls me close to his body when I give the slightest gasp. I breathe in his scent and fill my lungs with his strength. Until I fall asleep a
Part of my heart-stopping fury recedes when I pull Madison back into my arms. Her entire body is shaking and she's still clutching the knife I handed her. Alex takes it from her hand after I scoop her into my arms and cradle her against my chest. I breathe in the scent of her hair and try to gain more control.This woman is everything. She's the reason I wake up in the morning. Everything I hold dear is wrapped up in her. Cori meets my eyes and she tips her head in acknowledgement. When she turns away, Duke is standing behind her. He pulls her into his arms and walks her toward the front room. He stops when Goose is dragged closer by one of Dax's men and places himself between Cori and Duke. Duke casually pulls his gun and fires, striking him between the eyes. Goose blankly stares at the ceiling by the time the sound of the gunshot fades from the room. Cori spits on Goose's body before Duke leads her forward. Alex gives orders to clean up the bloody mess."Please take me home," Madison
She steps forward and Fernandez spins and tries throwing a punch at my head but misses. He moves quickly even with a bullet through the foot and gets between Cori and Sofia's rifle. Melina takes the opportunity to bring her gun down on the back of his head. He stumbles and I kick the tibial pressure point in his good leg. He drops and I kick Celina's gun away from him. She grabs it and aims it at him as he wiggles around like a flopping fish. I hand Melina my gun and slam down into his back with my cuffs primed. I practically pull his arms from their sockets in order to secure his hands behind his back while he's stunned."Help me get him up on the kitchen island and I'll cut off his fucking clothes." We drag him back to the kitchen minus Celina who stays at her post, which is the front door. He struggles but it's not enough for four women on a mission.The sick feeling in my stomach stays and I turn slightly and rub tears from my eyes. Not a minute has gone by that I haven't thought a
We park a half mile from the home. Melina and I run up the street, carrying the post driver between us because it's so damn heavy, and check out the property. Like the house he kept me and Cori in, this one is away from other homes and on a nice sized piece of property. The desert foliage on the north side of the area gives us a good vantage point to see the back door. I call Celina."Send Cori north to our location. The front door is on the south side of the house and you'll have about twenty-five yards from the truck to the door. Sofia will be your driver and leave as soon as you're inside. She'll park and meet us. We'll come through the back five minutes after you enter." We covered all of this in the car, but it helps me to go over the plan out loud again. "Give Cori ten minutes to get in place before Sofia drops you off.""Cori just took off. We're set," Celina says before ending the call.After Cori meets us, we stay low and wait for Sofia to text me that Celina is in the house.
Alex brings the car to the front. Austin jumps into the back and I take the passenger seat. I told the men to put Gabriella in our safe room until everything settles. She can cuss them out in Spanish, I don't have time. Sirens can be heard in the distance and we need to be completely clear of the house before they hit the street that leads to my private road.I've also notified additional men to meet us at the warehouse. As soon as we have Fernandez's location, we'll be moving out quickly. It suddenly occurs to me that Dax is totally out of the loop, so I dial his cell."You're fucking kidding me," he practically yells when I tell him his wife ran over a man and picked up the women. "I'm on my way." Another call comes in and I look at the display. It's Caleb."Start heading here with reinforcements," I tell Dax quickly. "I'll call as soon as we have a location. It won't be long."The man in the trunk is moaning loudly. There are metal plates over the taillights and nothing he can do to
Madison is up to something. The strange feeling persisted while she dressed and then at breakfast. Sending her off to the service without me was nearly impossible. The fact is, I need to get my head out of my ass and take care of Fernandez once and for all. The thought of him taking Madison again is eating me alive.While she's at EE, I can focus on what it takes to keep everyone safe. The Frontera Cartel is out of the picture and now we can focus on one man. I have everyone but our outside security in the conference room. Austin joins us too."How do we bring him out in the open without risking one of our women as bait?" I ask the men. It didn't matter how much Madison complained, there was no way I would give into her plan.I've never reached my current level of frustration as we debate the best scenarios. Alex hasn't said a word since entering the meeting, which surprises me. When I look at him, his eyes are on the door leading to the hallway."What has you worried?" I ask him when
The women with Celina give whoops and atta-girl shouts. I can't help smiling. "We'll be another thirty minutes. There's a building supply store not far from you and I need you to pick up two metal fence post drivers." I never worked Cave Creek as a cop, but one of the officers lived there and loved having barbeques, so I'm familiar with the area."We're on it. Meet us in the parking lot."I disconnect the call and decide to join Cori in the front. I wiggle between the seats and then lean back and exhale after I attach my seatbelt. "I'm worried Moon could beat us there."Cori puts her foot on the gas and shoots forward on the freeway. The 51 is one of the lighter trafficked freeways if you're not driving it during rush hour and we're pushing the witching hour. It's the most direct route from central Phoenix to the north valley and we're in luck because it's wide open. If that luck continues, highway patrol won't have units in the vicinity.We make it to the building supply store in twen