Chapter 6
My past trainingkicks in automatically. I keep several car lengths between the white jeep and me while taking in any details that I can.
There aren’t many cars on the road, so it’s easier to catch tiny details, like the stores we pass and the streets we turn down.
But on the other hand, since there aren’t many cars on the road, I have to keep farther back than I’d like.
I relay my whereabouts to Hudson, who is still on the other end of the phone.
“We just passed Wes’ tire shop headed west.”
“Where are they going?” He murmurs.
“They wouldn’t really drive by all the businesses, would they?”
Wouldn’t it be too risky for them to be seen? Although they were just seen by a handful of locals as the bait shop.
“They are headed toward the police station.” Hudson says out of the blue.
“Now that is weird and something I’ve never encountered with the cartel before. They usually try to steer clear of the police.”
“Unless they have an insider in the department.”
He makes a valid point. They have seemed to assimilate pretty well.
I continue to follow the shady guys through downtown. We pass the police station and firehouse.
“It seems like they are driving around aimlessly. Or they know I’m following them and they want to lead me on a wild goose chase.”
Hudson clears his throat. “What street did you just pass?”
As soon as I get to the next intersection, I read the sign. “Seabreeze Avenue.”
“So weird. They are going toward the outskirts of town.”
“Is there anything interesting over this way? Buildings, schools, or houses?”
“A few warehouses, but most of them have been abandoned for at least five years or more.”
“Okay, so possibly a hideout or rendezvous point with their partner. Now, who could they be partnered with here in this town? The mayor?”
“No way!” Hudson yells through the phone.
I chuckle as he explains his reasoning. “The mayor keeps his nose clean. He helps the children and the elderly. He opens his doors for hurricane victims. He gives back to the community.”
If he is as great as Hudson just described, why was he getting death threats?
“Where does he get all the extra money for these community outreach projects?”
Hudson gasps. “Are you implying he’s dirty?”
“Wouldn’t be the first corrupt politician we’ve had to deal with.”
“Nuh-uh. The mayor isn’t like that. He uses our tax money to help fund these events and if he doesn’t have the money, then the community pitches in to help one another.”
I can’t believe the mayor would have that much extra money each year.
As if reading my thoughts, Hudson laughs and says, “Believe it or not, that is just how things are done here in the south. Welcome to small town living, Xavier.”
I concede. “Okay, fine. Say these guys are from my past, what are they after, and why target the mayor’s family?”
“I’m trying to figure that out. Those death threats happened before you were here, so we may be dealing with two separate cases.”
Great.
This is not how I was planning on enjoying my first few retired days, but if this is connected to my past, then I need to get to the bottom of it before anyone else’s life is in danger.
The white jeep slows down and turns onto a narrow cobblestone and gravel road that is nestled in thick trees.
I stop and pull over onto the side of the road.
“They are turning down a no named gravel road. I stopped to give them time to put distance between us.”
“You should see me behind you in thirty seconds. Follow me. I’ll take you another way to the warehouses.”
I end the phone call and toss my phone in the passenger seat.
Less than a minute later, he stops beside my car and gestures up ahead. I follow him as we drive away from the gravel road.
I’m not sure where Hudson is leading me, but this is his town and he knows these roads like the back of his hand.
He pulls into an abandoned garage and motions for me to pull into the other bay.
I do as he says and turn off my car before meeting up with him at the front of the building.
“If I was correct, we should see them enter one of those buildings.” Hudson points down the street.
There are no cars parked in the parking lot or along the street, and the buildings don’t look safe. They look like they should have been condemned a decade ago.
Hudson and I walk along the tree line toward the warehouses to get a better view.
When we hear the roar of an engine, we duck inside the trees. A few moments later, the white jeep comes out of nowhere, heading toward us.
I move deeper into the trees. “Can they see us here?”
Hudson smacks my arm, getting my attention, before rolling his eyes.
“Okay, that was a stupid question. I know they probably can’t see us, but this is different from the missions we were on before. We had better intelligence.”
“Well, I did the best I could. I’m not Hacker.”
At the mention of our friend’s name, I smile.
That fucker could have every little bit of information about a suspect within a few minutes.
He’d have every known name, address, bank account, car, and wife or mistress the suspect has ever had.
The white jeep stops in front of the closest warehouse and the two men from the bait and tackle store get out.
The driver looks pissed while the passenger looks like he is just along for the ride.
They enter the rundown warehouse and immediately start yelling.
My feet are on the move before my brain can catch up.
“We need to hear what they are saying.” I whisper to Hudson, who is following a few steps behind.
“You need to be careful. We don’t have any weapons or backup.”
I spin around so fast Hudson almost collides with me. “I thought you were strapping up.”
“I said I was gearing up.”
I raise my eyebrow. “Same thing.”
“I’ve got my everyday carry on me, but nothing else.”
“One gun and that’s it?” It’s not like him to not carry a couple. Maybe civilian life has softened him a bit.
“Well, I got a couple more stashed in my car, but it’s not enough to wage a war with them.”
“I’m not asking to wage a war. I’m just asking for some cover.”
He nods. “Cover I can do.”
“Good.” I whisper as I move through the trees to get closer to the building.
Commotion inside the warehouse continues.
One of the men’s thick accent booms through the air. “We’re looking for Everett. Where the fuck is he?”
I glance toward Hudson to see if he knows anyone named Everett. He shakes his head.
Another lead that ends.
The yelling continues as the man demands to know what Everett has been up to and what he has said to whoever is inside the building.
Several quiet minutes later, the men head back to their car and drive away like a bat out of hell.
Hudson and I break out into a full sprint to get back to our cars in time to tail them.
When my phone rings, I answer it, knowing it’s probably Hudson calling.
“I’ll tail them if you want to head to the mayor’s house and figure out how the hell he’s involved.”
“And if he’s not?”
“I don’t buy it. He’s involved one way or another. For a mayor to be as devoted to his community as he is, he has to know about whatever illegal activity is happening in that warehouse. Find the answers or else I will.”
Anger builds inside of me as I end the call and throw my phone back onto the passenger seat.
Has the mayor been lying to Hudson this entire time? What about his wife and Brianna?
My breathing gets deeper the angrier I get, but there’s nothing I can do right now except follow these assholes and hope Hudson gets the truth from the mayor.
The white jeep takes the same roads back toward town. When I think they are going to turn left at the firehouse, they turn right toward the beach.
Why would they be headed toward the beach?
A pit grows in my stomach as they slow down. I know exactly where they are headed.
We were all here last night for the bonfire.
I park in a parking lot a little down the street from the seafood restaurant and wait to see if my gut instinct is right.
The white jeep pulls into the parking lot, next to a dark blue SUV. The two men get out yelling for Everett.
Does the blue vehicle belong to Everett?
Glancing around the parking lot, my gaze locks onto the all too familiar convertible.
Shit. She’s here too.
I grab my phone and call Hudson.
“We have a situation here. Brianna’s car is in the parking lot. We may be dealing with a hostage situation.”
“Can you see inside?”
“No. They already boarded the place up and I’m on the opposite side of the restaurant.”
I quietly get out of the car and walk closer to the restaurant. There’s nowhere for me to hide.
Sure, I might be able to dip behind other businesses, but if I want to hear what is going on, I need to get closer.
The closer I get to the restaurant, the quieter it is. Only the sound of the waves crashing on the shore can be heard.
Where are the two men?
Are they already inside?
Did they find Brianna?
I whisper to Hudson. “It’s quiet inside. Almost too quiet. How far out are you? Did you call the mayor and tell him to be home?”
“No, because if what you think is true, then I don’t want to give him time to think up excuses or leave.”
“Great idea.”
He’s quiet for a few more seconds before saying, “I’m pulling into the mayor’s driveway now.”
“Give him hell.”
He chuckles but says, “Will do.”
I disconnect the call and make my way to the restaurant’s back door. It’s boarded up to where I can’t access the lock.
I can’t pull the board off either without alerting the men inside.
Seeing as the front door is the only way in right now, I sneak around the side of the building.
The board covering the front door is busted into pieces and barely hanging on by the one hinge left intact.
There are no voices coming from inside and for a few seconds, I think they left until I hear a chair scraping across the floor.
Are they eating right now?
Sitting down for a meeting?
I shake my head and make my way back to my car. The driver was too pissed to be sitting down for a meeting.
Unless Everett has Brianna and the men want her.
A deep, predatory growl rips from my lips at the thought of the three men wanting her.
She’s mine.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath.
She’s not mine, nor will she ever be. She’s too young, and I’m too broken. But that’s beside the point.
I will do everything I can to keep her safe.
That’s all. Nothing more, nothing less.
My dick bounces in my pants in protest.
I’d love to have her pouty mouth wrapped around my cock as she looks up at me, but that’s a want that will never happen.
Damnit, Xavier. Get your head out of your ass for a minute. We have more important things to do.
I slip back into the driver’s seat of my car to keep watch on the restaurant while I wait to hear from Hudson.
This isn’t the first time I’ve had to sit for hours and watch for a target, but I wish I brought snacks.
I look in the center console and the glove box. I usually keep Slim Jim’s or granola bars on hand for emergencies, but I’m completely out.
That will have to go on my to do list, after the storm clean up of course.
I lean my head back against the headrest and stare through the rain soaked windshield.
Come on. Something happen. Anything.
The all too familiar sound of a gun firing echoes through the air.
My heart leaps in my chest as I fling the door open and run toward the restaurant’s back door.
Going in through the front door isn’t safe. They could be sitting there waiting for someone like me to come inside.
I’ll get in through the back door one way or another, even if I have to pry the board off with my bare hands.
If someone hurt Brianna, there will be hell to pay.