Chapter 3
The Hunt
Atlas
When we landed, a black bulletproof SUV was waiting for us at the airport. It was delivered without question. It came with a secret compartment to hide the small arsenal of weapons we needed to complete this mission. Once everything was secure, we headed to our destination.
Jacob and I weren't sure what to expect when we arrived, so we parked far from the facility. We snuck around the parameters and cut all the wires to the cameras. Our faces were covered, concealing our identities.
The plane touched down at 9:30 p.m. The sun had set long ago, leaving us to find the girls in darkness.
I was so wired and upset that I forgot the night goggles.
Two sets are stored at my place in Mexico, along with other weapons and ammo.
My residences are stocked with everything I need to carry out an assignment anywhere in the world.
It was still warm in the Texas desert, even though it was wintertime. We changed into our army fatigues on the plane.
I felt the sweat gathering around my eyes. I swallowed hard, hoping that Kitten was here.
Two cars were parked along the side of the building, warning that there might be occupants inside.
The place looked like it had been in a war zone: white, skeletal, and plain ugly against the vast desert.
There were no signs or windows, just cold concrete, steel, and a dead silence surrounding the area.
I stood before the double doors, Jacob beside me, both of us heavily armed and ready for battle.
I gently turned the handle. Naturally, it’s locked. My fists tightened, and my jaw ached from the tension in my neck. Saving my sweetheart and murdering every motherfucker who put their hands on her consumed my thoughts, bringing the evil monster buried inside to the surface.
"Looks like we'll have to blow it off its hinges," Jacob said, scanning the outer edges of the heavy steel.
I looked at him with fire in my eyes.
"Yeah, be ready, because if anyone is inside, they're going to hear a lot of fucking noise, giving them time to either escape or attack." I looked around the area one more time before speaking again.
"The GPS signal went dead right in this very spot. They either removed the tracker or accidentally scrambled the signal by covering it. I'm betting there is a collar around her neck. I know how these criminal rings work."
My insides burned like acid.
I was totally pissed off.
The love of my life, the only woman who got under my skin and made me fall in love with her, was gone, taken from me; stolen right out from under my nose.
I glanced at Jacob while aiming the high-powered rifle at the door.
He followed suit.
I nodded.
"Are you ready?"
My partner winked, smiling.
"I sure am, boss. Let's go kill some motherfuckers!"
I sprayed the steel with multiple bullets, tearing through the metal, blasting the handle right off the damn thing. I pulled it open so hard it slammed against the building, making a loud screeching sound.
We entered quickly, guns drawn, boots echoing across the concrete floors. The lights were dim, giving the place a somber appearance. So far, there wasn't a living soul anywhere. We moved along the corridors, but still, there was nothing. The building was empty, but not abandoned.
There were signs of recent activity. Mattresses lay strewn in the cells, chains bolted to the walls in different areas. Scratches were etched into the paint in several of the rooms. They looked like desperate marks from victims who had lost track of time.
We stepped into one of the bathrooms.
The stalls were still damp with condensation, so we missed whoever had been here.
"Fuck!" I yelled. "They must have left just a short time ago. Shit!"
"Jesus," Jacob muttered. "This isn't just a holding cell; this is a processing site."
I removed the mask from my face. The air was stale and rancid, making it difficult to breathe. Jacob did the same.
I looked at my partner, rubbing my chin.
"I couldn't agree with you more. They shuffle the victims through here, then deliver them to a compound, but which one?" I asked, feeling annoyed.
I pointed forward.
"Let's see what else we can find in this disgusting pit. Stay close behind me."
Jacob nodded.
We pushed deeper into the building, passing rooms that looked like huge cages. The scent of iron assaulted my nose. I remember that smell vividly.
There was no mistaking what it was. Large red stains covered one of the concrete floors.
The person whose blood this belonged to most likely died at the hands of their abuser. I prayed it wasn't Kitten.
With our guns still drawn, we moved forward down another corridor with more cells.
"Is anyone here?" I yelled.
Crickets. Nothing but my echo bouncing off the walls.
I looked at the ceiling. There were cameras everywhere. Even though we disconnected them, there would still be footage in the building. If I couldn't find anything in the history, I would have to call Zach and have him retrieve them.
I gestured toward Jacob.
"Come on. There's no one here. Let's look around and see where the cameras are connected."
"Gotcha, boss."
We kept moving, checking every room with a door without success. I was frustrated. After about five minutes, we stormed into a small room— finally! There it was—all the evidence we needed.
Multiple monitors filled the area. Some were dark, but a few still flickered, replaying old grainy videos. We stepped closer, looking at the dates. This footage was recorded two months ago. I didn't have time to go through them.
The clock was ticking, and I didn't want to waste even a minute on shit I wouldn’t need.
The only videos I wanted to see were from earlier today with Kitlyn and Becca. We had an issue, though. I didn't know how to bring them up with this equipment.
These high-tech monitors were well above my pay grade. There were switches and knobs everywhere on what looked like a mixing board. I knew how to look up shit on my computer and cell, but I had no goddamn clue what the hell this fuckery was.
I looked at Jacob.
"Do you know how to run this shit?"
He laughed, rubbing his forehead.
"I mean, I can do the basics on my laptop and phone, but this stuff is fucking complicated."
I shook my head.
"It's almost comical that both of us could cut out someone's heart with the precision of a surgeon, but neither of us can fucking figure out how to bring up the history on these screens."
Jacob smirked.
"Imagine," he said, pointing at himself and then at me.
"Dumb and dumber."
I cracked a smile, then pulled out my cell and dialed Zach. He answered immediately.
"Any luck in finding her, Atlas?"
I cleared my throat.
"We’re getting closer, but I need you to hack into the system and bring up the videos from this facility. The equipment is high tech, and Jacob and I can't figure it the fuck out."
He snickered into the phone, then his tone became serious.
"Sure. I'm already zoned in on the address. Give me about five minutes, and I will pull the history up for you."
"OK," I mumbled, then hung up. We patiently waited for my brother to work his magic. Five minutes later, the videos from earlier today came to life as promised.
The kid was a fucking genius. At least these images were easier to see than the others from two months ago. I chose the footage from six O'clock this evening, almost four hours before we arrived.
I didn't want to waste time watching the whole thing. I just needed to know she was still alive.
My heart hammered in my chest, and my palms were sweaty as I looked at Kitlyn and Becca on the screen.
I froze for a second, composing myself, not wanting to lose my shit right here. They were being forced into the shower. Out of respect, Jacob looked away from Kitlyn's nudity. I shook my head.
"No need. It is what it is. I suspect we’re going to see a hell of a lot worse than just her naked body."
My partner just nodded and continued viewing the monitor with me. My pulse raced, and the veins in my neck throbbed when the two lowlifes made them open their legs.
It's a good thing Juan didn't bury his fucking face between Kitlyn's thighs, because his death would be much worse when I found him. We learned who they were from the conversation between the two dingbats.
Neither of us recognized the men or their names. We were pretty familiar with most traffickers, but not these guys. We also learned that Hector was their leader, but that didn't ring a bell either.
I nudged Jay's arm. "See the collars on their necks? If Kit's tracker wasn't removed, that's what's blocking the device. The collar is made of heavy metal. The signal would never get past it."
Jacob rubbed his chin, nodding.
"I'm sure they will have to remove it eventually for something, boss."
My jaw tensed thinking about what those two motherfuckers were going to do to my girl and her friend. I was never a fan of Becca, and I'm still not, but this isn't the time to hold a grudge.
I was just as responsible for her as I was for Kitten. Once I rescued them, I could go back to hating her. A slight smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. Holding on to my anger toward Becca was my way of punishing her. My resentment made their friendship harder, and that was precisely the point.
I looked at Jacob.
"Let's hope when they remove the fucking thing, the tracker is still in place."
We continued watching the images on the screen. The outside cameras captured the girls being shoved into a blue van. At least they had the decency to cover them up before they left the building.
I zoomed in on the plate. Although I could see the vehicle was registered in Texas, a cover obscured the number.
I shook my head, furious. My fist slammed into the metal desk, denting it. "Fuck! She was here earlier. We were so close."
Jacob tried to console me.
"They move fast. Time is money in the cartel's world, but at least we know they are still alive. We are fresh on their tails, boss. We will find them."
My eyes narrowed, my nostrils flared, and I took a deep breath. I looked at my partner, my friend, barely holding it together. I swallowed down most of my rage, saving it for the criminals.
"If they think they can keep her hidden in some trafficking hellhole, they are mistaken." I hissed through clenched teeth.
Jacob smirked, cracking his knuckles.
"They can try, boss, but they have no idea what you and I are capable of. We will find them soon, big guy."
I nodded in agreement.
I scanned the room, looking for more clues. My gaze rested on a half-torn map pinned to the wall across from us. Small red dots circled the bordering towns in Mexico. I stepped closer, my voice a low growl.
"It looks like they've marked multiple destinations in one of the biggest trafficking capitals of the world."
I glanced at Jacob.
“Let’s hope the men guarding these locations know how to find Hector. He ordered his minions to get the girls to his compound so he could sell them to a buyer. We just have to figure out where the fuck he is."
Jacob shrugged. "We’ll have to kick in every door until we find someone who will talk."
I ran my fingers through my hair, feeling the frustration eating away at my insides. I flexed my fists, trying to relieve the tension creeping up my neck and shoulders.
It was time to head out to Mexico. We will stop at my place and figure out a plan to visit every area marked on the map, if needed. I gestured towards the door.
"Let's go, buddy. We have enough of what we need to find the girls."
We returned to the SUV, agreeing that we never wanted to set foot in that dump again.
We have a lot of work ahead of us.
I pulled out my cell and texted Yara-
Hey, I need your help with an assignment. Get back to me, and I will give you the details. I will have Tony fly you out to my place in Mexico. Thanks.
I hit send-
It's a good thing I haven't replaced Yara yet. If anyone can get close to the traffickers, it's her. I started the engine and headed to the border, feeling more hopeful now that we had something to work with.
I glanced at Jacob, smiling.
“We’re off to Mexico. Grab our passports from the bag. It’s time to pay Hector and his clowns a visit.”