Chapter 28
Hudson
Dawn had broken, the early morning light creating an orange haze accentuating every color.
There was moisture in the air, as if another storm was brewing. I thought about Valentina’s hatred of rain and her panicked view that all things bad happened in a storm.
I was determined to continue breaking that cycle.
Poised and ready.
That’s what I’d told myself as I pressed down on the gas pedal, flying past every vehicle on the interstate going over a hundred miles an hour.
While Gabriel had contacted Chase telling him about the change in plans, I’d made contact with the men at the house in Jupiter putting them on notice.
Bruno was being carefully watched, our other vehicle following behind him with one soldier remaining in the car with him in case the asshole tried to do anything fishy.
There was too much at stake and my mind was barely able to process the depths to which Bruno had allowed himself to fall. As I’d always said, everyone had a price. His was a fix for his drug habit.
Disgust would need to wait.
While I’d longed to call Valentina, just to hear her voice if nothing else, the last thing I wanted was to terrorize her more than she’d already been.
Time was of the essence.
“Slow down,” Kendrick advised.
“Like hell I will.”
“We can’t save her if we don’t get there alive.”
I laughed bitterly. If I had to crawl there I would, broken and bloodied.
With few cars on the road at just before dawn, I was able to make good time. Now, at only fifteen miles out, I prepared myself mentally for what we’d face. Bruno had no idea how many men the Undertaker had with him. His statement was likely the truth given he was no one to the organization.
The anger continued to boil, pushing me into the very strange calm that I’d always gotten during a mission. It was the only way I’d been able to carry out my missions without second guessing myself. Now it was vital I maintained some sense of calm or we’d face disaster.
“Contact the men again. I need reassurance we’re not too late.”
When my order wasn’t followed immediately, I fell back into losing my shit.
“Do it!”
“Christ, Hudson. We’ll get there,” Maverick huffed. He was now the one in the passenger seat.
I glanced into the rearview mirror at Gabriel.
“Fine. I’ll call them.”
“How are we doing this?” Kendrick asked.
“We’ll allow Jones to believe he won’t be challenged, but under no circumstances are either Valentina or Bella to be placed in harm’s way.” Breathe. Just breathe.
“Of course not. I’ll protect them with my life,” he muttered.
“So will I,” Maverick chimed in.
The sudden silence was suffocating.
“Did the soldier answer?” Not for long. My bark was getting worse.
“No.” I heard the horror in Gabriel’s voice.
And so, the endgame had begun. Instead of making a comment, I pressed down on the gas pedal, now going a hundred and twenty. Nothing was going to stop me from getting to her.
Less than ten minutes later we arrived, parking far enough away so as to not draw any attention. I suspected Jones had several men with him. Another element of surprise was necessary.
We raced through the dense foliage and I was aware the moment Bruno had pulled down the long driveway, the headlights providing a stream of light directed at the house, which was quiet and dark.
We moved into position, but right now, I barely had any patience left.
“We’ll get them, Hudson. I promise you.” Maverick’s attempt to comfort me wasn’t working, but I appreciated the effort.
From where we stood, I could see two bodies down in the front yard. I didn’t need to see that they were dead. We’d already lost good men. I was right to assume this was a war. The Undertaker wouldn’t leave anyone alive.
There were three men I didn’t recognize crowded around the house, no doubt Delgado’s men. There would be more.
Bruno didn’t bother knocking, stepping inside the unlocked door. The security had been cut. As soon as he did, we crept closer. There was no call to action.
Silencers had been added to try to help keep Valentina and her little girl safe until we were able to confront the monster.
Keeping low, I rushed forward, slapping my hand around the soldier’s mouth while jerking him off his feet and firing a single bullet into his brain.
Before the other two had a chance to react, I yanked the arm of the second, firing off three shots in a row. Our other recruits moved around the side of the building.
Maverick handled ending the life of the third without hesitation. He hadn’t forgotten his days serving in the FBI.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
Suddenly, all bets were off as loud shots were fired.
That left me no choice. I rushed toward the door. “Maverick. Get Bella and get her out of here.” If the motherfuckers had placed the little girl’s life in harm’s way, I would make certain I spent time with the Undertaker in private.
The eerie quiet inside was a direct contrast to the battleground surrounding the house. We flanked the interior and I walked silently through the house while Maverick rolled up the stairs with Kendrick following him.
With both hands on the weapon, I found Jacob Jones without being forced to search. He was sitting on a chair as if he owned the place, a weapon in one hand and his other arm wrapped around Valentina’s waist.
“I figured you’d return. I was given a little heads up by one of my men at the warehouse.
You should have killed them, Judge. If you had then maybe things would have worked out differently.
I knew you were up to something that day in your office.
I just couldn’t put my finger on what that was.
Now, I know you’re trying to pretend as if you have a backbone. ”
I glanced at Bruno who wore a smug smile. Had I been wrong that I’d put the fear of God into him? Maybe, but at this point it didn’t matter. Or at least it couldn’t.
“I’d tell you it’s good to see you again, but I’d be lying.”
“Come on now,” he teased. “Aren’t we good buddies after all this time?”
The look on Valentina’s face was strained, her lower lip quivering. I could read her eyes. She was terrified about Bella. She was also scanning the room, giving me eye movements in a way I could easily understand. There were several men out back waiting for us to make the wrong move. Good girl.
“No need for pleasantries, Jacob.”
“You know,” he said and dragged her closer. “I could tell you had a thing for the girl. When I was given her picture, I knew why. She’s fucking gorgeous. She’ll fetch a high price even soiled.”
“Fuck you, asshole,” she hissed. “I’ll kill you for touching me.”
He laughed. “That would be fun to see. Whoever buys you will adore your feistiness. Just before they break you.”
I inched closer as Gabriel flanked my side.
“You have no way out of here,” I told him. “So you might as well let Valentina go.”
“I assure you that I will be leaving here with the merchandise. You see, I have about a dozen men surrounding the property that you didn’t notice.
There’s no way you’re getting out of here, Judge.
Although I will give you an A for effort.
Torching a warehouse was a nice touch. Shocking.
But it means shit to us. We’ll get more blow without breaking a sweat. ”
Laughing, I glanced at Gabriel. Everything had to go perfectly according to plans or the person I considered most valuable in my life could get hurt.
I would die to protect her.
“Why would you do this, Bruno?” she asked when there was a slight lull. “I thought you cared about me.”
He appeared uncomfortable but said nothing.
Jacob laughed. “You should have learned, darlin’, that Bruno only cares about himself.”
While he was distracted, I was able to glance at Gabriel who was prepared to fire his weapon if necessary. Yet we had to be careful. I had no doubt scum like Jacob would use Valentina as a body screen.
“Is this because of drugs? Again! You lured me down to Miami. Why did you bother? You never cared about me or your daughter. Did you?”
“That’s enough, sweetheart,” Jacob told her. “Save your breath. Bruno doesn’t care about anything but a little blow. Does he?”
Still, Bruno remained quiet.
“Well, I’m afraid I have a deadline,” he added. “A shipment coming in that you don’t know about.” It was his turn to laugh. “You know, if you’d had balls enough to kill a man, you wouldn’t be in this position. My win.” He started to stand, his arm firmly grasped around her.
Bruno flicked his gaze toward the back door. He was also giving me a sign. Maybe the kid wasn’t all bad after all.
I slowly turned my head toward Valentina. We had one shot at this, like it seemed we had with everything else.
Fuck the element of surprise.
“Now!” My voice shattered the tension in the room.
Every member of my team reacted as I’d hoped and as we’d planned. My sweet Valentina proved she was a little fighter, using her elbow to punch him in the gut, which loosened his grip. She flung herself away and against the wall.
But Jacob didn’t react like I thought he would. Instead of aiming his weapon at me, he twisted his body, firing off a single shot.
At Valentina.
“No!”
“No!”
The two shouts were dark and angry. One coming from me a split second before I fired off four shots at Jacob Jones, the Undertaker.
And the other?
Bruno as he threw himself in front of Valentina, taking the shot meant to kill her.
Gunfire sounded outside, but I could tell it was controlled. The plan had worked as I’d hoped.
Less than minute later, the eerie quiet was welcome this time. Chase had sent the DEA to the safehouse given we’d suspected what Jacob intended on doing.
“Valentina.” I rushed toward her, gingerly lifting Bruno away. He’d fallen face first after the shot had hit him in the back.
“No, Bruno. Oh, God.” Her voice was barely more than a whisper, the aching sob from seeing the man who’d fathered her child and had saved her life was lying in a pool of blood. She crouched over him, shaking her head.
“Val… en… tina. I’m… sorry.” His eyes were already dilated, blood seeping from under him.
“Don’t try to talk,” she told him.
I stood over them, uncertain what to say to her. Yes, I was thankful he’d saved her life. He’d done one decent thing in his miserable life.
His hand shaking, he reached out to her and she grasped his fingers. “I did… love… you. And Bella. Tell Bella…” As he started to wheeze, blood gushed from his mouth.
“I know,” she managed.
“That I love… her.” As he took the last breath, I moved toward Jacob, amazed he was still alive.
After kicking the gun from his hand, I leaned down so only he could hear.
“You were wrong about me, Jacob. A terrible mistake. I am a judge, but I’m also your jury and your executioner. See you in hell.”
I glanced down at her and she tried to smile, offering me comfort when that’s all I wanted to do for her. “Oh, baby.”
As I gathered her into my arms, I glanced at my other team members, thanking them silently. For doing this with me. For protecting her. For risking their own lives.
“I’m okay,” she muttered.
“Thank God.”
“Bella,” she whispered as she lifted her head.
“She’s safe, baby. We’re all safe.” I guided her from the room and through the house, leading her outside. There were police everywhere, members of DEA already roaming the property rounding up the remainder of Jacob’s men.
As Maverick walked toward her, Bella in his arms, I noticed something splashed across the sky. “Look, baby. Look up.”
She clung to me, grabbing her daughter and holding her tightly as she followed my arm extended toward the horizon.
“A rainbow.” Valentina half laughed. “A beautiful rainbow.”
I only hoped that the sign would give her peace.
Her nightmare was over.