Chapter Twenty Three #2
Julio’s gut clenched and his hair rose on the back of his neck. He couldn’t afford to play his hand until they found Ebony, Caroline, and Megan. He needed to get to Rebecca, Kara and the remaining children and women.
“It’s time to go for a little ride, my friends,” Leo said, hauling Baskins to his feet. Julio shook his head, gaining Leo’s attention. The leader shoved Baskins toward Shadow. “Take him to the dining room.”
Once they moved out of earshot, Leo turned toward Julio. “What’s wrong?”
“We need to get to Texas. They have trackers,” Julio said, turning around for Leo to cut his bindings.
“We scanned them,” Leo protested. “They checked every inch of their skin.”
“Baskins said they deactivate them in case someone makes it to the authorities, making them virtually undetectable. They turned them back on, and they must be close because he expects Gerard back next week. Rebecca, Kara, and the others will be sitting ducks,” Julio said, pulling out his phone and calling Mac.
“Julio,” Mac greeted. “I didn’t plan to hear from you this soon.”
“Listen to me. They’re coming for them, most likely Rebecca. I don’t have time to explain. You must find the trackers and keep them safe until we arrive,” he ordered.
“I’ll wrangle the men to the farmhouse, and don’t worry, we’ll find them,” Mac assured him.
“It’ll take us about three hours to get there. Keep them safe,” he pleaded as he ran from the room.
“I’ll protect them with my life,” Mac vowed and hung up the call.
Julio rushed into the hallway and yanked the bonds holding Jameson, intending to take him home.
Mr. Baskins stood beside the other vehicle, his mouth hung open as he observed Julio releasing the merchandise. “Wait. You’re one of them?”
Julio strode toward the disgusting man. His fist connected with Baskins’ nose and Julio heard the crunch of the bone as blood began to pour down his face. “Take him to the van and call your connection. We need to keep him until we hear from Gerard.”
“We got incoming, multiple unknowns in several vehicles,” Shadow reported. Leo’s men went into action, hiding the vans. Saint led the victims into an interior closet while shouting instructions.
Julio passed Jameson a gun. “Do you think you can handle it?”
“Do we have any other options besides dying?” Jameson replied as he checked the weapon and disappeared.
Leo handed him another gun. “They don’t know we’re here. Find out what they know.”
Taco shoved the now-loose Baskins on the couch. A red dot appeared on the bastard’s chest. “Think about warning them and my buddy will end you,” Taco threatened before taking the stairs two at a time.
“We got six approaching the front door,” Patch said over the coms. “Four more headed toward the back. They came packing.”
“Copy,” Leo replied before he and Shadow melted into their surroundings.
“Keep your head and pretend we finished our transaction,” Julio ordered coolly as he poured them both a drink.
Mr. Baskins’ face turned pale as the red dot flashed on him one more time before disappearing.
Four men entered the room, scanning the area, before another man walked in, wearing a tailored suit and tie. “Where’s my merchandise, Baskins?” the man asked in a cold voice.
“I…I don’t know. Gerard picked up the signal in Texas and sent men to retrieve her,” he explained shakily. “We didn’t expect you until next week.”
“It seems I must return to my home. With my cousin’s death, I’ll be taking the helm. Rahimi promised Agent Keens the woman.”
“She’ll arrive in Boston within a day or two,” Baskins reassured him. From the way he spoke, Julio knew he feared the man.
“Gentleman, facial recognition picked up a hit on our visitor,” Matthew informed them. “Meet Rahimi’s cousin, Hassan.”
“He’s taking a chance coming here himself,” Leo spoke low.
“You promised me a sample of this prized possession,” Julio protested. “I dropped everything to come this evening for damaged merchandise. I’m expecting compensation.”
“He’s not in a position to offer such an arrangement,” Hassan said slowly. “And you are…”
“Julio Garcia. I’m beginning to think he’s setting me up. First, the botched auction, and then you show up with guns. I’m a businessman, not a weapons dealer,” Julio said, rising.
The man flashed him a brilliant smile. “Mr. Garcia. It’s nice to meet you. Mr. Baskins keeps a reserve for special events. I’m assuming you came for a private showing. Do you have a preference?”
“He likes blondes,” Mr. Garfield blurted out.
Julio stared coldly at him, sending him a silent message to shut the fuck up.
“I’m not prepared to waste any more of my time, gentlemen.
It seems you’ve carried this farce too far, and I believe you’re in the habit of relieving men like me of their money for nothing more than damaged goods and empty promises. ”
“Jared,” Hassan called out, still gazing at Julio. “Send for the shipment. Let’s show Mr. Garcia the many selections we can provide him.” Hassan turned toward Julio. “Since we’ve inconvenienced you, Mr. Baskins will compensate you by giving you one of your choice.”
Julio appeared disgruntled as he peered at his watch. They needed to return to the ranch. He didn’t have time to play games and yet he couldn’t afford to leave without saving the victims, no… the people.
Hassan sat near the fireplace, took out a cigar, and lit it as another man brought him a snifter of brandy.
“How long will I have to wait for this shipment?” Julio asked, sounding pissed. “It seems I already must wait a week for one.”
“You can take possession immediately,” Hasan reassured him. Garfield shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
Precious minutes ticked by as Julio imagined the ranch under attack. Kara and the others will be forced to relive the nightmare. Most importantly, would Rebecca survive it a second time? She barely acknowledged him now.
The sound of vehicles pulling into the driveway and multiple doors slamming sent Julio’s body into battle mode.
One of the previous men entered holding onto a chain.
Ten women appeared with shackles about their necks, infuriating Julio even more.
His gaze roamed over the group until it landed on a woman with dark brown skin, long black hair, and startling eyes, which garnered a second glance.
Seeing him stare, she started to narrow her eyes when she paused and her eyes grew big. She recognized him.
“I want her,” he demanded roughly.
“She’s worth ten times the others. In my country, she’ll garner a heavy price,” Hassan said smoothly, his eyes roaming down her body.
“You promised me compensation. I want to sample her, now,” he insisted. If he guessed correctly, this might be Rebecca’s friend, Ebony, and he needed to get her out of the crossfire.
“We’ll wait and join you in a few minutes,” Hassan said, as a slow smile of appreciation crossed his lips.
Julio rose, waited until they removed the damn thing from her neck. He grabbed her arm, propelling her up the stairs. Opening the door to the first bedroom, he ushered her inside. “I’ll need you to scream bloody murder in a minute. Do you know who I am?” he asked.
“You’re Rebecca’s Julio,” she replied. ‘Tell me she’s alive,” she pleaded.
“She’s in Texas and we need to save her. I want you to scream and then stay inside this closet until my men, or I, open this door,” he instructed.
She nodded and, on cue, let out a blood-curdling scream. Julio knocked over a chair and sent a vase flying.
A few minutes later, an eager Hassan entered, anticipating Julio rutting like an animal. Instead, he found an angrier version. Julio grabbed him by the neck and shoved him against the wall.
“How do you disable the trackers?” he demanded.
Hassan let out a laugh. “You’re surrounded, my friend. If you succeed in killing me, then you will soon join me in death.”
Julio punched him, sending him falling. The last year of anger loosened in his chest. Hassan jumped up, calling for his guards.
Two men, who must’ve stood outside the door, ran in, and tackled Julio to the floor.
He let out a feral growl. His frustration and worry turned to fury as he fought his attackers.
His fists flew, knocking one to the floor.
The second attacker barreled into him, sending him backward.
He reached for the lamp, striking the man across the face, catching his eye.
The man’s hand flew to his wound as he screamed in anguish.
Blood seeped from his fingers as he weaved.
Hassan’s upper lip curled as he pulled a gun from his jacket.
“Enough,” he ordered. The closet door burst open as Ebony knocked him to the ground.
The gun flew across the floor as Julio pounced.
His fist struck again. The first attacker grabbed Ebony’s arm, and she struggled against his hold.
Julio rolled off Hassaan and kicked the man in the knee.
Ebony moved out of the way as the two crossed the room, exchanging punches.
Julio snarled as Hassan launched toward him, knocking him to the floor.
He pushed Hassan’s chin upward, struggling to get him off.
“Who paid for the woman, Rebecca?” he shouted. The commotion from downstairs let him know Leo’s team engaged with the remaining men.
“She’ll never be free. He already knows her location,” Hassan sneered.
Julio grabbed him by the hair and pushed Hassan closer to the flame. The heat seared his hand as Julio shoved the man’s face closer to the fire.
Hassan gripped his shirt, but Julio’s rage blinded him. “Who paid for her?”
“She’s promised to Keens,” the man screamed.
One of the attackers drew closer, intent on helping his boss.
Julio pulled the gun from his holster and shot him in the stomach.
It gave Hassan enough time to grab the vase from the hearth and smash it against Julio’s head.
Seeing stars, Julio decided to end this, jerking the man’s arm into the fire.
Hassan screamed as Julio hauled him away from the flames.
Tying the man’s hands behind his back, he gave Hassan a shove toward the hallway.
Grabbing Ebony’s hand, he covered her as they made their way to the staircase.
“I have Hassan in custody. He’ll need medical attention,” Julio said above the noise of screams and gunfire.
Leo met him in the hall with the remaining men and women. Shadow flanked them as Saint covered them. “We go out the back. Patch picked off three of them. I suspect the fourth’s hiding or running,” he said as they ran toward the kitchen.
One of the women fell, and Taco bent, scooping her into his arms. Matthew appeared at the door. “We gotta go, boys. It appears they ordered reinforcements,” Matthew said as they moved toward the back of the house.
They covered the women as they herded them toward the vans. Julio saw the last attacker jump from his hiding place, his gun pointed at Ebony. He dived and felt the bullet enter his arm as they tumbled to the ground.
“Julio’s hit,” Leo announced as he plucked him up by the shirt. Saint grabbed Ebony, and they continued toward the vehicles.
“Where’s Baskins?” Julio asked as Patch shoved him in the last seat and Saint started the van and took off.
“Team 2 check in,” Leo ordered. When he heard them roll call, he motioned for Saint to keep going. “We have him in custody. I’m sure Hassan and him will have a lot to say to the feds.”
Julio glanced back at the mansion. They managed to dispatch a few of them to hell. Would it matter if he didn’t make it back to Rebecca on time?