Chapter 6
The Hunt
Atlas
The black SUV rumbled to a stop at the edge of my compound. The fresh air was unspoiled and inviting. Northern Mexico, although cooler than Southern Mexico, was always warm and pleasant during the winter months. I called this place my Mexicano digs.
I had private runways on all my properties so I could fly in and out whenever I wanted. Owning my own plane made things easier, especially since I traveled the globe on different missions. Commercial airlines were a joke, and I refused to waste my time with them.
Every test and clearance required by each country was already handled through the United States government.
My passport was registered in Mexico, Brazil, and Cambodia, where I also owned homes.
The CIA kept steady communication with each country's leadership.
My pilot, Tony, was also cleared. I never had any issues flying in or out. Ever!
I’m looking forward to showing Kit this rare gem I purchased about four years ago. I know she is going to love it. Not wanting to put myself in a foul mood, I dismissed the thought from my mind. I opened the door without saying a word. Jacob and I jumped out of the truck at the same time.
My housekeeper, Maria, met us on the wraparound veranda, which was great for shade and ventilation in the summer months. She was an older, stout Mexican woman in her late 50s who knew her way around a kitchen.
Bringing her on board was the best decision I ever made. She was an excellent cook and housekeeper. I hired her about three years ago, along with my butler. They keep the place running while I travel.
"Good morning, Mr. Atlas.” She said, following us inside. “I hope your trip was comfortable. There are sandwiches in the fridge. I stocked up on all your favorites."
I smiled at her as Jacob and I walked toward my bedroom.
"Thank you, Maria. You're the best, but I am in a hurry."
"But…but, sir."
"Save it for later, when I return. I have to get going."
Maria shrugged. "Okay, Mr. Atlas," she said and walked away.
I didn't have time for formalities. The clock was ticking, and I needed to get on the road.
Jacob and I stepped into my bedroom.
We quickly changed out of our fatigues into lighter attire. It was too warm to wear this shit. We both threw on bulletproof vests under our T-shirts and tossed an extra one in the pile, just in case. We tucked pistols into the waistband of our jeans for backup. The task ahead would take time.
There were so many fucking places tacked on the damn map, I almost didn't know where to start.
Once we had taken care of everything, we headed back to the kitchen. Neither of us has gotten much sleep.
We were running on pure adrenaline and Monster drinks. I looked at Jacob, pointing to the fridge.
"Grab some more energy drinks for the ride out. Once we get through the first round of maggots, we can rest. If this were a perfect world, and the man in the sky cooperated, we would find the girls on our first try, but you know as well as I do, nothing is that easy."
Jacob grinned.
"We've been such good boys all our lives, Atlas, I am sure God is on our side." He threw his head back and laughed.
Even I managed to smile.
God would not be on my side during this mission, that's for sure. I don't think it mattered that the maggots I ended were all violent criminals. I was sure I was heading down, not up, after I die. My partner and I had only our wisdom and skill to accomplish this assignment.
I went back to my room and grabbed a bunch of condoms for Jacob. We would get these motherfuckers to talk one way or another. Tearing someone's ass apart was a good way to make them sing like a bird.
I entered the kitchen and threw the pack at my partner.
"Just in case we can't get anyone to spill their guts, you can do what you do best, buddy."
He laughed, a sinister smile spreading across his face.
"You know I'm not bisexual, right? I just enjoy being a sadistic asshole." He smiled again. "I love women."
I patted him on the back.
"No need to explain anything to me. You can fuck whomever and whatever you want. I don't judge."
I grabbed the map and laid it on the table. We went over all the red dots and devised a plan. I was sure Hector's compound wasn't on this half-torn piece of paper.
There was going to be a lot of bloodshed as we forced him out of hiding. Most of these places were closer to my home than I thought. What rich criminal didn't like a warm climate all year round, plus cartels can't run a shady operation in populated areas.
I looked over at Jacob.
"Grab some sandwiches for the road. We won't have time for takeout."
He nodded and headed for the fridge.
My phone dinged-
Yara-
Tony dropped me off about an hour ago. He left as soon as I got into the house. I am in one of the guest rooms on the top floor. You need to update me on the job, so I know what the hell I am doing. Be down in a couple of minutes.
What the fuck? I had no clue she was even here. I'm surprised Maria said nothing.
I shook my head, amused.
She tried to tell me when I arrived, but I brushed her off.
I really didn't give a shit either way.
Now that Yara has arrived, we can move quickly.
Jacob threw a few sandwiches and a six-pack of energy drinks into the small travel cooler for our trip.
I glanced at him.
"Yara's upstairs. She'll be down in a couple of minutes."
Jacob grinned as he yawned.
"Oh, Yara, the tall, blonde warrior? Will she accompany us on this adventure? She's pretty hot."
He's aware of who Yara is and that I had texted her for help with the mission. Jacob always had a way of making light of the dark. Anytime I was down or losing my mind, he used his fucked-up sense of humor to cheer me up.
He was keeping me from sinking into the dark abyss. I appreciated the effort, but the anger was still seething just beneath the surface. Going nuts wouldn't help right now, so I welcomed his dry wit to keep me grounded.
Yara finally walked into the kitchen. She was dressed in jeans, a muscle shirt, and she actually wore a bra.
That's a first for her! I remembered Kitten would get upset when she was around.
It didn't matter how hurt my pet's feelings were; Yara was excellent at her job, and she was going to help me rescue her and Becca.
She shrugged, looking amused.
"I went straight to Tony and told him to drop me off here after I got your text. You didn't tell him about the trip, so I had to show him the message because he didn't believe me. Imagine the nerve of the bastard? Like I would randomly just fly to your house without your knowledge."
She looked at us both, grinning.
"So, who are we killing today?"
I raised an eyebrow while rubbing my chin.
"For starters, we will be taking out a man named Hector and two of his sidekicks, Juan and Julio."
"Traffickers?" she asked.
I nodded.
"Yeah. They kidnapped Kit and her friend Becca at Kit's house early yesterday afternoon."
She looked surprised.
"After I left your place, this happened?"
I cleared my throat before answering.
"Yeah, while I was taking a fucking four-hour nap."
She looked at me and nodded.
"Okay, what do you need me to do?"
I showed her the map and went over our plan.
"I don't need you to interrogate his cronies while we figure out where Hector's compound is."
I pointed to all the red dots on the map.
“Ten places are marked off. I'm hoping we don't have to visit them all, but if we must, we will.”
She looked at me, confused.
"So, do you need me to come with you now, or are you asking me to wait until you find out where he is?"
"If we need your help, I'll send for you once we determine his location."
She grinned, winking at me.
"Okay. I'll make myself at home and wait for your message, but how far from here are the areas on the map?"
I made sure the ice packs were spread evenly over the food, tightened the lid, and then looked at Yara.
"All of them are within a one-or two-hour drive from here.
It seems Hector has them all in a clusterfuck.
It's easier to move the girls that way. There are three vehicles at your disposal.
All the spare keys are hanging by the kitchen door.
If I need you, we will meet halfway and you will drive to the compound with us. " Yara looked at me, smiling.
"If you don't mind, I might go sightseeing while I wait for your call. It's not every day I get to visit Mexico."
I shrugged.
"Do what you want, but stay within the area.
You don't want to get lost in the rough part of town.
All the cars and trucks have GPS tracking on them in case anything happens.
They're built into the vehicles and can be disabled at any time, so be careful not to turn them off.
If you get lost or run into trouble, I won't be able to locate you. Remember, this isn't America."
She gave me a sidelong glance, smirking.
"Thanks for your concern, Atlas. I am armed and can take care of myself. I promise I am not looking for trouble, just checking the pleasant side of the country out like a regular tourist."
I scratched my chin, grabbed the cooler, and then gave Jacob a nod to head to the SUV.
"Okay, but just be careful. I have enough shit on my plate to deal with. I will be in touch at some point."
She threw her head back and laughed.
“So, you actually give a shit?”
I didn't entertain the question. I wasn't in the mood to travel down this path again. “As a good friend, yes, I care what happens to you.”
Before she could respond, my partner and I headed toward the door. I followed Jacob to the SUV. We loaded up the back. I started the vehicle and pulled out onto the road.
I looked at my partner.
"You ready to go fuck up some scumbags?"
Jacob's laugh was sinister, but light.
"I'm more than ready. Let's go kill the fucking roaches of society."