Obsession (26 page)

He kissed the top of her head and caressed her back. “How so?”

“A drug dealer.”

Alejandro forced himself to relax. He was playing the role of a drug lord, after all. A
capo.

“And?”

“I was already a heavy drinker. He got me hooked on coke.” She shuddered. “I was high when I met Jake’s father and got pregnant.”

“But you got clean.” He’d never seen her use any alcohol or drugs except aspirin or coffee. “You stayed clean and sober.”

“Yes,” she whispered. “As soon as I found out I was pregnant, I quit using. But, I’m afraid if I spend any more time with you, I’ll fall back down that rabbit hole.”

Right at that moment, he hated his job, hated being undercover, despised what he had to become to play the part. If only he could tell her the truth, maybe then she’d see the real man. When she looked at him, she saw a sleaze bucket. “What if I had a different job?”

Tears shimmered in her eyes. “You’d still be a murderer.”

He dropped his hand. “What are you talking about?”

“When I asked Tio if you killed Raul, he didn’t deny it.”

He could strangle Tio. Alejandro had told Tio what he wanted to hear. He could never tell the truth for fear of endangering his handler and his Mexican counterparts. In reality, he’d taken Raul into the desert where he’d been handed over to the joint US-Mexico task force. At this moment, the disgusting former cop and serial rapist was locked away in an underground prison, singing his heart out to the US and Mexican authorities in exchange for not having his nuts cut off.

“What else did my big friend tell you?”

“That was enough. I understand the urge to kill him, I really do. I wish I had the nerve.” She sniffed. “I don’t think I could do it unless my son’s life was in danger. I’m not like you. Or Isabel.”

He tried to digest what she was saying, but something wasn’t making sense. “What does this have to do with the boss lady?”

“She told me if I was serious about getting my son back and ever having another moment of peace in my life, I’d have to do what she did.”

“What’s that?”

“She said I’d have to kill my mother and father. Kill them both.”

The stars wheeled overhead and the stream, once cheerful now had a sinister sound. He felt as if someone had kicked him in the balls. The air whooshed out of his lungs, and he teetered on the boulder.

Ramon Mendez. Isabel’s father. Dead. Was it true?

The man who murdered his nephew and maimed his brother was out of his reach for all eternity. At one time, Alejandro thought he’d be happy if he heard the news, but instead he was disappointed he hadn’t had the opportunity to do the deed himself and watch the monster die.

Or was he?

“Alejandro, what’s wrong?”

“If I tell you something, you can never reveal it to anyone else. If you do, I’m a dead man.”

He had to tell her who he really was. He needed her to know he was a good guy, not the scum of the earth. It hit him all at once. Angie’s love and approval were what mattered to him now, not killing Mendez.

She took his hand and placed in on her chest, over her heart. “I trusted you with the worst secrets of my life. Now you know I’m a recovering addict and alcoholic, and I was sexually abused. I’m about as damaged as anyone could be.” She sighed. “Give me a peso.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Give me some money.” She put her hand out. “I’m serious.”

Alejandro reached into his wallet, pulled out a bill and placed it on her palm. “Now what?”

“Now I’m your lawyer.” She nodded. “I cannot be compelled to testify against you in a court of law.”

“I’m not worried about a court of law. There are much scarier people, like Ramon Mendez and his daughter.”

“He’s dead.”

“Exactly my point.” He leaned over and said in a low voice. “I’m trusting you with my life because I love you. I want you to know me for who I really am—”

She put her hands on his head, yanked his lips to hers and kissed him hard. He pulled away, breathless, confused. “What the—”

“Shut up and kiss me back.” She whispered. “We’re being watched.”

****

When Angie’s lips met his, her head spun. Rock climbing had prepared her for tumbling down the side of a wall. But with that she had a partner to catch her. Now she was free-falling without any rope to catch her. Why did he have to go and tell her he loved her? Why couldn’t he have just kept it the way it was? They’d had a great sexual experience, a fling, and when it was all over, with any luck, she’d go home with Jake and cry her eyes out, because dammit, she was in love with him, too.

But no, he had to ruin everything, make her hope for more, and make her hate herself for falling in love with a drug dealer all over again. Only this time, he was even more dangerous and had scary friends, like the one watching them right now. She’d caught the big man out of the corner of her eye, noticed him just as Alejandro was about to reveal something to her. Whatever Alejandro had been about to tell her wasn’t for Tio’s ears, she knew that much. It had to be something terrible, but what? How could anything be worse than drug dealing and murder? Why did he have the sudden urge to spill his guts to her out here in the middle of the night just before they were about to launch the rescue effort? Wasn’t she already strung out enough?

His hands stroked her hair pulling her lips tighter, drawing her back into the moment. She trembled at his touch.
Damn his wonderful lips and tongue.
She wanted them both on her breasts and thighs, nuzzling, sucking, and nipping. As he nuzzled her neck she arched her back, leaned into the kiss, and moaned.

Her mind went blank and a voice boomed in her head: “Sometimes you need a deputy angel, sometimes you need a warrior, and sometimes you need both. See with your heart, not with your eyes.”

Angie gasped and knew without a doubt, that Alejandro was the one who would save her sanity, her soul, and her son.

Chapter Twenty

Holding the Chosen One on her hip, Miriam stood next to Zeke and watched the congregation stumble in. Midnight was the time this group of peaceful farmers and followers would normally be in bed, resting up for the next day’s work. Couples whose marriages had been dissolved when they joined the community stood shoulder to shoulder and held hands.

Well, that wouldn’t do at all
.

When this emergency was over, they’d be disciplined. But right now, they were about to be attacked by infidels, and her husband had better come up with some inspirational words.

“Father, talk to our people, tell them about your vision from the Lord.”

She had written the speech for him. He’d better get it right.

Zeke’s eyes rolled up to the heavens, and he clutched the side of his head.
Nice touch. Show them his moment with the Lord.
A few more beats and a murmur of concern began to roll over the crowd.

She turned and smiled at the crowd.

“Fear not.” Under her breath she said, “They’re getting impatient.”

He didn’t respond. His hands shook, and he rocked back and forth. Enough with the theatrics. Time to get on with the show. The natives were restless.

“Father?”

Why wasn’t he talking? What was wrong with him? For one horrifying moment, she thought he was having stroke. His eyes flew open, and he raised his hands in the priestly way.

“I’ve had counsel from the Lord. He has spoken.”

Her heart leaped, and she gave a huge gasp of relief. Ever the showman, her husband had managed to surprise even her.

Eyes wide, voice low, Zeke began the well-rehearsed speech. “The Lord said he that overcomes, and keeps my works unto the end, shall rule the world. The Lord promised us the morning star.”

Thrilled to hear him intone the words she had selected and transcribed, she stood transfixed by his voice.

He took a deep shuddering breath and his voice rose. “The Philistines are coming. They envy us our flocks, our crops, our Chosen One. The heathens sharpen their axes and prepare to cut us down as we sleep. The Lord says we must prepare for the coming attack and be strong. We cannot lose.”

Women in the audience sobbed, and men flicked tears off their cheeks. Miriam had never loved her husband more than she did now. Once again, his green eyes blazed, and his voice swelled with confidence and enthusiasm. The man was on fire.

His voice boomed and echoed in the large chamber. “We will not allow our women to be sold into the hands of the Philistines. We will fight to the death, if needs be. Be with the Philistines so we can smite you on the battlefield and burn your bodies as you lay dying.”

Tears filled Miriam’s eyes. She particularly liked her last line about burning people alive.

“Who amongst you is with me?”

Cheering, foot stomping, and whistling erupted into a deafening roar.

“Who amongst you is with the Philistines?”

The crowd responded with hissing and booing.

“Brother Aaron, come forward.” Zeke pointed at the still bruised and gaunt man.

That wasn’t on the script.
What was Father doing?

The engineer glanced around, a frown on his face.

“Yes, yes, come here.” Zeke grinned and waved the man up the stairs.

Brother Aaron took a few halting steps toward the throne. Men slapped him on the back and women urged him forward. At last he stood alongside Father.

“Mother, give me the Chosen One.”

What was he doing? This was totally unscripted and she didn’t like it one bit. She handed over the wide-awake, kicking child.

“Look at the babe,” Zeke chortled and held him up high. “He’s excited, too.”

“Brother Aaron,” Zeke intoned. “We are entering into war. Anything can happen. I could be killed.”

The crowd cried out, “No, no, no.”

Where was the old fool going with this?

“In the event of my death, the community will need a designated leader.”

Yes, they would. She was here to receive that honor. Her acceptance speech would be brief. She’d be humbled by the honor, ready to be a servant leader to take on this important role. She lowered her head, closed her eyes, and waited for the announcement.

Zeke took a deep breath. “I do hereby anoint you, Brother Aaron as the Leader of our congregation.”

Her eyes flew open.

What? How dare he?

She was going to have words with Zeke—later, when they were alone.

Jake wailed, and the old man smiled and pulled him close to his chest. Zeke placed two fingers over the child’s mouth and whispered, “Don’t steal the show.”

The baby chomped on the old man’s finger. Zeke yelped and yanked his hand away.

In a trice, Brother Aaron snatched the child out of the air as he fell out of Zeke’s grasp. Applause broke out.

Blood ran down Father’s arm. “No worry,” he gave a forced laugh. “It’s just a flesh wound.” He took Miriam’s proffered handkerchief and whispered, “When did he get teeth?”

She whispered back, “He’s had them for awhile. Fat lot you know about your grandson.”

The crowd visibly relaxed, but Miriam fumed.
That’s what the old man got for screwing things up.
The child knew better, why didn’t the stupid old goat? The kid would be biting Brother Aaron next.

The engineer and heir apparent smiled and bounced Jake in his arms. The child cooed. Then to Miriam’s horror, the baby placed his little hands on the big man’s gaunt cheeks and began to pat them. Brother Aaron’s pallid face turned pink, and his bruises began to fade.

The Chosen One was blessing Brother Aaron?

The final blow. She turned her face away. Disgraced first by her husband, and now by the Chosen One, hot tears of humiliation ran down her cheeks. This was not the way things were supposed to go.
She
was supposed to be the designated one in charge, not the traitorous Brother Aaron.

Rage simmered within. Armed like all the others, Miriam clenched her fist around the handgun in her pocket. She could shoot both men right now, but the timing was bad. She took her hand out of her pocket, smoothed her skirt, and forced herself to appear calm in front of the adoring crowd. Timing was everything. Right now she couldn’t fix things. But, in the not too distant future, one way or another, she was going to find a way to make things right.

****

Shortly after midnight, Alejandro gazed over the floor of the valley outside the little cabin. Right now, the US-Mexico task force was busy on the west coast of Mexico. Per instructions, he’d placed his beer and tequila orders at
El Hombre Loco
using the latitude and longitude of the competitor cartel’s departure city. To indicate the presence of the fleet, Alejandro had also ordered ten bottles of whisky for “depth charges” the code word for drug subs.

He could have sworn he heard a gasp on the other end of the line, but perhaps he’d only imagined his handler’s reaction. Right now, if all had gone well, the US and Mexican police and military cooperative task force would be making one of the biggest drug busts in history. No doubt, his handler and his handler’s boss would receive awards and promotions. Best of all, they were far away from Edmondsville.

Lit by the headlamps on the ATVs and MUVs, the assembled troops resembled bug-eyed monsters ready to roar to life. The Tarahumarans had a head start. With their foot speed, they should be close to the base of the mountain, if not already there. The plan was simple—divide and conquer. As the Mexicans swarmed the outside of the mountain, the Indians would lead Alejandro and Angie through the mountain. He knew the tunnels could be tricky and hoped he had packed sufficient rock-climbing gear if they encountered any steep ascents. The scouts who had survived the attack were physically smaller than Alejandro and Angie. He prayed the passages would be wide enough to accommodate them. Otherwise, they’d have to go to the back-up plan—climbing up the steep side of the cliff.

With his voice already hoarse from speaking, he shouted out one last command. “Remember, this is a rescue mission. The lives of innocent women and children depend on you. Shoot only if you are shot at.”