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 thenightmare. 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.
