kicked the seats down where Gillian and Dara had been sitting and climbed out of the truck easily.
“Buenas dias, senioritas,” he greeted chivalrously. “I’m sorry that we have to meet like this. You’re all such beautiful ladies and so smart and well-trained by your government that I actually feel much ardor for each of you. But it is that government—Senor Zinsser and his men—that are the problema. See, you have been here for a reason-- to bring the Four Fuerzas back to the States, but Zinsser and his men have been conducting their own “second mission” of which you know nothing-- to use you as bait to begin negotiations with the man I work for. They want to gain access to his business with the hopes of eventually buying him out or merging with us, most likely resulting in shutting us down. Now that doesn’t seem very Americano to me. I always thought you Americans liked the underdog and supported the small businessman who takes life by the cajones and lives out his dream, no?”
By this time, the hoarse-speaking man was looking down at Gillian like a doting father to his daughter. He reached out and smoothed Gillian’s red hair. Then he walked slowly to Tessa, all the while measuring her with his eyes, up and down every inch of her body.
“And, you see, this Zinsser also owes my boss quite a substantial amount of money. I have good reason to believe that he’s holding out on this money so that he can use it to entice my boss to go into business with him. But Zinsser is too greedy. That is his worst mistake. And he has been using you to get these Fuerza brothers, yes, but he isn’t taking them back for your government. No, he wants to use their strength and powers himself to bend us all to his will so that we will work for him and he can become the next Pablo Escobar.”
Tessa met his gaze each time with a calm settled look, a look of calm control, almost as if she were accustomed to being accosted by banditos who told her of their simultaneous desire and disgust for her. She saw this leader swell as his cravings for her intensified.
“Pero, we all know what happened to Escobar, hmmm? Do not fear, mi alma,” he approached, “Tú eres la más hermosa criatura que he conocido. I will protect you from this evil Zinsser. You’re worth something to him, yes? You above the other three, but I believe he will have to come to get you all. And he will have to pay a price to retrieve you. . . safely. Sí, I adore you more than any woman ever. Your strength enhances your beauty, and your danger is intoxicating.” His fingers trembled slightly as he allowed himself to brush Tessa’s cheek. His hazel eyes held hers, and Tessa was almost certain he was going to kiss her at that moment. She actually hoped for it, thinking she could grab a gun or knife from his person while they were engaged. “Pero, while I want you for myself, I cannot have you,” his fingers brushed her lips. “Not yet.” Then suddenly he turned away.
“Nicó!” he barked at the man closest to Gillian. Nicó pulled two black pillowcases from his pockets. Leandro did the same on the other side of the Suburban. Tossing the cases to the girls, Nicó grumbled, “Put ‘em on!” The girls complied and were patted down by the men. The iPhones and Bluetooth radios were tossed. IDs and .22s were confiscated and thrown in a duffle bag Leandro had with him.
Once their hands were locked with zip-ties and their mouths covered with duct tape, they were led and loaded back into the Suburban. Dara and Tessa sat in the back with the ring leader in between them. Gillian and Melissa were placed (quite gently actually) into the back of the Suburban, resting on their sides. Then, just as the first grey light appeared on the horizon, the Suburban sped off in the opposite direction of the safe house.
Chapter Seven
Gavin felt guilty about leaving Tessa sleeping, especially with such a cute soft snore coming from her, but he’d to be careful. Her
“Buenas dias, senioritas,” he greeted chivalrously. “I’m sorry that we have to meet like this. You’re all such beautiful ladies and so smart and well-trained by your government that I actually feel much ardor for each of you. But it is that government—Senor Zinsser and his men—that are the problema. See, you have been here for a reason-- to bring the Four Fuerzas back to the States, but Zinsser and his men have been conducting their own “second mission” of which you know nothing-- to use you as bait to begin negotiations with the man I work for. They want to gain access to his business with the hopes of eventually buying him out or merging with us, most likely resulting in shutting us down. Now that doesn’t seem very Americano to me. I always thought you Americans liked the underdog and supported the small businessman who takes life by the cajones and lives out his dream, no?”
By this time, the hoarse-speaking man was looking down at Gillian like a doting father to his daughter. He reached out and smoothed Gillian’s red hair. Then he walked slowly to Tessa, all the while measuring her with his eyes, up and down every inch of her body.
“And, you see, this Zinsser also owes my boss quite a substantial amount of money. I have good reason to believe that he’s holding out on this money so that he can use it to entice my boss to go into business with him. But Zinsser is too greedy. That is his worst mistake. And he has been using you to get these Fuerza brothers, yes, but he isn’t taking them back for your government. No, he wants to use their strength and powers himself to bend us all to his will so that we will work for him and he can become the next Pablo Escobar.”
Tessa met his gaze each time with a calm settled look, a look of calm control, almost as if she were accustomed to being accosted by banditos who told her of their simultaneous desire and disgust for her. She saw this leader swell as his cravings for her intensified.
“Pero, we all know what happened to Escobar, hmmm? Do not fear, mi alma,” he approached, “Tú eres la más hermosa criatura que he conocido. I will protect you from this evil Zinsser. You’re worth something to him, yes? You above the other three, but I believe he will have to come to get you all. And he will have to pay a price to retrieve you. . . safely. Sí, I adore you more than any woman ever. Your strength enhances your beauty, and your danger is intoxicating.” His fingers trembled slightly as he allowed himself to brush Tessa’s cheek. His hazel eyes held hers, and Tessa was almost certain he was going to kiss her at that moment. She actually hoped for it, thinking she could grab a gun or knife from his person while they were engaged. “Pero, while I want you for myself, I cannot have you,” his fingers brushed her lips. “Not yet.” Then suddenly he turned away.
“Nicó!” he barked at the man closest to Gillian. Nicó pulled two black pillowcases from his pockets. Leandro did the same on the other side of the Suburban. Tossing the cases to the girls, Nicó grumbled, “Put ‘em on!” The girls complied and were patted down by the men. The iPhones and Bluetooth radios were tossed. IDs and .22s were confiscated and thrown in a duffle bag Leandro had with him.
Once their hands were locked with zip-ties and their mouths covered with duct tape, they were led and loaded back into the Suburban. Dara and Tessa sat in the back with the ring leader in between them. Gillian and Melissa were placed (quite gently actually) into the back of the Suburban, resting on their sides. Then, just as the first grey light appeared on the horizon, the Suburban sped off in the opposite direction of the safe house.
Chapter Seven
Gavin felt guilty about leaving Tessa sleeping, especially with such a cute soft snore coming from her, but he’d to be careful. Her
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