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  Kevin didn’t second guess his cousin, nor did he need an explanation on how he had obtained the information. At a glance, Kevin determined that the desperate look in Devin’s eyes was a good enough reason to shift directions and follow the lead.

  Devin watched as Kevin spoke orders into a tiny device attached to his collar. It had to have been some type of radio transmitter.

  Kevin spoke with authority. “Smoke, I need you to take point on this with me. Team we are going to the Drexler Loft. Dax, you take the back. T-Rex, you get the adjacent roof and get eyes on.”

  There was a synchronized, “Roger,” and no other words.

  Devin briefly wondered what kind of names were Smoke and T-Rex. He didn’t ask because something more pressing concerned him about his cousin and his team. “There are only four of you?”

  Kevin let Devin see a quick smile. “I don’t mean to sound arrogant, that’s your thing, but trust me, four of us is overkill. I could send Smoke into that place alone, which is a female by-the-way, and not only would she kill everything in there, she would come out not only with Alana but also without so much as breaking a nail or ruffling a hair on that beautiful head of hers.”

  Shaking his head, Devin was sure his cousin was a member of a group of some type of super-spies. He wasn’t altogether sure he wanted to know the details of the kinds of things they did. Not because he was afraid to know, but because it excited him.

  ***

  Alana kept her body tucked close to the couch as she thought to develop an escape plan. Nothing came to mind, so she prayed and hoped Devin had received her message. While hiding she found that the giants went by fitting criminal names; Chain and Link. They had known Fred since high school and only linked with him when it involved work of a criminal nature. Link had been the calm one and Chain was the mean one.

  The giants were getting restless waiting for Fred. Alana sensed she had run out of time when one jumped from the couch. He paced frantically, undoubtedly wondering about Fred.

  She recognized Link’s voice since he was usually the one that talked to her. “I wonder if that asshole is still up there torturing that poor girl. If he weren’t paying me, I’d kill him for the fun of it. I’m going to go and check.”

  Link stepped behind the couch instead and stood over Alana. He had his arms folded as he stared at her.

  Alana’s goose was cooked. Without protest, she reached for him to help her up. He raised her by one arm, nearly lifting her entire body without so much as straining a muscle.

  Holding onto her hand, he man scanned her appearance. “If you’re out here, I take it El Diablo is headed for Hell?”

  Both men stood in front of Alana now. She didn’t say anything; she wanted them to talk for as long as they wanted, hoping it bought her closer to being rescued.

  Link finally let her hand go. “You didn’t kill’em did you?”

  Alana shook her head no.

  Looking at Link, Chain announced, “I’ll keep an eye on this little one. You go get the asshole so we can figure out the next move. We may have to do something with this little one.”

  Alana gave the goon a mean look for calling her little one.

  He returned a smirk as his reply.

  Link went to retrieve Fred, while Chain took a step towards her. His big ass must be crazy if he thinks I’m going to hand myself over so he or Fred can finish killing me.

  Running to the other end of the couch, Alana searched for anything to throw at the big silverback. She figured the lamp would do fine as she flung it at his head and searched for something more substantial to hit him with.

  Link was halfway up the stairs when the lamp went crashing into the wall. She could have sworn she saw him smile as he clomped back down the stairs.

  Seeing Link returning, Alana knew she was in trouble. Since her adrenaline still pumped from her earlier fight with Fred, she was willing to go out in a blaze of glory if she had to.

  Picking up the end table next to her, she flung it at Link as he neared the bottom of the stairs. The table narrowly missed him as he ducked out of the way and let it hit the edge of the staircase. The table was a lot heavier than she anticipated, so the effort had her winded. Grabbing an expensive looking porcelain vase, she tossed it at Chain who was closing in on her. The vase collided into the man’s wide chest and bounced off before hitting the floor and crashing into pieces.

  ***

  Approaching the door, a loud crash greeted Kevin and Smoke. Their weapons where in their hands so fast you’d have thought they were being timed for a fastest draw contest. Giving each other knowing glances, Smoke cracked the door open with one powerful kick.

  Smoke’s persona was misleading. Kevin was impressed that a woman her small size could do such damage. She left the door barely hanging onto its hinge while the chain that once held it locked swung wildly among flying debris and woodchips. Although he’d known her for years, Kevin prayed he’d never end up on Smoke’s bad side.

  ***

  Alana desperately sought to come up with a plan. The twin towers were both heading her way when the front door blew open like a bomb had blown it off the hinges.

  They all froze; Alana and the giants.

  Alana saw a lady about her size charging through the door with Kevin right on her heels. The sight of Kevin put an instant smile on her battered face. The lady and Kevin looked like they were auditioning for a part in an action movie, both brandishing weapons like they were trained mercenaries.

  The lady had a gun holster around her shoulders, while Kevin wore his around his thigh. Both had knives visibly affixed to their waist. They wore combat boots that looked like they could stomp someone’s face in and cargo pants like SWAT wore.

  The twin towers looked at the lady and Kevin and smiled, likely underestimating them.

  Speaking in a calm and soft voice, the lady announced, “Gentlemen, I suggest you give up and save yourselves the trouble. I got my period this morning and I’m not in the fucking mood.”

  Chain laughed. “Why don’t you two little toy cops put away the guns and let us see what you got.”

  Alana watched as the lady secured her gun back into the holster, took off the holster, unstrapped her knife, and handed both weapons to Kevin. Staring in open-mouthed surprise, Alana hoped Kevin planned to stop whatever was about to happen. Kevin didn’t seem the least bit worried as he slung the lady’s weapon over his shoulder and shoved her knife into one of his cargo pockets.

  Kevin gave the lady a stern look. “Smoke, please go easy on them. They have to be functional enough for us to question them later.”

  Alana watched Kevin make his way towards her like those big ass men weren’t even standing there. Are they serious? Eyes darting between the lady and Kevin, Alana wondered if they had noticed how big Chain and Link were.

  Scanning the big men, Smoke said, “Be careful what you ask for boys, today you’re getting it.”

  They both laughed at the comment, obviously thinking she couldn’t have been serious. Alana thought the same.

  Kevin steered Alana out of harm’s way as he started checking her wounds.

  Smoke ran towards the huge men and before they could even react, she’d kicked one in the head and climbed the others body like he was a tree. She executed Jet Li type moves that were so impressive, Alana stood there gawking as Kevin continued to check her wounds.

  Smoke used the two big men against each other. Using one’s body as a shield as his friend made attempts to strike her. She had one beating the hell out of the other in an attempt to get at her.

  Somehow, she’d managed to hoist the shirt over the head of the one she was riding. Now blind, he attempted to claw her off his body while failing to stop his partner from beating the shit out of him.

  While continuing to checking out her wounds, Kevin asked, “Are these two and Fred the only ones here?”

  Alana shook her head absently, while continuing to watching the fight.

  Kevin spoke into a tiny mic a
ttached to his shirt. “Dax, T-Rex, stay in position until I give the all clear.” Kevin touched Alana’s cheek to get her attention. “You’re pretty banged up, but I’m glad to see that you put up a good fight.”

  Briefly, Alana forced her eyes away from the live action sequence and smiled at Kevin. He didn’t appear the least bit worried that his partner fought men that were easily double maybe even triple her size.

  Kevin asked, “Where’s Fred?”

  The lady had somehow wrapped Chain’s shirt around his neck so tightly, he had fallen to the floor, face first. From what Alana could tell, he was either asleep or dead, she had no idea. Smoke now stood face to chest with Link, who was bleeding from the mouth and nose.

  Taking a quick glance at Kevin, Alana didn’t want to miss anything. “Fred’s upstairs." Distracted by the fight, she pointed absently up the stairs. “They had me locked in a small room upstairs. I used the sheets to tie Fred up. These two stopped me from getting away.”

  Pausing for a second, Alana’s mind had come completely back. She shouted, “Devin! How’s Devin?”

  Smiling, Kevin assured, “He’s outside; okay but stressed and worried sick about you.”

  Turning towards a loud bang, Alana and Kevin both yelled, “Owww!” as Smoke ducked under Link’s log-sized arm and hit him with a table leg. She’d struck him in the face so hard he stood frozen for a few seconds before his body fell back as if a lumberjack had just cleared a huge tree before yelling, timber!

  Smoke immediately aimed her assault at Chain, who had woken from his short stupor. Fist and kicks were moving too fast for Alana’s eyes. It appeared the man really was fighting with Smoke. He’d gotten to the point where he flailed his huge arms as if being attacked by a bunch of killer bees. Disoriented, he seemed surprised when Smoke suddenly had his back. She didn’t use her arms to choke him out. She climbed atop his shoulders and used her legs, angling them around his thick neck like vice grips. The big man faded fast, legs kicking automatically, but sleep took him under.

  Kevin turned back to Alana. “Show me where you tied up Fred. I hope you beat him really good.”

  Alana smiled. Kevin seemed proud that she had fought back. Her husband would probably fuss at her for being foolish enough to fight back with a man. “I think I beat him good enough. I don’t know what came over me. I was terrified when I first saw him.”

  She glanced back at Smoke. “I guess my inner bad girl kicked in.”

  Alana turned back quickly. “Wait. I have to get the remote.”

  Remote in hand, they started up the stairs. Another quick glimpse showed that Smoke was in the process of hog-tying her two giant crash test dummies.

  Just off the top of the stairs, Alana hit all the buttons on the remote before the door slid open.

  Kevin entered the room first, in case Fred decided to attack. Fred’s predicament was easily showcased. Kevin whistled at the sight of Fred as Smoke walk in. After a few seconds of staring, both Kevin and Smoke glance back at Alana.

  Alana didn’t know what to expect, but seeing pride on both Kevin’s and Smoke’s faces made her smile at her own handiwork.

  Fred was in obvious discomfort and pain. He had also lost his bladder. The scent of urine was apparent as a trail of the fetid liquid led to a small puddle on the floor. There was no way Fred had sensation in his limbs. Bruised and battered, he looked to have been fighting with a pissed off bull.

  Kevin shot back at Alana. “You really did a number on him.”

  Alana was happy to see that Smoke seemed to be admiring her work.

  “You ever thought about a career in law enforcement. I’m impressed.” Smoke said, still ogling Fred.

  Kevin added, “Alana, that’s a huge compliment coming from a woman with a name like ‘Smoke’.”

  Alana didn't hide her excitement. “Thank you.”

  Smoke loomed over Fred as if he were a horrible sight one couldn’t stop watching. When Smoke and Kevin took out their phones and started snapping pictures, Alana burst into laughter.

  Smoke snapped photos from every angle. “I’ve got to show my brothers this one. No matter which way he moves, he’s fucked.”

  Kevin glanced at Alana while pointing towards Fred. “You tied up everything but the man’s nuts. Neck. Check. Arms. Check. Legs. Check. Mouth. Check. Hands. Check. Torso. Check.” Barely making it through the check list, Kevin doubled over in laughter.

  After Kevin and Smoke got Alana to explain how she executed such an elaborate job, they painstakingly, on Fred’s part, cut him loose. When Kevin helped him off the bed, Fred slid to the floor like a deer on ice. Falling in his own piss, he was unable to pick himself back up and had hit his head on the wall before him on his way down.

  Kevin and Smoke helped support Fred by placing an arm under each of his shoulders. Embarrassed or afraid, Fred wouldn’t look in Alana’s direction. His lifeless feet were left dragging against the floor as the team descended the stairs. His feet thumped with each step. At the bottom of the stairs, Fred's weak words were barley audible, making Kevin and Smoke pause. Alana trailed the team excited that she was a step closer to seeing Devin.

  Fred voice splintered like cracked glass. “I’m sorry. I didn’t do this on my own. He took over my mind. He made me beat her. He took my mind. You have to believe me. I was a prisoner inside my own body.”

  Taking in Fred’s words, Kevin immediately acknowledged that the man believed every unusual thing he spoke of. Based on his appearance, he looked as if his soul had been removed, tortured, and put back into his body. As crazy as Fred's words sounded, Kevin had heard much stranger and much crazier.

  Fred’s head swiveled in Alana’s direction as he continued his rant. “He made me. He knew you would heal. He said he needed you, and he used me to keep an eye on you. Padre.”

  None of Fred’s rant made sense to Alana. She had beaten him better than she originally thought because he was talking out of his head. However, something grabbed Alana’s attention. The part about her being able to heal, and when Fred mentioned Padre, Kevin and Smoke looked knowingly at each other before pulling Fred forward.

  “Please. Stop.” Alana eyed the back of Smoke and Kevin’s heads. “You guys know something.” They both glanced back. “When he mentioned Padre, you gave each other a look. Does this have something to do with that weird priest I encountered near my job? If this Cartel didn’t know my face before, they do now. Maybe they always have; I know nothing. I don’t know who I am or where I come from. If you guys know something, please don’t leave me in the dark.”

  Kevin and Smoke stared knowingly at each other once more. “We will tell you as much as we can as soon as we get this wrapped up. We need to interview you and Devin anyway.”

  Smoke gave Alana a long hard look before asking, “You sure you haven’t thought about law enforcement?”

  Smiling, Alana shook her head no.

  Chapter 28

  Kiss Kiss Kiss

  Kevin radioed the rest of his team who met him at the entrance to the building.

  Devin, sitting in the SUV, tapped his hands nervously. His heart exploded, flooding with an abundance of happiness at the sight of his wife.

  Not remembering how he had gotten out of the vehicle so fast, he was suddenly at her side. His first instinct was to grab her and hug her, but he held back. He inspected her, checking to ensure she would be okay. Cuts, bruises, and traces of blood decorated her body and clothes and her thick curly ponytail hung loosely and lopsided. One of her eyes was swollen and bloodshot. Her shirt was ripped in various spots and one sock remained clinging to her shoeless foot.

  Happy to see her husband, Alana smiled through the hurt in her face. She took in his concern. “It’s not as bad as it must look.”

  Devin pressed delicate kisses against Alana's lips and forehead. A powerful jolt cursed through Devin's vein's stopping his reunion with his wife.

  Alana's smile dissipated the moment Devin stopped moving. Spooked by the sudden change in his eyes, sh
e followed his lethal gaze. His body froze at the sight on Fred being logged towards the SUV.

  Kevin recognized the look on his cousin's face. Devin had murder on his mind. As Devin turned away from Alana, Kevin caught him by both shoulders. In a hushed tone, Kevin ensured, “Fred will be dealt with. I know what he did to Alana. I saw the pictures too.”

  Kevin attempted to shake Devin from the grips of rage. “Look at me Devin. Listen to me. You have to be here for your wife right now.” Kevin pointed in Fred's direction. “He will never know what freedom is like again. Trust me, Devin. Alana needs you more than you need to kill him.”

  Alana’s presence and Kevin’s words were the only things that kept Devin in place.

  Alana had never seen that look on her husband face, not even when she was taunting him into a fight. She’d seen death flash across his eyes and instantly knew he had it in him to be deadly. And yet, she didn’t fear him at all.

  Concentrating on his wife now, Devin hugged Alana long and hard. He apologized for allowing such bad things to happen to her.

  Kevin kept a close eye on Devin. The look he’d seen flash in his cousin’s eye and what he’d sensed in him told that Devin would have killed Fred with no remorse.

  Smoke assisted Dax and T-Rex in loading the three fallen bad guys into the back of the second SUV. The group piled the restrained bad guys in the back of the SUV atop each other like sides of beef. They were set to all marinate in the pungent stench and wetness of Fred’s piss.

  Turning back to the hugging couple, Kevin saw in his cousin something he thought he would never see. Devin loved Alana more than life itself. He hated to break up their reunion. “Guys, we have to go. We got bad guys to secure and interrogate. Alana, we’re taking you to one of our medical facilities.”

  When the couple made no attempt to move or even acknowledge Kevin’s words, Smoke stepped up and gently shoved them toward the vehicle while they were stuck together.

  Devin and Alana climbed into the back of Kevin’s SUV while Smoke rode shotgun. Dax and T-Rex chauffeured the bad guys.