Page 29 of Liaising Kai

“By your organization’s affiliation in San Diego? Ordered by your cartel?”

“We are everywhere, gringa.”

“So you are. What cartel are you working for?”

“Where is Eduardo’s ex-wife? Do you have her stashed away somewhere? If so, tell me, and I’ll make your deaths as painless as possible.”

“Eduardo’s ex-wife? What do you want with her?”

“Let’s say Eduardo’s mistake was twofold.” He leaned in and grabbed her chin, and it took every ounce of Davis’s control not to ram into the guy for touching Kai. “Answer the question, or I’ll gutshot your friend here and leave him to bleed out slowly.” He pressed the barrel of his pistol into Davis’s abs hard enough to make his breath rush out with a grunt of pain.

Kai yanked her chin out of his grasp, her eyes as cold as his. “No, we don’t have her. We don’t know where she is. She doesn’t even know her daughter and ex-husband are dead.”

He growled and paced away, swearing softly.

“What big fish network?” she asked.

The guy to his right said, “Your government officials are as easy to corrupt as ours are.” That admission made Davis’s gut clench. He had often speculated about how they knew where the OCDETF Task Force was meeting. He assumed they followed Curran, but what if they were tipped off to the location by one of their own? Fury burned through him. It was enough to contend with the enemy, now some greedy bastard on their own soil sold out a federal task force.

The leader went ballistic and pistol-whipped the guy to his knees. “Don’t talk,” he said, then turned back to them. “What else do you know?”

“Just that you’re all a bunch of monsters, and I’m going to see you all either dead or locked up. So, I guess we’re done.”

Jonny Z raised his arm, and everything slowed down, the barrel of the pistol a black maw of death pointed at him. In this, perhaps his last moments on earth, he couldn’t help thinking that he’d fucked up royally with Kai. He’d turned his frustrated desires to other women who couldn’t fulfill the kind of relationship he was ultimately looking for, but instead of pushing for change or confronting Kai and causing conflict with her, he’d stepped back. What he wanted with her was connection and intimacy, and his fear of losing control of his relationship with her kept him from acting on his desires.

He’d always lived his life from a place of strength, something his dad taught him through his own sacrifices, working hard to support him and his mom. He’d had the best childhood a guy could ask for, and the kind of father every son dreams of, but Kai was his one weakness. As long as he could think there was a chance for them, it was enough. He saw his avoidance of sliding into bed with her was not only to spare her but to protect him, his heart.

But death was coming to claim him, and he’d never get a chance to tell her how he felt about her, and that was the biggest tragedy of all.

Barlow Finch, one of two illustrious and privileged senators from the great state of California, watched his grandchildren play in the pool, smiling at their antics. He’d built a great life, a satisfying life, but his appetites and his ambitions had gotten the best of him in the last three years.

His aspiration was to be president one day, and this last Senate race was going to catapult him into the Oval Office. It was going to be a particularly tough one with a charismatic and young upstart stealing his limelight and voters. He needed the money to campaign, and that’s where his nefarious contacts had been tantamount to his success.

It was regrettable that he’d had to sell a piece of his soul to the devil to accomplish what he wanted. But he was entitled to his dreams just the same, and he deemed that piece the price he had to pay.

He wouldn’t admit to himself the fear that lived inside him ever since the deaths of the OCDETF Task Force. He’d had no idea the information he’d given to his partners was going to result in so many deaths. He’d been incensed and adamant that none of this could blow back at him. Caught between a rock and a hard place, he had no choice but to continue on the path he’d chosen. He jumped when his cell rang. The number was one he recognized. He must answer. There was no choice.

“Hello, Finchy.” He stiffened and looked toward his wife, grown children and grandchildren. He rose, smiling at his wife’s frown. Family time wasn’t to be interrupted. He knew that, and he was most likely going to hear about it.

“I’ll just be a minute, sweetheart,” he promised, covering the receiver. He slipped into the house, his heart pounding, but his groin also responding to the sultry voice at the other end of the line. He knew it had been reckless getting involved with the kind of woman Freddy was, but he couldn’t help himself. “I told you never to call at this time. I’m with my family.”

“Of course,” she purred, “but I had important information that I needed to tell you.”

“I sure as hell hope it’s not the murder of more federal government employees,” he hissed. Looking over his shoulder to make sure he was alone.

“Well, maybe a few more. The situation in Ecuador is being handled as we speak.”

“How many?” he demanded.

“Four, including two more NCIS agents who were more resourceful than we expected.”

A chill went down his spine. Four more? God, when was this going to end? “Freddy, this is getting way out of hand. I cannot have this blowing back at me!”

“Cleaning up a mess is messy, Finchy. You’re going to have to accept the consequences of being our partner. If you’re in for the money, then you’re in for everything else. So don’t get cold feet or think about going to the authorities. That sweet and loving little family you have would pay the price.”

“Don’t you threaten my family like I’m a nobody from the street. I’m a US Senator.”

“You’re a man who sold out his country for ambition and money. I believe they call that a traitor,” she said, her voice cold as the Arctic. Nevertheless. You will be fine if you keep to the plan. Same time this week? You’d better bring me diamonds.”

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