Page 46 of The Soul of Archer
“Thank you, Lance, for giving me this.”
“You’re very welcome. I think I enjoyed it just as much as you did, which I didn’t expect.”
“I have to say, I was shocked when I saw Carter, I mean you told me as much that you wouldn’t share me after what that bitch did to you.”
He stroked her cheek. “That’s true, but I saw how turned on it made you when you told me about imaging me and another man having you, so I figured out how to give you what you wanted.”
Alora sighed, laying her head over his heart, “And it was amazing. Of course, you’re all I need, but maybe we could play with that vibrator again sometime.”
Lance chuckled, pulling her closer, “Anytime Tigress, anytime.”
Chapter 18
Ethan stood at the table with Danny, his team, Jimmy and Cain. They arrived in Houston on Wednesday evening and immediately began prepping. Tony hooked up with the surveillance team and by Thursday afternoon the whole area around Dock 16 was set. Ethan, Danny, Jimmy and Cain met up with the other agencies that would be involved in tonight’s raid and had gone over every step of the plan. So far, things were progressing right on cue. Earlier that day, Ethan had checked in with Lance over in Jacksonville and told him they were good to go. He could tell Lance was still a little unhappy with not being there, but Ethan knew from personal experience that Lance needed to be with his woman.
“Ethan, you got a sec?” Danny asked.
“Sure.” Ethan nodded, holstering his Colt. The two slipped out the back door of the building and into the muggy Houston evening air. Ethan studied his brother-in-law and waited for the other man to speak first.
“Is it just me or…”
“Something feels weird.” Ethan sighed.
Danny nodded, “I can’t explain it Ethan, but my gut’s telling me that something’s going to happen tonight.”
Ethan had kept his own feelings to himself, but apparently, he wasn’t the only one feeling this way. “I hear you brother. I want you and I tattooed to each other’s ass. And not just because Krista wants it. Since yesterday after I got that call from Annabelle, my Spidey sense has been going off. Like a foreshadowing of something bad coming.”
“Me too. Okay, you and I are one fucking person tonight Ethan. Tell your guys to be extra alert.”
Ethan frowned as a nagging thought entered his head, “You think the Malconi’s are tipped off about this.”
The look in Danny’s eyes was all the confirmation Ethan need. Without another word, the two turned and headed back inside. When Ethan pulled his guys off to the side, he saw Danny do the same with Jimmy and Cain. It relieved Ethan to see that Danny still trusted the two F.B.I. agents. Back in the day Danny, Jimmy, Cain and Parker Thorton had been thick as thieves. Now with Parker gone, it was just them. Ever since Ethan and Krista reunited and Danny came home, he had been making up for lost time with Danny. When they were kids he and Krista’s brothers had been close but after he joined the Marines he lost touch with all three and now he was fixing it. They were his family first and friends second.
***
Ethan and Danny stood shoulder to shoulder as they got ready for the signal from Danny's man inside the warehouse. Ten minutes ago, Ian and Sam had pulled in and then headed inside the building with four bodyguards, one of which was Danny's man. So far, things were following script, but Ethan’s hairs on his neck were standing on end. Ethan listened through the wireless ear bud as Ian began speaking.
"Well, everything seems to be in order. Well done Saul."
"Gracias, Jefe Malconi. El Demonio Lobos are looking forward to a profitable partnership between us."
Ethan glanced at Danny with a smirk, "Not if we have anything to say about that."
Through the ear buds, Ethan continued listening."As do I Saul. Now, you and your men will accompany mine out to the vehicles where they will help my men transfer the merchandise. Correct?"
"Si, Jefe. And while our men conclude their business we shall have a drink and conclude ours. I own a Cantina not far from here and have a special bottle of tequila just waiting for us."
Danny glanced down as his phone buzzed. He withdrew it and saw the text from his guy. He shared a glance with Ethan and the two signaled to the others. Taking a slow breath and releasing it just as slow, Ethan and Danny charged through the doors, guns raised, "D.E.A.! Freeze!"
Ethan locked eyes with Ian Malconi for only a microsecond before all hell broke loose. Ethan hissed as he watched Ian grab Sam and bolt for the back of the building as gunfire erupted. Ethan gave chase with Danny right beside him. They needed to catch the Malconi's or else Alora and Lance could pay the price. Ian was dragging his son behind him as he plowed through the expansive warehouse. Behind them Ethan could hear the firefight between the Lobos, Malconi’s men and law enforcement. He and Danny couldn’t afford to worry about that, they had to focus on Ian and Sam Malconi ahead of them.
"Freeze Malconi!" Danny ordered when the four reached a set of double doors.
“It’s over Malconi, you have nowhere to go!” Ethan yelled, aiming his 1911 at the older man.
Ian shoved Sam behind him and down the hall as he spun to face them, "Well, well. The famous Ethan Blackstone. I thought perhaps my sources were exaggerating when they told me how good you and your men were."
"It's over Ian. Give it up." Danny said.
