Page 14 of Dust and Ashes

“Can’t say how they’ll react to the message. So let’s be prepared for anything.”

What she needed was to get inside this “ranch” and get to a phone. Or convince the head of the Navarro cartel to retaliate back at Kart in such a way it created enough chaos she could escape with Jax. Could she pull that off? Make some other kind of deal. Or figure out a way to call for help.

She knew which she would prefer.

“You’re thinking too much.” Kart shook his head. “Drive the truck in, and when El Falcón sees his man, you make sure he understands what happens when people come at me. And then you leave.”

Risky move, putting her in danger like that. But she couldn’t argue there was too much chance she might get killed, or he might not let her do it.

And this could be her only chance.

“Fine. Great.” Kenna stood. “Let’s do this.”

His throaty chuckle reached her. She didn’t like the sound of that at all. “Anything happens, I slit your friend’s throat. I don’t care what he might tell me about the FBI’s operation. I’ll bleed him out in the dirt.”

She turned back to him. “And I’ll burn this place to the ground if you do.”

The words were already out before she realized it was true. She would do that—she was angry enough to not care at all.

Regardless of the loss of innocent life, if Jax was taken from her, Kenna would have to fight the need to destroyall of them.Maybe few would blame her for it. Or she would spend the rest of her life in a Mexican prison.

If she could take out both Kart’s operation and the cartel, then it would be even better.

“I like a woman with spirit.” Kart laughed all the way to the door. Then his amusement disappeared. “You think Navarro will offer you a chance? Unlikely. I’m your best shot at staying alive.”

He shoved her through the door.

ChapterFive

Saturday, before dawn

Kenna had lost count of how many days it had been since she saw the world outside the compound. Or how it felt to be free. She climbed out of the pickup truck inside the gated ranch. In the middle of nowhere it seemed to have popped up on the hillside. Like an oasis surrounded by trees and green grass with the sprinklers running. Unlike the dirt and rundown buildings of Kart’s place, this was someone’s home.

She wouldn’t be here long enough to enjoy it even if she wanted to. Not when Jax was still back at the compound, and she had no idea what was happening to him. She didn’t like the fact that she had to leave him. It made her antsy.

Kenna stood very still, not even closing the driver’s side door behind her. She counted four men within sight. Three guards and a man she’d guess was the cartel leader, Héctor Álvarez Navarro.

She spread her hands wide. “I’m not carrying any weapons.”

Who knew if they even spoke English.

“That doesn’t mean we won’t kill you where you stand.” The man she thought was Navarro had dark hair, tanned skin more than the natural color of the people around him, and bright white teeth. Tanning bed maybe, or a pool out back? The guy had enough money he wore it like a second skin, not just in his features that had been lifted and tightened but also in the clothing he wore. Even the shoes on his feet, and rings on his fingers.

She watched him walk between two of his men toward her.

His dark eyes took her in. “Do you know who I am?”

Who he was? A rich guy who spoke English with the Texas twang. But Kenna didn’t think that was what he was talking about. “The head of the Navarro cartel?” she said. “Though, that’s just a guess.”

“And you are…?”

Kart hadn’t given her any instructions as to whether she should give this man her name or stay anonymous. He also hadn’t wired her up, which meant unless there was a bug in the truck, he couldn’t hear anything she said.

“My name is Kenna Banbury. Your friends over the hill sent me with a message.” She motioned to the bed of the truck.

“You are right, Kenna Banbury. This is my home.” He tested her name like he wanted to see how it tasted on his lips. “I am Héctor Álvarez Navarro.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Hector.”

---