The Sinful 7 of Delite, Texas 3: Her Double Delite Warriors (18 page)

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Chad asked. He had never seen Michael act this way. He knew that today’s situation in town had left them both on edge and protective of Alexa, but Michael wasn’t acting like himself.

Michael glanced up at Chad.

“I heard the cell phones, and to be honest with you, I really don’t care. I’m getting tired of it, Chad. I’m starting to rethink a lot of the thoughts I used to have.”

“I understand about not caring about the phone calls. We’ve talked about this and about getting out for good and that means no special assignments. We’re supposed to be retired.” Chad looked at Alexa. She was everything they could have ever wished for. He wanted more with her, and it seemed that Michael did, too, and that scared his brother. He needed to take the reins here. His brother needed guidance this time instead of the other way around. Chad smirked at his own thoughts.

“What’s that stupid smile for?”

“This will be the first time I bail your ass out of a jam.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about Alexa and both of us wanting more. I love her, Michael, and I know you love her, too. Just because our family life was fucked up doesn’t mean that we’ll fuck up, too. Not with Alexa by our side. I’m going to lead the way here and give my notice in tomorrow. I’m done with the undercover spy shit. Monte can hook us all up. Including Mason, Dale, and Virgo.”

Michael was really quiet a moment, and then he stared at Chad.

“I know I haven’t told you this since we were kids, but, Chad, I love you. You’re a great ‘little’ brother,” Michael stated then smiled.

“Fuck the little shit. I’m just as big as you and stronger, too.”

“Bullshit. Only if you took steroids and had roid rage.”

Chad laughed.

“Oh, and by the way. I don’t need you to take the reins here. I’m handing in my notice, too. Let the other units take care of shit. I want to spend my time convincing Alexa that I love her, that I’ll protect her, and that we’ll both make her very, very happy.”

“I second that, bro,” Chad said, and they fell asleep, holding Alexa until the sounds of banging awoke them from their sleep.

* * * *

“God no. Please tell me this is a fucking sick joke,” Chad said as Mason, Dale, and Virgo sat in Michael and Chad’s living room.

“It’s true. The sick fuck sent Nate’s body home to his sister,” Mason whispered and ran his fingers through his hair.

“He must have found out everything about Nate. Michael, I was heading there too but my mission was cancelled. I know we’ve all gone in at separate times but I don’t want to take a chance that these people know everything about us,” Mason stated.

“We were careful and we worked on separate issues. I don’t think that’s what happened here,” Michael said then turned to Chad, wondering if he was thinking about what they had discussed.

“Michael and I think that this new guy Solandro Cruz is taking over the business. He’s ruthless and conceited. Nate took a real risk going to that party. That wasn’t what the job called for. He risked his identity,” Chad stated.

“We should take the proper precautions just in case. Keep our eyes peeled for anything suspicious,” Michael added.

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Virgo said.

“How did Nate’s sister handle it?” Michael asked.

Mason shook his head and Michael cursed.

“This sick motherfucker has to go down. When is the commander going to move in on the operation on the Mexican border?” Dale asked.

“Within the next two days. Maybe sooner now that this guy sent Nate’s body home. He wants to send a message,” Chad said.

“Yeah, he’s telling us that his organization will not be brought down or infiltrated again,” Virgo said.

“I think this mission might have to be our last, Chad,” Michael stated.

“I think you’re right,” Chad responded.

“Your last mission? You guys thinking about throwing in the towel?” Virgo asked. Mike and Chad nodded. Then they heard the light knock on the door. Chad got up and opened it. Alexa stood there fully dressed with her cell phone in hand.

“Sorry to interrupt. I just called my sister. She’s on her way.”

Chad rubbed her arms and stared into her eyes. “Are you sure you have to go? This won’t take too long.”

“It’s okay.

“Hey, do we get to meet her or what?” Virgo asked.

“Come meet our team,” Chad said as he opened the door. Virgo’s and Dale’s eyes widened, and then they smiled.

“Hot damn, Phillips brothers, where have you been hiding this sweet young thang?” Dale walked over to her and pulled her into his arms then dipped her in a swift move that had her holding on to him for dear life.

“Baby, you’re with the wrong men,” he teased.

“Get her up and cut that shit out,” Michael reprimanded as Dale pulled her back up but kept her in his arms. She laughed at him.

“Hey, my turn to meet the woman who’s changed our commander’s life.”

Virgo took her hand and brought it to his lips, laying a soft kiss on it. Chad gave Virgo a slap on the back of the head, and they all laughed. Quickly Chad pulled her into his arms.

“Give us a minute, will you please?” Michael stated as Chad walked Alexa out. Michael followed.

They each kissed her deeply before hugging her good-bye.

“Sorry this happened, baby. A good friend of ours, a soldier, was killed.”

Alexa covered her mouth with her hand.

“I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do?” she asked and Chad smiled.

“No, sweetie, we’ll take care of it.”

“We may need to leave for a few days. We’ll call and let you know, all right?” Michael told her. She nodded her head then reached for Michael, pulled him into her arms, and hugged him. “I’m sorry for your loss, Michael. I—”

Before she could finish he pulled her tight and hugged her.

“We’ll call you later,” Chad stated, and she headed out the front door.

* * * *

“I can take the team out right now, including their woman,” Miguel Felez told Solandro Cruz, over the cell phone.

“No. I want them to suffer. Follow the woman. She could come in handy. I will be in the States within the next few hours.”

“I understand, sir. Have a safe flight.”

Miguel closed up the cell phone and glanced around the area. The woman was gorgeous, very young and petite. She wouldn’t put up much of a fight, and she might even pique Solandro’s interest. He loved blondes. The last one he kept for a week before he killed her.

Chad looked at his brother, Michael. Michael was dressed in full military assault gear. All black, night vision glasses hanging on hip, multiple guns, extra ammo, grenades, smoke bombs, and he was prepared to send a message back. Fuck with one of ours, and suffer the consequences. Chad took a deep breath. This time he felt different. This mission, the last few days spent at the funeral of one of their closest friends, Nate, and consoling his sister, nieces, and nephews had been difficult. He thought about the things he wanted. Every thought about the future, about the next hour, the next day, the next ten years, focused on Alexa. He wanted forever, and Michael did, too. They just needed to do this one more thing. One final hit to Santos’s operation.

“We’re ready in five,” the commander of the assault team stated. Chad looked at Michael. He gave his salute, and they shook hands.

“See ya when the smoke clears,” Michael stated.

“Not unless I see you first,” Chad replied. It was something they did whenever they were both involved with a dangerous mission. All they had in the world were one another and their unit.

But now things were different. Now they had Alexa.

The five minutes passed quickly, and Chad was grateful. They exited their vehicle on command and the invasion began. Thirty-five men. Most just regular military officers, SWAT experts, and part of a division in the Texas State Police force that were trained for operations like this one. Chad, Michael, Mason, Dale, and Virgo volunteered to help out. Their revenge was coming momentarily.

* * * *

Michael was separated from Chad. He didn’t like the way his gut clenched, and he pushed it off and tried to focus on his part in this mission. If he kept thinking that something would go wrong and that he might never see Alexa again, then he was fucked. If he couldn’t keep his head in the zone, then he risked dying. Not this time and not over a simple raid like this one.

In a matter of seconds there was a counterattack. He dove for cover, half the men were inside the building already, and the explosions illuminated the night sky. It was pitch-black out there as well as in the building. He put on his night vision glasses, kept his gun aimed and ready as he slowly made his way closer to the building. After a quick glance to the left, he saw three men, all dressed like him and knew it was his unit and perhaps even Chad. “Got your back,” Virgo radioed in, and Michael acknowledged him with a “roger that.”

The doors to the building swung open and people poured out.

“Freeze! Police!” one of three men yelled as they pointed their guns at the charging crowd of about ten people. It was too late when the three soldiers realized it was a setup. Machine guns were aimed, the sound of rapid gunfire filled the area, and Michael saw them die on the spot. Virgo returned fire and so did Michael. They took out the crowd of killers until more gunfire was exchanged behind them.

“Fuck, Michael, it’s a setup. They knew about the raid.”

“Call the unit back. Retreat so we can regroup and catch the runners,” Michael replied. He heard Virgo radio out to the others. Dale and Mason responded but not Chad.

“Did you get Chad?” Michael asked as he eased his way back from the building.

“No response.”

“Fuck. Chad, where the fuck are you?”

He thought about the fear that gripped him early and how much greater it was now. Could something have happened to Chad? There were bodies everywhere as he moved back from the location. He caught sight of Mason and Dale. Dale was injured as Virgo helped him back. Michael looked around frantically as some of the other soldiers retreated, and then a massive explosion occurred. It lit up the night and was followed by numerous other small explosions as the drug factory went up in flames.

* * * *

It had been a good thirty minutes before lights were brought in and the surrounding area illuminated. Due to the desolate location of the building, firefighters could not be dispatched to put out the flames. They waited as it burned and counted the number of US soldiers killed. Still there was no sign of Chad.

“He’s not among the dead. He’s got to be out there,” Virgo stated.

“Out where? Across the fucking border? He could be crumbled under that mass or fucking rubble, man.” Michael was losing his cool. What would he tell Alexa?

The sound of a voice over the static of the radio chimed in each of their ears.

“Michael. I got two live ones here. One is Santos’s main guy.”

“Chad! Son of a bitch, you crazy bastard. Where the fuck are you?”

“A little damaged but alive. There’s fire surrounding us on either side of the building. One of these guys has a broken leg and the other I knocked out. He’s a fucking big dude. I need a vehicle.”

“We’re on it,” Virgo replied. Michael took a full breath. He hadn’t realized until that moment that he was hardly breathing and unable to inhale fully because his heart ached and the fear had consumed him.

Large spotlights began to illuminate the area, the sounds of helicopters could be heard above, and Michael knew that the media had arrived. This news was going to be plastered everywhere.

* * * *

“Holy shit, check this out!” Ava yelled to the others as they gathered around the television. It was nearly three o’clock in the morning. They’d just gotten home from Dixie Chix and were making something to eat before bed. Alexa walked into the room as the reporter explained the situation.

“This is what we have so far, folks. Looks like the feds, along with local law enforcement organizations, conducted a raid on what was believed to be a warehouse containing illegal drugs and weapons. Our early reports from those on the ground say that more than twenty-five people are dead, half law enforcement and others are civilians believed to be working at the supposed drug factory. We have live footage now of men lined up on the ground, their weapons secured as police begin processing their arrests. Stay tuned and we will bring you the latest.”

“Holy shit, that is wild,” Sally stated.

Alexa immediately felt scared and uneasy. She couldn’t help but wonder if Michael and Chad were involved. She had overheard them talking about a drug raid and about a fellow soldier dying. Michael had shared that much with them. She also knew that the last few days were spent with the dead soldier’s family. She held her cell phone in her hands.

“Alexa, what’s wrong?” Sally asked her.

She looked up to find the others watching her.