Read Online Texas Hold 'Em by Kay David - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Kay David
Tags: Smokin' ACES#1
Ads: Link
to me?”
“I don’t have one,” she admitted. “But I will once I start to investigate.”
He ran his hands through his hair and looked at her with disbelief. “You don’t have time to investigate, Rose, and my source doesn’t have time for that, either. If anyone finds out who I am and why I’m here, all three of us could end up dead. The guy I ran over had tatts from a drug cartel just over the border—”
“I know all about that gang. They stay out of my jurisdiction.”
“Did you see his weapon?”
“He was holding the barrel two inches from my nose. What do you think?”
“Ortega smuggles that same kind into Mexico. It’s his favorite product—he has them made at a maquiladora just this side of the border. No one but his ‘associates’ has them.”
Even in the heat of the moment, she’d realized the AR-15 looked different. The nasty- looking rifle had had a stainless steel barrel with some unreadable etchings, not to mention the fact that it had been modified to be a fully automatic weapon.
“You know as well as I do once those guns are in circulation, anyone can get them.”
“I’d bet next month’s salary that Ortega sent those two guys to that trailer park,” Santos insisted. “I’ve told you already I have it on good authority that he’s nearby, and that hasn’t changed.”
“And I’ve told you about Juan Enrique. King is following that lead, and we need to give him some time. Enrique could be behind those guys tonight, too.” Frustration deepened her frown. “He’s from here, and he knows the area well. There are plenty of locals who would do anything he asked of them. He may seem like a small fish to you, but he’s run a gang in Rio County ever since he was a teenager.”
“So why strike now? I’m telling you this is SOP when El Brujo wants to move into a new territory. Neutralize the local law enforcement—by bribery or violence—then do the same with the friendlies. Pretty soon, he’s the one in charge.”
“So that’s your theory on why I’m not dead?”
“It’s simple,” he explained. “If you were gone, someone else would take your place. He’d rather manipulate the situation as it stands now than start fresh with someone who might be worse than you. It’s easier to deal with a known than an unknown. If that doesn’t work, then he’ll kill you.”
Raising both his hands, Santos put them on her shoulders, and that’s when she realized she’d been wrong—the fabric wasn’t thick enough to keep her immune to his touch. His grip was as hard as his eyes. A shiver of alarm washed over her.
“And if I don’t back down?” she asked to distract herself.
“He’ll get you sooner or later—it’s inevitable. One night you’ll just disappear. They’ll grab you and torture you just for the helluva it, then he’ll kill everyone who’s left. Silas, a friend, maybe even your deputy. He’d kill your dog if you had one.” His expression turned so grim it frightened her. “He likes to chop off heads with machetes. I’ve seen it firsthand, Rose. This isn’t just a career choice for these guys—they enjoy this kind of crap. If you don’t believe me there’s a mass grave just the other side of the border I’ll show you if you have the stomach for it. There were twenty young girls in it—beautiful young girls. According to my sources, Ortega rounded them up to sell them in the sex trade, but his buyer decided he wanted redheads instead of brunettes. Instead of having their hair dyed, Ortega killed them and kidnapped twenty different girls.”
A horror so thick she could taste it welled up inside her.
“If you don’t help me,” Santos said, “you’re risking your own life—and the life of everyone who’s close to you.”
Chapter Six
Santos climbed on his Harley and headed back for the ranch. His mind spun as fast as his tires as he thundered down the highway. If he couldn’t get Rose to help him, and soon, they were all going to be in
“I don’t have one,” she admitted. “But I will once I start to investigate.”
He ran his hands through his hair and looked at her with disbelief. “You don’t have time to investigate, Rose, and my source doesn’t have time for that, either. If anyone finds out who I am and why I’m here, all three of us could end up dead. The guy I ran over had tatts from a drug cartel just over the border—”
“I know all about that gang. They stay out of my jurisdiction.”
“Did you see his weapon?”
“He was holding the barrel two inches from my nose. What do you think?”
“Ortega smuggles that same kind into Mexico. It’s his favorite product—he has them made at a maquiladora just this side of the border. No one but his ‘associates’ has them.”
Even in the heat of the moment, she’d realized the AR-15 looked different. The nasty- looking rifle had had a stainless steel barrel with some unreadable etchings, not to mention the fact that it had been modified to be a fully automatic weapon.
“You know as well as I do once those guns are in circulation, anyone can get them.”
“I’d bet next month’s salary that Ortega sent those two guys to that trailer park,” Santos insisted. “I’ve told you already I have it on good authority that he’s nearby, and that hasn’t changed.”
“And I’ve told you about Juan Enrique. King is following that lead, and we need to give him some time. Enrique could be behind those guys tonight, too.” Frustration deepened her frown. “He’s from here, and he knows the area well. There are plenty of locals who would do anything he asked of them. He may seem like a small fish to you, but he’s run a gang in Rio County ever since he was a teenager.”
“So why strike now? I’m telling you this is SOP when El Brujo wants to move into a new territory. Neutralize the local law enforcement—by bribery or violence—then do the same with the friendlies. Pretty soon, he’s the one in charge.”
“So that’s your theory on why I’m not dead?”
“It’s simple,” he explained. “If you were gone, someone else would take your place. He’d rather manipulate the situation as it stands now than start fresh with someone who might be worse than you. It’s easier to deal with a known than an unknown. If that doesn’t work, then he’ll kill you.”
Raising both his hands, Santos put them on her shoulders, and that’s when she realized she’d been wrong—the fabric wasn’t thick enough to keep her immune to his touch. His grip was as hard as his eyes. A shiver of alarm washed over her.
“And if I don’t back down?” she asked to distract herself.
“He’ll get you sooner or later—it’s inevitable. One night you’ll just disappear. They’ll grab you and torture you just for the helluva it, then he’ll kill everyone who’s left. Silas, a friend, maybe even your deputy. He’d kill your dog if you had one.” His expression turned so grim it frightened her. “He likes to chop off heads with machetes. I’ve seen it firsthand, Rose. This isn’t just a career choice for these guys—they enjoy this kind of crap. If you don’t believe me there’s a mass grave just the other side of the border I’ll show you if you have the stomach for it. There were twenty young girls in it—beautiful young girls. According to my sources, Ortega rounded them up to sell them in the sex trade, but his buyer decided he wanted redheads instead of brunettes. Instead of having their hair dyed, Ortega killed them and kidnapped twenty different girls.”
A horror so thick she could taste it welled up inside her.
“If you don’t help me,” Santos said, “you’re risking your own life—and the life of everyone who’s close to you.”
Chapter Six
Santos climbed on his Harley and headed back for the ranch. His mind spun as fast as his tires as he thundered down the highway. If he couldn’t get Rose to help him, and soon, they were all going to be in
Similar Books
