Rafael (The Santiago Brothers Book One) (24 page)

“Well, that depends on you.”

Nicolas’ brows came together. “On me?”

“Yes.” Rafa’s gaze caught and held Nicolas’.
“What you’re willing to say.”

Montenegro breathed out again. He glanced
around at the furnishings of a typical hospital room: dated chairs,
single-colored curtains providing the only color in the room, the
white pitcher on his bedside table. When he met Rafa’s eyes again,
he sighed.

“What do you want to know?” he asked
quietly.

“Everything. Start from the beginning. Tell
me what you know about La Cocina Dulce, and I’m not talking about
the culinary side of the house.”

Montenegro held up a bandaged hand. “First, I
want to say that I was just following orders.”

“Got it.”

“Yeah, but Huera was the man in charge. I
didn’t kill nobody!”

The bright white of his eyes and the light
sheen of sweat above his upper lip told Rafa he was either telling
the truth, or he was afraid of the worst-case scenario: the
electric chair for committing all three murders. Virginia, a death
penalty state, put to death the most criminals second only to
Texas. Rafa was the first to question Montenegro since the attack
at Genie’s house. He assumed Montenegro, while lying here in the
hospital, had a lot of time to think about how his life would play
out over the next several decades.

“Alright, if you write a statement telling me
everything, I’m sure the district attorney will take into
consideration your secondary role, but I can’t make promises. It’ll
all depend on what you tell us.”

“I can tell you that you have twenty-four
hours to catch Santoro and Dominguez, before they disappear.”

“Wait, who is Dominguez?”

“The assistant manager.”

So, both the manager, Santoro, and his
assistant were involved in ordering the killings. Rafa leaned
forward. “What do you mean twenty-four hours?”

Montenegro licked his dry lips. “The plan was
if me and Huera failed, the owner and manager would leave the
country within twenty-four hours and go into hiding. The restaurant
will be under new management by tomorrow. I don’t know where they
be going and that’s the truth.”

“Guard!” Rafa sprinted to the door and opened
it. The posted guard was already there with his hand on the knob.
“Get on a phone and have Franco get down here to take this guy’s
statement.” He pointed at Montenegro. “Remember, write it all
down.”

Montenegro nodded profusely.

Rafa whipped out his cell and began jogging
to the nearest stairwell at the end of the hall. He dialed the
lieutenant’s personal cell number.

“Santiago?”

“Sir, we have less than twenty-four hours to
pick up Santoro and Dominguez before they leave the country.”

“You mean those guys in charge of the
restaurant?”

“Exactly.” Rafa huffed as he darted up the
stairs, taking them two at a time. “The plan was for them to bail
if I survived this last attack.”

The lieutenant let out a string of curses.
“I’m with Compton right now.”

“We need to mobilize. Is the task force ready
to make an arrest?” He heard Winters say something to Compton
before he returned to the line.

“They executed a search warrant on the
restaurant the other day and they have enough evidence for an
arrest.”

Rafa opened the door to Genie’s floor and
pressed forward to her room. “Then we have to move now.”

“I agree. You want in? Compton will agree,
won’t you, Compton?” Winters asked gruffly. Rafa didn’t hear
Drake’s response but got the go-ahead for Winters to meet him
downstairs in the hospital lobby. They would then proceed to a
staging area and prepare for the bust.

Rafa stopped outside Genie’s room. Genie’s
parents had arrived about an hour ago but were momentarily absent.
He stepped quietly inside. He walked to her bed and smiled down at
her sleeping form. Lips slightly parted, she breathed in and out, a
relaxed rhythm. He brushed a hand on the soft, brown waves of hair
fanning out over the white pillows. He followed the stream to her
head and leaned over, placing a velvet kiss on her forehead.

“Sleep well, beautiful. I’ve got to go take
down some bad guys.”

TRUST
in the Lord with all your heart and lean not onto thy own
understanding…

The verse came to her often now and, although
it was difficult to live it every hour of every day, she continued
to make the effort. Genie yawned, and then winced. Even after a
couple of weeks since her stabbing, her chest still gave her
trouble from time to time.

She drummed her fingers on her desk and
glanced at her watch for the fiftieth time. Rafa would be in soon.
She smiled. She wanted to show him the special accommodation the
FBI had awarded them for a job well done.

Soon after the arrests of the owners of La
Cocina Dulce, Rafa returned to California to aid Enrique. His
cousin had been on the run, but unable to successfully meet with
his contacts. Although the past was behind him, Rafa wouldn’t see
any harm come to those he loved, if he could help it.

Genie focused on her computer monitor and
groaned. She was back at work, and her caseload was practically
unmanageable. A couple of months ago, she wouldn’t have minded
having a heavy workload; it meant she'd outshine her male detective
coworkers. With that particular motivation gone, and having gotten
used to having a partner, Genie struggled with the transition to
solo performer. Not that she couldn’t handle it. Not without
coffee.

She stood and made her way to the conference
room, where she knew a fresh pot of coffee sat. She poured herself
a cup and drank a few sips, closing her eyes to the soothing warmth
and pleasant aroma of vanilla and cream.

The door shut.

“Rafael!” Her heart pounded as her eyes
beheld him.

His dimples responded first. “Man, you are
beautiful.” His hoarse voice made her quiver with excitement. In a
few long strides, he had her in his arms, planting a tender kiss on
her lips. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too.” She dipped her gaze, a
bit shy.

He drew a few fingers down her shoulder to
her wound. “How are you feeling? Are you healing well?”

She nodded. “How’s Enrique? I heard the
Snakes have collapsed underneath the investigations of the FBI and
DEA.”

“It has. I didn’t know it but Enrique had
been secretly turning state’s evidence for years. There’s enough to
incriminate the organization on multiple charges. There’ve been
numerous arrests, from the lowest player all the way to the
top.”

Genie nodded. “I heard. Murder, rape, drug
distribution… the DA’s office out there will be up to their necks
in cases for a long time.”

“Not to mention the identities and locations
of several drug czars over the border. The Mexican government is
moving to arrest those Enrique has identified.”

“Have you seen your medal?”

Rafa shook his head.

“The FBI has awarded us both accommodations
for our work on the case. I think Franco’s a bit jealous.” She
laughed at her last statement. However, she personally thanked her
colleague, and both had been on better terms since.

Rafa didn’t respond; instead, he stared at
her. The fervor in his eyes caused her to involuntarily shiver.
“You’re incredible,” he breathed. He drew her deeper into his
embrace.

Genie felt her cheeks color. “So what
now?”

“Well.” He pursed his lips. “The FBI academy
starts in a couple of weeks. Then I’ll be assigned to the Fairfax
office.”

“With your new best friend, Agent
Compton?”

His eyes narrowed at her teasing, but he
couldn’t hide his deep dimples. Genie laughed. His face came within
inches of hers. “I love you,” he whispered.

Genie sighed when his lips met hers. She
tingled from the sweetness of his kiss. He loved her! Her heart
fluttered with his touch and now it soared to heights she hadn’t
imagined conceivable.

When the kiss ended, Rafa chuckled. “I think
you kind of like me.”

“
No, I
don’t. I
love
you,” she
breathed.

“
Mmm, I
know you do.” His lips took hers again. “
Ay, mi amor
.” His kiss seared her soul with a brand that was
all him. “I want to continue to see you when I’m at the
academy.”

Genie lifted her gaze to the sky, feigning
consideration. “I think I’m available. In fact, I may see you
there.” She laughed at the confusion in his eyes. “Compton’s boss
asked for my resume while you were away. I’ll have to pass the
written exam, but it looks like I’ll be joining you at the
FBI.”

He chuckled. “I think Compton will request a
transfer once you’re in.”

Genie snickered.

The look in his eyes shifted and Genie
stilled. After a long moment, he spoke. “After we graduate the
academy, I think I want to marry you.”

Genie’s
lips parted in surprise. What did he say? She could barely contain
her excitement. It was more than she could’ve prayed for, more than
she allowed herself to imagine was possible. Her eyes searched his
and found no reluctance. Her heart pounded in agreement. “Think
or
know
?”

Rafa smiled. “Definitely know. This is one
relationship I’m never letting go.”

Genie returned his smile and assured him of
her answer… with a kiss.

The End.

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(Sample)

THERE
always has to be a complication.

Alejandro Santiago frowned as he spotted the
gold sedan in front of Lana’s house. He didn’t recognize the
vehicle as belonging to any of Miguel’s men. With any luck, they
hadn’t searched the place before now. He checked his rearview
mirror. No sign of surveillance. The street lamps barely lit the
darkened neighborhood, and with only a sliver of moon, the night
afforded him much-needed cover. He reached behind him and removed
the Sig Sauer from his back holster, and pulling the slide back
slightly, he checked for a round in the chamber before replacing
the weapon. His US Marshal badge lay concealed behind the waist of
his jeans.

Behind
the front window, the faint glow of a lamp and the shadow of a
small figure told him someone else had access to the house. Lana
didn’t inform him of that fact the last time they met. He
considered the situation. Whatever Lana hid from Miguel was
important enough to get her killed. Did she tell anyone else about
it?
I can’t
return to headquarters without checking the house first.
He’d just have to deal with
whoever was in there.

Ale breathed out slowly to calm the quick
pace of his heart. He wanted out. Undercover gigs usually lasted
only a few months, but he’d been under for almost two years. If he
didn’t find something to break this case… if he didn’t get out
soon, he feared more than just losing his life — he feared losing
himself. Ale exited the car, shutting the door as softly as the
heavy metal of his 1969 Buick Wildcat would allow.

The sounds of crickets and other night
insects he couldn’t readily identify greeted him as he scanned the
quiet residential street for movement. Although a few house lights
illuminated their porches, the neighborhood remained still, its
residents retired for the evening.

Ale
jogged to the house belonging to the mistress of Miguel Trujillo
and avoided the porch, opting instead to enter through the back
door. Rounding the corner, he ducked just before his head hit the
wind chime. A small glass replica of a toad held fast to his
station near the farthest corner of the screen door on the cement
slab that served as the porch. Ale squatted and lifted the heavy
ornament, feeling beneath it for the key taped to the
bottom.
So
far, so good
.

Lana trusted him. Several days before her
disappearance, she came to him, wild with fright. Miguel wanted her
back. She refused him, telling Alejandro things were different now;
she was different. Ale recognized her need for protection — and
she’d do anything for it. He introduced her to his boss, and she
became an informant for the US Marshals. The knowledge she had on
Miguel’s narcotics operation would help bring down the mid-level
drug lord and secure her freedom forever. She loathed returning to
her former life, but believed he’d keep her safe and in a few short
days, as he promised, it’d all be over.

In a few short hours, she’d disappeared.

Ale
snatched the key from the tape and set the frog back in its
place.
Focus
or Lana’s death will be in vain.
His gut told him Miguel didn’t discover Lana’s
secret either, or he’d have moved his operation down to Laredo last
month as originally planned. Instead, he and a few members of his
trusted inner circle, including Ale, remained in San
Antonio.

Ale carefully pulled back the screen door,
grateful it didn’t squeak along its track. Slipping the key into
the lock, he turned it, and then paused after hearing the soft
click of the bolt, listening for any movement from inside the
house. The closed blinds that hung inside over the door blocked his
vision, but no footsteps sounded in his direction. Ale expelled a
quick breath, opened the door, and slipped inside.

****

Audrey Hughes groaned as she eyed the mess in
the living room. Her sister Penny didn’t know the first thing about
organization. Audrey put a hand on her forehead as she scanned the
various stacks of bills, school notices, and college textbooks
littering not only the table, but also the couch and the loveseat.
“Penny, why didn’t you just leave the folder in the lockbox?” she
asked out loud before grabbing an arm full of books from the couch
and placing them on the floor near the table.