Absolution (Honor Guard 1)

And he’d save her before Antonio killed her. She had to be brave and bide her time. The elevator opened, and Antonio led her into the lobby and outside into the daylight. She scanned the lobby, examining any men who lurked in corners. Maybe Joseph would jump out and rescue her. When she realized she had no one to help her, her heartbeat sped up.

More time. She needed more time. Then he would come. “I have to go to the bathroom,” she said in a rush.

“Not a chance,” Antonio hissed in her ear,

“Would you rather I go on your car seat?” she asked.

“Do so and die. You are coming with me, now. No breaks, no stalling. Or he’s dead.”

He pushed toward a black car that awaited them. Antonio grabbed her hair and shoved her face first into the backseat. She tumbled inside, smacking her head on the seatbelt clasp. Eva scrambled away from him, scooting until she rammed into the rear passenger door. He seated himself beside her, his gaze following all the way up the length of her bare legs. Caressing her thigh, he pursed his lips.

She flinched and shoved his hand off. “Don’t touch me. And call off your man. I cooperated as I said I would.”

Antonio laughed and pounded on the headrest in front of him to tell his driver to go. Once they pulled onto the highway and accelerated, he picked up his phone and dialed a number. “Pedro? We have her in the car.”

Eva breathed a sigh of relief and sagged against the seat. She’d done it. She’d saved Joseph from an ambush. Antonio traced an invisible path from the bottom of her leg to the top and inched her hem up further, peeking underneath. She slapped his hand away once more and met his gaze.

He smirked at her, digging his fingers into her thigh until she squirmed. “You can kill him now, if you haven’t already. We don’t want him coming for her.”

Chapter Six

Joseph had a tail. He’d suspected it a block ago. After a sharp right turn, followed by a left, he knew his suspicions to be true. It appeared the Cartel had tracked them down. The question that burned in his mind, however, was whether they’d found Eva. After he lost the shadow, he would ascertain whether her whereabouts had been compromised. He dipped into an alleyway and drew his weapon, not waiting long before the man who’d followed ducked into the dimness. He pistol whipped the fool on the back of the head with a quick, decisive swing and stepped over the unconscious body.

Sprinting back to Eva, heart racing in fear, he called his superior and informed him to send two uniforms to pick up the unconscious f**ker and hold the man for questioning. Doubtful the Cartel’s soldier would give them much, but it would be worth a shot. He holstered the Glock 22 and rushed to the hotel.

Their room door stood open, and a quick peek inside showed all of Eva’s belongings still in her bag. If she’d left out of anger instead of force, she would have grabbed her purse.

“Fuck!” he bellowed and kicked the door. Damn it, they had her. If she wasn’t dead already, she would soon wish she were.

He sprinted out of the hotel and hopped in his car to speed to Hugo’s house. When he arrived, he marched past the staff and guards, who all rushed out of his way and shot him horrified looks as he swept by. If they hadn’t recognized him from his numerous past visits, he knew they would have taken him to the ground within seconds of his entry. He stomped into Hugo’s office without bothering to knock and found him sitting at the conference table, reading the paper with a mug of coffee at his side. Upon seeing Joseph, the old man leapt to his feet, peering over Joseph’s shoulder.

Hugo paled and, grabbing Joseph’s shirt, he shoved him against the fireplace. “Where is she, you son of a bitch?”

Gritting his teeth, Joseph didn’t bother to fight back, even though his head slammed against the brick. He needed to be reprimanded, to have someone in his face. How could he have let the Cartel take Eva right out from under his watch? What the hell had he been thinking, leaving her alone in the hotel? She was his responsibility, and he’d failed her like a piece of shit rookie. If Hugo felt the need to try and kick his ass, so be it.

“They got to her when I went for breakfast. She’s been gone no more than an hour.”

“You left her alone?”

“At the time, it seemed better than bringing her out in public or ordering delivery. I didn’t want to risk discovery.” Joseph’s heart pounded, and the roaring in his ears oddly reminded him of the ocean during a storm. He needed to stop explaining and find Eva before they ran out of time. He brought his hands up between Hugo’s forearms and shoved out, breaking the old man’s grip on his collar. “Tell me everything you know. Now.”

“You’re off the case. I’ll bring in someone capable of finishing the job. You, obviously, were not the best option.” With a scowl, Hugo turned to grab the cordless phone on his desk.

“Son of a bitch!” Joseph grabbed a clock on the mantle and catapulted it across the room. It shattered into hundreds of pieces.

“What the hell?” Hugo spun to face him, astonishment on his features and the phone in his grip, the dial tone sounding.

Joseph stared at the broken pieces of the clock in shock. How the hell had he allowed his temper, his agony, to get the better of him? He needed to focus on saving Eva. Gritting his teeth, Joseph flexed his fingers and faced Hugo with renewed determination. He wouldn’t allow his emotions to get the better of him again. He couldn’t afford any more stupid mistakes.

“Get a hold of yourself, agent,” Hugo warned.

Joseph strode over to him, grabbed the phone, and disconnected the call before tossing the receiver back onto the table.

“You’re way out of line,” Hugo snapped.

Joseph seized his shoulders and shook him. “No, you’re out of line. I will not sit idly by while the woman I love is mutilated and murdered. You’re going to tell me where to go, and now, because I intend to blow their goddamn heads off, one by one, until I find her. Do you f**king understand?” He shook Hugo one last time for emphasis and stared him down.

Hugo opened his mouth, closed it, and nodded. He pushed Joseph off. “Fine. But you better not screw it up this time.”

Joseph gave a tight nod before pulling his gun out to count bullets. He had thirteen left, and an extra magazine on the other side of his belt. He switched out the partial magazine for the full. Jaw clenched, Joseph replaced his pistol and turned to Hugo. “I’m ready to kick ass. Where am I going, and who’s the target?”