A Jar of Hearts (21 page)

“Intercepted!” Corey called out. “You have twenty minutes before the copters sweep the area with IRs.”

Three miles in twenty minutes, Eric thought, his heart pounding in his ears. He had to run three miles in twenty minutes. The wind rushed through him as he swept over forest debris and shrubbery. His feet thud against the ground and he prayed he wouldn’t trip and fall. Because this was a run for his life, a run for his freedom and a race to have a new beginning with Anne.

“Hank!” Mark grunted.

“Come on… come on,” Hank chanted to himself.

Eric caught sight of the dark van on the dirt trail, Hank revving to shoot off. Mark jumped through the opened sliding door.

“Come on, Eric!” Mark growled.

Eric threw himself into the van and Mark slid the door shut.

“Go!” Mark commanded Hank.

The van shot out of the trail and into the highway, blending with the other vehicles heading towards the city.

“Casey?” Mark asked.

“Behind you.”

Ambulance sirens pierced the air as they whizzed by them. Eric could hear the whirring of helicopter blades thunder above them. His heart was still pounding in his ears and he closed his eyes to regain control on its racing pulse.
We made it. We made it.

“They’re not following us,” Hank’s voice quivered. “Fuck.”

Eric managed to catch a nervous flicker of his tongue between his lips. His eyes scanned the two other men in the van, their bodies high-strung and jittery.  They just killed the newly re-elected mayor of San Diego but he was also someone almost comparable to a terrorist. He killed society with drugs, ordered hits on the innocent and with the protection of his high-powered contacts, he would have continued to wreck havoc.

But here were four of the few people he knew who were assigned to battle a corrupt system. They were supposedly the best, the elitist officers of the FBI, and yet here they were as fucked up as he was. They were human.

The corners of his lips tugged upwards and he broke into a light chuckle. Mark stared at him with slight amusement and then fell into a small laugh, infecting the rest as Casey and Corey’s laughter spilled into his earpiece. They broke out with cheers and fists pumping as the realization of their success dawned on them.

“It’s not over yet,” Mark reminded through his smiles, and then added softly. “But it will be.”

They dropped off at different points in the city and then re-grouped back at the base a little while later.

Mark pulled out two bottles of water and tossed one over to Eric. “You’re one helluva sniper, I have to give you that.”

Corey slumped beside Eric, his feet over an empty chair. “How did you know he was gonna do that? Raise his head?”

Eric shrugged. “The natural instincts for any man hit in the back would be to arch back before slumping forward. But because he was moving at a fast speed, I could have missed that unless someone else took that shot on the back for me.”

Hank whistled at Mark and he reluctantly walked over to him.
Was there something wrong?
Eric perked his lips but didn’t get much time to think as Corey continued to prod him with more questions.

“But how is it that you do it?” The man shook his head in awe. “The air, the speed, gravity… how do you manage to take that all into account and yet manage to pin that bullet where you want it.”

“It’s math and physics and I kind of was good at both.” He smiled.

Corey grinned and slapped him on his back. “Well whatever it is, well done, man.”

“Where’s Hank and Mark?” Casey asked as she joined them.

Eric turned to look at them again and caught a glimpse of the two men engaged in a serious discussion. Mark glanced at him grimly. Eric frowned as the two men ambled into the room, back in an apprehensive state again.

“Eric,” Mark started. He scratched the crown of his head, shifting anxiously. “There is something you should know. We’ve been tailgating Juan for a while and you may be right. He suspects something.”

“What do you mean? Has he been following me?”

“No. Actually, he’s been showing more interest in Anne.”

Eric stiffened. Anne? “How exactly?” His throat suddenly chafed. Was he going to hurt Anne to get to him?

“He has been following her and made contact with her on two occasions as far as we know.”

Eric leapt out of his chair. “And you’re telling me this now?” he growled.

“We didn’t want you distracted during the assassination.”

“Anne
is
the reason why I am caught up in this fucking web! Do you think I would give a damn otherwise?” He pointed angrily at him. “Anne had better be alright when I get home.”

“Eric, we had no choice! If we hadn’t got Trent Harvey, we don’t know how long we would have had to wait for another opportunity like this.”

Eric grabbed his jacket and began walking towards the door, ignoring his excuses. They were after all excuses. No one here cared for Anne. All they wanted was their fucking mission!

“Anne is alright!” Mark followed after him. “I had a female agent posted with her. She is being guarded at all times.”

Eric’s jaw clenched as he threw a chair aside with frustration. “Arrgghh!”

“Take it easy, Eric,” Mark assured calmly. “She is safe. We just thought you should know.”

“When did you find out?” he asked slowly.

“A few weeks ago. I had my suspicions, but it didn’t make sense why Juan would be shadowing Anne so closely when he could have sent one of his cronies to do the job. I doubt he would do it for Avanna, but it seems I was wrong. Unless, of course, you’ve got some beef with him that we don’t know about.”

Eric shook his head. “I’ve been careful. I know I have.”

“Then it must be for Avanna,” Mark summed, pinching his lips together with thought.

“Does she know who Juan is?”

“No, we didn’t tell her. Juan told her he was a friend of yours and we’re letting her think that. We don’t want her further involved in this than she already is.”

Eric put his hands on his hips and stared down at the ground. Should he tell her about Juan? Or maybe Mark was right. If she knew about Juan, she’d become wary of him and her body language would probably give them all away.

“Did anything happen last night?” Eric asked, recalling Mark’s earlier discussion with Hank.

“Anne went out to dinner with Hank and Juan approached her again. This was their second meeting. The first one was with me, Julia and Ashley.”

“And how did she introduce Hank?” Eric raised his brow.

“A long distance cousin. He seems disturbingly interested in her, Eric. I know you will be meeting up with him soon, and let’s hope he cuts you free from the clan without much fuss.”

“And if not?”

Mark swiped a hand over his face. “I promised you freedom on the completion of this assignment and I
will
give you that. I will think of something.”

James lay on Anne’s lap, cradled between her legs. It had been a day since he had assassinated Trent Harvey and yet Juan hadn’t contacted him. But neither had he.

“James,” Anne said softly, combing her fingers through his hair. “Is everything okay?”

He sighed and kissed her hand. “Yes, I’m just tired.”

“Are you sure that is all? I can feel you grinding down your poor molars.” She traced his jaw with her fingertips.

“It’s only work.” He closed his eyes, trying to nestle comfortably between her breasts, but his uneasiness about Juan kept creeping into him.

He didn’t understand why Juan hadn’t called him about the hit, but there was a reason why he hadn’t been in touch with the king of The Pacheco gang. He was anxious about what would follow once he announced his retirement.

“You’re quiet again,” she whispered, breaking into his thoughts.

He turned in her arms and looked up at her. “And you’re beautiful.”

She leaned down and kissed him. “You’re being charming again.”

“Is that wrong?” he grinned.

“No, but you do use it to get out of a serious discussion.”

“Is it working?” He shifted further up her.

She giggled. “A little.”

He nuzzled her neck. “That’s no good. I need to work harder at this.”

He pushed down the neckline of her dress, kissing the tops of her bosom. He cupped her breast, kneading it under his palm as he reached up to cover her mouth.

“You can’t avoid all our discussions,” she rasped through his kisses.

“No… but I could this one.” He smiled as he pressed his lips hard against hers.

Her fingers speared through his dark hair, her legs wound around his hips. His hard cock thrust against her quivering stomach and she groaned, pushing up her crotch to rub it against the length of his thigh. He was enveloped in her warmth, their heat melding together making them ache for each other.

“You feel so good,” he murmured, his hand moving down her, seeking for her wetness.

“James… oh…,” she groaned, and then she tensed. “James, the oven!”

“You’re in a rush,” he whispered amusedly and then kissed her down between her breasts and to her navel. “Easy, babe, I’ll get there.”

She slapped his back and pushed him off her. “I mean the chicken in the oven. I forgot all about it and I need to give it another basting before it starts to burn.”

He let out a groan as he watched her race towards the kitchen, and then he smiled. It was like those days again- when he was Eric and they were home. And together, they were a family. He’d do anything to have that again and sometimes this would have to mean doing something he wasn’t too keen on- facing Juan.

The doorbell rang and he frowned. It was close to eight o’clock in the night. He ran a hand through his hair and strolled over to the camera to see who was paying him a visit at such an hour.

“James? Is someone at the door?” Anne called out from the kitchen.

“I’m getting it,” he grumbled.

He turned on the camera and a chill swept through him. Juan. He glanced over at Anne who was working busily at their dinner.

“James, open up buddy.” Juan smiled. “It’s just me, your man, Juan. I know you can see me.”

Anne cocked her head to the side. Had she heard him? But she returned to her cooking and he leaned an arm against the wall, deciding how to handle Juan.

He opened the door and found the man shifting impatiently outside it.

“What’s up,
ése
?” Juan smiled.

“Juan,” he said slowly, keeping a close attention on the three men flanking the gang boss in the near distance. “You shouldn’t be here?”

“Are you telling me where I should be?” Juan raised his chin.

“Juan, you know that isn’t it. This is an affluent neighborhood. And if your boys turn up in those flashy wheels, wearing their napkins on their heads, it will draw attention. I just want no trouble from the neighbors or the cops.”

“You know, you’re right,” he replied. “Let’s talk inside.” He pushed James aside and walked into the house. “I smell something cooking,” he announced loudly.

“Juan?” Anne said, raising her head and trying to be certain of his voice,

“It’s Juan.” He chuckled. “What you got there, babe?”

“Roasted chicken. Are you staying for dinner?” She laughed.

“It’s smells delicious. Why not?”

James tensed. His fists clenched in his pockets. What was Juan up to?  He released his grip, doing his best to muster some casualness in his body. “You know Juan, Anne?” he asked, trying to sound surprised.

“Yes. We met a couple of weeks ago at the mall. He said he saw me once with you but didn’t get to meet me.”

James put an arm around her waist as he fronted Juan. She was his and he had to let him know that.

“James was being too protective.” Juan arched his brow as his eyes flickered quickly to James’ arm. “You’re beautiful and he probably was trying to keep you to himself a little more. He can be selfish like that.”

James kissed her temple lightly. “Finish with your cooking, darling. I’ll just have a chat with Juan in the study.”

Juan strolled about his study, admiring his décor. “It has just occurred to me that in the two years I have known you, Jamie, I have never been inside your house.”

“What do you want, Juan?” James asked stiffly.

“Want? Ahh… yes, of course.” He gave out his hand. “Congratulations on the Harvey job.”

James took it hesitantly. There was something wrong. His instincts were on alert, looking for any signs, any traitorous indication in the man’s body to tell him what that was.

“Damn, man! How do you do it? And you had a bullet straight through his fucking head! Just like the way I wanted it.” Juan beamed with delight. “You have one motherfucking aim,
ése
.”

“Thanks. I was gonna tell you about it tomorrow.”

“Yeah? Because you didn’t.” His tone grew serious again.

“I haven’t slept in days, Juan. I’ve been up late nights planning the shoot and then waited all morning for that sucker to ride up the highway. It hasn’t been easy.”

“How… how did you know he was gonna be there?” Juan tilted his head to the side with interest.

“I do my research. I don’t just pick up my gun and start hammering people down. That’s what makes me an assassin.”

“And not a gangster,” Juan added carelessly. “I get you. I respect you for that.”

James rubbed his brow with his thumb. He was digging himself deeper into whatever shit this was. “Listen Juan, I told you this was gonna be my last contract. I really want out after this.”

“Sure.” Juan shrugged his shoulders. “Not a problem.”

“Yeah?” James narrowed his eyes. It couldn’t be this easy. Nothing was ever this easy.

“On one condition. You leave without Anne.”

His jaw clenched. “I don’t understand. What has this to do with Anne?”

Juan smirked as he collapsed into a couch. “You know, Jamie, you were right. You,
ése
, was right about Anne.” He folded his arm behind his head as he looked up at him. “When I dropped out of university, I didn’t think too much about the small things in life like a woman to love, children, family. You know I have women. Lots of women to fuck, but none to take home to your mother, to your family.” He stopped briefly. “When I did start thinking about it, I thought nah, I had lost my chance. Fuck, I am almost forty years old. I didn’t think I would last this long in this business. But that night when you told me about her, it hit me that you were right.” He swiped a hand over his face. “Anne is beautiful. She’s perfect, and she’s smart. She maybe blind, but she doesn’t show it. In fact, when you’re with her, you forget that she is. Jamie, I have this chance with her. She won’t see my gang tatts or my scars. She is a polished woman and will love me for who I am. The man inside me. I won’t be afraid of being judged by her.”

Blood was rushing to his brain, his rage coursing through his veins. “Are you fucking with me?” he said slowly.

Juan shook his head as he stood up from his chair. “You’re a good looking man. I now understand why you never wanted to be inked. You kept your options open and I know once you left Anne, you’d find another who would fit you just as well. I, on the other hand, don’t have the same opportunities.”

James ran his hand through his hair. “You can be fucking eloquent when you want to be, Juan. And you’re always gonna be a fucking bastard too. Anne is
my
girlfriend. You can’t just walk into my house and order me to fuck off so you can get it on with her! Who the fuck does that?!”

“You think we only gangbang with guns?” Juan snorted.

James stepped closer to him with a murderous intention to wring his neck but his men moved as well. Juan stood them down quickly with a wave of his hand.

“Listen, Jamie, you’re making this hard on yourself. You wanted out, and I’m giving it to you. You fucked my sister. You even broke her heart, and if it weren’t for me, she would have ordered Anne dead. But I promised I’d get her away from you, and I like to keep my promises as much as I can.”

“And I suppose you think I should take back Avanna?” he said, his eyes growing dark, his pulse racing inside him.

“That’s for you and Avanna to decide. I only said you can go free but without Anne.”

“Fuck off, Juan, because that isn’t going to happen.”

Juan let out a puff of air. “I’ll give you three days to say your goodbyes. After that, she is mine. You’re a smart man, Jamie. You should know what to do. You’ll get your freedom like you’ve always wanted. You can go start up that business you’ve wanted to do, finish up that office you seem always to be working on, and we’ll leave you alone.”

“Anne is mine. I’m not giving her up.”

“For three days, she is.” Juan narrowed his eyes, staring directly into his. “You should know by now that we, The Pachecos love our families and I intend for Anne to be a part of that. Three days is all you have.”