Jinn & Toxic (2 page)

“Another transfer, Sarg?” The tall brunette had a wide grin on her face, amusement in her gaze. Sometimes it irritated Jinn that the woman never stopped smiling and laughing.

“Pearson, the Corporal decided he wants to head to…hmmm, why don’t you pick a place and send him there this time. Perhaps somewhere in northern Alaska.”

The female commando bit back laughter, though it showed in her cheery brown eyes.

“We lose more good men that way. Funny how none of the female soldiers ever transfer out.”

“Have the paperwork done by morning.”

“Sure thing, Sarg.” She snickered, slapping her companion on his back.

He rolled his eyes. “Sir, I’m glad I’m a happily married man and not on your radar. Promise you’ll keep me around?”

“Billings, you’d better stick close by. Who’ll be on my disposal team if you don’t?”

The soldier stepped past Jinn with Pearson to collect her confused castoff. In seconds, they had him out in the hallway heading for the elevator. Before she could close the door behind them, a wave of agony ripped through her chest taking her breath away. She dropped to her knees, gasping. The smell of coppery blood and forest filled her senses as Jinn fell into a trance, feeling as though she were floating fast down a river. Cold and battered, dread filled her gut.

Between the headache and the chest pain blinding her in agony, she snapped out of it, and yelled, “Pearson
,
find out where Julie’s stationed, and do it fast!” Pearson was the only one on her staff permitted to know about Juliette Dennison, Jinn’s identical twin sister.

“Yes sir, Sergeant. Right away.” The woman’s eyes filled with concern as Jinn slid to the floor, pain causing her to pant. Her mouth tasted like dry cotton.

“Do you want Billings to stay with you?”

“Hell no! Did you find out yet?” Jinn snapped.

“I’m on it.”

Pearson knew that when she barked an order, it was to be carried out immediately, especially when it had to do with Julie. Alone, Jinn whispered, “Be all right. Please be all right.”

***

“I want answers, and I want them now. Where is she?”

“You know I can’t answer that, Sergeant.”

“Yes, you can, Major. These are special circumstances that involve Juliette. Her mission is at stake.”

“The team to which you refer does not exist, Sergeant, as well you know.”

Jinn stood at attention, feeling the helplessness of defeat, knowing her sister was in danger but not able to do anything about it. Damn military protocol anyway.

Julie was on a covert mission. The only reason Jinn knew something was wrong was due to the psychic connection they shared. Most of the soldiers in the elite groups had a psychic ability, some stronger than others. Jinn’s gift as a mentalist gave her control over other people’s minds, but she could also speak telepathically and was empathic, the same as her sister. Seldom did she use her parapsychological ability on anyone but enemies, but now and then it came in handy when a lover got too close.

Hands clenched together behind her back, Jinn fought to retain control of the pain in her chest, her head ready to explode with the agony her sister emitted. At least she was alive…for now.

“Permission to be posted to where Corporal Dennison was last placed, sir.”

“Denied.”

“Permission to take a leave of absence, sir.” Frustration ate at her as Jinn realized her commander wouldn’t let her go. She was too valuable as a commodity to the military, and they kept her under tight wraps in case she was captured and used against her country.

Major Spires stared at her for endless moments, a nerve ticking in his jaw. When he spoke, it was with his usual unbending control.

“You are to stay at your post, Sergeant. That is all.”

Jinn ground her teeth in frustration. She was as much of a prisoner as she’d been when captured by a terrorist group three years prior. Forced to use her skills against her own people, she was prepared to kill herself, but Julie came for her with a team of renegade soldiers. Julie never gave up in the face of danger, sure to disobey any orders to save her sister’s hide.

Executing a stiff about-face, Jinn left the Major’s office and strode down the hall to her own. Once she’d slammed the door tight behind her, she paced back and forth in the small room, knowing it was imperative that she find Julie soon. Her kid sister was in danger and nothing would stop Jinn from helping her.

A quick glance at the phone on her desk reminded her that it would be bugged for security purposes. She knew the Major would have no choice but to set a team of soldiers to watch that she didn’t leave. If the man had anything to do with it, Jinn would have no chance to escape the base.

Knots twisted in her stomach as she tuned into the pain Julie was in.

Hang in there, little sister. I’m coming!

As soon as she opened her door, she shouted, “Pearson, get in here.”

The soldier raced down the hall, a look of concern and determination on her face. Pearson was the only ace in her hole, the only one who would help her break away.

***

Pain like nothing she’d ever felt before radiated from her chest as Juliette Dennison dragged herself toward shore. She knew that if she stayed in the river, she was doomed to drown, her strength all but gone. Even with the bulletproof vest on, she was sure her ribs were broken from the shots. It hurt to breathe in, to move, and there wasn’t a bone or muscle in her entire body that didn’t scream out in protest, yet still she worked her way through the mud and foliage at the edge of the river to find a safe place to hide.

Jinn, need...help. Hurry.

Her silent call would be heard by her sister no matter where in the world she was stationed. Their bond was unbreakable. If not for any other reason but the pain, Jinn would know there was something wrong and try to find her. The only problem was that no one knew where she and her team were—except for the traitor who’d given them away. That was the only way the enemy could have made such a tight-knit trap ready for the moment TT&T hit the ground running.

Grabbing onto grass, leaves, branches, and anything else she could manage allowed her to inch her way onto shore. The smell of fresh loam filled her nostrils. Resting a moment face down, she tasted the dirt and grass, pain tearing through her chest.

As Julie dragged her body up the small incline into the thick bush, agony ripped through her until the world spun and all else faded from her thoughts.

***

“You will tell me what I want to know.”

A beefy fist cracked across Tab’s cheek, pain crashing into his skull as the torture continued. Tied to a chair for hours, he’d been beaten until all he could feel was the ache of never-ending agony. Unable to use his own special gift for fear the enemy would find out about it, Tab was helpless to defend himself or his team.

The bastard that led the gang of cutthroats showed no mercy as he let his men brutalize Tab until he resembled a piece of tenderized meat. At least some of my team escaped. Tab spit blood onto the pants of his latest punisher, which only made the man more furious.

“Stop, stop, amigo,” the leader instructed his man, laughter in his voice. “Don’t think we’ll let you escape by pushing us too far, Captain. If you are not alive to take the fall, then there are others in your group. Perhaps one of the two women we captured?”

When Tab remained silent, the man shouted to one of his men. “Bring one!”

“Leave my team alone.” Tab’s hoarse cry was all that was left to him as his energy wore thin. He’d lost a lot of blood from his leg wound and the pummeling rattled what was left of his thoughts.

“What was that? How impressive. I was beginning to think you were mute. Let’s see how vocal you’ll get when we entertain one of your women.”

“Fuck you!” Tab hissed. His teeth were loose enough to wiggle with his tongue if he dared. Blood dripped freely from his nose and lips leaving a metallic taste in his mouth, but he refused to give in. The smell of unwashed bodies stank so badly he gagged.

Once again a fist slammed into his chin, knocking his head to the side. The room spun as he tried to remain focused on his anger and the pain to keep awake and alive. The team depended on his strength.

When a body was thrown to the floor of the tent at his feet, he nearly groaned in dismay. Bright red hair proved it was Angel Rowling, a particularly tough soldier all of twenty years old whom they nicknamed flame. She always used her mouth before her brain. Though smart and ready to fight, she got into more trouble from her shotgun temper than anything else. She and Dennison acted like time bombs when someone annoyed them or threatened their teammates.

Hair wild, her eyes filled with hatred, she stared up at their tormentor with a blast of fury. Tab wondered, not for the first time, if she’d ever killed a man in cold blood for pissing her off. With her hands tied behind her back, Angel snarled at the leader as he cupped her chin, lifting her head until her neck arched as he made her look up at him.

“Pretty for a gringo. You will have the pleasure of being the first female to share the ground with many of my men. They are hungry for a woman’s company and you—”

“You are not only ugly, but also stupid if you think I’d share anything with you or your bloody crew.” Her words were met by her captors’ laughter.

“Such wildfire. You are as hot as your fiery hair. Don’t worry, gringo, you’ll get more than your share.”

“Leave...my...soldier...alone.” The slow, cold, bitter words escaped before Tab could help it. His teammates, especially the women, knew what could happen if they were caught. Angel wouldn’t give an inch no matter what the enemy did to her, but Tab couldn’t stand the thought of someone hurting anyone under his command, especially the women.

“My pardon, Captain, but you have no choice in the matter. Tell me what I want to know, or I take measures you are sure to disapprove of. I can always get it from your soldiers. A woman’s place is at home minding babies, not in a war. For shame that you don’t understand such a simple rule. You gringos are weak-minded and foolish in battle. Strip her down!” he ordered.

“No!” Tab was helpless, his arms tied behind his back and his legs secured to the chair. He could only watch as Angel was forced facedown on the ground, her clothing cut away from her body. Tab’s neck muscles tore from the strain of trying to get free from his bonds. Four men held her down yet she managed to fight like a wildcat, hurting at least two of them before they subdued her.

“Halt!” The leader yelled, and they all stopped in place. Angel lay on her stomach, naked and panting. Sweat and blood dripped from her body.

“Last chance, Captain. Tell me what I want to know and she’ll be returned to the others.”

Tab knew the man lied, but he stood firm. Silence filled the tent until Angel yelled, “TT&T never gives up!”

Proud of her, he roared, “Toxic to the end!”

In response, the others from the team outside shouted from where they were held and bedlam broke out…

Chapter Two: Hunt and Seek

Sunglasses in place, Jinn walked down the stairs from the commercial jetliner onto the pavement at the Oaxaca airport in Mexico, one bag in hand. The heavy, humid air was laden with the exhaust fumes from the plane and the trucks surrounding it. She wanted to hold her breath but instead moved a little slower.

She took note of every detail of the airstrip around her to ensure she memorized them for later. The small runway was lined with a number of planes while passengers walked within the designated area to get to the main terminal. Soldiers watched with bored expressions, guns resting on their shoulders.

Dressed as a tourist, she followed the others, sure to keep her expression full of excitement and curiosity when in her mind, she sought Julie.

Not one communication since I first knew she was in danger. My chest still hurts though, so she’s alive. Damn it Julie, answer my call!

Inside, the large hallway was cool with air conditioning, a shock after suffering the heavy humidity outside and the blazing heat. She breathed a sigh of relief. Not that she cared one way or the other what the weather threw at her, as long as she found Julie and got her to safety.

Where are you, little sister?

“Senora, would you like help with your bags?”

An elderly Mexican man moved closer. From the look of his baggy torn clothes and unkempt hair, he was not a wealthy man. Jinn smiled at him.

“Thank you, sir. I need a cab to get to my brother’s home. Would you mind calling one for me? I don’t speak a lick of Spanish, unfortunately.”

“My name is Manolo, but you can call me Manny. I would be honored to drive you there myself! Please, come with me.” He reached for her duffle bag, his hands worn and calloused.

“Thank you. I’m Jinn.”

She let go of her bag and followed him into the parking lot to a beat up old Jeep. Paint peeled off, and there was rust along the bottom of the doors, but it appeared to be a tough little auto.

A gentleman, he stored her belongings in the back then held the door for her, helping her inside before closing it tight. Once he’d climbed into the driver’s seat, he closed the windows and started up the air conditioning.

“Manny, did you get my orders?”

“Yes, Sergeant. Everything is in place for when we arrive at your destination. There has been no word about the team or your sister. I’m sorry.”

Teeth clenched, Jinn nodded then watched the scenery pass by. Julie? Can you hear me?
When still there was no answering call, she took out her cell phone and punched the speed dial button and called Pearson’s private number.

“Any word?”

“Sorry Sarg. Not a sound. Oh, and by the way, you weren’t gone more than an hour when the Major began searching for you. I assured him that I have no idea where you are and haven’t heard from you.”

“Keep it that way. I’m not available from this point forward. I won’t have the cell with me. He can’t track me with this disposable. I’ll be back as soon as I can to face the music. Bye.”

Jinn hung up then turned the phone over, removing the battery.

“You can keep this for me, Manny, but out of sight.”