The General's Lover, page 4
part #7 of Assassin-Shifter Series
many fucking rules to play by and in that wasted time, James is paying.”
“This is your career Derek—”
“You think I give a shit about my career?” Derek shouted.
“There’s a big difference between an honorable discharge and dishonorable one. Just play by the rules Derek, you’re retiring
anyway. I promise I will push this shit through.”
Mateo took Derek’s hand. “Go, we will find James. You know we won’t stop until we do.”
Derek ran a hand through his hair. “Goddammit! Fine, keep me informed, Mateo. I want him back alive and I don’t care who you
have to kill to make that happen.”
“I didn’t hear that.” Prescott smiled.
“Go,” Mateo shook Derek’s hand. “You know we’ve got the best nose on it.”
Josh stood with Mateo and Troy as Derek got into the Hummer with General Prescott. They watched as the two vehicles backed
up and took off towards the base. Sam whined and Troy looked down at him.
“I know, we need to get moving.” Troy petted Sam’s head.
“Yep, we are running out of dark.” Josh looked up at the sky.
Mateo looked at his guys. “Let’s move it.”
Chapter Three The pain was excruciating. James bit his bottom lip as they shoved a hot poker through his already infected gunshot wound. Lucas had been stabbed twice in the side and they had dragged him away minutes before. James looked up and smiled at Aasim; the man was angry. James had refused to speak at all and Lucas followed suit. James closed his eyes and hoped Lucas would at least die a quick death.
“You are much stronger than I thought you would be. Seems the government chose you well, James.” Aasim paced in front of James. One of his associates came running in and Aasim took him aside.
James’ head sprang up at the heated conversation in the corner. He caught a few words here and there. Aasim was whispering to his soldier. James looked at the ceiling of the cave and prayed to see Derek at least one more time. He looked at his leg and realized the poker hadn’t gone into the gunshot wound. It’d gone in right next to it. James cursed under his breath and watched as Aasim made his way back over with jumper cables. James closed his eyes and brought Derek’s face into view as the first bolt of pain shot through him.
~~ Vince watched the cave closely. They were all sitting up on the ridge, watching men coming in and out of the cave. It had taken them a day and a half to figure out the guard shift. Their target was inside; they’d spotted him in the morning.
“Everyone ready?” Vince checked his gun and made sure his knife was easily accessible.
Lorenzo nodded and looked at the rest of the team. “We take Aasim out; there will be no negotiating.” Lorenzo looked at Jay. “You are ready for this?”
“I’m always ready, old man.” Jay winked.
“I am not old.” Lorenzo sighed in frustration.
“Can we do this later?” Roman raised a brow.
“Okay, hands in.” Mason said.
“Come on! Again with the rock, paper, scissors?” Vince stood up. “I’ll go and distract.”
Roman chuckled. “You know he hates that game.”
“Because he always chooses rock,” Mason laughed and clapped Vince on the back. “You know you love this part.”
Vince smiled maniacally. “Yes, I do. Wait for the signal.”
“So, men screaming?” Jay folded his arms across his chest.
“That’s the one,” Vince winked, and took off down the side of the mountain.
“Maybe he needs a kitten?” Jay looked over at Lorenzo. “A cute, fluffy puppy?”
Lorenzo grabbed Jay’s jacket, laughing. “Come on.”
~~ James cracked an eye open, he ran his tongue over his lips and winced. They were so dry the saliva burned. Opening both eyes he tried to focus on something, anything. The room was almost pitch black; he turned his head towards the tiniest amount of light in the corner.
James tried to move his leg and almost screamed in pain. The gunshot to his leg was still open, they hadn’t even bothered to try and clean it. Fuck, he was going to die in this fucking cave. James hung his head and moved his hands and ankles in the metal shackles. As if he could run with his leg in the condition it was in. Not only that, they’d pumped so much voltage through him his legs were numb. He heard someone come in and attempted to stand. Once again there was a gun in his face and Aasim’s soldier was asking him what he knew. James looked at the man and snarled.
“Fuck you.”
“You are not afraid to die, are you?” the man asked.
James looked at the man. “No, I’m not. So please just fucking shoot me, so I don’t have to look at you anymore.”
The man laughed. “You are either very brave or very stupid. I do not know why Aasim wants you so badly, but it seems the American military wants you back. They are willing to pay a high price for your return. Aasim has not decided whether or not we are going to cooperate with them.”
James smiled.
“What are you smiling about?” The man looked at James closely.
“If they are sending who I think they are, you either kill me now and hope for a quick death when they catch you, or let me go and hope for a quick death when they catch you.” James said.
“The military plays by the rules, they will not kill us.”
“They won’t be sending the military.” James looked the man in the eye. “The people who will come don’t care about rules.”
A loud explosion went off and the man turned toward the cave entrance. He looked back at James. “The other people?”
“You better hope not.” James sat back down and closed his eyes.
James could hear more explosions going off and then gunfire in the cave. He kept his eyes closed and hoped it’d be over one way or another, and soon. The pain in his leg was unbearable; it was infected, with possible gangrene. There was commotion outside the tunnel and then someone ran over to him. James felt his face being pulled up and then someone was looking at his leg.
“Fuck, it’s infected. Radio Reece and tell him we need the medical unit set up.”
“He is an American.”
“No shit, Lorenzo, what gave it away?” Vince asked.
James felt a hand on his cheek and opened his eyes. A man was crouched in front of him looking him over. He licked his lips again. “I know you. You’re Vince Markov.”
Lorenzo sighed. “Does everyone know you, Vince?”
Vince waggled his eyebrows. “Hey, I get around.”
“Yes, I know.” Lorenzo looked around the cave then back at the man on the floor. “Is there anyone else with you?”
James swallowed hard and looked up. “My partner was with me. I don’t know if he survived.”
“Get him up and let’s get the fuck out of here.” Lorenzo walked to the cave entrance. “Is it clear, Jay?”
“Yup, just took out three more assholes. Too bad I don’t speak whatever the fuck they are speaking. Have no idea what the dude was saying.” Jay looked around, keeping an eye out for more men.
Vince took the key he had swiped from the man they had just killed and hoped it was the right one to open the shackles. He inserted the key and closed his eyes, turning it; he heard a click and breathed out a sigh of relief. “Thank God.”
James felt his body being picked up in strong arms and rested his head against Vince’s shoulder. “You have to let them know…”
“Let who know?” Vince asked.
“Derek….”
Vince looked at the man in his arms. “What’s your name?”
“James…James Pruitt. You have to tell General Jacobs you found me.”
Vince nodded. “Okay, calm down. Let us get you fixed up and then we’ll call whoever you want okay?” Vince looked down; James had passed out. “Shit, Lorenzo we need to get this guy to the infirmary like now.”
Lorenzo got on the radio. “Roman?”
“Yep.”
“Do you and Justin have the charges set?” Lorenzo asked.
“Sure do, just waiting on the go.” Roman said.
“Okay, Vince and I are leaving with Jay. We’ll give the go when we get out.”
“We’ll be waiting. Dominic and Mason found another man in the other cave. He’s an American.” Roman said.
“Shit,” Lorenzo looked out the entrance of the cave. “Get him out of here.”
“On it,” Roman said.
Vince tightened his grip on James and looked at Lorenzo. “Let’s get the fuck out of here.”
~~ James opened his eyes and blinked; a man with short sandy brown hair was injecting his IV line. He was in a bed and his leg was wrapped up. He looked around the room. Medicine bottles lined the wall and there was an MRI machine and a few other machines. James licked his lips, and was surprised to taste Chap Stick. He moaned softly and the man looked up. Kind, cognac-colored eyes smiled at him.
“You’re awake.”
“Where am I?” James tried to sit up.
“Whoa, you need to lie still. I’m Reece Costa. You’re in Italy, in our infirmary. Vince already called your General Jacobs,” Reece
chuckled softly. “Needless to say, Troy Bishop took over the phone call.”
James smiled. “I remember, Troy said you guys bailed him out once.”
Reece nodded. “Yes we did. Your general is most anxious to have you back.”
“He yelled, huh?” James smiled when Reece chuckled again.
“Yes he did. Vince does not do well when people scream at him.”
The door to the infirmary opened and James smiled as Vince entered the room.
“How’s the patient, Reece?” Vince sat on the edge of the bed. “Your general has a thing for you I think.” “What makes you say that?” James grinned.
“Because when we told him we couldn’t move you right now he started screaming at me. Then Troy got on the phone and things
went a little bit better. We’re not keeping you prisoner, we just don’t want to move you until you’re ready.” The door opened again and more men filed into the room. It was like looking at a who’s who of Keegan’s file. Most of the men they had been watching came in at once. They all smiled at him and one of them had his head tilted, looking at him.
“Hi.” James smiled. “You are?”
“That’s Chris, don’t engage him in conversation,” Vince laughed softly.
“Vince is just mad he can’t bang you,” Chris smiled, and stuck his tongue out at Vince.
“Christophe…” Dimitri sighed with a smile.
“Oh, come on, hon,” Chris sighed and smiled when James looked at him. “This is my husband, Dimitri Voronova. I’m obviously Chris Voronova.”
James forced himself to keep his mouth shut. Dimitri was drop-dead gorgeous, as were all the men lined up against the wall. It was like a “Playgirl” convention.
“I can hear your thoughts,” Chris chuckled and winked. “I thought the exact same thing when I saw them all in one room. It’s disgusting, isn’t it?”
James blushed at being caught. “Jesus,” James chuckled and shook his head.
“Anyway,” Vince cleared his throat. “We had to promise to allow them to come here. We had to put rules in place of course; we operate outside the law and don’t want, or need, any interference.”
“I’m sure Derek agreed to that right away.” James rolled his eyes.
“To see you? Yeah he did.” Vince took James hand. “You have a good man.”
“It’s not like that,” James sighed, and lay back closing his eyes. “I don’t think… shit, I don’t know anymore.”
“Well,” Vince stood up and motioned to the men. “Let me introduce you to some of the guys. Starting at the left, we have Justin Maddox, Jay Reynolds, Lorenzo Costa, Dominic and Mason Catalano, Roman Trevino and you’ve met Chris and Dimitri, already. Sorry, they are all married. I’m the only single one.” Vince smiled wide.
“Slut.” Mason coughed.
“Fuck you.” Vince chuckled.
Reece looked at the men in the room and cleared his throat. “James needs his rest guys. Can you get him some food, please?”
The men filed out of the room and Vince stayed near the bed looking at James. He smiled and took James’ hand. The poor guy was a mess.
“Whatever Derek says, he cares, a lot more than you think he does. The way he was on the phone - he was desperate. Don’t give up hope,” Vince winked and got up. “Some men just need a little more time, Agent Pruitt.”
James’ mouth fell open. “How did you…?”
“We know everything,” Vince smiled, and left the room.
“You should rest, do you want a sedative?” Reece smoothed the hair back from James’ forehead. “You’re a little warm; I just gave you another dose of antibiotics. I was able to clean your leg and you should heal just fine, full mobility.”
“Thank you,” James closed his eyes. “I am tired.” The minute his eyes closed, the darkness invaded and James succumbed to the pull of much needed rest.
~~ The next time he opened his eyes he was looking into Mateo’s hazel ones.
“Oh no, I’m dead and in hell,” James sighed, closing his eyes.
Reece chuckled, taking James’ blood pressure. “So you do know him.”
Mateo smiled and kissed James’ forehead. “Hi, honey, we were worried about you.”
“We?” James tried to sit up.
“The gang is here, somewhere.” Mateo looked around. “Derek got held up, but he’s on his way, something about the military not
liking him hanging out with outlaws.”
“Hey, I resemble that remark.” Vince leaned against the wall.
“Who the fuck are you?” Mateo stood up, hand on the gun in the waistband of his pants.
“Who the fuck are you?” Vince puffed his chest out.
“Oh shit, Vince Markov and Mateo Esposito are in the same room. Armageddon has arrived.” James laughed softly. “Down, Vince.” Reece shot Vince a look. “These are not our enemies.”
Vince crossed his arms over his chest. “Some guy named Lucas told me to tell you he’s fine.” Vince raised his eyebrows at Mateo. “Lucas survived?” James sat up this time. “I thought…”
“He was shot and stabbed, but damn the man is stubborn.” Vince leaned against the wall with a grin.
“Who’s Lucas?” Mateo looked at James.
“My old partner. When I went to the meeting, Lucas was there as an interpreter. Then all hell broke loose and the house was
infiltrated. Lucas and I managed to run out of the house, but I was shot in the thigh and they got him in the calf. I don’t remember much after that. Someone hit me over the head. When I woke up I was shackled to the wall and Lucas was right next to me,” James sighed and lay back closing his eyes. “I thought for sure they’d killed him when neither one of us would talk.”
“Well, like I said, we stitched him up. Well, Reece did, and he’s up and about on crutches.” Vince kept his eye on Mateo. “You look familiar.” Vince narrowed his eyes.
The door opened and Josh walked in with Sam, Troy and Riley. James smiled as they all hovered around him in bed.
“Where are Sawyer, Dakota and Mark?” James asked.
“I told Mark to stay at the command base. Sawyer and Dakota stayed with him.” Josh looked at the man by the door. “You are?”
Vince sighed. “Vince Markov.”
“Hey, Vince,” Troy put his hand out. “How ya been?”
“Good,” Vince gripped Troy’s hand and looked over one of the other men. He had the bluest eyes he’d ever seen, chestnut brown hair and beautiful full lips. “And you are?” Vince gave the man a once-over.
“Yeah,” Mateo grabbed Riley. “That’d be mine.”
“Nice,” Vince smiled flirtatiously. “Very nice.”
“Thanks,” Riley smiled wide. “Nice tattoos.”
“Riley…” Mateo sighed.
Josh looked at Vince Markov. “Thank God I didn’t bring Mark; you have a predator look.”
Reece cracked up. “Vince has a certain type of man he goes after, so if your man is pretty and smaller than Vince, he’d be prey.” “Mark would be prey.” Josh looked at Vince. “But, he’s my husband.”
Vince put his hands up in defense. “Hey now, I don’t fuck married men.”
“That’s true; he just fucks the rest of them,” Reece laughed at Vince’s dirty look. “Deny it, Vince.”
Vince shrugged his shoulders. “Can’t.”
“Weren’t you married to Andrei Panchenko?” Riley was putting the pieces together.
“Yes, I was; we are divorced but remain friends.” Vince said.
Mateo looked over Vince. “Who’s the bigwig in charge of you guys? You beat us to the cave by minutes. You know, it would help if we were on the same page.”
Vince shook his head. “It won’t happen. We don’t like mixing the law or the military in with what we do. It was by accident that we found Agents Pruitt and Cain. We were there to take out a key figure and, as always, we check every inch of the perimeter before we blow it. Needless to say we were surprised to find two hostages,” Vince smiled looking at James. “I’m just glad we got you out.”
“Well, we would have, if we weren’t stepped on.” Mateo narrowed his eyes.
“Maybe you should do your job better then.” Vince growled.
“Maybe you should fuck off!” Mateo snarled.
Riley took Mateo’s hand. “Babe, please calm down. The important thing is that James is safe, right?” Riley stood in front of Mateo and pulled his face down to look into his eyes. “Right?”
Mateo’s anger fled looking into his husband’s beautiful, crystal blue eyes. “Right.”
Reece gave a frustrated sigh. “Okay, James needs his rest, so if you are going to argue take it out in the hall, please. Now shoo!” Reece watched as they all left then turned to smile at James. “Jesus, Armageddon is right.”
“I told you.” James chuckled softly.
~~ Mateo leaned up against the wall looking at Vince with a scowl. He already hated the guy. He felt Riley’s hand in his and looked down at his husband, trying to smile.
