PART TWOAs the gray gun smoke dissipates and the house becomes dark and eerily quiet, the usual watery burn from the smoke hits my eyes. I'll take the acrid smell home on my clothes and my eyes will remain red until I sleep off the effects.After hours of preparing the SWAT team's entry, the violence is over quickly and several bullet-riddled bodies lay on the bare floor. Unlike what Hollywood portrays, there are only small pools of blood beneath the bodies. No splattered blood-covered walls, just a body count.The underground intel led us to believe there were only three men inside, but where there's one gun, there are two and with two, there are three. Training dictates you never forget the plus-one rule.The entry team suffered no injuries, though a piece of sharp, splintered wood from the doorframe nicked my face. I barely notice the sting or the thin line of blood; my attention is on the safety of my men and finding the women."Clear, clear, clear." The cries sound from othe
My light travels toward the voice, stopping three cages down on a woman with eyes squinting from the glare of the flashlight. I lower it a bit."Sorry," I say softly. "Can you communicate with them?" It will take time to bring in an interpreter and the last thing these women have is time. We need to get them out. "Yes, if your intention is good," she replies in a stronger voice."We're here to get you out," I assure her. "Do you know how many are alive?"She inhales and exhales jaggedly before speaking. "Sahar is gone, but I think she is the only one. She is next to me." Her ragged voice tears at my soul as my light drifts to the next cage.There are two hands inside-one belongs to the woman speaking; she is holding tightly to the lifeless, darkened, hand of the dead woman next to her. In all my years as an officer I've never seen anything more horrifying. It must have shown on my face in the glow of my flashlight."I... I told her I would not let go. She was so afraid." Her voi
I finally prop Hooriya against the wall by the stairs so I can help the other women."Stay here. I'll carry you up when the others are taken care of. I need you to keep assuring them that we mean no harm." Soft, soulful cries are now coming from several of the cages and we need to get them out as quickly as possible.Though Hooriya's voice is shaky, it's firm and soothing. Even if I can't understand the words, I understand the tone. A female paramedic arrives and helps assess the victims. I don't know the woman well but fully understand the tight set of her jaw as she takes in the scene and evaluates the situation. Slade and Kip carry women one by one up the stairs. I chose these two men because they are both married and known to be tight-lipped. Cops love gossip and I want to keep the women out of as much of that tongue-wagging as possible. Hooriya is barely standing on her own when the last woman is carried away. "I'm going to lift and carry you up the stairs," I tell her."No,
At my last appointment, the doctor said I could walk without the knee brace, but my stride is still tentative. I walk slowly to my computer and bring up my email account: junk mail, a short "Just to say hi" from one of the secretaries at the department, and a greeting from my mother asking when I'm visiting.I almost miss it, but buried in the fifty plus emails is an urgent message from Nathanial. Nathanial Monroe. I stare at the name and my mind drifts back in time.PastLocation: South Africa, classifiedThe team had two goals: rescue the hostages and everyone return to camp alive.I blew it and took a bullet to the shoulder. Then I was held in place of the rescued captives. I wasn't afraid, but I was one pissed off Marine.I was secured to a chair with my arms and legs bound. I knew the captain of my team would get the hostages safe and then come back for me. Marines never leave wounded comrades behind-or any comrades for that matter. They would either take me to medical car
PastI stood up from the table. When I grabbed the business card, I noticed my hand was shaking. Picking up my cell phone, I dialed the number.The voice from my memory answered on the second ring."Hello, Zachery.""Hello... Nathanial.""I'm sure you're wondering why I've contacted you."Hell yes I was. "That's a mild understatement," I replied."I would like you to be my guest for a week here at my estate. I have need of a man like you, and I was hoping we could discuss a proposition.""A proposition?" My voice suddenly bordered on insolence. What did this fucker mean by a "man like you" anyway?Deep, rich laughter sounded over the phone. The voice was no less arresting than it had been when Monroe had placed a knife in my hand. "I assure you that you will be safe and my intentions are entirely aboveboard.""Why now?" I asked. And why do you talk like you've got a stick up your ass, I think to myself."You will be going to the police academy in three months but at the mome
PastHeaven. The collection of classic automobiles was every man's wet dream. My mind could barely comprehend the millions of dollars in horsepower within the tall walls of the massive garage. Monroe walked me through the tiled floor, giving me tidbits of background about each vehicle while I tried to keep my drool in check. Yes, I said tiled and there wasn't a speck of dust or dirt on the shiny white surface. The only non-vintage vehicle that drew my attention was a new Porsche 911 GT3. It was no contest when it came time to take a car out. Monroe grabbed a set of keys from a glass case on the wall next to the door. "There is an old airport runway a few miles from here. We will head there and you can open her up.""Do you want to drive to the airport?""No, Zach, this is your chance." Monroe laughed and handed over the keys. "She is all yours for the next hour."If this was a bribe, it was a damn fine one. I had asked very few questions so far, but while I tested the strength of
"Your choice?" I asked.She looked perplexed and I wasn't sure why. "I'm good with vanilla unless sir prefers toys," she said while looking into my eyes.That word again. Vanilla. It was on my list of questions for Monroe but tomorrow will be soon enough to ask. She turned, allowing me to see her very hot ass. I joined her on the bed and we ended up using two condoms before I fell into a deep, satisfied sleep. The following morning, I woke early and extricated myself from the slender arms and legs wrapped around my body. Sara rolled in the other direction and returned to oblivion.I pulled on my pants and made my way downstairs shirtless and barefoot. I heard low voices coming from the dining room and continued in that direction. When I entered the room, I saw Monroe sitting at the table with an open newspaper and a cup of coffee."Good morning, Zach. I hope you slept well.""Yes, sir, I did." Embarrassing heat flooded my cheeks when I automatically said, "sir."Monroe's eyes went dar
PastI stayed.The photographer, Melody, was a lovely middle-aged woman. She kissed Monroe on the lips and his hands circled her ass for a squeeze as their lips and tongues danced.Pulling away but leaving his hand possessively on her ass, Monroe's gaze found mine."Zachery, this is my friend and photographer Melody. Melody, meet Zach. He will be observing the photo shoot today.""Hello, Zach. Nice to meet you." Melody's hand came out. "Have you modeled before?"Heat rose into my face and Monroe slapped me on the back."No, he has not," he said as he laughed. "But I am trying to talk him into working exclusively with me."Melody's eyes traveled over my body like I was a prime piece of meat. "You're yummy," she said with a touch of flirtation, "and I would love the chance to photograph you.""Thank you." What else could I say?Stephens showed another woman in and she was introduced as Nessia. She was incredibly exotic with long brown, almost black hair hanging to her waist. He