Snow Blind - Lori G. Armstrong [136]
but Buzz’s hands clamped on my shoulders. “Nuthin’
you need to see back there.”
“But, I need—”
“What?”
“My gun. I, ah, dropped it.”
Jimmer snorted. “I’ll find it.”
Buzz directed my hobble to the front of the building. I shook like a wet cat. Odd, now that I really thought about it. Where had the Hombres security guys come from? No other vehicles circled the Escalade. The passenger’s door to the luxury SUV opened. Big Mike lumbered out. Had the Trifecta of Terror locked El Presidente in his Caddy during the shootout? Don’t know why I found that so funny. I bit my lip to keep from laughing uncontrollably. Maybe I was in shock. Or perhaps simply relieved my lover hadn’t murdered the man who’d fallen ten feet in front of me. Then again, this hadn’t been a random— oh, look who showed up, let’s get him situation. This’d been a setup.
“Finally. He ’bout killed me he’s so goddamn anxious.”
“Tough.” I slapped my hand on Big Mike’s chest, stopping his flight. “What the fuck just happened?”
“Jesus. You sound exactly like him.”
“Start talking.”
His gaze cut to the driver’s side; his voice dropped.
“We knew once Jackal found out he’d try for you again.”
“Found out what? I’d escaped?”
“That, among other things.”
484
“Define ‘other things,’ Big Mike.”
“Things like Nyla.”
“What about Nyla?”
“She OD’d.” He held up his hand. “Not our fault. She didn’t tell us shit about Jackal, we let her go after the situation with you, and she went on a binge. Maids at that motel found her yesterday.”
I stared at him. Had Nyla chosen to die by drugs rather than Jackal’s hand? “What else?”
“Jimmer heard what happened with you and Jackal. He called last night to talk to bossman, to offer to help, because he thinks Tony sucks at keeping you safe. I intercepted the call because you guys were otherwise occupied. I told him to stay out of it.”
Whoa.
“Jimmer, being Jimmer, didn’t listen. He took it upon himself to follow you and Buzz this morning to see if anyone followed you.”
“And did anyone?”
“Jackal did. Personally. Jimmer was mad as hell when he called and said Jackal tracked you to both your office and the travel agency and you only had one guard. He said he was sick of pissing around with our lax security. Then he demanded Cal and Bucket get into position out here, knowing Jackal wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to go after you in a remote location. Buzz didn’t want to do it.”
My mouth dropped open. “You let Jimmer call the shots? This is Tony’s organization. Isn’t that like breaking a million Hombres ‘no outsiders’ rules?”
485
“Yes.” Big Mike pointed to his bruised face. “You think I want to get the fuck beat out of me again?
You think any of us like ignoring a direct order? No. Jackal’s had the upper hand for weeks. We’ve all been frustrated. It doesn’t help Tony hasn’t been at one hundred percent, and his worry about you is clouding his judgment. And no, this isn’t a power play from me, or Cal, or anyone else. Martinez is our leader. Period. We’re all prepared to deal with the fallout.”
“Where was Martinez when this was going down?”
“At physical therapy.”
“By himself ?”
Big Mike scowled. “No. With me.”
“Just you? Just one goddamn bodyguard?”
“You surprised he’s a real fuckin’ dickhead about not wantin’ no one around when he’s doin’ that painful shit?”
I shook my head.
“Anyway, he knew something was up. He’s got some sixth sense about that. Some comment Buzz made to him when he answered your phone struck Martinez wrong.”
What? Oh. The ice cream. Buzz had said I was getting banana ice cream. Tony knew I hated anything banana flavored.
“We were on our way back to the clubhouse when he made me pull over so he could drive, and he followed the tracker on your truck.”
“Did Buzz know about this plan?”
“Not until the last minute when Jimmer called 486
him with specifics.”
“So, I was fucking bait?”
“Yep.” Big Mike grimaced. “And we’re all gonna get our asses beat because that’s twice he’ll believe we’ve put you in danger on purpose. Jimmer left us no choice. Might be worth it now that it’s over and things can get