King’s Demands by Piper Stone

Chapter 4

Dante

“Get moving. Now. Now. Now!”

The voice of my lieutenant rang clear even over the boom of gunfire and explosions. Bombs were going off all around us, the insurgents attempting to surround the area where we’d been positioned. With one wrong move, we’d be under heavy fire, casualties likely.

Every man and woman scuttled from under the temporary cover that had been provided by the scattered and broken underbrush, shifting toward the enemy, all of us prepared to fire.

“We have one shot at this,” the lieutenant barked as he beckoned us forward to the ridge that was now within a hundred yards.

I was the first to reach the location, thumping down on the ground and aiming my weapon. Smoke was everywhere, the stench of blood and urine filtering into my nostrils. I adjusted my night goggles, blinking several times until I was able to see clearly.

The moment I noticed movement, I unleashed my firepower, shifting my weapon from left to right.

Within seconds, my efforts were rewarded with agonizing cries. The fuckers would never take us down. At least not as long as I was alive.

The memory was one I’d never forget, the brutal and vivid images of the darkness and firestorm that ensued an excellent reminder that my two lives were more intertwined than I cared to believe. There was danger on every road within the country, the soldiers loyal to Morales located everywhere. If the whispers in the New Orleans streets my brother had heard were correct, Morales had anticipated my every move.

Possibly with the exception of Julieta interfering with her father’s intentions. That remained to be seen. Whatever the case, no chances would be taken.

While the road to the airport hadn’t been blocked, no soldiers shooting at us from the dense forest, I could sense their presence. The fuckers were watching us. There was no doubt Morales enjoyed playing a game, including threatening planes ready to take off. I’d taken extra precautions, flying in under the radar to a smaller airfield. It would seem my preventative safety measures hadn’t prevented Morales from finding out a member of the King family had landed on his hallowed turf.

Carlos Morales had been a thorn in my family’s empire for almost a decade, his hold on the lucrative drug trade almost as noteworthy as his penchant for violence. Why my brothers hadn’t eliminated him years ago was beyond me. While I understood the value of keeping your enemies close, his attacks on the family were getting out of hand.

Let alone his determination to overrun our turf.

“We’re almost there, boss,” Paolo half muttered, glancing into the rearview mirror in order to catch a glimpse of Julieta. “What do you want to do with the woman?”

“She’s coming with us.” I shifted my attention to the side mirror, more concerned that we weren’t being followed.

“Are you sure you want to do that?” he whispered in his husky voice.

“I’m his property now, or weren’t you made aware of that?” Julieta stated from the backseat. She thumped against the leather, cursing in Spanish under her breath.

Perhaps the girl was having second thoughts. Or it was more likely that she’d finally begun to realize what a precarious position she was in.

“Don’t question, Paolo. Just follow orders.” I snagged another clip of ammunition, freshly loading my Glock. We were only two miles out.

As the plane came into view, I removed the safety, prepared for an attack.

We rolled in through the fence without issue, Paolo pulling the Jeep to within a few hundred yards.

“Get her on the plane,” I instructed, immediately opening the door. “And stay with her no matter what happens.”

“What about the others?” Paolo asked.

“Ten minutes. That’s all the time we have.” I got out, reaching for her hand. “Hear me, Paolo. Do not leave her alone.”

Julieta hesitated briefly, finally allowing me to pull her onto the pavement. “What are you afraid of?”

She’d returned to her usual defiant lilt and even in the darkness, I could see a smile on her face.

“Get on the plane.” I cocked my head, inhaling the remnants of her perfume. For a woman who’d obviously been trained to fight, she’d forgotten that a lingering scent became an easy target. That alone made it difficult to believe her story. I pushed her further away, glancing at the plane. The refueling truck was just finishing. At least everything seemed to be in order. I closed the door to the Jeep, keeping my eye on the entrance. I was prepared to fire if necessary.

The hum of the plane’s engine was a comforting background, but we weren’t out of the woods yet. After a quick glance at my watch, I tried to remain not only patient, but also hopeful Jarvis and the others would arrive.

Three minutes ticked by.

Five.

When it had been over nine minutes, I issued a single growl. “Goddamn it.” It was obvious they’d been taken. I couldn’t risk going after them. However, I would hunt down the fuckers responsible when the time was right.

I shifted backwards, taking long strides, refusing to leave just yet. I knew Jarvis well enough to realize that if there was a way to get out of a situation, he was the single man who could do it. Another two minutes passed. At this point, I was losing hope. I counted to twenty then had to make the difficult call.

“You were a strong leader, Jarvis. Your death won’t go in vain.” After taking a deep breath, I started to jog toward the plane. Our luck wouldn’t last but for so long.

At that very moment, I heard the screeching sound of tires as a vehicle approached. I crouched on the ground, aiming my weapon toward the center of the gates. A billow of dust prevented me from clearly seeing who was driving in through the open fence. This was an impossible situation.

After blinking furiously, I managed to make out two people. That could mean anything. Damn it. I would be forced to fire no matter the consequences in five seconds.

Four.

Three.

Two.

The dust cleared and I was able to see Jarvis’ face. He jerked the Jeep to a stop, barely cutting the engine before jumping out.

“Get out of here. They’re right behind me!” Jarvis bellowed as he raced around the other side of the vehicle. The only other passenger was Daniel. The fuckers had killed all my men. He struggled to get the injured man out, stumbling in his effort to move toward the plane.

The kind of anger rushing into me was similar to the night in Afghanistan. While our company had only lost three men, it hadn’t been without a tremendous bloody battle, a dozen other soldiers injured, some critically. It was a night I’d never forget.

And one that had shaped me for the rest of my life.

I shifted my aim as I rose to a standing position, able to see in the close distance at least one pair of headlights in the distance. “Get him on the plane. Go. Go. Go!”

“Not without you, boss.” Jarvis’ heartfelt snarl was appreciated, but not one I would accept.

Not when two of my soldier’s lives were at stake. Whether or not Daniel had betrayed me no longer mattered at this moment.

“That’s an order, soldier!” I called, walking closer to the entrance.

“Yes, sir.”

After a few seconds, I darted my head over my shoulder, able to see they were at the plane’s stairs. I waited another ten seconds, shocked the fuckers in the oncoming vehicle hadn’t made it to the airstrip. Something was off. Hissing, I couldn’t wait to figure that out. I raced back to the plane, the co-pilot waiting for me at the door.

“We’re ready to go, sir,” he stated then retracted the stairs, finally closing the door.

“Get us the fuck out of here. I’m sick to death of the tropics.” I glared at Julieta’s smug face. The girl knew a hell of a lot more than she’d told me. And soon, she would have no choice but to confess.

Or else.

* * *

My mother had told her children from the time we could understand the meaning that when something seemed too good to be true, it usually was. As a child, I’d always thought she meant that if any of us believed we could get away with misbehavior, there was always someone watching or another method of learning about our infractions.

Now I knew she’d been providing one of her many lessons in life.

The takeoff had been without incident. Not a single vehicle had raced in through the gates, firing off their weapons. There were no policia making an attempt to stop the plane. Nothing.

Even the radios had been quiet.

I remained nervous the closer we got to New Orleans. Given Morales had gunned down my men, there was no longer any doubt he’d learned we were in his country.

No, the man had another plan in mind, which led me back to Julieta’s sudden appearance. She’d remained quiet the entire time, but her eyes continued to watch me. I could sense her heightened level of anxiety; however, I was no fool. Women were the best actors. They knew exactly how to pull a man’s heartstrings.

Or his cock in my case.

I rubbed my jaw and walked closer to the cockpit, opening the door. “How’s it going?” Mark and Andy had been serving the family for years. They were one of two crews, all four completely loyal to the King family. While Mark was usually jovial, acting as if stories he’d likely been told about how merciless we were didn’t faze him, he seemed on edge. As he stared out the window, I could tell he was concerned.

“We’re eighty miles out,” Andy answered.

“What’s wrong?” I crowded further into the small space.

Mark shook his head. “I don’t know at this point.”

“What the hell does that mean?” I demanded, noticing the look Mark shared with Andy.

“The fuel gauge is all over the place,” Mark finally said.

“What could cause that?”

Andy glanced in my direction. “Could be a faulty fuel indicator, a simple fix.”

“And if it isn’t?” Rage rushed into my system.

“Could mean fuel is dumping,” Mark stated, as if I didn’t know my way around a plane.

“Which you would notice by one of your gauges or by the trail of fuel behind the plane. What the fuck aren’t you telling me?”

The sudden pull on the plane was subtle but recognizable. I moved closer, peering down at the gauges. There was nothing easily recognizable indicating something was wrong, but my instinct was already screaming we were in serious trouble.

“Could be nothing more than air in the lines.”

Andy’s words were far too perfunctory.

I thought about what little they’d told me. “What you mean to say is that the fuel could have been polluted. What the hell happened during the refueling?”

“Nothing out of the ordinary. I stood outside watching them,” Mark insisted.

If that was the case, then whatever had been added was done prior to fueling. “What company provided the fuel?”

“Petroleo Brasileiro,” Andy was quick to answer, handing me the paperwork.

I yanked it from his hand just as the plane experienced a larger jolt, rocking us enough my body swayed. “What the fuck?”

“Not turbulence. Clear skies,” Mark answered, quickly checking his instruments.

I glanced at the paperwork, trying to remember who Cristiano had contracted with. We’d never allowed anyone but privately held companies to fuel our plane, at least in foreign countries. Jesus Christ. Who the fuck was it?

“Do you have the paperwork from the last flight?” I asked, ready to fist the damn papers in my hand.

Andy narrowed his eyes then nodded, pulling out his iPad. “As soon as the flight is finished and the paperwork checked, it’s scanned into the system. Here you go.” After taking a quick glance, he exhaled. “Not the same company. I’m sorry, Mr. King. I…”

“Don’t,” I huffed, grabbing the iPad and staring down at the name of the firm. Shit. “Make preparations for an emergency landing.”

“Why?” Mark asked just as another even more violent jolt rocked through the plane.

“Fuck,” Andy half whispered. He glared down at the instruments. “We’ve lost an engine.”

“Goddamn it,” Mark snarled as he gripped the controls, trying to keep the plane from pitching to the side.

“Keep heading in the direction of New Orleans. Lose altitude. If necessary, dump into the ocean,” I instructed.

“That’s risky as hell,” Mark hissed.

“Maybe, but not as much as losing the other engine at thirty-thousand feet.”

I took long strides back into the body of the plane. We might have a wing and a prayer that we’d arrive prior to Morale’s sabotage causing the plane to crash. While the Gulfstream had another powerful engine, if my instincts were right, we were about to lose it in a matter of minutes.

Paolo and Jarvis met me at near the cockpit.

“What’s going on?” Paolo asked.

“We’ve been ambushed, only in an entirely different way. Looks like the plane might be going down.” I shifted my attention to Julieta. It was obvious she’d overheard me.

She yanked off her seatbelt, moving to a standing position. “What’s going on?”

“I think your father sabotaged the plane,” I answered in a nasty tone.

Her mouth twisted, her face paling. “He’s done that before.”

I almost laughed. She hadn’t thought to mention it. Another two minutes passed without incident.

Then all hell seemed to break loose.

The hard pull to the right was followed by a hard clattering sound. I jerked toward the opposite window, staring out at the engine. I’d been around planes long enough to know when flames were ready to erupt. “It would appear we’re going to have a fucking water dive.”

“What?” Her whisper was barely audible.

“Get in your seat and prepare for a crash landing.” When she didn’t respond right away, I snapped my head in her direction. “Do it. Perhaps your father is really ready to allow his only daughter to die.” The plane started shaking as I made my way to the cockpit. “The engine’s ready to go.”

“Sorry, Mr. King, but tell me something I don’t know. We’re not going to make it.” Mark continued fighting, both he and Andy checking the instruments. “I need to shut her down and dump as much fuel as possible or this baby could explode when we hit the water.”

“Do it. Whatever is necessary.”

As I started to walk away, I could hear Andy’s call to the Lewis Armstrong Airport. Jesus fucking Christ. Everything about this trip had been careless. I pushed on Paolo gently. “Get in your seat. Jarvis, prepare Daniel.” I glanced in Daniel’s direction, giving him a nod. “We’re not going to lose anyone else. Period.”

I moved toward Julieta, taking the seat next to her and tightening her seatbelt before yanking two vests from the compartment overhead. “You’re not going to fight me on this. This isn’t a drill, Julieta. We are going down.” I could feel the moment the engine was shut down. The pull was entirely different as the pilot struggled to keep his course while the plane began to fall.

“We’re going to die. I told you my father was dangerous,” she said with less emotion than I would have imagined.

“We’re not going to die. I won’t allow that to happen.”

“You can’t control everything, Dante. I don’t care how powerful your family is, we are going to crash.”

“That might be true, sweetheart, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to die. You have no idea who you are dealing with.” Even as I sat down, jerking the seatbelt around me, I knew the odds weren’t in our favor. No matter my bravado, we had a one in ten chance of making it.

She was stiff as she tried to don the vest, soft murmurs erupting from her lips.

The pilot slowed the airspeed, but the plane hit a round of turbulence given the way Mark was banking in. I knew exactly what he was doing, trying to avoid getting too close to the shore. We needed deep enough water to protect the moment of impact. I had to give the man credit; he was damn good at flying, handpicked because of his years of service in the Air Force.

His skills were going to be put to the test.

I forced myself into the vest, snapping the clasps then making certain my soldiers had done the same.

Julieta tensed, her breathing becoming labored. The moment she tried to look out the window, I cupped her chin, pulling her face in my direction.

“Don’t look. Just hear my voice. We’re going to be all right. If we’re separated, I will protect you. Do you understand?”

She nodded, her lovely lips pursing. “I don’t want to die. I’m sorry my father did this.”

“Brace for impact,” Andy called over the speakers.

Goddamn the situation. We would make it and when we did, there would be hell to pay.

I’d have Carlos’ head on a silver platter, enjoying the view before I fed him to the alligators.

The feeling was entirely different from an automobile crash, which usually happened in a split second. The moment of free falling was almost freeing, the impact as if all time stood still for those few seconds the entire event unfolded.

I’d been through two, the only survivor of one.

I shifted my gaze, watching as he attempted to glide toward the surface of the water. The man was skilled, but I knew the impact would be significant.

“Oh, God,” she whimpered, grabbing for my hand.

Time stood still as the plane jolted violently.

While Mark had done everything in his power to slow the plane down, I heard a tremendous cracking as at least one of the wings was ripped off. Thankfully, only minimal water started to rush in.

At least at first.

Within seconds, I realized the cockpit had taken the brunt of the landing, the water now flowing as the plane began to sink.

“Come on.” I yanked at her belt. While she was dazed, thank God she was responsive.

“What happened?”

“We’re down. We need to get out of the plane.” I glanced at the others. Paolo and Jarvis were already moving. “Get the door open before the weight is too much.”

Mark was already unlatching. I could see a stream of blood on his head.

“Where’s Andy?”

Mark shook his head as Paolo gave him a hand.

“Hell, no.” I rushed forward, the water rushing in faster. After feeling Andy’s pulse, I struggled with his belt, finally able to drag him out of the seat. He opened his eyes, pushing his hand against me.

“I’m… okay,” Andy managed, but I refused to let him go, dragging him closer to the door.

“Come on, boss. The plane is sinking fast,” Paolo called over the sound of roaring water.

I handed Andy off to Jarvis, fighting to get back to Julieta. A sudden rift pulled the plane to the right, tipping it toward the damn open door. Within what seemed like seconds, it was entirely underwater, the stream into the body of the plane coming fast and furious.

“Stay with me. You’re going to have to hold your breath.” As I wrapped my arm around her, I was shocked at the pull of the current. There must have been a significant storm the night before. Damn it.

As the seconds began to feel like hours, I knew we were being pulled further out to sea.

“Go. Go!” I called just before the water rose over our heads. The darkness was overwhelming, yet I pulled Julieta and myself toward the door, refusing to give up. This wasn’t going to be the way it ended.

I could feel her pulling against me as terror set in. Hell, no, I wasn’t going to let her go. The cold was biting, my lungs already burning. Fight. Fight.

Somehow, I managed to feel the open door, struggling as the plane continued to drift, pulling hard enough it would be dangerous just getting the fuck out of the way. While I wasn’t a praying man, I remembered something my mother told me just before I left for the war.

“You’re never too old to pray, even if it’s only for strength. Trust your heart and soul.”

I’d never felt closer to my mother than I did at that moment. I said a silent prayer, hoping that God realized I wasn’t entirely a bad man.

By some miracle or perhaps because of what little faith I’d suddenly found, I managed to pull us both free of the wreckage, the vests helping to drag us toward the surface. There were a few glimmers of light from the morning sun, just enough to allow me to become oriented. I pulled her closer, fighting my way to break through the water.

Just when I thought we were going to make it, Julieta managed in her continued struggle to get out of my arms.

No. No. Almost out of air, I was forced to get to the surface, gasping for breath as I turned in a full circle. There was more debris floating on the surface than I’d realized. Then I noticed her vest. Jesus Christ. She hadn’t strapped it against her body. I dove under again, searching the murky water, realizing that if she hadn’t surfaced, she wasn’t going to survive. There was a brutal pang in my chest, a longing to save her.

Goddamn it. The current continued to try to pull me out. I surfaced again. Everyone else was bobbing on the surface.

“Where is she!” I barked, once again turning in a full circle.

“The woman?” Paolo asked. “Not here.”

“We’re going to save her.” There was no surprise as Paolo immediately dove under the water. What did surprise me was that Daniel reacted instantly, pitching himself into the ugly abyss.

I dove underneath, more determined than ever.

One minute passed.

Two.

I was losing her.

Then I felt something. Able to catch a single glimpse, I managed to make out her now lifeless body. I grabbed her arm, pulling her to me just as Daniel made his way in our direction. Together we helped pull her to the surface. When I broke free, I immediately placed her onto her back.

“Hold her. Make sure and don’t let her go,” I ordered as I held her nose, doing my best to tip her head, blowing air into her lungs. The current and waves crashing against us only hindered my actions, debris smashing around us.

Julieta remained lifeless, her lips blue and her skin frighteningly pale.

I took a deep breath, repeating.

“I hear a boat,” Jarvis called.

Shooting him a look, I nodded, not ready to give up on her yet. “Don’t let her go,” I snarled, barely looking at Daniel. I closed my eyes, blowing into her mouth once again.

Additional seconds passed.

Jesus.

As Julieta began to cough, water erupting from her lungs, I took a deep breath, pulling her into my arms. “That’s it. I’ve got you. Just breathe.” Her coughing continued and she was barely moving for several seconds.

The sound of an approaching boat became louder. When she gasped, I eased her away, cupping the side of her face.

“What…” Her eyes seemed unable to focus for a few seconds. She clung to me, finally offering a slight smile. “Thank… you.”

“Just hold on. We’re going to be all right.” I took the opportunity to study the crash area, my rage increasing. While the seventy-million-dollar plane was a total loss, I couldn’t give a shit about the money or the loss of property.

What infuriated me was the gall Morales had in sabotaging the plane. If the asshole wanted a war, he’d just gotten one.

It was time to take off the gloves and allow the battle to begin.

No matter the loss of life.