Sounds like it.
Jacie froze. Oh, dear God. She didnt, she couldnt have My sister is an FBI agent here on vacation to visit me.
Zach still held her.
Jacie was sure, if he werent still gripping her arms, shed have fallen to her knees. Do you think she was working undercover, as well?
If so, and it was a setup Zachs jaw tightened. Apparently, theres some bad blood in both agencies.
Hank sighed. Holy hell. I was too late, then.
Zach dropped his hold on Jacie. What do you mean?
Im sorry, Jacie. Ive failed your sister. Hank reached out for one of Jacies hands. You see, Tracie came to me yesterday asking for my help.
I dont understand. Jacies head spun. Had she been walking around in the clouds since her sister arrived? My sister only got here two days ago. Why would she come to you?
She wanted help finding out who was the leak in her agency and she didnt want to go through official channels. Hanks gaze shifted back to Zach. Since you are former FBI, this was to be your first assignment.
Chapter Three
Zach rode back to the Raging Bull Ranch, a knot the size of Texas twisting his gut.
Hank couldnt be serious. To ask him to take on the FBI as his first assignment? The organization that had left him and Toni to die in the godforsaken hell of the Los Lobos cartel in the Mexican state of Chihuahua?
Captured in Juarez on assignment, drugged and transported to a squalid compound in Mexico, Zach and Toni had been tortured and starved in the cartels attempt to attain information from them about who in the FBI was supplying military weapons to their archrivals, La Familia Diablos.
Hed been forced to watch as they raped, mutilated and finally killed Toni. Bound and gagged, hed been helpless, unable to do anything to save her.
When another gang stormed the compound, theyd crashed into the concrete building where Zach had been held, giving him the opportunity to escape under cover of the night. But it had been too late for Toni.
Wounded, dehydrated and barely able to see through swollen eyes, he dragged himself out of the compound and hid in the mountains, stealing food from a farmer until he could make his way back to the States.
Two years, surgery, rehab and psychiatric treatment had healed the external scars, but the internal ones festered like a disease.
Jacie rode on the back of the four-wheeler, her arms circled around Zachs waist.
Hank wanted him to help her and her sister, who was certain to be experiencing exactly what Toni had been subjected to, if not worse. If she wasnt dead, likely she would be wishing she was soon.
No. Zach couldnt do this. He couldnt commit to finding Tracie, not when he knew the outcome wouldnt be good. Her twin would expect him to come back with a woman intact, healthy and cared for.
The arms around him tightened, reminding him that the woman on the back of the vehicle was already counting on him to help her.
As he pulled into the barnyard of the Raging Bull Ranch, he mentally prepared his exit speech. Hank, Id like to talk with you privately.
No use bringing the woman in on his cowardly departure. She wouldnt understand, and seeing the desperation in her eyes would only drive another stake through his heart.
Red and blue flashing lights shone from the road leading into the Raging Bull Ranch.
Zach, well talk as soon as Ive had a chance to bring the local law enforcement up to date on the situation. Meet me in my office in five minutes. Hank and his two bodyguards left. The foreman rode one of the four-wheelers to the back of the barn, leaving Zach alone with Jacie.
He glanced away from her, the look of worry and sadness in her eyes more than he could handle.
A hand on his arm precluded ignoring the woman. Zach, what are we going to do now? How are we going to find my sister?
There is no we. His words came out sharper than hed intended.
Jacie snatched her hand away from his arm as if shed been bitten. What do you mean? I thought Hank said you were the one assigned to help Tracie.
If I chose to accept the assignment and go to work for Hank in his insane business. Zach snorted. Truth and justice. There is no truth and justice when a guns held to your head or a whips lashed across your naked skin. I wont be a part of Hanks fantasy.
You mean youre going to turn your back on my sister and leave her to die?
Her words struck him where it hurt most. Square in his gut where guilt ate away at his insides. I cant do anything for your sister. He turned his back to her. Shes as good as dead.
No! Shes alive. Shes my twin. I can feel her presence. Jacie grabbed his arm and jerked him around. You cant just walk away. My sister needs you. I need you. I cant do this on my own. I will if I have to. But I wouldnt know where to start.
Dont worry, Hank will find some other cowboy to ride to your rescue. It just wont be me. Im not the right man for this job.
Youre not a man at all, Jacie spat out. What kind of man would run away rather than help save a womans life?
Zach rounded on her and grabbed her arms in a vicious grip. His heart slammed against his ribs, and rage rose up his neck to explode in his head. Thats right! I cant help your sister. I cant save a woman from the cartel. I couldnt save Toni and I refuse to watch it happen all over again. I. Cant. Help. Got that? He shook her hard.
Tears welled in Jacies gray-blue eyes, her long, rich brown hair falling down over her face. I get it. You have your own issues. Fine. Ill do this without you. She struggled against his hold. Let go of me. I dont want or need you or any of Hanks hired guns. Ill get my sister back. Alive! Mark my words. She shook free of him. In the meantime go find a bottle to crawl into or see a shrink. Whatever. I dont give a damn. She spun on her booted heels and marched away from him.
The farther away she moved, the more Zachs chest tightened. If Jacie went tearing off after her sister, shed end up captured and tortured, as well. What kind of fool would throw herself at the cartel and expect to survive?
The rage subsided, leaving Zach cold and empty.
Jacie was a fool. But she was a fool who loved her sister enough to sacrifice her life to save her twin.
Zach had begged his captors to torture him and leave his partner alone. Instead theyd tortured her in their efforts to drag information out of him. Sadly he didnt have the information theyd wanted and Toni had paid the price for his ignorance. His captors had wanted the name of the agent feeding their rivals information about upcoming sting operations. While the Los Lobos cartel took hits, losing some of their best contacts, La Familia Diablos got away with all their people and goods intact.
Heartsick by his own agencys betrayal, Zach had returned to the States, healed his wounds and quit the FBI. Tired of the politics, the graft and corruption.
If Tracie had been after the same person the one disloyal to his country and fellow agents she was crazy. The traitor kept his hand so close to his chest. No one knew who he was.