To The Lions - 02 Read Online Free PDF Page B

as Raeford’s Super Twin Otter roared into the warm air with a full load.
    “When
was the last time you jumped?” Colonel Hunter asked.
    “A
while.”
    “Got
time for a hop and pop?   Get our knees in
the breeze outta the Cessna, clear the cobwebs out?”
    “Are
you serious?”
    “Do
I joke?”
    Gage
chuckled then glanced at his watch.   “You
said he’s paying my fare?”
    “The
itinerary they sent routes you from Fayetteville to Kennedy, then on to El
Prat.   Leaves around six this evening.”
    “Rain
check on the jump,” Gage said.   “I need
to do a wash, get a shower, and throw some things in a bag.”
    “I’ve
got your cash, your ticket, and the phone number I was given, all back at the
house.”  
    “Just
so we’re clear, sir, I’ll go and listen to him, but I’m not taking a job from
some Spanish mobster.”
    “I
know, son.   Just take the man’s money and
enjoy a free trip.”   Hunter eyed
Gage.   “They told me they’re sending
someone to pick you up at El Prat.”
    “Meaning,
you told them I was coming.”
    Hunter
smiled with his eyes only.   “Ten grand is
ten grand.   In fact, I’ve already got
your money.”
    “I
may have to run a little deception at El Prat.   I don’t like courtesy limos.”
    Hunter
nodded his head knowingly.   “Just call
the man once you’re in country.”
    “After
this, sir, wait a few weeks before you do any more favors.”
    “At
least you’re flying business class,” Hunter added.
    Gage
had been stepping into his truck but stopped.   “You’re kidding.”
    “Nope.”
    “This’ll
be the easiest job I ever turned down,” Gage said just as a bevy of skydivers
began to swoop in under canopy.
    Gage
Hartline had no idea of the temptation that awaited him in Spain.

    * * *

    Barcelona,
Spain
    Back
at the gala wedding, Xavier chuckled contentedly after sending Amando back to
his wife with the incredibly indecent proposal.   Popping a mint into his mouth, he strode back into the main hall.   Across the room, up on a platform, the bride
and groom were embroiled in the ridiculous tradition of smearing cake on each
other.   Though he’d never been married,
and would never entertain such a notion, Xavier briefly imagined what he might
do if a girl smeared cake on him.   Too
cultured to mete out her punishment in public, he would handle things
afterward, making sure she—
    Is that Redon? he asked himself, interrupting his pointless train of thought.
    Cortez
Redon was the top acusador in the
region of Catalonia—his position was similar to a state attorney in the United
States, yet more powerful.   A balding,
petite man, Redon was outwardly pompous—yet Xavier knew that, behind closed
doors, Redon was easily bought.   In fact,
they’d recently finished a transaction that had netted Redon a pile of money in
return for his not pursuing a case involving one of Xavier’s most productive
smugglers.   Redon’s obese wife was
talking to two other ladies as the acusador visibly slipped backward in the
throng, no doubt trying to find more interesting company to speak with.  
    Xavier
looked left, spotting Amando far across the ballroom, away from the crowd and near
the bandstand, gesticulating as he made his urgent point to his wife.   Feeling his arousal coming up, especially
when the wife slapped Amando, twice, Xavier turned back to Redon the acusador,
reading his lips.   He’d settled in with a
busty, striking young woman of no more than eighteen, telling her he’d “been noticing
her all day”, dazzling her with his embossed business card and fancy title,
urging her to call him if she “ever needed anything at all.”   Xavier shook his head as he closed the
distance.
    “Acusador,”
Xavier said loudly, standing directly behind Redon.
    Redon’s
neck and ears immediately reddened at the interruption.   He turned, his brow line shooting up upon
seeing Xavier.   Gathering himself, cutting
his eyes in both directions, he whispered,