Page 22 of Echoes and Oaths (Guardian Security Dynasty #4)

J inx stood hidden in the shadows of a weathered outbuilding as the sun dipped low over the Venezuelan horizon, staining the sky in rich shades of orange and violet.

The humid air clung to his skin, heavy with the scents of dust, hay, and distant smoke.

The meeting time wasn’t for some time, but he’d arrived early on purpose.

Trust wasn’t a luxury he could afford, not when Simón was involved.

Jinx leaned against the rough lumber as he thought of the last two days with Eira and Teo.

There had been a subtle shift in her attitude toward him.

He prayed that she remembered his love for her and perhaps was letting down her guard.

If she would give him a chance, he’d prove he was worthy of her love.

Raven’s voice crackled over the comms. "I told you, the perimeter’s clear. No one's followed him," she reported, the casual confidence in her tone starkly contrasting the tension twisting Jinx’s gut.

Brando chimed in, his voice slightly distorted. "She’s right. Satellite only shows you and Raven within a half-mile radius of the ranch."

"Where do we stand on identification of the personnel in the military unit?" Raven asked.

Brando groaned. "It’s not easy working with a third-world country’s identification system."

"You mean they have identification systems?" Raven teased dryly.

Brando chuckled. "They have what I would call a …

collection of photographs. As far as actual technology goes?

That's debatable. Their passport system is modern enough, though. I’ve been cross-referencing through that.

Had to use AI to fill out faces and guess characteristics based on the photos you sent. "

Raven huffed. "Hey now, I’m a damn good photographer. It’s the subjects who’re lacking."

"Yeah, okay, we’ll go with that." Brando laughed again before quickly sobering to ask, "Jinx, what do you want me to do about transport for Eira and her family?"

Leaning back against the rough wooden wall of the shack at the edge of the farm, Jinx glanced upward. Stars were beginning to prick through the bruised colors of twilight, scattering across the sky like tiny silver promises he didn’t deserve. He exhaled slowly.

"She'll leave," he said quietly, "but not until I can tell her for sure that things are about to get bad. I believe she wants to prepare the family to take over the business."

"Is she going to tell the family what's going on?" Raven asked. "Because that’s gonna leave a lot of questions, and if it leaks back to Ortega’s cartel, it could turn real ugly."

Jinx shook his head, even though she couldn’t see him. "No. From what she told me today, she’s just working on a list of chores. Things they need to do to care for the animals on the farm."

"Yeah, that sounds like something you’d do, too," Raven teased. "I’m honestly surprised you haven’t adopted the whole damn herd of milk cows."

Jinx chuckled low in his throat. "If they were being mistreated, I’d find a way to get them back to my ranch. "

Brando laughed. "Yeah, Fury would have so much fun with that."

Raven giggled, but the lighthearted moment snapped away when Brando’s voice cut in sharply.

"You've got a truck incoming."

Instantly alert, Jinx slipped deeper into the shadows, pressing against the cool side of the shack.

The comms went dead silent. He watched as the vehicle, a black SUV, the kind Ortega’s men favored, rumbled into the front clearing of the small ranch house.

Dust curled up around the tires before settling back to the parched earth.

The headlights blinked off, plunging the yard into twilight gloom. A single figure stepped out and moved to the front of the vehicle, standing still.

"He’s the only heat signature I see," Raven said quietly over the comms. She’d obviously switched to infrared.

Jinx let the silence stretch for a heartbeat longer before moving. His steps were silent on the dirt, his presence a whisper in the thick night air. He closed the distance until he was barely four feet away before Simón finally heard him and spun around, eyes wide.

"Jesus, man, you’re like a fucking ghost!" Simón gasped, hand twitching toward his side before he realized Jinx hadn’t drawn a weapon.

Jinx merely lifted his arms in a loose shrug. "Benefits of the trade, I guess."

Simón swallowed and shifted uneasily.

"Why did you want this meeting?" Jinx asked, his voice low and sharp.

Simón ran a hand through his sweat-dampened hair, his posture edgy under the oppressive heat.

"Several reasons," Simón began. "When I told Ortega you were back, he—" Simón placed his hands on his hips, searching for words. "Well, I don’t know how to explain it. The man’s paranoid. Like … he thinks the boogeyman’s hiding under his bed. "

Simón chuckled nervously, but Jinx didn’t crack a smile.

"But his paranoia’s not unfounded," Simón continued, lowering his voice. "After he kicked me out for telling him I hadn’t brought Eira back, and that you were the reason why I was empty handed, I gave him some time, I went back later, hoping he’d cooled off.

I caught him on the phone. The speaker was on.

" Simón shook his head in disgust. "The man’s a moron. Broadcasting shit like that."

Jinx silently agreed. Ortega’s recklessness had always been one of his greatest weaknesses, and a dangerous liability now. Jinx studied Simón carefully, watching the man cross his arms and spit into the dusty ground.

"I don’t know who he was talking to," Simón said, his mouth twisting in disgust. "But whoever it was, that person was inside the military unit. The way they talked … it was like Ortega has a man embedded. They discussed your connections, or possible connections, and how you might be useful."

Simón paused, his gaze cutting to Jinx with a rare flash of seriousness.

"The guy in the military said he needed to make some calls.

He wanted information on your whereabouts for the time you were not here.

About your connections … and whether you could help him with his ultimate goal.

" Simón stopped, shifting on his boots, dust swirling around his ankles.

"Not Ortega’s goal," he added meaningfully.

Jinx stiffened. That small clarification changed everything.

"I left as soon as Ortega hung up," Simón continued. "But about twenty minutes later, he called me back to his office. He told me it would be a couple of weeks before he approached you…one way or the other. He wants to see if you're back in Venezuela for profit or family."

Jinx rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the sticky heat of the night pressing down. Two or three weeks. He could work with that. It wasn't ideal, but it bought him time.

The bigger problem was Ortega having an inside man in the military. Whether he controlled or worked alongside that man would complicate everything. Jinx made a mental note to put extra pressure on Brando to identify the unknown players.

"You said there were reasons you wanted this meeting," Jinx prompted, eyeing Simón with renewed suspicion.

Simón hesitated, then said, "I know you killed Montoya."

Jinx was a master at not reacting to dangerous statements. He kept his face utterly still, breathing slow and measured.

Simón chuckled dryly. "Really. And I know because I was with Montoya’s mistress the night he died. She told me she didn’t think he’d be living much longer."

Jinx’s brow furrowed slightly. That was unexpected.

"Why’s that?" he asked, voice low.

"Because she said she told you that Montoya was alone that week.

And then, suddenly, your shift was swapped.

Which it was. I took it. And that night, Montoya was killed.

" Simón’s grin was humorless. "I’m glad she warned me.

Saved my ass from the bloodbath that happened after the news broke.

As soon as people found out he was assassinated, the fighting started. Everyone scrambling for power."

He kicked the dirt again, uneasy. The sound of insects buzzing filled the thick, humid night.

"I knew when my shift ended, I needed to disappear. I’m not too proud to admit it. I went to my mistress’s house and stayed low until most of the bloodshed was over. I threw in my loyalty card when I saw who was winning."

Simón shook his head with a bitter laugh.

"Unfortunately, it was that fucker Ortega being propped up.

Had access to arms, money, and men. Suppose he had a man in the military.

That explains how he pulled it off. He had the muscle, information, and firepower to take control from guys who were way stronger than him. "

Simón rubbed the back of his neck, looking away for a moment.

"I’m willing to make a deal with you, Mateo," he said, his voice dropping into something almost pleading. "I’ll keep you informed … leave notes in the old mailbox here at this ranch. No one uses this place anymore, and it’s on my way to see my woman.

No one will think it’s strange I’m driving this way. "

Jinx narrowed his eyes. "Why would you do that?"

Simón scuffed his boot against the dry earth.

"Before you take out Ortega, give me one day's notice. Just one. My woman and I can disappear. I’ve got some money saved. We can be gone if you just give me the time." He hesitated, then added, "And I can keep Ortega’s people away from Eira’s place, too. I can let you know if Ortega starts moaning about wanting her at the compound again. If you want to get her out, you’ll have a warning. "

Jinx stared at the man for a long, silent moment. The heavy Venezuelan night wrapped around them, thick with the scent of rain brewing somewhere beyond the jungle.

Simón shifted nervously under the weight of Jinx’s gaze. "Dude, I’ve told you everything I know. I’ve laid it all out on the line for you. You could go to Ortega tomorrow and sell me out, and I’d be dead. I’m trusting you here."

Jinx understood just how precarious a position Simón had put himself in. Finally, he extended his hand. Simón grasped it quickly, the handshake firm and sweaty under the oppressive heat.

"You have my word," Jinx said .

Simón nodded, and Jinx could almost see the tension drain from his body.

"Good," Simón exhaled, relief raw in his voice. "That’s good."

He stepped back, glancing once more at Jinx. "I know there’s no honor among thieves," Simón said, "but there is honor among men who must fight to live. I’m trusting your honor, Mateo."

With that, Simón turned and walked back to his truck. By the time he climbed inside, Jinx had already disappeared into the shadows, swallowed by the night.

The engine rumbled to life. The truck’s headlights cut through the gloom as Simón pulled a tight U-turn and headed left, back toward the small town, and to his mistress.

Raven’s voice crackled over the comms. "He said you were going to kill Ortega. Why would he think that?"

Jinx smirked faintly, even though no one could see it.

"Because he knows I’d be a better leader," Jinx said. "And he knows I’d get Eira out of here before the war starts. I’d make sure she’s safe." He toggled his comm. "Brando, get me an ID on those photos. Stat. ”

“Roger that. I’m calling in the big guns. We’ll get them to you ASAP," Brando confirmed.

Jinx turned and began making his way back across the fields, the ground soft under his boots. The night air smelled of damp earth and growing things, a reminder of the jungle pressing in just beyond the cleared farmland.

Raven fell into step beside him, her movements silent and catlike. "I’m going back to the small house," she said. "Eira’s mom still isn’t home. From what I understand, the aunt’s not doing well."

Jinx grunted in acknowledgment. Eira had told him as much earlier, and worry had clouded her beautiful eyes. They’d sent for a doctor, but the man still hadn’t arrived.

"Be safe," Jinx said, his voice rougher than intended.

"Always," Raven replied with a small smirk, veering off toward the Land Cruiser she’d parked in a hidden spot nearby. Moments later, the comms went silent.