Page 38 of Fighting for Julia (Laguna Beach Cops #6)

SOMEWHERE IN MEXICO

GENERAL ESCOBAR’S COMPOUND

Miguel and Julia

General Escobar led Miguel to a secluded arbor that provided the privacy they sought. He indicated a solid wood bench. “Please sit.”

Miguel sat and waited for him to continue.

“You’re a talented musician, Agent Rivera.”

“Sir, I mean no disrespect, but you didn’t bring me here to make small talk.”

“I like your directness.”

“Why did you send men to attack us when I was in the hospital? It was a bloodbath. Innocent people died.”

How’s that for directness?

General Escobar stiffened. An uncomfortable expression crossed his face. “I’m sorry for that miscalculation, Agent Rivera. Two, who returned, are now lying in their graves. Your government will punish the one who survived. All I can say is a kind of bewitchment was to blame.”

“Axis and Axalia got to them somehow.”

“Undoubtedly. To prevent further trouble, they are locked in their rooms under guard. Which brings us to our business. I assume Julia has discussed the proposed solutions to the Anderson dilemma?”

“Yes, sir, she has.”

“And what have you decided?”

“They pose too great a threat to live.” God forgive me.

General Escobar tilted his head. “So, it has been decided.” His jaw tightened and a dark fire burned in his eyes. “Having given this matter more thought, I will not allow my granddaughter to die. And neither will you.”

Their gazes locked.

Damn Juan. “No. Do I have your word that if the fight turns dire for either of us, you’ll allow Juan to do what I asked him?”

“Sí. On my honor, Agent Rivera, you have my word.”

Miguel believed him. “Good. We will fight without weapons. Also, it will be one match between the four of us.”

General Escobar nodded. “I will assign my best fighters to train you and Julia, although I know you’re already skilled.”

“Sounds as if you’re on our side, giving us an advantage.”

“I love my granddaughter, for she is the only connection I have to Julio. And she loves you, so yes, I am on your side.”

“Even though Julia is an agent with an organization determined to eradicate men like you?”

General Escobar flinched. “Even so. That is a bridge we will cross when this is over.” He rose to his feet. “Now, I must explain this development to the Andersons. You will play and sing for us at our feast later, sí?”

“Sí.”

General Escobar requested that Axis and Axalia be brought to the cell where he’d first met them. His beefy guards tossed them unceremoniously inside and slammed the door.

“I don’t appreciate being treated like a prisoner!” Axalia declared in an imperious tone.

“But that’s exactly what you and your brother are. Prisoners who were given too much freedom. You have placed me in a precarious position with the authorities in America.”

“That’s not our fault,” Axalia insisted.

“It is, but it’s time to get down to business. Julia is here. Now, tell me what you want from me.”

“We want you to help us achieve our parents’ vision. A revolution to rock America. Create a New America. There are members of our father’s army who have gone deep underground, but Axis and I know how to activate them.”

“A revolution to rock America?” General Escobar spat on the cement floor. “That would require years of strategic planning, weapons, and manpower.”

“We don’t have anything but time,” Axis pointed out. “We were born to do this.”

“Perhaps, but you’ve run out of time with me.

I have no intention of helping you. Your parents were delusional, so are you and your sister.

I must protect my own interests. Too many people depend on me, and I will not risk their lives and safety for delusions of power.

Besides, you have a more immediate problem. ”

“What?” Axis demanded through clenched teeth. Clearly, he wasn’t happy with being told there wasn’t any help for his plan to topple America.

“Julia and Miguel.”

“They should have already died!” Axalia railed. “At the hospital!”

General Escobar’s eyes narrowed. “So, you admit you somehow persuaded my men to defy my direct orders.”

“Of course we did.”

Her smugness sparked an immediate response.

His palm connected with her cheek. It left a fiery red imprint.

He should listen to his granddaughter and solve this problem by putting a bullet in their scrambled brains right now.

But something he’d perceived in Miguel’s eyes, a dark desire for revenge that he recognized all too well, stayed his hand.

“In three days, you will face Julia and Miguel in a fight to the death. No weapons. No mercy. This is your punishment.”

Axalia cackled like witches found in fairy tales. “Finally, someone who understands! A fight to the death!” She high fived her brother. “And when we are the sole survivors, you’ll help us realize our parents’ dream?”

You’ll be food for the pigs.

“No. I will not change my mind about that ridiculous idea. However, I will find places for you in my organization to put your considerable skills to good use.”

Axalia’s expression turned sly. If she survived, she’d take over his organization to accomplish her ultimate goal. He itched to slap her again.

“All right, General Escobar. We accept the challenge.” She smirked.

“Then it’s decided. You’ll be confined to your rooms until then.”

“What about Julia and Miguel?”

“So will they,” he lied. He called the guards. “Escort the Andersons back to their rooms. Secure the doors. No one goes in or out except me. Do you understand?”

The guards nodded and grabbed Axis and Axalia.

After his conversation with General Escobar, Miguel changed his clothes and joined the soccer game, running alongside Julia, who now wore jeans and a T-shirt.

He’d played soccer in high school, so it felt good to be enjoying the game again.

When the kids realized Miguel had skills, they elected him and Julia as captains, who picked their teams. They were evenly matched, and after two rousing games, they tied their score.

With the sun now high in the sky, it grew warm, and everyone headed inside for a siesta.

Miguel and Julia held hands as they strolled back to their rooms. They paused often to kiss and paid no mind to anyone who saw them.

In Miguel’s room, they found cold bottles of water, sweet breads, and fruit and cheese sitting on a small table beneath the windows.

Miguel pulled out a wrought iron chair for Julia and dropped a kiss on the nape of her neck.

As he helped himself to a handful of grapes, slices of mango, and chunks of sharp cheddar cheese, Miguel remarked, “It’s hard to believe we’re in the middle of General Escobar’s drug cartel. Is it possible his reputation has been exaggerated?”

“Maybe. Like you, I’m struggling to reconcile the man with the myth.” She swallowed a few sips of the cold water. “What did he say to you?”

“He realizes Axis and Axalia pose a real threat, and he’s willing to do what’s necessary to protect us. You, because he loves you, and me, because you love me.” Miguel offered a tender smile and lifted her hand to press a kiss against her palm.

“I do. Love you beyond reason.” She leaned toward him and took his mouth in a deep kiss. “What else did he say?”

“Not much. Jules, I haven’t had a chance to tell you this, but I asked Juan to shoot Axis and Axalia if it comes to that.

He blabbed to the General, but your grandfather agreed.

After our conversation, he went to speak with the Andersons.

” Miguel stood and held out his hand. “Let’s ask him what happened. ”

Julia had half-risen from her chair when a brisk knock sounded on the door, and someone pushed it open. General Escobar himself stepped across the threshold. The door clicked shut behind him.

“Sir, we were just on our way to find you.”

“I thought you’d be curious about my meeting with Axis and Axalia.”

Miguel and Julia perched on the bed, and General Escobar sat in a chair facing them. “Julia, you were right. They wanted me to use my resources to organize a revolution their parents began. I said no, for obvious reasons.”

Miguel reached for Julia’s hand. “It didn’t work four years ago, and it wouldn’t work now.”

He nodded. “I told them about the fight to the death, and they agreed to it.” General Escobar paused and addressed Miguel. “Have you told her yet?”

“Yes, sir. Just a few minutes ago.”

“They won’t survive. But there mustn’t be any doubt in anyone’s mind that their deaths were due to anything other than self-defense.

Especially yours.” He gazed at them. To their surprise, tears glistened in his eyes.

“What a beautiful couple you are. Brave. Noble. Loyal. Determined to serve humanity. Julia, the Washburns must be so proud of you. And your father…God rest his soul.” He crossed himself.

“The same must be true of your parents, Miguel. Are they still alive?”

“Yes.”

His short answer caused the General to smile. “I understand your distrust of me and am not offended by it. I hope to soon prove that I am trustworthy.” He rose and replaced the chair at the table. “Rest. We will feast in a few hours and celebrate your…somewhat unusual homecoming, Julia.”

She let out a small laugh. “Gramps, who knew you had a sense of humor?”

“I can be quite humorous.”

When he left them alone, Miguel muttered, “Hard to believe.”

Julia whispered, “Shh.”

She slid her hands beneath his shirt and lifted it over his head. She unbuttoned his jeans and pulled down the zipper. She pushed them off his hips along with his boxers. He sprang free, as hard as a rock.

“Lie on the bed,” Julia ordered. She stripped and straddled him. “Plenty of sex today. Abstain tomorrow.”

Miguel reared up and latched onto a nipple, drawing it into his mouth. He gripped her hips as she rode him. She wrapped her arms around his head and encouraged him to take her as hard and fast as he once promised her.

He complied, and they exploded together, bodies convulsing, hearts pounding, panting. Afterward, Julia slid off him. She nestled against him, and they napped.