Prison Break- Sibiliant Siblinbgs

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Michael Scofield scanned rows of vehicles for an ideal one to take. Since escaping from Fox River Prison, he and his brother Lincoln were on the lam and struggling to get across the border to Mexico. It was his turn to look for a car since theirs had crapped out, and since he stood out less, he did more of the outside leg work. Lincoln wasn’t far though; he remained out of sight behind a newspaper discreetly observing while he waited. Two blocks back from where he sat, the car was parked under cover along side the road. When they scored a new vehicle they would risk passing by to collect anything of value from the abandoned car including siphon the gas from it.

Michael had one gun with him, as did Lincoln, having come across the weapons earlier, they had managed to hang onto them. Only they had rationed their supply of 9mm rounds. Until it was safe to score more ammunition and even spare clips, they had to make do. First, they needed to put more distance from their previous encounter with ex-Lieutenant Bellick. The mental case had been hell bent on capturing them, and neither thought the 200 thousand bounty on each their heads was the cause of his chase.

Michael’s intense blue eyes peered under the brim of his baseball cap as he searched for a vehicle, the town of Raton was fairly spread out and easy to navigate if you knew the main route numbers. He currently stood on the 476 heading in a southwestern direction away from his brother. Knowing the city from studying a map he knew he would be just below the park area where they’d left the car.

Michael paused to look at a street sign, and feigned he was reading a posted notice attached to the pole. It depicted a lost cat, but he wasn’t interested in that, across from in a lane sat a nice parked car. It was irresistible because the tell tale sign of exhaust from the tail pipe told him the engine was running even if there were no occupants. A closer glance revealed that the owner of the car seemed to be struggling to take a woman to the car. He wondered curiously, ‘a lover’s spat?’ Not his current problem and he waited until the woman managed to break free and flee the alley from the other end.

Michael crossed the street and made a beeline for the car, wondering if the woman would escape? He wished he could give her a hand, but they needed wheels and this was the best opportunity they were going to get in this city. As he hopped inside and reversed out, he made a quick decision to pull around the street in hopes of finding the fleeing woman. Perhaps he could score her and the care? Lincoln would reprimand him good for picking up a woman with the car, but he couldn’t leave her under duress if he spotted her still in pursuit of the grease ball trying to grab her.

If he didn’t find her, at least the slime didn’t have wheels to take her wherever he intended. Michael hit the brakes nearly hitting the woman in the process as she darted out in front of him crossing the street. He leaned across the seat and whipped the passenger door open, “Get in!”

He barely made out her confused expression as she clambered past the car peering in at him bewildered. Both of them were momentarily distracted by the grease ball chasing her, “Hey!” Michael ordered, “Get in now, or I’m going without you!” A second later she slid in and slammed the door shut as he peeled away. He had to get his bearings again as he took off, needing to get his brother still on the 476, and realized he was headed for the 64, if he went north he could cut back for Lincoln.

The woman’s Cuban accent was detectable in her alarmed tone, “Who are you? How did you-.” Michael careened into a car that suddenly swerved in front of them, and slammed on the brakes again as the woman next to him screamed. The impact stunned him as the car stopped, and he made the error of assuming it was simply a motorist unaware of his hasty escape.

He looked at the Cuban woman to see if she was all right, and before he could ask, he noted the fear registered on her face. A second later a cold gun barrel was aimed at his head and clicked, “Let me see your friggin' hands asshole!” As he slowly held them up, Michael had a feeling it wasn’t a cop.

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Lincoln Burrows had to move if he wanted to keep up with his brother, and he couldn’t go far, but the tell tale signs of squealing tires only meant one thing. As he hurried over to the 64 in the direction of the sounds he heard the crash and put on speed. Scanning cars and faces for signs of his brother he suddenly noticed the two cars stopped in the road. He didn’t like the look of that, and his feelings grew with even more trepidation when he spotted his brother and an unknown woman being forced by gunpoint into the back of a car.

The first thing he noted were the cars, they were the types used by drug lords or Mafia men, whatever gangsters his brother had encountered he knew Michael was in trouble. The first thing he needed to do was get himself a set of wheels to follow them in, and he wasn’t choosy about the cars parked on the street. He swiftly got into one and ripped open the steering column to get at the wires. As soon as the car jumped to life he pulled off at a safe distance.

Michael glanced silently at the Cuban woman beside him; she trembled with such fear he had to check to be sure that she was okay. The one next to him nudged him with the gun, “Gringo, next time you wanna be a white knight, get your own wheels.” Michael didn’t respond, he studied the two slimes in the front, the driver didn’t look like he could win any beauty contests as his glance came from the rear view mirror warning, “Don’t try any shit with us Gringo, or I’ll stop this thing and put a bullet in you.”

The passenger in the front glanced back and if Michael had to guess his previous job, it would be ringing bells in the church with his head. The grease ball spat at the Cuban woman, “Your Gringo can’t help you, and we don’t care. We want your sister, you know that.” Michael cast another careful glance at the Cuban woman; they were doing a wonderful job of terrifying her.

The slime next to Michael prodded with the gun barrel again; “Can we waste this piece of crap Tito? I wanna see the look on her face when his brains splatter all over her.” It caused her to shiver involuntarily, and Michael didn’t dare move to comfort her for fear of causing trouble with the captors.

The driver replied, “Non, we gotta wait for Don Raton’s orders man.” He glanced in the rear view mirror again catching Michael’s blank expression asking, “You don’t know Rey Raton, do you?” Michael shrugged indifferently, prompting the gunman next to him to ask; “Did I say you can move Gringo?”

The front passenger turned and scowled at the Cuban woman, “Who is this piece of shit Ana? One of your sister’s friends?” Ana shook her head, but didn’t look at anyone. Michael suddenly realized whoever her sister was, she would be joining his brother in finding and rescuing them. That would be his brother’s problem for now, he had his own trouble to think about.

The gunman next to him had a hatred of him that showed, he jabbed Michael again with the gun barrel sneering, “I don’t like anyone disrespecting us, and you took Juan’s car. I don’t like Gringo’s either.” Michael nearly wanted to smart mouth at him for pointing out the obvious, but he remained silent. Casting another glance at Ana next to him, he could see she grew more terrified by the minute. It was obvious they weren’t her opposite type of crowd, and clearly didn’t belong in the mess they were in.

The bell ringer in the passenger seat didn’t turn to look back out the front as he said coldly, “Blame Valentina, she should’ve listened to Don Raton, you wouldn’t be here if she did.” The gunman next to Michael added, “Yeah, so quit your whimpering, we don’t care.” Michael found that cold and cruel, and also useless, as Ana was beyond distraught. He wasn’t sure she could be calmed by any means.

He was keeping an eye on the route they were taking, but he was sure that the last stop he’d make would be a shallow grave if he didn’t find a way out of this fast. Michael also knew he couldn’t leave this frightened woman behind, and he wondered if it was any easier to escape a powerful Don than Fox River Prison?

Valentina López knew something was wrong when she saw Juan’s car had been in an accident. Her sister Ana had not made contact with her, which could only have meant one thing…that Don Raton had sent his men to capture her sister in hopes of luring Valentina to him.

Checking her Astra was ready, she tucked it away into her purse next to the silencer, Don Raton wanted her to aid his war, and instead he was getting one. Determined and fired up, she was heading for battle and planned to take out as many of them as she could. Although she only had limited ammunition, she knew the Don had his men equipped with weapons using 9mm rounds. Once she started taking them down, she could collect her ammunition, rescue her sister and if she had the chance take the Don down too.

Not one to try and fight a heavily lopsided battle, she wasn’t foolish enough to go after Don Raton. She only needed to get her sister out, and as she neared the gangster’s house the cars pulling in told her she’d been right. She smiled viciously when she noticed Juan hanging back as point man to await her arrival. Parking up the street she moved through the gangster’s tree lined property to ambush him where he lay in wait.

Juan didn’t see her coming, until the last second, and he put his hands up, “Easy, Don just want’s to get you here, he’ll let Ana go.” Valentina asked, “So he does have her?” Juan nodded, “Her and a Gringo tried to get away in my car, he’ll only want the Gringo dead.” Valentina coldly pulled the trigger on the Astra, “Thanks Juan you’ve outlived your usefulness.”

The 9mm bullet ripped through his skull, the only sound made was the damage the bullet made after it exited the gun’s silenced barrel. Swiftly, Valentina opened the driver’s door and used Juan’s dead weight to help drop him out the car before she rolled him into the ditch with a foot, “That’s what you get for screwing with me bastardo.” Ensuring he wouldn’t be seen, she left the car as it was, but took a spare clip from under the seat.

Closing the door, she moved to where Juan rested in the ditch and cleaned him of his weapon before collecting nearby tree droppings to semi cover him. Once done, she strode purposefully back to her car, as soon as it was dark enough she would make her move. First she had a lot to plan, and she needed to memorize the floor plan of the Don’s house.

Lincoln Burrows had no desires to break his brother out of a gangster’s house, but he knew he had to. The Don; lived along the 25 near Walnut Street, but he parked way back at the park in order to foot it without being seen. He had no idea who the Don was, but he was sure his brother wouldn’t be kept alive long, unless they planned to turn him in for the bounty.

He was careful at his approach, using the trees as cover that surrounded the Don’s property, and as he made his surveillance of the area, he came across Juan, and his guard went up as he cautiously scanned the area. Whoever had come here had meant business, and he guessed it was someone for the unknown woman he’d seen with Michael.

Whoever it was, he was sure they would strike at dusk when he intended to. That meant he had only a few hours to find the person and verify they were friendly before joining up and making the rescue. He had to assume the shooter knew the gangster as he was shot point blank. The shooter also had to have been using a silenced weapon; or else it would have alerted everyone in the vicinity. Or were they already making a strike? The house was too quiet, but a silenced assault wouldn’t be noticed either. He studied the house for a moment, and noted guards on duty. Perhaps the unknown shooter was working the perimeter first?

Lincoln studied the ground for signs as he scrutinized the area, while Valentina watched from her perch in the tree. She kept her Astra lowered, but ready while she studied the new visitor. Whoever it was, kept a good poker face, but she was already getting a good feel off his deadly presence. He was someone looking for whoever had tried to take Juan’s car with her sister. She couldn’t consider him a Gringo if he was trying to get away with Ana. She knew he must’ve noticed her plight, stole the car and returned to help her getting caught in the process.

Now someone came in search of him, and Valentina knew it had to be a brother. A very dangerous one, and as she studied him while he searched for her, she recognized him from the newspapers. He was one of the escaped convicts, and she’d heard two of them were brothers. It made sense why the other one was stealing the car, unfortunately he chose a bad one to take. Luckily for him, she would go in and get them both out, if he tried to help Ana, she had to help him.

She heard when Lincoln found her car, and looked it over. Having left nothing vital in it, she didn’t care. Valentina also knew it would give him no clue as to who was out there, and she doubted he would disable it. If he wanted a nearby car to escape in, he would leave it be, and she watched as he did just that. His green eyes scanned the area, looking for her wearily. She had no intentions of showing her hand until dusk, and if he wanted to join her he could, but better had stay out of her way.

Valentina could tell he disliked not knowing who else was out there with him, and she knew as strongly as she felt his dangerous presence nearby, he sensed hers. Luckily, he hadn’t looked up much; Valentina hadn’t bothered to take too many branches up into the tree with her in order to keep visual touch with the ground. If he decided to look up at various angles, she was sure he could spot her.

He kept a perimeter of the area around the ground beneath her, and she realized he was tracking her last movements in the area, trying to pinpoint her location. It nearly amused her to watch him, and she deemed him lucky he wasn’t one of Don Raton’s men, or he would have long since been dead.

If Michael could have a chance to kill one of Don Raton’s men, it would be the one constantly riding him. He purposely egged him on by shoving Ana around, prompting him to move on her defense. His next target would be the bell ringer who taunted, “Stupid Gringo, we need the bitch alive to get Valentina here.” Tito agreed, “We don’t need you though.”

They continued shoving them along, to meet the Don, purposely keeping Michael away from Ana who looked as though she was going to lose it. The bell ringer, gangster shoved her had into the office causing her to cry out. Michael turned on him, “What’s your problem, she’s already afraid? There’s no call for that.” The gunman riding him jabbed him again with the gun barrel, “Because it pisses you off Gringo that’s why we do it.” He snickered, and Michael moved to strike him with his elbow as his hands were bound. Tito stopped him and shoved him into the room behind Ana, “Keep moving Gringo, don’t keep Don waiting.”

The Don sat behind his desk in all his glory, but Michael ignored him. He moved toward Ana prompting the bell ringer to cut him off again, “Keep away from her Gringo. You’re not one of us.” He touched Ana’s hair lightly asking, “Is he?”

Rey Raton barked, “Silencio! Enough!” Everyone froze, including Ana although she shook uncontrollably in fear. Michael noted two guards in the room with the Don who looked like twin steroid abusers.One had a nose that resembled a broken chair lift from a ski lodge. The other had long greasy curly hair, and blood shot eyes. Grimly, Michael figured he could win the role of ogre one in a horror movie any day. The Don leaned back in his chair and then waved a hand at their captors, “The three of you out!”

Glad to be rid of them, Michael glanced at the grease ball riding him only to get a sneer. The other two followed him out obediently, and Michael waited quietly as he cast a concerned glance at Ana. He wasn’t sure how much more she could endure, but at least they were still alive.

There was a long silence before Rey Raton said, “I know you, you’re a celebrity of the wrong kind in the news.” If that was a good thing to keep him alive, he’d take it and he offered quietly, “My apologies for not knowing you, I guess you don’t have any of your guys in the joint.” It brought a nod and near smile to the Don’s face, but Michael didn’t think he looked any more handsome. In fact, the Don looked like he was on his last leg, and he wondered if the man was dying of something.

Rey turned his attention to Ana who kept her gaze to the floor; he clucked his tongue, “Look at this one, complete opposite of her sister. Unbelievable.” The comment suddenly brought his mind back to his brother, and his problem…opposite of Ana meant explosive. ‘Not good’ Michael thought to himself, ‘Linc already doesn’t trust anyone, he’ll have his hands full.’

Rey continued for Ana’s benefit, “It doesn’t matter, I have no use for Ana once Valentina is here. As soon as she agrees to join me, I’ll let her go free.” Shaking his head, he paused before looking at Michael before musing, “What to do with you is another matter. Your brother and fellow inmates made a big mockery of Fox River Prison. Something so spectacular would be a shame to waste at a misunderstanding. I can see you took Juan’s car in need of a vehicle to escape in, but helping her.” He paused to glance at Ana before looking at Michael again finishing, “Is such a disrespect to me.”

Michael replied quietly, “As I said earlier, I apologize for not knowing you, or your men.” He glanced at Ana before adding, “I also helped Ana because Juan wasn’t being very nice.” Rey Raton nodded slowly as he listened, and was silent for a moment before he informed quietly, “Perhaps I can see fit to accept your apology, after all we still have Ana. Plus, I happen to know Señor Abruzzi from Chicago and understand he was part of your escape. Then there’s the assumed appearance of your brother when he finds out you are here. I would truly hate to see him come to harm if he plans for another daring escape for you. I think we can come to an agreement.”

Michael played along, “What kind?” Don Raton reclined in his chair and clasped his hands together in front of him as though about to say a prayer. ‘He better had’ thought Michael grimly, ‘because Linc would erase anyone to help them escape’. The Don replied softly, “I want you to consider a proposition, one I have offered to Valentina who declined. As you see before you, I have had to go to extreme measures to recruit her. I would like to recruit you, and your brother. With your power and intelligence, I could defeat many with ease.”

Michael knew that by dusk, his brother would strike, and he had no intention of sticking around working for this slime. He had to play along in order to survive, and he was sure the Don would foresee that. Michael asked quietly, “It’s a grand offer, one that needs considerable thought. I’m sure you’re quite aware we have the law chasing us.” Don Raton nodded, “Yes, of course I am. If you need time, you have until nightfall where I’m sure your brother will appear along with Valentina. As we expect both of them, we will be ready to pick them up. Please note that following their arrival a decision must be made, or I will simply eliminate all of you.”

‘Cocky bastard’ Michael thought grimly, ‘He assumes he can easily pick up his brother?’ He replied quietly, “I’ understand.” He glanced at Ana who had slightly calmed as no eminent danger had yet appeared. It prompted the Don to motion a hand to her, “Since you care so much you can keep her company, perhaps she will tell you about her sister’s declined offer.”

Michael didn’t think he’d get much out of the badly shaken woman, but at least he knew he could keep the other gangsters off her. He gave the Don a nod, and Rey Raton looked at greasy curls, “Take them to our prepared room, you may untie his hands. Leave a guard in the hall to watch they don’t wander.” Greasy curls replied respectfully, “Si Señor Raton.”

Michael watched as the big gangster moved deceptively fast for the door, he turned his attention to Ana who nearly seemed rooted to the ground next to him. He used his new freedom to move over to her coaxing, “Come on.” She started, but followed along with him out the door and into the hall.

Luckily there were no signs of the earlier captive goons, and they silently followed greasy curls toward the east wing of the building. When they came upon a guard, orders were swiftly exchanged in Spanish before greasy curls led them into a room. Michael noted there was one window barred, and his attention turned to greasy curls who ordered, “Deme sus mano.”

Offering his bound wrists to the beefy guard, he glanced at Ana. As she had been as still as a church mouse, and a pusillanimous, there wasn’t a need for bounding her wrists. She wearily took in her surroundings fearfully awaiting the inevitable danger she knew she was in.

When his hands were unbound he rubbed at his wrists while he watched greasy curls turn and leave taking the cord with him. The door clicked shut, and he guessed it was locked, but he turned to his most important concern for the moment.

Ana backpedaled at his approach, and he stopped, “It’s okay, take it easy. Just relax, I’m not going to hurt you. We need to work together, you can trust me.” He looked around the room noting it had basic comforts, and reached slowly for her hand, “Let’s go sit.” She followed him wearily, allowing him her hand and taking a seat next to him.

The fact that he was an escaped convict likely did bode well with her, and he softened his tone asking, “I take it your sister Valentina will never work for Don Raton?” Ana shook her head, her long hair swaying with the movement. Michael asked, “She’ll come in fighting?” A nod came, her hair swaying again, and he thought of Lincoln. Would he find Valentina and join her attack? It was still his problem; right now he wasn’t sure how Ana was. He asked gingerly, “If that happens, will you be able to run if you have to?” Her dark eyes met his briefly, and she nodded again. For a dark skinned Cuban, her face had paled, and he hoped she would manage well if and when they came.

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Lincoln knew the gangster’s killer was somewhere nearby, but they were being very careful. As careful as he was being trying to find them. It was getting late, and he wanted to strike, frustrated he scanned around him calling quietly, “Wherever you are, it’s getting late. I know you’re around here somewhere, and I want to go in. I’ll do it with or without you.”

Valentina watched with interest now from her perch in the tree; the dangerous brother made the first move. She would reply when he got close enough to where she perched in the tree. He peered for signs of movement as he shifted around below her, deciding to no longer delay the inevitable.

When she dropped down from her perch near him, he turned in a blur training his gun on her. Valentina didn’t bother to raise her Astra while she watched him He lowered the gun in surprise, but didn’t drop his guard as he watched her in astonishment.

Valentina was sure all he cared about was getting his brother out, and ensuring nobody stuck a bullet in him in the process. She cut to the chase, “They took my sister with your brother, I am also going in, but it is better to wait a moment longer for them to switch guards or you will encounter twice the trouble. If that’s your pleasure, go ahead, I’ll strike moments after while you’ve got them distracted.”

She could read him easily, and didn’t care if he found her ruthless. He did see the sense to this though, and when she could feel this, she added, “I also know the layout of the house, and where they will be keeping them. I have no objections with uniting a front against them as long as you are no trouble.”

He kept his guard up as he lowered his gun completely asking in incredulity, “Me? Trouble?” Gesturing to the Astra in her delicate hand with a nod of his head he asked, “Do you even know a thing about that gun in your hand? You realize it doesn’t come in pink?” The barb was made to tease her and she knew he was trying to discourage her from taking on the gangsters, as he wasn’t sure it was a safe job for a pretty Cuban woman like her.

Bluntly she replied, “Señor Machismo, If you wanna waste time, go talk to Juan in the ditch about how I use my gun.” Slinging proof of her abilities back in his face was intended to get him comfortable knowing she held her own. She could tell it didn’t really, all it seemed to do was give him a dangerous excitement.

If it turned him on, she wasn’t playing on it for the moment. She had to get her sister out and he was in the cards in helping. Lincoln studied her slender, petite form as he asked, “What did you do with his gun?” Valentina replied in a mocking tone, “Keeping it as a souvenir. Why? Do you want it so you can paint it pink?” He was starting to pick up on her own dangerous vibe, causing his guard to go up further, and he asked, “Keeping it to use it? Because if not I will.”

Valentina gestured with her silenced Astra, “I promise you the weapon off the first kill when we strike. I don’t intend to make a lot of noise right away.” She knew they would have a problem over this, so she added to sway him, “I also know where the guards will be stationed when they switch, and which area will be easiest to penetrate. You can’t top that.” She didn’t need to see the tiny tic starting along his jaw line to know he didn’t like the rock and hard spot he was in.

As much as he liked her, he didn’t like her dangerous power, and was concerned she would self explode. Valentina had no intention of losing, and knew if she didn’t get him on board now, their dynasty would forever be changed. This was not meant to go down this way, they were meant to clash due to similar natures. Valentina held the key to keeping it together, and needed it to play it cool. Lincoln informed bluntly, “I don’t like it, I’m used to being in charge and I really don’t have a say in it. The bottom line is, I want my brother out of there, and I intend to leave with him alive.”

Amongst the ferocious intensity, the dangerous man held, she knew his words were true. She didn’t offer a challenge to that, instead she continued her reasoning, “I’ve been in there before, I know the area. I know their routine, and I know your kind don’t like to be in situations like this with less control, but think of this. When the dust settles, and we’re out of here, you can put your ‘boss’ badge back on. It won’t take long, surely you can last.”

Lincoln’s green eyes narrowed intensely, “Give me one good reason why I should believe you. I don’t even know you Miss. Risky, or why you were even inside there before. I don’t even trust you.” Valentina knew all this, and replied calmly, “I want the same thing, to get my sister, and leave alive. Only a fool would fake a unity and attack, only to do harm once completed. The more help we have keeping them from putting bullets in us when we leave the better. As for my reason for being inside before, it was at the Don’s request. He has been trying to charm me into recruitment, and I want no part of that dirty slime. He thinks by capturing Ana, he’ll get me to sign, but he’s gravely wrong.”

She could see he found this astonishing, and nearly disbelieving, but he was nearly ready to accept it. After all, the very least the Don would love to have an attractive Cuban woman around who toted a gun like most women toted cell phones.

“They will change shifts any moment now, and you will be able to see them. Are you ready to move now?" She asked. Watching him for his reply gave her the opportunity to check him out close up

His intent stare remained and he gestured ahead with his gun, “Ladies first.” Valentina took the lead, giving him the opportunity to watch her for a change. He definitely hated the decision, but she forced his hand, and by no means could argue the point she called the shots on the strike. Back seat fighting was not the ideal place when an attractive woman was driving and he could feel it in his bones that this particular beauty could burn him good. Her intent on fighting the Don was warning enough and worst of all, he was positive Valentina knew his thoughts. Likely, right down to every little dirty fantasy his sub-conscience was conjuring up while he soaked up her form.

He’d been intent on studying how careful she moved, but being the average male, it was quite easy to get distracted. The curve and gentle sway of her hips were nearly mesmerizing. None the less he could tell she’d prowled before and well alert to danger. He’d already followed her eyes several times as they scanned processed and scanned on swiftly. She not only made herself aware of posted sentries, she searched for hidden ones and anything else out of need.

Focused now on the attack, Valentina moved as close as she dared get to give her new partner a look at the Don’s property. He followed her lead quietly and it gave her comfort to know he would be as careful as she was. It was nice to know as brute as he seemed he was able to move deceptively light and quietly.

When she stopped abruptly he stopped short of bumping into her, which he was sure would’ve been wonderful under normal circumstances. His senses were on high alert as he scanned the area around them, “What?” His voice came quietly from over her shoulder, close enough to her, to nearly make her tingle.

Sensing the guard change coming though, she earlier premonition flashed from her memory. She motioned quietly with her left hand downward as she slowly moved down out of sight. He didn’t question her as he did likewise from behind her studying the are. He surmised she’d seen something because the guards suddenly moved to make the shift change. Silently and still they took it all in, absorbing their movements intently. The men were alert to their surroundings, well aware of Valentina’s abilities, and the imminent strike coming.

While they meticulously observed, they were well aware of each other’s presence, but both focused on what they were watching. Two talked nearest them in Spanish before making the switch, and Valentina listened with interest. Lincoln didn’t try to follow it focussing more on observing he knew Valentina would pick it up easier.

When it grew quiet again, they waited while they processed the information. The unlikely duo both knew it was too early to strike. Simultaneously they looked at each other, and Valentina informed quietly, “They were talking about your appearance here, they suspect it, but not as much as they expect me. They discussed a rumor the Don may have interest in recruiting you, and were told to try not to shoot to kill, if need be.” She paused to gauge his reaction, even though she knew the offer would never be accepted.

His reaction was like her initial one, he replied in a soft grim tone, “Another grave mistake.” She nodded and informed softly, “I intend to take out these perimeter guards you just saw, first. This way we won’t have any surprises from behind. Then, strike the house from the right side there.” She motioned with a finger, and he studied the house asking softly, “Why there?” Valentina replied, “Because it’s the easiest point of entry that’s nearest to where they are keeping them. Look up and slightly to the right near the garage. See the bars on that window? They’re in there.”

He looked quickly processing the information asking, “How do you know? Did that guard you took out, Juan, did he know?” Even if it was positive, the Don could move them at any time he willed. It was risky if it was wrong; hence his nickname, Miss. Risky.

She sensed his apprehensiveness about her knowledge before he even asked, and was aware he wouldn’t like her idea of where to strike It was again her move to ease his caution, “The area around the Don’s garage is always heavily guarded. This is because his main office, weapons and supply are kept in the vicinity. The window with the bars is where they keep people they want, against their will. The rest of the house is less secured, because it is just used for regular every day purposes. It’s process of elimination; there’s no other place I know they can keep them. I am not wrong, but consider this…if I am, we are only a short walk to the Don’s office where we can persuade him to produce our siblings.” Her earlier premonition told her she’d be right anyway.

She could see he thought it was a risky chance, and didn’t like the idea of going in out numbered, but she had made a point about persuading the Don. He looked at her now, his gaze intent, “How do yo know the Don didn’t expect you to attack there, and move them elsewhere? We could be in way over out heads wading through gunmen only to fall into a trap." She expected this, and replied, “Because Don Raton is a cocky son-of-a-bitch who puts too much faith in his men. Juan is a prime example, a smart gangster would’ve gone to check on him by now and raised the alarm. He thinks Juan’s a big boy taking care of himself. He thinks I won’t shoot that slimy bastard point blank…he thinks we will work for him. What does that tell you?” The last emphasis worked, and he lightened up considerably as he nodded, “The don’s an idiot.” Pleased the disagreement was settled, she knew they would be no more for a while once they went into action. He would see first hand, her abilities and give her credit rather than treat her like an amateurish feminine. She nodded towards the nearest guard informing, “He won’t check on them, and I will keep my promise of first weapon for you. We go in silent until the first noise of gunfire. Deal?”

She extended her empty hand, and he nodded taking it with his, “Deal Señorita.” By way of introduction Valentina replied, “It’s actually Valentina, but as long as it’s not derogatory, I will answer to anything.

Somehow he was sure the new found unity would remain longer than he first suspected, and as he tried to ignore the explosive current her hand gave him, he offered, “Lincoln, my brother in there is Michael, so lets go get him and Ana out."

Having waited as long as she deemed possible while he thought about the situation, Michael watched Ana again. She had relaxed slightly, but was so tense, he knew until they were free she would return to normal. He’d pondered the idea of the Don having the room bugged, or even set up with a camera to watch prisoners. He didn’t want to tip his hand, but he needed to give Ana a good head’s up. He also could use more information about her infamous sister, Valentina, to get prepared of what to expect. He was sure Ana wouldn’t be willing to talk much, she’d barely moved, aside from trembling. He removed his hand from hers in order to slip it around her prompting her to flinch; and tense up further. He leaned near her ear soothing, “Sh, it’s okay.” He suspected it wouldn’t ease her, and noted it didn’t.

Dropping his voice past a near silent whisper he said, “I don’t know if they can hear us, and you need to be prepared. I know my brother’s going to come here fighting like your sister. Whether it’s together or not, we need to be ready.” She gave a meek nod, and he added in the same tone, “Follow my lead.”

He took her hand with his free one suggesting in a normal gentle tone, “Why don’t we move over to the window? You’re all stiff with tension from just sitting here. We should move a bit.” She followed his movement rising to her feet taking her time to move to the window.

It gave Michael a chance to take in the view and search for signs of his brother or sister. He could feel his brother was there in his bones, plotting. Although he didn’t dare try signal him from the window, he was sure his brother would spot him there.

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Once Valentina’s silenced bullet took out the posted sentry, she allowed Lincoln to pilfer whatever he pleased from the dead man. Her accuracy of the silenced shot proved to be deceptively remarkable when he saw the bullet had cored directly through the gangster’s head. Before picking him clean of weapons and arms he glanced at the Cuban beauty standing watch nearby.

She checked to see if the other posted sentries had been alerted. When he joined her, he felt slightly more at ease she’d kept her promise and he had another gun with a spare clip in his possession. He was about to ask her about collecting a stash from the next sentries she took out when he noticed her gaze, and followed it.     Michael stood in the barred window staring out at them. A dark haired woman stood with him, and he guessed it could only be Ana. From what he could make of her profile, she appeared to be distraught. Lincoln’s jaw clenched disliking the bars; they’d seen enough of them in prison. He had to turn his glance back to Valentina before the anger for the Don grew.

Lincoln could literally see the thoughts of vengeance going through her beautiful mind; he touched her arm lightly with a free hand offering quietly, “Michael will see to her, we’ll get them out.” It brought her back to focus again, and when she looked at him he added, “I plan to take as many of them down as I can in the process.” She simply agreed bitterly, “And send them all to Hell where they belong.”

They moved off for the next sentry where Lincoln got another show of precision shooting skills from Valentina. Again, while he cleaned the dead man free of possessions, she stood guard watching. He also noted the accuracy of the fatal shot. Valentina ensured each had severed necessary nerves and brain matter with a well-placed bullet before they could react. If they had a finger on their gun triggers, they never would have time to squeeze before dying.

Valentina’s gaze had returned to the window, as long as her sister was alive, there was no alarm and Michael appeared to be sincere in comforting Ana.

A sudden vision of Michael’s thoughts flashed in Valentina’s mind. He admired her sister’s innocence and had empathy for her. He had warm intentions toward her, and would be respectful to her. There were also signs of passion, but it was all she could pick up for now.

Lincoln moved next to her again informing softly, “I’d like to keep this gun too, to give to my brother, any objections?” She looked at him now, knowing Michael did indeed intend to see to Ana, he would keep her safe, and definitely need a gun. She nodded, and he checked it over asking softly, “I suppose there’s no point in asking if your sister up there will use one?” Valentina replied, “A waste of breath, she’s afraid of guns, hate’s violence, and starts easy.” Surprise registered in his expression, but now wasn’t the time to ask about their paternity.

Instead, he continued to focus on their task at hand as he looked around again, “I’d like to hold onto whatever weapons we come across. Any objections to that?” She shook her head, “I only have two hands to shoot with and only need one gun now. I could use some ammunition from those spare clips. They’re all 9mm.” He nodded, “Next one’s yours, I’m keeping these.” She shrugged, “As long as they’re picked clean I don’t care what weapons you take. Better you to have them than one of these assholes picking it up off them to use on us later.”

She knew he agreed to this and wasn’t surprised when he nodded, and then motioned with a gun, “He’s next, he looks like he spooks easy and might start shooting at shadows.” Valentina agreed silently, and started off, she knew the alarm would go off when she got to the house. So taking the sentries out wouldn’t be difficult.

There were times when Valentina’s ability to predict things and foresee thoughts of others came in handy. At the moment, she more than sensed his interest in her as he eyed her while they followed. As much as she admired him, she wasn’t so sure of their outcome together when it was finished.

Michael peered down through the property of Don Raton. He gently pulled Ana close, and said softly into her ear, “My brother is out there, I can feel it.” Ana hadn’t spoken a word since moving with him to the window, but her dark eyes moved along the trees surrounding the property. She suddenly shivered involuntarily in fear and he looked at her in concern.

Ana turned her head from the window tensing, and he glanced curiously before asking, “What’s wrong?” Her voice came small and with alarm, “Valentina is coming, and bringing Hell with her.” He suddenly realized she knew they’d be running soon, and all hell would definitely break loose.

Michael kept a glance out the window as he replied softly in her ear, “Just stick with me, you’ll be okay.” Ana knew the arrival of her sister would be a war, and she took hold of his shirt front cringing softly, “You don’t understand, she’s going to wage a bloody war here when she comes.” Michael realized he didn’t understand he’d never met a woman gun fighter that could wage a bloody war. He expected it to be similar to any gun battle Lincoln had been in with him, only a little worse as the odds were stacked.

A chill went up his spine, he realized Valentina would systematically un-stack the odds while his brother picked through the dust. He held her lightly trying to keep her calm soothing gently in her ear, “She’s on our side though, we just have to get out alive that’s all. Stick with me, I’ll make sure you’re safe. Just follow my lead and don’t panic.” Ana tried to remain calm, but she was sure when the explosive arrival of her sister came, everyone would be panicking.

Lincoln watched as Valentina kept watch for sentries while she moved over cautiously to her latest victim. Luck had nothing to do with killing this man before he could nearly squeeze off a round from the gun in his hand…it was all skill. As Lincoln followed closely, he too kept an eye out for anyone, but there was one sentry left in the perimeter, and he was busy smoking.

Valentina pried the gun free of the dead man’s hand. Looking it over, she flipped the safety on before offering it to Lincoln. With his hands already filled with guns and one in his waistband for his brother, he’d had no other place to stash another. He gestured with his filled hands, “Out of room, can you take it?”

He eyed her purse slung cross way over her adding sheepishly, “I never thought I’d say this, but you ladies need to carry bigger purses.” He was sure Juan’s gun had been stored in hers leaving no room for another. Valentina unbuttoned her jean jacket, and slid the gun into the inside pouch silently. She was well aware of his intent gaze as she rifled through the dead man’s pockets grimly

Don Raton had forced her to kill, and this was part of the job she disliked. She vowed to get the gangster one day if not tonight. She found the spare clip, but nothing else of interest, and slid the clip in with the gun. When they were finished with the last sentry she would reload the clip in her Astra. They would also need to regroup and plan before striking.

When she joined Lincoln again, he was watching the barred window, his brother and Ana had moved. He scanned the area they had intended to strike at and wondered just how many of them they would take out before blowing their cover.

Valentina nudged him in the arm with an elbow, “One more, then you can look at them.” He followed her to the last sentry searching for signs of others in the area they might have missed. He didn’t let his caution go up when she stopped again to take aim, as like the previous times he watched her steady two handed Weaver’s grip on the Astra. He knew her accuracy was 100 % and scanned for anyone, watching her back.

When the guard went down, he surveyed with scrutiny in case someone had noticed. Like before, none had, and he cautiously followed Valentina to the downed guard. This would be where it got hairy; any moment for them from then on could be noticed. He watched as she did the same as before clearing the dead guard of weapon and clip. Searching for anything else, as they’d come across some cash.

Trying to remain cautious and wanting to admire her in fascination as the Cuban beauty swiftly removed the magazine from her gun and unloaded the 9mm rounds from the spare clip before putting them into hers. A second later she had the magazine loaded back into the Astra ready for action. She definitely knew the Astra intimately because she had the hammer down so all she had to was simply pull the trigger for her next silenced shot.

She then quickly familiarized herself with the newly acquired Browning ensuring the clip was full and the weapon was ready. She carried it in her left hand as she rejoined him. Lincoln wasn’t sure what she could do with both weapons in hand, but he wasn’t about to question it. Valentina asked quietly, “Where did you park?” He replied softly, “Along the 25, off the road, it’s hot though. We’d be better off making an escape with your car.” Valentina replied in correction, “Don Raton’s sister’s car, but if we get to it, we can. I was just thinking ahead in case we get cut off in departure.”

Lincoln mused softly, “It’s a run, but we could make it, if not I’d take the first thing on wheels to get out of the area.” She nodded, “Good, then we agree on how to leave.”

She never doubted that, in fact, from her own premonitions, she knew the fireworks would start when they escaped. It would be the issue of trusting each other, and as long as she didn’t hold a gun to him, she knew he wouldn’t put a bullet in her.

She surveyed the house as she informed softly, “There’s only so many I can eliminate with out the others noticing. The one’s nearest the garage that I mentioned earlier will be highest on alert. I was thinking of a distraction to get in close.”

She looked at Lincoln suggesting, “Juan’s car?” He watched her in surprise asking, “You want to drive that in here Miss. Risky?” She shook her head correcting, “No, I want you to drive it in, first sound of gunfire. It will distract the others long enough for me to take them out. Then I can meet you at the entrance nearest where they are being held. It’s a service door.”

Perplexed Lincoln asked quietly, “You want me to go get that car and drive it in when your cover is blown?” She knew he’d dislike the idea, but also knew how to sway him. It would wind up later being a problem with him. Nodding, she replied, “Yes, I’ll save some gangsters for you, don’t worry.” She pointed at the house; “These two here on the roof, and that other guard around the side will be silenced. That leaves the two stationed at the garage, the one on patrol, and two others at the main door.”

Lincoln nodded, “That’s five gunmen I’ll be leaving you with, I’m not leaving you to face them alone.” Valentina informed, “Three, if I get one by the garage, they will be surprise. I can take the other right away before going for the guard there on patrol. It leaves you the ones on the main door and around that side. If the cover is blown you'’ distract them with Juan's car. Park it near the main door, I have cover from the men at the front door that way.”

Lincoln asked in near disbelief, “You’re going to take out all those guys all by your lonesome while I sit on my thumbs back there in the car? What if you run into trouble?” Valentina asked, “Such as what? I might break a fingernail using two guns?” She gestured with her Astra adding, “I’m well aware this isn’t a trip to the salon we’re making Señor Machismo.”

Lincoln didn’t want to waste time arguing even if the comment and name worked to annoy him now. Instead, he tried to get her to see sense to the idea and motioned to the gangsters Browning she held with the one he had, “Do you know anything about using that weapon? It’s double-action you know.” She could see he disliked leaving her, and feared the worst could happen.

Valentina didn’t like standing there arguing either and replied quietly, “The Browning BDM carries 15 rounds like my Astra, and has this handy ambidextrous safety catch right here which is useful for our purpose tonight. It is also possible to modify the action to provide single-action only, but I really don’t give a damn as long as it kills those bastards that have my sister. I also happen to know it’s impossible to get it in pink, with matching holster. So, can we do this my way? It may even cause them to believe we are not working together if we go in separate.”

He swayed to change his mind, and she felt it. Lowering her voice she added softly, “I still promise you can be in charge again when we’re out.” Lincoln somehow doubted that, since her persuasiveness was too damn good at getting him to agree to her ludicrous plan. He let out a weary sigh as he stared at her and she continued, “Come on Señor Machismo, you’re gonna get a chance to shoot at them too, in a few more minutes. I’m not gonna be mad if you wind up with a higher kill than me.”

The name didn’t annoy him as much this time as he realized it was more meant as an affectionate tease. He needed her direction to get his brother out, and reluctantly agreed, “Okay, but I need your word we meet at that door. I’m only doing it your way because you know your way around here.” She agreed, “Deal, and I promise you if ever I get into trouble, I’ll fire three shots consecutively into the air.”

She foresaw no reason to waste the bullets, but he agreed to the signal with a nod, “Deal.”

She asked softly, “You saw Juan’s car? You know where it is?” He nodded, “Right as you left it.” Valentina informed, “It was okay when he drove up and parked there. The keys still inside, I can give you 10 minutes to go back and check it out. It’s dark enough if you want to move it closer, keep the lights off. I can look for the roof lamp when you get in. I know it’s not disconnected.”

He admired her intelligence and tenacity. Reluctantly though, he nodded, “Ten should do.” He gave her one last long glance before moving off and disappearing through the trees. It wasn’t sitting well with him, leaving her back there by herself, but she had the silenced weapon, and he couldn’t object.

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Valentina turned her attention to the guards, watching for the sentries while she waited. It would be several minutes for Lincoln to get back to Juan’s car, so she used the time to study the guards. As her keen perceptiveness told her, Lincoln didn’t put all his faith in her abilities. This would change shortly when the real shooting started. They would have some intense moments before getting their siblings out to safety, but nothing like the ones following that. It would take time for him to trust her and once he got his control again it would be difficult to get along for a while. They weren’t destined to separate right after the escape because they all avoided the same gangsters. It made more sense to stick together, plus Michael would see her and her sister as useful ally’s to keep them from getting caught by the police. Plus, she knew he truly cared about her sister.

Valentina looked back in the direction of Juan’s car keeping her acute ears trained for sounds of sentries. When she saw Lincoln’s signal with the roof lamp she would move closer into place.

Lincoln easily found his way back to the car, grimly contemplating their next plan of action. As long as he could get some help getting in, he couldn’t knock it. The dangerous woman could do just that, but in the same heartbeat, get them all killed. Like all women he knew; Valentina was capable of manipulating him, and he hated that since he didn’t trust her.

If he could trust her, it wouldn’t bother him, as much since he manipulated people too, in order to get what he wanted. One thing he wished he had time to work on, was why he cared about leaving her out there on her own? He still had to go in for his brother; dead, alive, or immobilized, Valentina shouldn’t have been a concern to him. If anything, he should’ve felt sorrier for her poor sister caught up in a place she clearly had no desire to be in.

Getting her out safely should be a bigger concern than leaving Valentina on her own, yet it wasn’t. Which told him she’d already gotten under his skin. Easy enough to happen since the Cuban beauty had all the curves in the right places. He’d have to be a blind, celibate, priest not to like Valentina’s perfectly dangerous form. He surmised; this was the main reason for his concern in leaving her, if she died tonight it would be one hell of a shame.

Lincoln studied the road, and knew he had a way to go, to get Juan’s car near enough to be ready. He hurried back up the road towards the car, if he had time, he hoped to check it for some kind of satchel or something to hold more confiscated weapons.

He couldn’t resist his greediness, as an escaped convict, weapons were tricky to come by without the cops getting all over him. These were also free, and if they wanted to, they could sell the extras for cash and make a good bundle. He spotted the car, and through the opened window, reached in and popped the trunk when he arrived. A light came on in the trunk, which he promptly smashed out. He didn’t need it to look into it, there was plenty enough moonlight to show him the contents. He’d already spotted what he was looking for, a duffel bag Juan obviously used for the gym.

Lincoln promptly dumped the contents into the trunk and once emptied, slung the duffel across his torso. He nearly grimly smiled at his previous remark to Valentina about needing to carry a bigger purse. He realized if she had a chance when she saw the bag, she would retaliate. It was time to move the car now though, and he swiftly closed the trunk and moved for the driver’s door yanking it open and checking out the interior.

He needed to have the roof lamp lit long enough to grab Valentina’s attention. He figured once he got a good look at the dash in front of him and the interior he could put the light out permanently. No need to have it on afterward, as soon as he opened the door again, if it came on, they would see it wasn’t Juan getting out.

Michael allowed Ana to pace with him to help keep her from winding up too tight with fear. The pacing helped him to think, and keep Ana moving.  He figured when Lincoln came he would bring a collected weapon for him, or they could pick one up on the way out. What he needed was something in the room to use as a weapon. He was sure as soon as the shots started; the guard from the hall would come in and collect them to bring to the Don. They hadn’t turned a light on in the room in case a camera had been placed inside to watch them. He didn’t look around too obviously for something useful to get the guard with.

Ana was less apprehensive with him, which he was pleased about. The pacing seemed to help, and they kept to the same circuit in the room. Each time he paused momentarily to look out the window, where he thought he’d seen a camera. As he noted before, the room had basic comfort. Two chairs a small table and single bed in the corner. A light switch on the wall likely operated the single bare bulb in the ceiling of the middle of the room.

The window had no blinds, and there was no washroom. He guessed they had to be taken to one, and if he’d been alone, he would’ve asked to go when his brother was likely to strike. That was going to be soon, and he couldn’t leave Ana locked in this room alone. His best bet was the single bed in the corner, and the only way to give it a good inspection was to use it.

Perhaps there was a nice spring he could break into an awl shape to use? He gently whispered into Ana’s ear, “I need to find something to use on that guard in the hall when he comes in here after the commotion starts.” She gave a nod, but gripped his shirtfront again and he continued softly in her ear, “You have to trust me. I want to see if I can pull a spring from the bed in the corner, or find something to use. I just need you to follow my lead, and keep me covered in case they’re watching.”

She nodded again, and he was about to guide her over when he noticed the tiny light out near the road. He stared at it for a moment wondering if it was his brother? There was no time to think about how he was doing, and he gently guided Ana over to the bed in the corner.

Valentina saw the roof lamp and gave Lincoln several extra minutes to get the car up the road closer to the entrance. In the mean time, she needed to take out the sentry in the tree line nearest to her first If all hell broke loose if she wasn’t accurate in her shots at the roof guards, at least this one was out of the way.

She had to wait for a moment to take out the sentry because he had nervously began a pace that took him too close to the others at the garage. They were all anxiously awaiting their arrival, and Valentina didn’t want to disappoint.

When he finally moved back to his original spot, she took careful aim, and fired. The roof guard nearest turned back to look, but the others didn’t. She wondered what aroused his suspicion? She watched quietly where she slay in wait, and when he deemed it safe and moved on to pace along the roof, she carefully made her way to her latest downed guard.

Relieving him of his weapon and spare clip, she found no other valuable things on him. She took the time to push him out of view though, before returning to the spot she’d chosen earlier to make the shots at the roof guards.

She’d already taken into account the distance, and wind factor, the angles, their movements, velocity; and the target acquisition between them. This was where her skills were truly going to be tested, and she watched their pacing before carefully raising her arms to test a dry run with the Astra.

The sentry pacing nearest her in the open needed to be facing away from the roof. The best angle for that was when the guard reached the end of the garage nearest to their entry door. She waited aiming between the two sentries on the roof as a test to line them up accurately while they moved.

Seconds ticked past as they moved anxiously waiting. All she needed was one dry run to ensure it would be perfect for the actual shots. The guard on the ground reached near the point she wanted and Valentina swiftly adjusted her aim to the first guard on the roof saying softly, “Bang.” Then to the other taking aim, he might notice, and freeze, giving her time, “Bang.”

She looked at the ground sentry as he turned to pace back. He might notice the 2nd roof guard go down, or even be alert to not seeing them up there. If so, he would cause a distraction to the guards at the garage. Would they move to turn and look up? Foolishly, they might, regardless; Valentina would make the hits when the guard sentry paced back to her designated spot.

Although seconds, turned to minutes, and ticked past, she had enough time to practice her aim, and calculate all the factors. If she failed, she still had the cover of the trees, and time to take out the roof guards before they reacted. Plus, she was sure Lincoln Burrows was champing at the bit to get in and give his own justice. It would be soon, and she too was raring to go.

Lincoln was in place and ready to go, while he peered around wondering what had taken so long? He hadn’t anticipated Valentina getting captured, but it would explain lack of gunfire. He doubted there was no way she could take them all out with a silenced bullet and make entry on her own.

He was more than antsy while his thoughts wandered. If she’d been caught, and brought in, he couldn’t see it from where he was stopped. He’d simply give her another ten minutes before driving in without waiting for gunfire. It would be enough time to factor in if she hadn’t gotten a clear opportunity at the roof guards.

If he was early and caused confusion, so be it. It wouldn’t hurt at that point anyway because she’d need his help regardless. It might even benefit her if the roof guards took notice of him pulling in. They would pause to watch allowing her a clear shot.

In fact, he wished they’d thought of a distraction timed right on the road to do just that. Too late now, and it was getting later. He glanced at the clock on the dash, she had five minutes left and he was going in.

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It was difficult to attempt a feel of the single mattress beneath them when he was supposed to appear to be feeling Ana. The other problem Michael worried about was if they were being watched; it would suddenly become very intense as no man resisted a peep show of any kind appearing intimately before them. They had to be cautious that he wasn’t caught searching for a spring to pull, and luckily this mattress had plenty.

The other worry was how fast he could work one loose and get it ready before the guard came? The one factor in his favor was the making out, wasn’t quite an act for him. Sure he had tremendous feelings for Sara, but this was here and now. It was also much to good to pass up, and as afraid as Ana was, she followed his lead so delicately and beautifully.

She could trust him because she knew he worked at a spring just under her shoulder where it threatened to pop loose. She moved her left arm up around his neck in order to give him room to work the spring free. He tried not to let the movement or the tastes of her mouth distract him as he worked the spring free. The next step was to turn it into a weapon he could conceal in his hand and easily use to jab the guard.

The ends of the spring were fairly sharp, and he blindly worked at one end to break it off while they made out. How long before they would suspect it wasn’t going any further than making out because it wasn’t real? Or would they suspect they didn’t want to go further in case the guard interrupted? Regardless, he was sure they had to have cameras because he’d seen several in the hall. He was sure about a hidden one in the windows of that room. They’d want to be certain nobody escaped or planned in there. If he was wrong, so be it, he was definitely enjoying being that cautious now.

The spring was pliable to bend, and Michael continued to do so at the same spot to break it off. It was nearly ready to break apart, and he hoped that he at least got that much done before the alarm was sounded.

Valentina took the last few seconds to calmly breathe and mentally prepare for the kill. Carefully taking aim with a two handed Weaver grip on her Astra; she marked the first sentry in her sights. She took a swift glance at the pacing sentry nearing the door where he would soon turn. Looking back through her sights she adjusted her aim on the roof sentry who paused to look out at the road

Remaining focused, she stroked the trigger and saw him starting to drop. Swiftly she turned to the other guard on the roof, which paused to take in the fall of his partner. Once in her sights, she caressed the trigger again putting him down permanently.

She quickly turned her gaze to the other guards noting the two at the garage didn’t appear alerted, but they watched the sentry who paced. She looked at him, and noticed he too looked in the direction of the road. She guessed Lincoln was doing something to distract their attention so she decided to get to work.

Lincoln didn’t think that Juan would care if he ripped the rearview mirror from the windshield, after all he definitely didn’t need it. Once off, he slid out the open window and sat on the door window frame before using the mirror to catch the moon light in its reflection, sending it towards the Don’s house.

It wasn’t a full moon, but he didn’t believe in ghouls. All he cared about was causing enough distraction to give Valentina the opportunity she needed to strike. He wasn’t sure how long he should continue reflecting the light toward the house, but it entertained him while he ticked down the last two minutes before he would simply drive in.

Valentina picked up the Browning BDM in her left hand as she took aim at the guard curiously watching the road from his post at the garage nearest her. The Astra locked on his sights, she fired taking him out before moving to the other one who became alarmed as he looked at his partner and reached for his weapon. ‘Some heads are gonna roll’ she grimly thought as she got him in her sights. She tried not to tense before she fired, but prepared to move because the ground sentry would likely lock onto her position

The second guard went down easy, and she moved as the one on patrol fired blindly in her direction. The first rounds rent the silent air like the start of a firework show, but she’d long moved before any could strike her. Her goal was to move nearer the house so the other roof guards to the left side had no visual on her.

While she moved she watched the ground sentry point at her old position shouting his alarm, “Ahi, ahi!” He fired again, and Valentina paused to take aim at him while they were all distracted. Heads were definitely rolling as she focused in on him with the Astra. She heard Lincoln arriving, but remained set, taking out the patrol sentry with a silenced shot. No point in giving them a better chance to find her.

It silenced the guard permanently, but alerted the others again to see him suddenly drop. Valentina kept on moving only breaking the cover of the trees near the house. When the sentries from the front of the house moved from the steps and assumed Lincoln was Juan. They moved for the car for cover while they pointed at where she had previously been calling, “Ahi!” Valentina hadn’t anticipated two guards suddenly emerge from the door they’d planned to meet at. Luckily, the two guards hadn’t had time to react to her. She used both guns to take them down, and heard a shout from above. Tracking it, she used the Browning to fire rounds for emphasis to keep the guard back.

Lincoln stepped on the gas when he heard the shots, and floored it when he heard the shouts. He saw the two other guards on the left of the roof appear and then noticed the two on the front step moving to take cover behind the car approaching while they pointed. Lincoln could’ve thanked the guards for telling him where his beautiful partner was, but he was busy. He fired on them while he squealed to a dramatic halt catching one in the chest, and sending the other down hitting him in the leg.

Bullets suddenly riddled the car from above and he quickly rolled to the passenger seat and kicked the door open tracking as he rolled out taking out one gunner on the roof mid run. He didn’t have time to watch him continue flailing right off the roof in a death dive. The other continued across towards Valentina, and he watched as she fired upward at him in his direction where he stalked her.

Taking aim, he fired at him when the sentry ducked back and put him down permanently. He wanted to ensure the one he’d hit in the leg earlier was out of the fray, and moved just in time as the gangster painfully took aim from the other side of Juan’s car over the hood.

Lincoln continued his movement backward from the passenger door, and aimed through the interior out the windshield at him. He didn’t care if the bullet hit the man; he simply wanted him occupied. It worked because he fell back in a grunt and Lincoln rolled over the back of the trunk to the other side. He felt bullets buzz past him from behind, but he had to leave it for now. First things first, he took out the gunner on the other side as soon as he had him lined up. This time the wounded gunner went down permanently.

Moving swiftly to the driver’s door, he glanced up through the interior in time to watch Valentina return fire at the two gangsters at the far right side of the house. Not one to be left out, he too fired on them giving her time to get clear. She used their designated doorway for cover and he swiftly moved to collect the two weapons from the dead men on his side of Juan’s car and tossed them into the duffel, before going to join her.

She was busy taking aim at someone inside, luckily she’d remained just inside because the gunners at the end of the house were firing on her again. They were so intent on Valentina, they didn’t see him and he let loose with both guns grimly watching as one fell, and the other ducked back.

He reached the doorway as Valentina used a foot to move aside the prone dead gunner at her feet. He’d tumbled down the stairs toward her into their way. Shots rang out at the doorway, and Valentina instructed quickly, “Let’s see how strong you are, put him out there as a shield.” He liked the idea, and cleared the man of his weapon before doing just that

The pesky gunner at the corner of the house saw the sentry he hoisted in front of him and fired into the dead man’s torso giving Lincoln time to fire back accurately dropping the guard permanently. He left the dead guard he held where he dropped him no longer needed outside the doorway, and followed Valentina who was already making her way up the stairs. They couldn’t waste a moment longer, or the Don would have Ana and Michael moved before they got to the room.

Michael knew at first gunfire, the sentry in the hall would come for them. The others would race to guard the Don, but the ones working the security room would be a while before reacting. That is if they still watched him and Ana in the room.

Of course he had been correct in his assumptions and the guards were indeed watching the room from the monitor. Gathered around in excitement calling out tips and tricks of advice as though they would be heard. They didn’t even notice the gunfire, or when Ana tensed.

Michael had the broken spring ready, and conveniently moved from her mouth to her ear whispering, “Don’t worry, keep going until a guard unlocks the door. When he comes in I’ll take him.” It was difficult to pretend they couldn’t hear the muffled shots, he wasn’t sure when the guard in the hall came, but he was ready.

It took several seconds for the door to unlock and open before a guard entered looking alarmed before scowling at them on the bed. He roughly grabbed Michael’s arm ordering, “Hasta arriba!” Michael swung the hidden spring up into the guard’s jugular following through with his motion upward. Surprised, the guard let him go and grabbed at his throat gurgling as his lifeblood quickly drained from him. Before the guard hit the ground, Michael relieved him of his gun before turning back to Ana who watched mortified by what she’d just witnessed.

Hoping she wasn’t frozen in terror, he moved back to her careful not to give her a start. He took her hand saying softly; “It’s time, let’s go.” Ana didn’t know what else she would witness, but she knew she didn’t want to stay there. Terrified she followed him to the door.

The guards in the security room finally saw something was up when Michael struck the guard and quickly became alert. Having been enthralled in the dim scene on the monitor it was a complete surprise, and their comments abruptly halted. The distraction had been long enough to keep them from directing guards and getting to the scene before Valentina and Lincoln could make entry. By the time the dispatched men arrived, it was chaos, and way too late to recover. The most they could do now was join the others in the attack and hope to die in battle or the Don would have them dead for their goofing off.

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Valentina knew that there could be trouble entering the hall, she’d already used the pause at the door to reload both guns, and was ready to take a shot in the hallway. Lincoln joined her about to take a look, but she shook her head. She removed the spent clip she’d put in an outer pocket, and tossed it gently onto the floor just outside the stairwell door in the hall.

Gunfire erupted from both ends of the hall at the clip and Valentina quickly counted the angles and shots before whispering, “Three, your side, two mine, maybe more. The Don’s office is this way.” He could see for himself how many guns there were and their positions.

When the firing subsided, they each took a side and returned fire. Valentina was quicker and faster locating her two men and took them out quick stitching one across the chest. The Astra hit home with a silenced bullet through the other’s heart.

She turned in time to watch two more gunners appear and noted Lincoln already had his hands full. She didn’t hesitate to step into the hall and fire down the hall clear of her new partner. The Browning cored one man’s head; the Astra again made its mark as both went down quickly. Luckily, Lincoln didn’t flinch a muscle aside to shoot when she fired. He was just finishing up with the last of the three.

“Linc!” Michael called as he checked the hall. Seeing it was as clear as it ever was would be; he guided Ana out. Spotting each other, Valentina hurried to meet Ana who moved quicker. Covering them, Valentina called, “Come on, let’s go.” They moved past her, and Valentina gave her sister a nudge with her elbow as she followed watching the hall.

Lincoln only moved as far as the hall as he covered the other end. While he watched the end, he took cautions glances at his brother and Ana, hurrying them as he noted gunmen. Valentina was already shooting again, as soon as she saw them appear. One silenced bullet entered a gunner through the nose, the Browning chewed up the other’s chest as he flailed backward onto the ground. It was done before Michael could turn to help, and seeing they were down, he continued on allowing Valentina to cover them.

When he turned to look again from the top of the stairs, Lincoln ordered, “Just keep going, she’s fine.” Valentina was more than fine as she followed carefully watching the end of the hall. She could hear shouts from various parts of the house now and guessed the men had finally reacted and were ready to converge.

Reaching the stairs Lincoln instructed, “Go, I’m right behind you.” She was already moving and met up with her sister again at the bottom while Michael checked the outside. He looked back when she stopped and glanced at Lincoln behind her informing, “Come on, it’s clear.” Valentina pushed past him instructing, “Stay between us, watch my sister.” Ana started to follow, but Michael hesitated in surprise. Lincoln shoved his brother along by the shoulder; “Better do what she says.”

They struck out to the nearest section of the surrounding trees when Valentina suddenly halted and tracked with both guns as she shouted, “Keep going, I’ll catch up!” Although the guards had finally converged inside, she sensed something was converging outside. They were getting themselves organized in the attack.

Michael didn’t see anyone, but it didn’t mean there wasn’t a shooter there. He pulled Ana along racing for the cover. Valentina spotted what she sensed coming and opened fire on the suddenly arriving guards. Sensing Lincoln slowing to help she ordered, “Go!” Lincoln had enough of her stealing all the thunder and opened fire taking out two more gunmen suddenly appearing. Valentina had just been about to fire upon them when she stopped short to let him finish. She moved on, knowing the alarm was sounded, and every available man was being sent.

Lincoln followed as she continued behind Michael and Ana. When they reached the cover, they stopped where Michael and Ana had. He had no idea which way to go and watched in surprise as Valentina turned on Lincoln asking, “What part of GO didn’t you understand? I had them!” Lincoln replied in a snap, “Your welcome, next time I’ll let them put a few holes in you so I can carry you out.”

She turned and moved off, “Never mind, this place will be crawling with these vermin. Let’s go.” As she passed Michael he promptly followed with Ana guessing his brother and the beauty gun expert hadn’t quite gotten along yet. Lincoln followed focused on flank duty while Valentina forged ahead. She had easier duty, as there would be no guards to encounter. Valentina knew they would encounter guards again, they were still literally not out of the woods.

Michael had a job watching Ana, their terrain, and for danger, but he followed the fiery Cuban without question now. He’d seen enough to know she could handle her own. When she suddenly stopped again, she pulled back to them, “Down!” Lincoln didn’t know how Valentina knew the guards were catching up, but didn’t have time to think about it as he started firing hearing the chatter of the Browning she used to take out guards.

The silenced Astra was also making its mark silently. Not to be left out, Michael brought his own collected Browning into play firing at the guards trying to cut them off, he warned, “They’re closing ranks on us!” Valentina knew if she didn’t move; they would be surrounded. Rather than argue with Lincoln, she moved to Michael and her sister instructing quietly, “I’ll cut them off, help your brother. He knows where the car is, he can take you.” Ana became alarmed, “No! Valentina!” It was enough for Lincoln to hear and recognize something was afoot, but he was in the middle of a gun battle with the guards.

Valentina moved off on her own, forging ahead using the silenced Astra only to take out these guards. They were too busy setting their sights on the muzzle flashes, and shots of the Browning’s to notice her. They also were focused on closing them in, and weren’t aware she was moving silently.

Having noticed the new bag Lincoln carried, she knew she could make peace with him by grabbing up weapons. Her concern was the ammunition supply though. They would need more spare clips to win this battle and she relieved as many fallen guards as she could of them as she cleared a path for them to catch up to her.

Lincoln reached into the bag and pulled out a spare clip tossing it to his brother in between a lull as he searched for Valentina. Michael ejected his empty clip tossing it as he informed, “Went ahead to clear the way for us, and by the looks of things, doing a fine job. Less advancement in front.” Lincoln cursed, “Shit! Let’s go!” He led the way and they followed not a moment to soon as the gunfire again erupted around their previous position. Michael held off returning fire again to give them time to waste ammo on their recently departed area thinking they were hunkered down there.

Valentina reloaded her Astra using the 9mm bullets from several partially spent clips. She knew where she hunkered down to take out the approaching guards would get hairy soon, but she also knew the others would arrive soon. Her stockpile of weapons and magazines in front of her, she took a moment to ensure each Browning had a full clip. She heard Lincoln nearby and tossed an empty clip in his direction whispering loudly, “This way Señor Machismo.”

Only only one guard nearby observed her, but she shot him before he could do anything. The silenced bullet cored through the man’s head sending him down quickly. She knew another guard noticed this one go down and tracked him with the Astra as he moved to check. Stroking the Astra’s trigger again, the silenced bullet ripped through the man’s skull keeping him silenced permanently. Heads were still rolling, and she hoped the Don was counting them.

Other guards noticed their friends were missing, noticing the movement and called to them. Michael recognized one of the voices. It was the bell ringer, the one that purposely shoved Ana, and touched her hair. He was going to find out for whom the bell would toll. It was one kill; Michael was going to enjoy. He paused to track the bell ringer zeroing in on his voice as he called again to his friend.

Ana cowered next to him wincing as she waited for the gun to fire. Michael didn’t care if this shot woke up the entire neighborhood; he fired and watched as the bell ringer took the bullet smack into his ugly face. He heard his brothers curse, but was busy moving himself and Ana clear of the area toward the sound.

As Lincoln dropped down next to Valentina he watched as she systematically took out the sudden advance of guards with silenced bullets. Spotting her stockpile, he quickly deposited them into the duffel leaving a clip he could exchange for the Browning he still carried.

Quietly he mused, “Well, you’ve been house cleaning, nice.” She continued to pick off approaching guards as she replied, “Are you finished your inspection Señor Machismo? I could use some help.” He finished with the clip and joined her in laying down plenty of cover fire for his brother and Ana to move in. The cover took out guards along the way; either permanently or downed so they couldn’t advance.

With the cover blown from gunfire, Ana reclaimed the Browning to use again, with their position compromised it was difficult to down the guards as easy, but they still fell. They held back the guards as Michael got Ana safely to them, and Lincoln took a moment to reload while Valentina continued to pick up the slack and pick off guards.

Lincoln gestured with his head, “Car’s out near the road in that direction. As long as you can get to the road, we can find you again in case you can’t spot the car. Go!” Michael had an itch to take out Tito and the gunman prodding him and didn’t necessarily want to leave.

When he saw the grim intent on Valentina’s face, he knew she would serve up some kind of justice for him and Ana in their absence. He looked at Lincoln replying quietly, “Kick ass Linc, don’t be long.” Lincoln handed him a readied Browning, “Back up, go!” Taking it, he slid it away in his waistband before guiding Ana off toward the road.

The air was thick with cordierite and Lincoln glanced to see how many more were left. His glance caused him a hit from part of the shrapnel where the tree cover was chewed up by bullets. The tree sliver simply nicked his jaw, but woke the sleeping giant within him. Rather than wait for Valentina to pause to take up the slack, he joined her taking aim at the guards. One of them was going to pay and he didn’t care which one, he’d take them all to hell.

That was when he realized she did the same as he. Carefully aiming with her right hand while shooting less accurately with the left for cover. Her silenced bullets claimed at least two more guards that he could see, but his intent was to take down his own selection.

They paused at the same time to reload, and as Valentina tossed her spent clip in their direction for good measure, she asked, “You wouldn’t happen to have any spare grenades on you?” He guessed she’d tossed the clip to make them think that, and as he handed her a fresh clip from the bag he asked, “Flash bang, fragmentation, what kind?” Valentina took it, and loaded it into the Browning replying, “M67 would be nice, but anything I can cook off and toss at those pigs besides empty clips so we can go.” He wished he had time to tease her, but this was no moment for that.

She noticed his nicked jaw and suddenly added, “It’s the least I can do in rebuttal for that awful shaving job they did on you.” He remembered his jaw, but didn’t check it. Instead, he suggested, “How about one more dance before we take off.” She motioned with her head; “You lead.”

Michael got Ana to the road, but stayed along the side in case they needed cover of the trees. He suddenly remembered the tiny light at the road he’d seen from the window. It had been near here, and he studied the ground to look for tracks a little too late as Ana gave a muffled shriek noticing Juan’s corpse in front of them. She cowered as he pulled her close quickly, “Sh, it’s okay.” He surveyed the area quietly and thought for a moment.

Ana turned away from the body near to him cringing as he absentmindedly put his free arm around her while he estimated where the car they sought would be parked? Not closer to the drive, further back, the direction Lincoln nodded in. He guessed the estimated distance and carefully guided Ana around the body, “We’re almost there, stay calm.”

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Lincoln instructed, “Go, I’ll follow.” Valentina disagreed, “No, you go, I’ll follow. I gotta silenced weapon.” He paused to reload his gun teasing; “Yeah, but they aren’t interested in your body. I am though, so get it going out of here before it gets filled with holes.” Valentina compromised, “We both go, when you’re done playing with your gun.” If they hadn’t been in tremendous danger he would’ve been amused and excited, but he simply agreed, “Deal.”

They broke away at the same time as soon as he was ready, and took off in a fast pace for the road. Neither stopped to turn back and return fire as they took the rough terrain rapidly and near recklessly. The shots were off now, but before they finally reached a mark, they hurried on.

Lincoln recognized the area Valentina had left the car in as soon as he saw it, and broke for the road. She followed right on his heels where they reunited with their siblings. Michael relaxed when he saw it was them. They had to be the only people coming like that out from the trees. He’d placed himself in front of Ana, just in case, but moved to take her hand, “It’s them.” Seeing their hurry, they started again spotting the car and hurried for it. He moved to uncover the basic camouflage of the tree branches as he instructed to Ana, “Get in.” She didn’t hesitate to climb into the back as Lincoln and Valentina caught up.

Lincoln gave Valentina a prod to the open back door, “In.” She nearly replied, but knew every second counted. She joined her sister in the back and closed the door as Lincoln tossed the duffel into the front and followed it in behind the steering wheel. Michael was already entering the passenger side as Lincoln surveyed the interior dash looking to start the car. He noticed there was no key, nor sign of hot-wiring it. Valentina instructed, “Under the visor Señor Machismo.”

He wasted no time pulling the visor down and snatching the keys. A second later he had the car started and pulled off the side of the road being careful to not get the car stuck before it made it to the asphalt. Once there he floored it and Valentina relaxed, there would be no more danger for them. She put the safety on the Browning before she reached over the front seat and set it in the bag between the brothers. Both cast curious glances and Lincoln asked, “Isn’t that a little premature?” She moved back in her seat next to Ana commenting, “It depends on what you’re talking about.”

She looked at her sister, not bothering to wait for a reply and put her arm around Ana asking lightly, “That wasn’t so bad was it? You didn’t get hurt.” Ana shook her head; and Valentina soother, “It’s okay now, they can’t catch us.” Michael kept his eyes on the mirror, as did Lincoln who asked, “How can you be so sure?” Valentina turned to gaze at him catching his glance in the rear view mirror. A sudden premonition of him using Juan’s mirror told her how he’d distracted the roof guards earlier.

She didn’t comment about it as she replied, “Because most of them are either dead, or in the woods far from vehicles. Unless they sprout wheels when they reach the road, they can’t catch up. So chill out Señor Machismo.” Michael’s eyebrows rose with surprise, but he didn’t comment, instead he watched his brother as he asked, “Linc, where are we going?” Lincoln replied, “Just putting distance between them and us, after that we can stop, regroup, and move on.”

He too had sensed the imminent danger was over, but didn’t agree aloud. Instead, he glanced at Valentina from the mirror, catching her gaze and he asked, “Any objections?” She shook her head, “No, you got your boss badge back, we will follow.” Michael could plainly see what the Don meant about the sister’s being so opposite. It made him think about Rey Raton and he asked curiously, “I suppose neither of you confirmed a hit on the Don?” Valentina replied first, “I couldn’t be so lucky, but there is always next time.”

Surprise etched across Michael’s face as he looked at Lincoln who silently shook his head in answer to the question. Michael looked back at Valentina asking, “Next time? As in what? You plan to go back and finish him off tonight?” She watched him with amusement, “A brilliant idea as nobody expects their attackers to return only hours later, but Don Raton won’t be there. He likely will leave once he knows we’ve escaped, and he’s punished his men.”

The fact that she even contemplated the idea of going back sent Lincoln’s guard up. Valentina could foresee the upcoming battle of wills about to start. She knew they would both be pushing each other’s buttons and tried to control herself before it started.

Lincoln studied her for a moment in the mirror before asking; “Don’t you think it’s time you explain how you came to know the Don? I’m sure it wasn’t during a manicurist visit at the salon.” Valentina replied, “I don’t mind telling you Señor Machismo, but this is his sister’s car and I’m sure by now he knows I took it.”

Michael looked back at her with alarmed surprise; “This is the Don’s sister’s car?” Valentina nodded, “That’s right, if you don’t believe me you can waste time looking in the glove box there in front of you for the vehicles’ information.” Michael shook his head, “No thanks, you are aware he’s already pissed off because I took one of his gangster’s cars aren’t you?” Valentina gave him a smile, “Way to go little brother, now all three of us have taken one of their cars!”

Lincoln didn’t know what surprised him more, that fact, or Valentina calling Michael ‘little brother’. Michael informed, “Use Michael, that other name is reserved for Lincoln, and for the record…purposely pissing off the Don is not on our list of plans.” Valentina offered, “I can tell you where his sister lives so we can return this car then.” Michael shook his head, “No thanks.” He gave Lincoln an alarmed and surprised glance, but Lincoln didn’t comment right away. Instead, he suggested, “We should ditch this car somewhere opposite where we’re going and pick up a new set of wheels elsewhere. We’re close to Dillon, we could go there, but it’s in our general direction.” Valentina didn’t object as she replied, “If you like, if there’s no place to dump this, I would recommend we park it in a high crime area. Parts will be removed from the car so fast the Don will never track them all.” Lincoln mused aloud, “Let me guess, you volunteer to dump the car off in the area?” She would’ve insisted if she was still in charge, but Lincoln loved his returned status. She tried not to seem bitter as she replied, “I would, you are right. After all, you wouldn’t want to be spotted driving this for too long or Don Raton will know it’s you and take further revenge.” Lincoln commented quietly, “I think he’s plenty pissed off for revenge already.”

Michael sensed a debate brewing and changed the topic asking, “Just what exactly do you think we can do to get him off our backs Linc? Aside from killing him, we’ll have him and cops looking for us, not to mention the unmentionables.”

Those were bounty hunters or people who were out searching for them to collect the reward. Lincoln admitted, “It is about the only way to stop him, but I haven’t thought that far ahead yet. This is all still new to me, the person who knows the most is sitting behind us.”

It was a retort aimed at her for trying to manipulate him into allowing her to dispose of the car. Valentina was one woman he didn’t dare take his eyes off for a second. For fear she would do something to compromise them. She retorted coolly, “Señor Machismo, who do you really think Don Raton is more pissed off with, you?”

His green eyes became intense as he met her gaze in the mirror and she continued, “Don’t give yourself a big head. I know for a fact that no man likes getting beaten by a woman.” Michael knew his brother’s reaction and played mediator looking between them, “It doesn’t matter who he wants revenge on most, the fact is, he’s going to go out and get it. That’s what we need to decide on.”

He looked at Lincoln adding, “And hit me for saying it, but it’s better if we stick together until this is settled.” The tension was getting thick, but Lincoln agreed silently with a nod. Valentina couldn’t disagree with Michael; he made very valid points…for a mediator.

Lincoln disliked Valentina and his brother made several sensible points, even if Valentina was using hers as jibes at him, he couldn’t argue them. Frustration nearly mounted and he had to be cautious. The woman was deadly and if provoked he wasn’t sure how far she would go. He didn’t even bother to watch Ana, he almost forgot she was there she was so quiet. How had the two become so different? At least he could understand Michael’s intention on helping Ana; she was the innocent one in the party. That, he didn’t have a worry over, but Valentina was something else.

Valentina sensed something coming and relaxed allowing a premonition to come in. A car with the hood up along the side of the road, and a broken fan belt This car held the most tension and she realized this was going to be their new wheels.

Lincoln’s intensity drew plenty of flashes for her. As before when he was this intense she could see various scenes. These were some biting barbs between them as they tested each other it would come to a head wherever they stopped and she didn’t see how she’d back down, but knew she’d tried to gain his trust. She hated the back and forth challenging, it only upset her sister and seemed pointless, but she had to stay on the path of her dynasty.

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Just after the turn off from the 64 to Dillon she spotted the car and braced herself. Michael glanced at Lincoln, “What do you think?” He slowed to pull up behind the car, “Worth a look.” Sensing the bickering and challenging starting soon, Valentina waited quietly for the orders. He parked just in front of the stranded car and checked to be sure that nobody was in it. The first order came as Lincoln shut the engine off, “Everyone out.”

Michael was moving and Ana was about to, but Valentina remained still as she claimed her sisters’ hand, “There is no need for us to be out there.” Lincoln and Michael paused from exiting to glance at each other before Lincoln retorted, “Sure there is, so that we don’t have to watch you drive off in this thing and leave us stranded.” Valentina retorted, “I’m sure you’ll note that it’s impossible for me to do from the back seat.” Lincoln added, “Yeah, and I noted this bag filled with weapons is up here too. You’d have plenty of time to hold us off while you moved.”

Valentina felt the first sting from the reply; it cut hard to know he didn’t trust his back to her after all they’d been through. Or was the remark just to hurt her? She motioned with a hand to the bag, “So take it with you Señor Machismo, we have no need to go look at a car with a broken fan belt. You can go play by yourselves out there.”

Michael didn’t get what she meant about the fan belt, but offered, “I’ll stay back, go take a look.” Lincoln turned to his brother, “I don’t like the idea of leaving you in here with her either.” Valentina sighed, “Oh, please, give it a rest before you demand I hand over all my weapons next.” Lincoln turned on her agreeing, “Good idea, I should’ve did a weapons check at the door.” He picked up the duffel ordering, “Get them in here.” Michael watched the stand off with concern interjecting, “Linc, she’s not going to do anything, not with Ana here.” Valentina looked at him, “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

She purposely turned her gaze back on to Lincoln who was about to reply, but Michael beat him to it, “Not exactly Valentina, keep your hands up in the back window where I can watch you.” Valentina held up her hands smiling politely at him, “You, I can compromise with, but you better tell Señor Machismo to take the car keys for good measure. I don’t think he’s gonna like it.”

She was right and Lincoln did pocket the keys before slinging the duffel nodding to Michael who got out. Both looked back at Valentina who turned to look out the back window. She purposely blew a kiss at them before wiggling her fingers to wave. Michael commented quietly, “She’s something else.” Lincoln agreed whole heartily, “I’ll say.”

Michael kept an eye on Valentina while his brother inspected the car exclaiming, “Son-of-a bitch!” Michael looked and watched in surprise as Lincoln pulled out the broken fan belt. Both of them looked back at Valentina who watched from the back window triumphantly. Michael asked, “Could she have passed here earlier and known?” Lincoln shrugged, “How should I know? I haven’t been able to figure her out at all. Each time I think I do, it’s another surprise.” Tossing the broken fan belt aside he added, “Like knowing this, but we can take the one from that car and try it on this one.” Michael agreed, “Worth a try, check the interior, I can go get the other one.”

Valentina could relax once they were gone, although she didn’t need to read their lips to find out what they were saying, she did anyway. From next to her, Ana begged, “Please Valentina, don’t upset them, they are escaped convicts.” Valentina added, “And you like the little brother.” Ana protested, “He is kind and will help. You should try Valentina, please. For me.” Valentina kept her gaze out the back window, “It is our fate little sister, and it will work out okay.” Ana asked quietly, “You are sure?” Valentina replied, “Yes, as sure as I was about your rescue, it will be tense, but there is no real danger. He has to see I mean no threat before I can ease off. He is not a very trusting one, unlike your favorite who has faith.” Ana replied quietly, “Okay Valentina, you know I always trust you, and your instincts.”

Valentina moved to give her sister a gentle head butt as she intended to keep her promise of leaving her hands where they could see them. Valentina replied, “I know you do, you just question them when you are afraid.”

Deeming the abandoned car to be fixed, they went to work quickly, Michael keeping an eye on the sister’s in the car. While Lincoln worked, Michael informed, “I really don’t think Ana would agree to ditch us, and go along with Valentina.” Lincoln replied, “We’re escaped convicts Michael, that’s a good reason for them to want to ditch us.” Michael agreed, “True, but Valentina is absolutely not afraid of anyone or anything. She’d have no reason to ditch us. Unless you did something to piss her off?” Lincoln glanced at him, “I didn’t do anything to piss her off, and I still don’t trust her.” Michael replied, “Well I trust Ana, and she’s the key to Valentina’s actions, and I don’t think she’s going to allow Valentina to take off and furthermore, they can’t go anywhere now with the belt off the car, so lighten up.” Lincoln replied, “I can’t.” Michael asked, “Why? Because we can use her if we encounter Don Raton’s goons again.”

Lincoln replied, “Women like her need to be kept in a place so they don’t self destruct and take out every man in the vicinity with them. Look at all the damage she did getting you and Ana out back at the house. All of it her control, and risky as hell. I can’t believe she made me go back for that damn car while she went off half cocked on her own.”

Michael was beginning to see the frustration in his brother and added in agreement, “Yeah, and again when we were out in the woods, what was she thinking?” Lincoln looked at him intensely his green eyes nearly blazing and Michael stated, “You wouldn’t care about it, if you didn’t care about her.”

Lincoln’s jaw clenched tight before he returned to his job and remained silent. Michael glanced at the car noting Valentina watched from the back window, her hands still visible. Michael looked at his brother again, “She knows that car is disabled and she’s still got her hands where I can see them. She knows she’s not going to cross us and is willing to do that just to prove it to you. So cut her some slack.” Lincoln ordered, “Cut the chatter, it’s bad enough she’s near able to read my mind, I’m not about to give her a chance to read our lips too.”

Michael turned his back to the car and looked at Lincoln closely, “You like her that’s what this struggle is all about. You like her, and you can’t trust her, and you don’t want to because then she can’t burn you. You’re too afraid to admit it, and get involved because deep down you know it. You’re just keeping at odds with her so you can keep from getting close to her. That’s going to back fire on you Linc, you’ll go so far as to hurt her and feel guilty for it later.”

Lincoln glared at him, “Are you done Dr. Phil?” Michael answered, “I’m sorry, but that’s my opinion.” Lincoln nodded, “Good, so you’ll know where I’ll stick it.” Michael shook his head, as he looked away back at the car muttering, “You’re both alike.”

Finished, Lincoln looked at Michael retorting, “Don’t insult me.” He moved swiftly to the driver’s door to turn the engine over. When it started he got out and slammed the hood down before giving his brother a glare and moved to get the sisters.

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Valentina knew Michael had only further agitated Lincoln and commented quietly, “I can almost see steam come out of his ears.” She watched as he approached and yanked open the door ordering, “Out, now!” Ana looked ready to move, but Valentina didn’t budge as she asked, “Aren’t you going to siphon the gas from this car first?” he counted to ten silently before he replied, “I don’t recall giving you this tough a time when you got to be in charge. So get out.”

Valentina started moving and got out ignoring her sister as she scampered out behind her and made a beeline away to the other car. Instead, Valentina watched Lincoln asking, “What now Señor Machismo? You want me to walk with my hands up over there?” Lincoln slammed the door shut causing the car to shake as he ordered, “Just go!”

She moved off at a sauntering pace, following her sister and he watched her momentarily before moving to open the trunk of the car. Looting it of its spare gas can and using a cloth to wipe his hands, he looked for something to siphon the gas with.

Valentina almost wanted to tease Michael about being able to piss off his brother better than her, but Ana sidled shyly up to him where she stopped. They were neutrally ground together, and she kept silent. Michael gave Ana’s arm light touch informing, “Don’t worry about my brother, as angry as he is, he wont bother you.” Looking at Valentina he added, “Just the people who set him off.” Valentina glanced at him before watching as Lincoln returned remarking, “I think it’s kind of cute, like the Tasmanian Devil.”

He didn’t know how she so accurately guessed his brother could cause a storm, but didn’t comment. He knew given time, Valentina could get angry enough to be the same. He only hoped they didn’t push each other too far because he wasn’t sure the explosion would resolve anything.

Motioning to the car, Michael suggested, “You two may as well get in.” Valentina moved as she asked, “Does your brother allow you to give orders.” Lincoln was already there, and replied, “He does, what I don’t get is how you give him no trouble, and comply.” Valentina held the back door for her sister to get in replying, “He asks nicer.”

Lincoln suddenly veered in her direction causing Ana to scamper into the car. Michael warned, “Linc, leave it.” Valentina stood her ground watching him as he stopped right in front of her. They were close enough to touch, and it was one of those moments where one expected the couple to suddenly kiss in a heated passion. She stared at him intently though, and he stared back intensely ordering, “Just get in.”

Valentina purposely waited a moment longer before sliding in and pulling the door shut contemplating blowing him a kiss. She watched him calmly through the window as he emptied the gas from the spare gas can into the car. He kept an eye on her disliking she had absolutely no sign of fear of him regardless of how angry he was. That alone told many not to mess with him, yet here she was relaxed as though they were headed for a drive in movie.

As intense as he was, Valentina knew this hadn’t gotten started yet. There was going to be more bickering, and arguments over weapons. As soon as they stopped for a place to stay the night, she would be prepared for the final show down. She still had Juan’s gun in her bag, and the spare clips. The rest she left in the duffel bag. Valentina remained silent as Lincoln reached in to push the button popping the trunk. While he went around to examine the contents Michael watched.

Valentina swiftly pulled her Astra from her jacket prompting Ana to watch wide eyed, There was no need to worry though; Valentina was preparing for later, not now. When she slid the Astra away again when she finished, Ana relaxed, but Valentina wasn’t done. She inspected a clip and checked its contents before sliding it down her top securing it in place with her bra. Set, she stayed still waiting for them to finish.

They found a way to siphon gas from the other car and used it to fill the repaired car they waited that they were taking. It filled the tank for them, and once done, they moved to take care of the car Valentina had taken. She noticed Lincoln kept watching and she waited quietly. When they were off again in the car back on the road, Lincoln ordered, “So start talking, tell us how the Don got so interested in you?” Valentina started, “Well, when I was 6-.” He cut her off instructing, “Give me the Cole’s notes version, I don’t have time for a life story.”

Valentina leaned forward in the seat over their back rest to gauge his reaction closely while she taunted, “Yes, it would be too much excitement for you to handle.” Michael watched her warning, “Valentina, don’t taunt my brother.” She looked at him and he added, “Just tell us how you got the Don’s interest.” Valentina informed, “You want to understand it, I start at 6, you want a short version. Take tonight…multiply the men, put in Cuba…and add Don Raton heard all about it.”

She looked at Lincoln asking smoothly, “You sure you don’t want to hear about my lessons with guns growing up? I’ll give you the chance to tell your stories.” Lincoln glanced at her as she watched him closely, he retorted, “No 6 year old gets taught to handle a gun.”

Valentina sat back again silently, if he didn’t believe it, she wasn’t going to offer up her forced abilities as a kid back in Cuba. Valentina wasn’t really sulking; it was more of a brooding. Why should she waste her breath proving herself if he didn’t believe her? It wasn’t her choice to wind up the way she was, and she kept silent to think about it.

Michael looked back at her asking, “How many times did the Don ask you over?” Valentina replied curtly, “Several.” Michael asked, “Did you go there every time?” Again the answer was curt; “Just once, and I never gave him indication I was interested.” Lincoln asked, “What do you know about him?” Valentina replied sharply, “Enough to cause that kind of damage.” Michael intervened before another tense stand off came and asked, “Do you know what other places he’s got?” Valentina replied, “No, not personally.” Lincoln asked, “What about where they are?" Valentina replied bitterly, “I didn’t ask, and I didn’t care. He’s a Don with money, he can go anywhere he likes with it, but I’m sure it would be simple to find. Look how simple it was to get in there tonight.”

Michael asked quickly, “What about men in other places? Or did we meet his full entourage?” Valentina replied, “I don’t know, but he loves recruitment, in case you didn’t notice.” Lincoln glanced at her through the mirror replying swiftly, “We broke out of prison, we’re not idiots and we didn’t get put in for littering or unpaid speeding tickets. Just because you can fire a gun, and aren’t afraid to face gangsters doesn’t make you tougher.” Valentina replied evenly, “Nor more machismo like you.” Michael interjected, “She is a worthy ally in a gun battle against Don Raton and that’s the main thing. We can’t overlook the fact we need each other.”

Suddenly amused with interest, Valentina looked at Michael asking curiously, “Need? How do we, need you?” Michael turned his gaze to her informing, “Lincoln is right, we’re not idiots, we systematically worked together to keep free and alive. Avoiding capture in the process. We can make the same kinds of plans to stop the Don.”

Interested, she moved to the seat back again and propped her head up with a hand asking, “How so?” Michael felt uneasy about her close, intent stare, and suddenly couldn’t think of anything off hand. He replied, “We take what you know, gather intelligence, find out where the Don is going to be, and take him out.” She nodded, “I see, and how do you intend to deal with the hit men in the contract he’s gonna put out on all our heads?”

Lincoln glanced at her, but Valentina kept her gaze on Michael who replied, “Strike before it goes out?” Valentina replied, “It’s going out now, so we got gunners looking for our heads on a platter for the Don.” Lincoln cursed, but Valentina ignored him watching Michael who shrugged, “There are ways of working around them. Once the Don is gone, the hitters will go.”

Valentina shook her head, “No, not as long as Don Raton’s mob is completely eliminated. The hit’s gonna stay, and whoever steps up in the Don’s place has a reputation to prove. So again…tell me how we, need you?”

She looked at Lincoln asking, “Or can we hear your answer?” She could clearly see the tic in his jaw, but sensed he had to accept she was correct. She continued, “Let me do it for you Señor Machismo, you think we need you because of safety in numbers. Maybe I’ll get into trouble and need you. Like say, to cause a distraction to those roof top gunners back at the house? I needed you then, right?” His eyes widened as he glanced at her and she lowered her voice finishing, “Perhaps you use the rearview mirror to cast a reflection for them to watch. Just long enough for them to freeze so I can take them out. Only I had them tonight, but it was good.” She moved back into the seat musing, “Yeah, maybe we need you.”

Stunned she knew and knowing it was impossible to know, he didn’t dare ask her how she knew. It was the fan belt all over again. He disliked being bested by her and remained silent to try and think. He hated she could read him so damn easily.

Michael didn’t quite care for the tension, or his brother’s intensity. He looked back at Valentina asking, “What experience do you have against hit-men?” She glanced at Lincoln as she replied in question, “You want the Coles notes version?” Michael replied swiftly, “In other words you’ve had plenty of experience. Where, Cuba?” Valentina looked at her sister, taking notice; Ana took Valentina’s hand as a sign of unity. Valentina wanted to get out of the car and walk away. She was about to tell Lincoln to stop so they could. Why should she get into something they wouldn’t believe? Forget the dynasty ahead of her, she would forge on, on her own.

Before she could speak, Ana did, looking at Michael in a tone that was sounded as painful and sad as it was, “A lot of bad things happened in Cuba, Michael. A lot tonight, I don’t want to hear anymore talk like that. Can’t it wait?”

He nodded, feeling guilty that they hadn’t considered Ana’s feelings. She’d been so quiet, nobody aside from Valentina remembered she was there. He turned back in his seat letting it go, and glanced at his brother silently as they drove along.

The motel appeared next, and Michael pointed, “There, we can get a room, work out a plan.” Valentina nearly wanted to tell them they’d continue on their own. However her sister squeezed her hand lightly and she looked at her. Ana trusted her, and believed in her. That, was what meant the most to Valentina, even if she did admire Lincoln and knew they were destined to collide.

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When he pulled in and parked, Michael started the debate offering, “I can go in with them.” Lincoln shut the engine off shaking his head, “You can take Ana, but someone has to keep an eye on Miss Risky though.” Michael jumped in before Valentina could, “I’m not leaving you two out here to bicker.” Lincoln pointed to the bag, “If she puts all the weapons she’s got in there, we’ll be fine.” Michael bartered, “Let them go in for us then. They’ll be less suspicious.” Lincoln shook his head, “One of us need to keep an eye on her.”

Michael sighed impatiently, “Then I’ll take Valentina in with me.” Lincoln looked at him; “I don’t trust her alone with you.” Valentina got into the debate leaning on the seat to look at Michael agreeing, “He thinks I’m gonna seduce you in the office, and he’s jealous.” Lincoln protested too quickly, “The hell I am, and you’re staying here.” She looked at him asking, “With who, your brother?” Michael cut in; “I’m definitely not leaving you two in here. I’ll go in alone.”

Ana suddenly protested, “No! Don’t leave me with them.” He turned to look at her suddenly realizing that was a bad idea. Lincoln looked at Ana; “I’ve got no problem with you going in with my brother.” Michael looked at him replying, “I do, someone has to stay to be mediator.”

He looked at Ana, “Will you go in alone for us?” Ana paled, and Michael didn’t need to hear the answer. Valentina replied for her instead, “Her? She won’t go in alone, and I wouldn’t stand for anyone forcing her to either. Nor would I allow it.”

Lincoln nodded, “It’s settled, you can take Ana in Michael. Either she keeps her hands over the seat here where I can see them, or dumps the weapons.” Valentina looked at her hands asking, “Aren’t you afraid I may be able to hurt you bare handed?” He retorted, “Yeah, in a manicure contest.”

Michael looked at Lincoln, “I am not leaving you, you need a mediator.” Lincoln corrected, “Baby sitters, and we don’t.” He looked at Valentina asking, “Hands or weapons?” She watched him challenging, “What about you?” Lincoln quipped, “I trust me.”

Michael interjected, “You go in then Linc.” Valentina started to move, “Good idea, we can go in.” Lincoln grabbed her hand, “I’m not going in, you stay.” Neither could ignore the sudden volts of current that shot through them at the contact.

Valentina looked at Michael who said in exasperation, “You can’t, because I’d have to go in to be the mediator.” Valentina suggested, “Why don’t we all go in?” Michael pointed out, “That wouldn’t work because you two would be arguing, I’d be mediating and poor Ana would be stuck getting us a room. Not to mention it would cause one hell of a ruckus.”

Lincoln nodded, adding, “And I’m not going in.” He looked at Valentina informing, “Which means you stay.” Valentina’s eyes nearly burned through to his soul as she suggested wickedly, “I know, why don’t we all stay out here and argue until the manager comes out here to give us a room?”

Perplexed, Michael stared at her wondering if he should laugh, cry, scream, or bang his head on the glove box, nearly optioning for the latter choice. Lincoln tore his gaze off Valentina’s triumphant one and put a hand to his forehead sighing, “Just go in Michael, take Ana with you.”

Looking at Valentina again he asked, “Did you decide? Is it hands? I haven’t seen you move them from here yet.” Michael said stubbornly, “I’m not leaving.” Valentina looked at him protesting, “Oh, go on. What’s the worst that can happen to us?”

She moved for her bag and pulled out Juan’s gun and deposited it into the duffel going for the rest of the spare clips, she pulled them out and dumped them in saying, “There, I’ll put that in as a sign of good faith.” She looked at Lincoln who watched her and she added, “Don’t get excited Señor Machismo, I’m keeping the Astra in my jacket, and showing my hands.”

Ana watched uncertainly and Lincoln looked at Michael, “Go.” Michael looked at Valentina who gave him a polite smile, “Don’t worry, I won’t hurt your brother.” Michael looked at Lincoln who did his best not to retort, as he knew Michael would change his mind.

Wearily, he moved to get out warning, “Behave.” Ana scurried out quickly and closed the door behind her before sidling up to Michael again. He took her hand to lead the way glancing back at them suspiciously.

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When they disappeared, Valentina gave Lincoln’s shoulder a tap, “Coast is clear, we can argue without interruption, what do you want it to be about.” He watched her replying, “I’m not arguing.” She taunted, “Good, argue about not arguing. I’ll go first. How can you not want to argue when all you’ve done is challenge me, and not trust me?” Lincoln pointed out, “I’m in charge again, and I say we aren’t arguing.” Valentina mused, “We’re gonna have a big one over the Astra sooner or later because I’m not handing it over.” Lincoln shrugged, “Sleep with it, I don’t care. Just don’t accidentally blow your own head off.” Valentina asked, “Do you really think I’m capable of doing something so stupid?” Lincoln replied quietly, “It’s beyond me why you even have it in the first place.”

Valentina was starting to get angrier, if he’d listened to her story instead of cut her off he’d know the answer. She nodded though, “I see your point, it’s not safe for me to hold onto it, I should let you do that for me.” Lincoln agreed, “We agree, I do think that.” Valentina shook her head, “The gun stays with me. I guess we’re just gonna sleep with one eye open. Better yet, I’ll take the watch job.” Lincoln interjected, “No, I’m in charge now, I say my brother and I do the watch.”

Valentina disliked being told what she could and couldn’t do, especially if it was something one did naturally, she retorted, “And you’re gonna stop me from keeping my eyes open and watching?” Frustrated he sighed, “I can’t believe I walked right into this. I say no arguing, and you just manipulated me into it. Then you get your knickers in a knot when I don’t trust you.”

She slid closer to him using a finger to touch his shoulder informing quietly, “That isn’t manipulating Señor Machismo, but I can show you if you like.” She did a damn good job of getting under his collar, and he suddenly got worried she was too much to handle.

Valentina continued walking her fingers along his shoulder towards his neck asking quietly, “Why don’t we forget arguing and you give me one of your lessons on these weapons? What was it you said about double-action? Your expertise should be very thrilling to hear.”

He was sure she knew all about it and it dawned on him she was giving him a first hand look at her manipulation. He suddenly ordered quietly, “Stop that!”

She did, but didn’t move away, she didn’t like fighting with him, but she hated that he couldn’t trust her. Nodding, she replied, “As long as you got the picture.” Studying the motel manager’s office, she mused quietly, “I bet if I swore on my sister’s life, you still wouldn’t trust me.” Lincoln agreed, “I wouldn’t, the more I learn about you, the more cautious I get. You let some freaky way of knowing things, a hard assed attitude, and are dangerous. I can’t afford to turn my back on that.” Valentina asked, “Even after all that back at the Don’s house?” Lincoln replied quickly, “Especially after that, what man in his right mind wouldn’t be cautious after witnessing all those kills?” Valentina pointed out with hurt; “It never seemed to affect you when I was covering your ass, why now?” Lincoln replied, “For starters, you don’t take orders too well. I told you we weren’t going to argue and you goad me into it pushing all my buttons.”

“And you aren’t?” Valentina protested

They stared at each other for a moment before he said, “Let’s just not talk until they come back.” Valentina wasn’t done arguing, “I wasn’t goading you and pushing your buttons. Not intentionally, I’m just trying to find some kind of middle we can meet at, but you obviously don’t trust me with anything. At least not while you’re the boss.”

Lincoln suddenly asked, “Is that your way of saying you’ll be easier to deal with if you’re in charge again?” Valentina pointed out, “When I was, you were forced to trust me a little and it was easier.” Lincoln shook his head; “No way you’re going to be in charge again.” Valentina replied honestly, “I don’t want to be, if so I would take Ana and leave you and your brother.”

He didn’t even seem to trust that answer and she watched his skeptical expression as she asked, “Do you think I liked being in charge?” Lincoln nodded whole heartily, “Yeah, I sure do Miss. Risky, that’s why we’re debating it.”

She looked away from him, “You’re wrong.” Lincoln liked the reaction he got and replied bluntly, “We’ll never know now because I intend to keep being in charge.” He also had no intentions of taking his eyes off her since she was quick to challenge everything.

Valentina looked for her sister and his brother. Having had enough of the debating she hoped they would return soon. Lincoln was in the mood for goading her back now and taunted, “What? Did I hit a sore spot?”

“No, I just choose not to debate it anymore since you’re so set in your ways” she responded as she looked at him. Lincoln continued to needle her, “Why? Because I’m always going to be the boss now?” Valentina retorted angrily, “Screw being in charge, it sucks. One mistake and you’re the one they’re looking at. Take Don Raton for a good example of that, how many other Jefe’s out there are laughing because a woman was part of a two person attack team that made the hit?”

This stung him hard as he realized the point to it, but he defended himself, “I don’t intend on screwing up.” Valentina nodded, “Good, so you can keep your damn boss badge because I don’t like being responsible for the lives of others except my sister. That’s it Lincoln, no others. She’s the one who’s been with me all my life. She trusts me, and believes in me, and that’s all I care about. I don’t have to prove nothing to you. She’s seen it all over the years, so don’t waste your time thinking I want your job to be responsible for everything. I’m just responsible for her, myself and that’s it.”

He feigned fear mocking, “Oh! Keep the claws in Miss. Risky, you’re going to tear a hole in this seat.” She didn’t reply as she looked for her sister again trying not to lose her temper. It would do no good if he wasn’t afraid of it, and he goaded her more. When she didn’t see them she vowed to pull her hair out if they couldn’t get a room there. She doubted she could survive another wait with Lincoln elsewhere.

They suddenly appeared, and Lincoln warned, “Better keep those claws in, they’re coming back.” Valentina retorted, “Better leave your fangs out, you’ll need them to argue with your brother some more.” He looked at her sharply instructing, “Leave him out of this, I don’t bring Ana into it do I?” Valentina pointed out, “Ana and I don’t argue.”

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They watched each other in another intense showdown until Michael and Ana got in. Both watched them curiously and Michael joked, “Well at least you can stand to look at each other, and the car’s still in one piece.” When they looked at him he held up a key moving on, “Number 12 on the end. I figured if you two did get loud arguing, only one neighbor could complain.”

Valentina turned sweet, patting his shoulder, “How thoughtful of you. If you can convince your brother to lend me the car I’d get you a present.”

Both brothers looked at her as she continued informing slyly, “A nice black and white striped shirt.” Lincoln sighed loudly as he started the car to drive it over, and Valentina moved back in the seat next to her sister who took her hand. Valentina gave her a weary smile, it wasn’t over yet and it would get to its breaking point in a moment when they got inside. She wouldn’t be able to co-operate with him if he never trusted her and his guard had gone up so high since he took control again it had to create a huge clash.

When they parked near the room in the shadows, Valentina followed her sister out, recognizing the window at the side of the motel room near the bushes. It was from her earlier premonition, and confirmed that this was where the explosion would occur.

It was quiet at first when they went in and checked out the place. Ana found a corner to take refuge in, nervously rubbing her fingers. Michael offered her a gentle, hopeful smile, which she nervously tried to return. Valentina watched sensing the strong chemistry between them. It was very powerful, and she knew given enough time alone they would seal that chemistry with a stronger bond. Valentina didn’t mind Ana enjoying any kinds of friendship with others and she knew Michael was sincere. It didn’t bother her in the least, but she suspected it might annoy Lincoln.

He was currently busy examining the back window for security and looking out for danger while he absorbed the new information. Michael was busying himself adding spare clips and weapons to the bag they’d left on the table, keeping one Browning to look over.

Gritting her teeth, Valentina turned to look out the front window, it wasn’t deliberately disobedience, nobody was checking it. For the first hour at least, someone should cover them. While she did, she realized she did like needing them. With only her eyes to watch, it was nice having the brothers there to take up a lot of the slack for her. She also could trust Michael to look after Ana for her too, and she didn’t even mind if that was their own choice.

If destiny allowed her the relief of not having to watch her sister as much, she took it. She glanced at them and noted Ana was still in the corner watching Michael. Ana barely tolerated his examination of the gun because Valentina did that often enough on her own. Michael was genuinely being quieter and gentler on his examination so as not to scare Ana. It made Valentina smile grimly out the window again.

She looked for cars along the road as she thought about the scene that was coming. It was going to be ugly and she knew their siblings weren’t going to be pleased. No amount of mediating was going to get Lincoln to change his mind. If she had to, she would leave. She knew Ana would stick with Michael, and he would watch her. Although she saw nothing from the window, she was getting a good lay out of it. If Don Raton wanted to make a stand here, she could see where things would be and how it would play out.

“That’s it!” she heard Lincoln exclaim.

She turned to look at him, and he had a hand held out as he continued demanding, “Give me the Astra.” Michael and Ana watched perplexed as Valentina challenged, “Why? Because I broke your orders, and took watch? Nobody was doing it, and I thought I’d pick up the slack.” Lincoln ordered, “Hand the damn gun over now, if you don’t want to do as I’m asking you, I don’t want you to have it in your possession.”

Michael tried to jump in, “Lin-.” Lincoln cut him off abruptly, “Stay out of it Michael.” Valentina ignored Michael as he moved to talk to Lincoln, she was intent on what Lincoln was going to do as she replied, “You asking me to hand over my gun, is the same as me asking you to do the same thing. Only I have respect for you and trust you.”

Michael reached Lincoln’s side and said quietly, “You’re being irrational, come on. There’s no harm in her checking the window when one of us isn’t. It’s no reason to demand her gun.” Lincoln ignored him and moved to pull the gun from the back of his waistband. In the process he pulled the clip and slipped it into the back pocket before producing the gun, “Here’s mine, I’ll let you take, but I’m not letting you walk around with that suppressed Astra on you.” Valentina retorted, “I don’t want your gun, and I won’t check mine at the door just because you don’t want to trust me.”

Michael protested, “Both of you check your guns, Ana’s nervous with us waving them around in here as it is.” Valentina and Lincoln both looked at Michael at the same time replying in unison, “No!”

Staring at each other quickly in surprise for a moment, Lincoln was first replying, “I’ll trust you when you give that weapon up, I don’t even see what’s so spectacular about it that gun that you gotta sleep with it.” Valentina reached for it and before Michael could protest it was out in her hand. Valentina warned, “Stay out of it little brother before you get hurt.”

Michael retorted incredulously with frustration, “Don’t call me that, and don’t tell me to keep out of it. There’s absolutely no need for you two to be doing this.” Lincoln tensed as he warned, “Michael get away from her, and stay the hell out of it.” Valentina waved the Astra around harmlessly asking, “You don’t even trust me with this around your brother?” She glanced at Michael before adding, “He doesn’t look afraid I’ll hurt him…he trusts me.”

Michael agreed, “I do, because we’re on the same side.” Valentina glanced at Michael again asking, “So why must I part with my gun? If they come blasting in here, what do I use to protect my sister and myself? My purse?”

Michael turned on Lincoln, “That’s my point Linc, you can’t make her part with her gun out of distrust.” Lincoln replied, “My eyes are gonna close down some time Michael and knowing she can’t stick that suppressed weapon into the back of my head when I do is good enough reason. In fact, keeping watch at the window with my back to her is even better opportunity for that.”

Valentina retorted bitterly, “I wouldn’t do that if you let me keep watch too, and for that I’d need my gun.” Michael put his hands to his head exclaiming exasperatedly, “The two of you are doing my head in. Can’t you kiss and make up before you both self destruct?”

Valentina had no remorse for him as she replied with a shrug, “Your brother did tell you to keep out of it.” Michael looked at her in surprise, “I’m on your side for this debate, you made a valid point. Neither of you should be asking the other to give up their gun.”

Lincoln ordered irritably, “Stay the hell out of it Michael, I don’t care if you’re taking a side on this one.” Michael protested, “Because you know I’m right.”

Ignoring him, he looked at Valentina asking, “How about a swap? You can have this one; I’ll take the Astra. I might rest easier knowing, I at least have the silent weapon.” Michael looked at Valentina begging, “Please take the deal, and then go to your neutral corners.” She ignored Michael as she moved to Lincoln holding the Astra in a non-confrontational manner, stopping in front of him asking, “Your mind is made up? You’re not trusting me, and you’re not gonna let this go?”

Silently, Lincoln nodded, and noticed the flicker in her dark eyes, bitterly she held the Astra for him offering softly and resentfully, “Trade then, take it. You’ll prove what I knew all along.” If he took the gun in exchange for his, this would play out precisely as she’d suspected. Lincoln wasn’t sure, what she knew, but he took the Astra in exchange for his gun.

Her expression went cold, and he glanced at the Astra now in his hands taunting, “Jealous?” Valentina shook her head, and asked, “Trust me now?” Of course he did, there was no clip in the weapon she held, he replied with a hearty nod, “Yeah definitely, I don’t care what you do around here now.”

Valentina nodded sourly as she waved around the gun in her hand, “No, of course you wouldn’t, this useless thing is harmless to you. You don’t care now.” Michael stared wide-eyed with surprise and his eyes bugged as Valentina reached into her top producing the clip, “You’re caring what I do now.” Lincoln’s guard went back up as he growled, “I should’ve seen that coming.” As she slid the clip into the gun, he nearly pointed the Astra at her as she asked, “Don’t trust me anymore again?”

He didn’t, and the Astra went up in his hands at her, “No, so hand it over.” Michael protested, “Jeeze, both of you, stop this, it’s gone too far.” Looking at Valentina he protested, “He won’t think twice before killing you with your gun. Especially if it’s silenced, just back down.” Valentina didn’t take her eyes off Lincoln; she held the gun in her hand, still non-threatening. Firmly she instructed, “Don’t make me aim this at you Señor Machismo.” Lincoln replied coldly, “I’d shoot you before you got it near me, and for the record I’d try not to kill you, but shit happens.”

Valentina snapped loudly starting them, “You don’t trust me. Did you check the clip to see if it’s there?” Her eyes blazed at him so intensely it caused Lincoln to tense, he glanced and then replied, “It’s there, and loaded, the weight’s right.”

Valentina sneered, “No Señor Machismo, it’s a little lighter without the firing pin in it” Alarmed, he looked and noticed it was gone and cursed. Michael knew the score, the Astra had never been a threat without the firing pin, and Valentina still held the loaded weapon, but he trusted her, “You made your point Valentina, you don’t need to aim that gun at anyone.”

Valentina stared at Lincoln as she replied softly, “I never did.” Pissed off with himself for allowing her to get the best of him, Lincoln asked angrily, “So what now, you want this back so you can reunite it with it’s firing pin?” Bitterly she asked, “For that small moment just now when you handed me this empty gun, you trusted me, did you ever stop to think I still could do this to you? Have I ever pointed this at you? Your brother? The Astra has been disarmed for how long? And you still didn’t trust me?”

She’d given him plenty of reasons to trust her and she could see it dawning on him how easy it had been to trust her even if he didn’t know she’d carried that clip. Valentina glanced at Michael, “You never swayed in trust Michael, you didn’t feel any different when this gun was empty or loaded. I carried that Astra with the firing pin out, and armed or not Señor Machismo here didn’t trust me.”

She looked closely at Lincoln now, trying to remain calm, but she detested him not trusting her in the slightest. Bitterly she spat, “I never asked to have a weapon handed to me when I was in Cuba. I never wanted to kill men preying on us there. I also don’t like carrying a gun here. You want that Astra, keep it, you can take more lives with it.”

He moved for the bag forcing her to raise the gun, “STOP!” He paused, glaring at her; “You’re a conniving, killing machine that won’t stop at nothing to get your way. Either put that gun down now, or I’ll die trying to go for another. I’m not going to stand here any longer while you’ve got that in your hands.”

A hurt expression came over her as she instructed, “Go back to where you were, and I’ll take the clip out. Just trust me on this one request and I’ll prove to you I’m not going to do anything to you.”

Michael pleaded with his brother, “Just do it Linc. She only aimed at you because you moved for the bag. She never aimed at you before that.” Lincoln didn’t move as the stand off got to it’s worst, intense moment. He so badly wanted to trust her, but he wasn’t sure.

Her expression held anxiousness, and pain, and she pleaded quietly, “Just trust me this one time Lincoln, and I swear on my sister’s life, you will always trust me forever. Just move back, I will take the clip out.”

This was part of the fate; Valentina couldn’t control, if he didn’t move back, he would never get over his distrust of her. She slightly lowered the gun as a sign of promise reading his mind, “I know it only takes one time to get burned trusting someone, but I mean this, and if you don’t put that little trust in me, then it will end at it’s worst. Look…I’ve got my thumb on the magazine release.”

He could see that from the way she purposely held the weapon in his direction. He didn’t know what she was trying to prove, but he took the steps back to where he was. She swiftly lowered the gun releasing the clip and palming it. Looking at him she said quietly, “If I never touch a gun again from this point on, I would be happy. If it makes you feel better then that’s fine too.”

She pocketed the clip and quickly and expertly field stripped the gun entirely setting it on the table next to her in pieces. They watched in surprise, and Michael protested, “You don’t have to do that, we’ll need your help as an extra gunner against the Don.”

Valentina removed the clip from her pocket again and held it up as she approached Lincoln, “No more weapons, I promised you this, and I’m giving it to you. I am not a conniving killing machine, and I’m not gonna be one anymore. Take the last of the weapons, and when you examine that clip, you think long and hard about it Lincoln. Deep down in your soul, you look right inside and ask yourself if you really know what trust is all about.”

She reached for his free hand and put the clip in it. Surprise came over him as he watched Valentina give Ana a smile before she announced, “I’m going to the washroom, I don’t care anymore what you do with these guns.”

Lincoln didn’t bother to look at her as he stared at the clip in his hand wide eyed. He heard the washroom door close and Michael sighing loudly, “Thank God that’s over.” Lincoln was still staring at the clip in his hand as Michael came over to his side, “You’re crushed her spirit now, so lay off her. We need her back on board with us against the Don, there’s too many….” He stopped when he realized Lincoln’s attention was still on the clip, and he looked between it and his shocked brother asking, “What?” Lincoln was realizing the big mistake he made and what Valentina had meant. Softly he informed in an overwhelmed tone, “It’s empty.”

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While the brothers were busy learning she’d purposely used a blank clip; Valentina pried the bathroom window open and climbed out looking at the bushes next to it. Quietly, she moved off up the road, with no weapon on her, she felt free.

There was no more bullets, guns, or gangsters to think about. Just her, and the road, and now she needed time to calm down and think. Michael would watch her sister, they would be sure she was safe. She didn’t want to go back to the motel; she couldn’t stay in the room with Lincoln if he still couldn’t trust her. By giving him time to think about it, she decided she would walk all night if she had to before contacting them again if nobody came looking for her.                                                                                                                         ***

Michael stared at the empty magazine before informing softly, “That didn’t have to be filled, or empty, I still trust her with a gun. Now she doesn’t want one.” Lincoln was too busy thinking about the entire ordeal to care what his brother thought.

He moved quietly to the table staring at the field stripped gun in pieces that she’d handled so expert. Setting the empty clip on the table he finally realized what she meant about never being asked to handle a gun, or kill anyone preying on them.

Like leading a horse to water, they’d made her drink, and taught her to survive until it was all she knew how to do. Behind all that was the Valentina begging for his trust, the same trust Ana had for her. He looked at Ana who watched Michael nervously, she hadn’t moved throughout the entire ordeal. Ana knew her sister best, and he wanted an idea of how much damage he’d seriously caused, “Ana, does she mean this?”

When she looked at him, he motioned to the dismantled gun adding, “Giving it up?” Ana replied quietly, “She never wanted it in the first place. I think so. Enough is enough.” Michael asked her gently, “What about a break? We need her later, you can understand that.” Ana nodded, “Maybe, but I’m not going to ask her to pick back up a gun.” Lincoln asked quietly, “Did she really start at six?” Ana nodded, “Target practice with a pellet gun. It was just us living with our cousins. They taught her, insisted.” She looked away and Michael noticed her expression.

He moved to the chair squatting next to her and taking her hand, “You don’t have to tell us about it.” She looked at him replying, “Valentina quickly turned on them with what she learned when they tried to start training me. It’s what started the whole thing, she hated learning about all the weapons and practicing, but it was always put to good use.” Michael asked, “Is she really tired of it? Or did she give it up because I’m around to watch you?”

It was a good question, and Lincoln watched with interest as Ana replied, “She always wanted a way out, you just forced her hand. I guess she would return if it was just us again.” Michael glanced at Lincoln before replying, “In other words, don’t toss out the Astra, she might need it again.” Ana nodded, and Lincoln glanced at the closed washroom door.

It had been very quiet in there and he’d summed it up to sulking or pouting, but something kicked his instincts into high gear. He ignored it for now as he watched his brother with Ana. Michael asked quietly, “Would she consider one more deal? Help get rid of Don Raton before hanging it up?” Ana studied him replying; “I suppose, I don’t know if she can give it up. They trained her, it’s not all her nature, but you know what I mean?” He nodded giving her hand a stroke with his thumb, “Of course I do, I can understand the conflict. She can’t afford to give it up because there’s always danger, but she does want to.”

Lincoln could now understand that too, and again he looked at the closed door. He started a pace prompting Ana and Michael to watch curiously. Michael debated on worrying, and decided against it. Turning his attention back to Ana he asked, “All she said about the Don and the hit men, is that all accurate?” Ana looked at him again replying softly, “I believe in her intelligence, she saw it all back home, I can’t doubt her. That’s why I don’t want you to fall out with her. We do need you and I don’t want us to part until this is done.” He used his free hand to stroke her leg, “Don’t worry, I won’t fall out with your sister. That’ll be enough to hold it together.”

He looked at Lincoln who paused in his pacing to watch. Noting the chemistry he asked, “What? You want me to take a walk?” Michael gave him a grin, but replied, “No, but a promise you will do the same to keep it together. It would be appreciated.”

Motioning to the closed door with a thumb he replied, “When she comes out we can all pinkie swear.” Michael gestured to the Astra he still held suggesting, “Maybe as a sign of good faith, you should put that down. It’s useless without the pin anyway.”

Lincoln looked in near surprise before moving to the table and setting it down. To pass the time waiting for Valentina’s appearance again, he systematically put his gun back together again checking it over before replacing the clip. When he finished, he slid it away in the back of his waistband, and noticed he had their attention.

Pointing to her gun on the table he said, “She can have it back if she wants. She’s proven her trust to me.” Michael replied gently, “She never had to, I can’t believe you gave her an unloaded gun in exchange for one without a pin. Only so she can pull an empty clip out and load it into your gun. All that just to prove what we already knew.” Lincoln nodded, “That I keep my guard up way too high…better safe than sorry though.”

It was his only defense though, and he started pacing again glancing at the clock. How long had Valentina been in there? He looked at Ana instructing, “Go see what your sister is doing.” Michael protested, “Come on, leave her alone. Valentina will come out when she’s ready.” Lincoln replied, “She’s had more than enough time.” Michael gestured with a hand to the window suggesting, “Why don’t you keep watch to pass the time? I’m not exactly sure I want to watch you two argue some more when she’s done. Provoking her to come out will only start it again anyway.”

Lincoln shook his head as he moved for the window, “We’re done arguing, she’s made her point.” Michael retorted quickly, “Yeah, until the next time.” Lincoln glanced at him before looking out. Noting everything was quiet outside only made him get antsy. With nothing to distract him, he could only wonder what Valentina was doing to take so long?

He sighed as he looked at Michael, “One of you go check, maybe something is wrong.” Michael had to admit it was a while, but not out loud. Instead, he replied, “She’s probably doing it to get under your skin, and if you keep this up you’ll prove it’s working.” Ignoring Michael he looked at Ana asking, “Don’t you just want to check?” Her eyes moved to the bathroom door, she knew Valentina would never leave that long unless deliberate. She agreed with Michael, “I think your brother is right.” Michael agreed, with a nod, “It’s just the dramatic silent treatment.”

Lincoln shook his head and moved to the washroom door calling, “Hey, Miss. Risky! Your sister’s worried about you, come on out.” He at least expected a barb or remark of some kind, perhaps even a noise. It was way too quiet for his liking and he moved for the door handle.

Michael stopped him interrupting, “Linc, don’t. It’s the silent treatment, just like I said. Give her a few more minutes, and Ana will try. Don’t goad her out, she’ll bite your head off for not leaving her in peace after you took her gun.”

Lincoln turned back and looked at Ana who nodded, “I will try, let her cool down a while longer, and then I’ll talk to her.” Reluctantly, he went back to watch out the window. They made sense, if she wanted to sulk or pout longer she’d only get ticked off with him for not even allowing her that.

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***       Valentina continued at her fastest pace up the road wondering how long they would be, before discovering she’d left? Following that, she had to wonder what they’d do about it? If anything, she suspected Lincoln to drive up the road in search of her. It made her want to put more distance between herself and the motel so she alternated from brisk walk to slow jog. She didn’t want to tire herself, but it did release all her tensions to exert the energy.

It was a long stretch of road, and when she deemed it almost a mile in distance, she simply walked. She sensed a car coming, but some how didn’t anticipate it to be Lincoln. She knew his intense presence well now, and what was coming was a different type of danger. With no weapon, Valentina nearly felt vulnerable without her gun, but realized she didn’t have to kill anyone.

Her eyes scanned around the road and she found a decent rock; she picked it up. Keeping it concealed between her body and hand, she continued walking. She didn’t glance as the car slowed to pull alongside her. It definitely wasn’t Lincoln, and this male driver was definitely not wanted. He was dangerous trouble, and he called with an order, “Get in!”

Valentina sneered at him nastily, “Get lost!” She continued walking as he continued driving and he grinned dangerously at her, “One of those huh? Should’ve guessed since you’re out here all alone.” She ignored him now and continued walking. He glared ominously at her before moving ahead of her and parking. Getting out of the car, the dangerous stranger didn’t cause Valentina to stop walking or slow her pace. She intended to go past him and continue, but he came directly at her menacingly, “I’ve got a knife-.” She swung at him before the knife could move up into play, the rock in her hand connected with his head cutting off his words sending him down. She muttered, “I’ve got a rock, that beats knife.”

She stared at his prone body on the ground realizing she’d knocked him out. Stooping, she pried the knife from his hand, and then promptly used it to slash all four of his tires before continuing on up the road. When she deemed it far enough, she folded up the knife and gave her hardest throw into the dense brush along the roadside.

Hearing it hit far enough into the dense brush, she knew there was no chance anyone would find that soon. She continued walking; glancing back to look at the car still stopped on the side of the road. If he drove it on all flat tires, she would hear it in plenty of time to duck into the brush. He’d be pissed when he came around, if he came around.

The car was far enough back where she would be able to duck out of the headlights when he did get back in the car so she kept at her pace. It suddenly dawned on her, had she still carried the Astra, the man would’ve been shot dead. Perhaps she’d made the best choice? It ended the conflict within her as she realized she needed no gun. If it made Lincoln trust her without it, she proved she didn’t need it and she could live with that.

The tension was fading, and she realized the battle was over. Lincoln would accept the forfeit; there was no more need to not trust her. Now the question was, would he come for her, and if he did, would he be angry she’d escaped on the escaped convicts?

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***       Lincoln noted only one car had passed on his watch, he cast glances between Ana and Michael who both appeared to now be concerned there’d been no sound from the washroom. Michael noted the car was still outside, he was sure Valentina would’ve taken it if she’d ditched them. For that matter she would’ve taken a gun. She had to still be in the washroom, and he moved to the door calling, “Come on Valentina, you proved your point.”

Ana watched quietly from her spot in the corner where she’d not moved. When no sound came, Lincoln moved to his brother asking, “Satisfied?” He was about to go for the door handle when Michael said, “Ana said she would, and her sister is obviously the best choice for us now.”

He looked at Ana and called gently, “Come on Ana, get her out for us.” She moved skittishly toward them and Michael encouraged her with a hand on her shoulder, “At least try to get her to talk.” Ana watched him for a moment before looking at the door calling quietly, “Valentina?”

They strained to listen, and Lincoln warned loudly, “You’ve got two more minutes before I break the door in.” Ana suddenly moved closer calling louder, “Valentina, please…come out. Or talk to me?” They waited, listening to the silence and Lincoln announced, “One minute and counting.”

Alarmed, Ana moved nervously to the door and knocked, “Oh please Valentina, come out…speak to me.” Michael sensed Ana’s trepidation and joined her calling, “Valentina, Ana’s really worried now. Just say something.”

They still heard nothing until Lincoln informed, “Thirty seconds.” Ana reached for the door handle with a trembling hand and twisted it, “Valentina!” The door unlatched opening, prompting Ana to draw back fast as if the handle had burned her. They glanced at each other surprised, and Lincoln asked incredulously, “It was unlocked all this time?”

Carefully, Michael reached around Ana and gently gave the door a push revealing the empty washroom, and the opened window. Surprise covered their faces as they stared unbelievably at the empty room. Alarm bells started ringing within Lincoln as he stared in near disbelief. Stunned, Michael stammered, “I don’t get it, she didn’t take a gun or the car?”

Realization setting in, Lincoln nearly lost it, “Damn it, the ultimate burn! Escaping from escaped convicts! How did we fall for that one?” Michael pointed out, “We all did Linc, the question is what now? Where is she?”

Lincoln moved for the motel room door, “Outside laughing!” He opened it surveying the quiet area, nothing stirred around the motel, and Michael moved to watch from next to his brother. He didn’t see anything either, and Lincoln moved to check the outside of the window and the car.

Michael turned back to Ana who stood nervously in the room waiting, nearly back peddling as he approached her. Gently taking her by the arms he asked, “Where did she go?” She shook her head pleading fearfully, “I don’t know, please don’t be mad.” Lightening his grip on her and his tone he replied, “I’m not mad, but we need to find her.”

Lincoln appeared in the doorway again informing, “Nothing.” Michael turned to look at him putting an arm around Ana, “She doesn’t know, and I believe her. She’s gone without a gun, and didn’t take the car. It’s thrown us all for a loop.”

Lincoln didn’t think Ana would know, and agreed, “I believe it too, if Valentina did know she’d take off; telling Ana would force us to question her, and she wouldn’t want that. I’m going to go look for her. You’ll have to just sit tight.” Michael nodded, and Lincoln motioned to the bag, “You’ve got that, if you need it.” He turned and left, closing the door behind him. A moment later the car started, and he drove off.

Ana tried to keep calm, wondering if Valentina had intended to leave her with Michael? What if he’d left her? She would be alone, and the thought of that made her tremble knowing Don Raton’s men could easily pick her up again.

Concerned for her, Michael held her gently, “Don’t worry, we’ll find her. It’ll be okay.” Her grip came upon him suddenly as she replied in fear, “I don’t want you to go too, or I’ll be alone.” Michael promised, “I won’t, and Linc will find Valentina. Don’t worry, I’ll stay with you. Even if we can’t find your sister, we’ll stay with you.” He was quite sure Valentina would eventually resurface, or Lincoln would find her. The big question was, what would transpire when his brother did find Valentina again?

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***        Lincoln scanned the road ahead as he drove at a slow enough pace to spot signs of Valentina. He was quite sure the fiery Cuban woman would continue up the road rather than back down it. The main reason being it was a long walk back to the next town with nothin along the roadside. He was also sure she would want to keep further away from Don Raton. Especially if she didn’t have a weapons

It was a while before he came upon the car and spotted the form lying along the roadside. He cursed as he hurried to park and got out. At first glance, it didn’t look like a woman lying there, but as he approached he could tell it was the work of Valentina.

Studying the fallen man, he noted she’d caved in half his head with a rock, for some miraculous reason, he was still breathing, but Lincoln wasn’t sure how long that would be for. He noted the slashed tires and peered down the road. Somewhere up ahead, his woman was continuing on, and he felt the sudden need to hurry up finding her.

Valentina’s senses started picking up again, and she knew this time Lincoln was on the way searching for her. As the fight had been drained from her, she still kept walking so she could think. How pissed off would the escaped convict be when he realized she’d left? It was a while ago, and she was sure he didn’t like being duped like that. Somehow though, she didn’t think he was angry.

From the sense she got, he was concerned, and when he saw her handy work on the road behind her, he would be even more concerned. His intense presence gave her the vibe he wouldn’t be coming to get her in anger.

At least her sister was safe back at the motel with Michael; she wouldn’t see any of what happened out there. Valentina always felt bad her sister had to see such violence from her. It was a good reason to add to the others for not carrying a gun anymore.

As she continued, the growing sense of Lincoln’s intense presence grew stronger by the seconds. If the man hadn’t been so intense, she’d never know where he was or what he felt. Everything about the dangerous escaped convict was intense though, and the sensations grew stronger.

Anticipation now filled her as she noticed a light starting to appear on the road, and she heard the car. She kept her pace though, and wondered what kind of scene this would be? She sensed peace making, and trusted her instincts, and she continued on calmly.

As soon as he spotted her, the weight lifted, and relief flooded in. He was hoping she hadn’t turned off somewhere to duck him, but now that he spotted her continuing along the road he wasn’t taking his eyes off her. He just wanted to settle the scene back on the road and get her back to the motel.

Valentina didn’t turn to look back at him as she kept walking. He was sure she knew it was him, as the car belonging to the unconscious man on the road was flat on all tires and would sound differently. Regardless, he was sure she knew it was him.

Valentina didn’t know what to expect from him, so she kept going. She heard him pull to the side of the road and park. He got out leaving the lights on so he could still see her as he caught up. Valentina continued to walk as he joined her falling into pace.

As he did, he mused calmly, “You’ve been busy, you even had time for gardening along the way.” She glanced at him asking uncertainly, “Gardening?” He nodded, almost grinning, “Yeah, you left a vegetable on the road back there.”

Getting what he meant, she tried not to smile, but he’d caught her amused expression. Her pace also slowed slightly and sensing her lighter mood, he offered gently, “If you want, you can come back. I won’t ask you to check any rocks at the door. I trust you.”

This got a smile from her as she abruptly stopped and looked at him. He’d finally said what she wanted to hear…that he trusted her. She watched him as he stopped with her in front of her. Studying him she said quietly, “Whether I give up handling guns, or not, I wanted you to trust me. You know that?” He nodded, “I do, and for the record, I’m not asking you to give it up, or start again. It’s your decision, Ana shed a lot of light on things, and she’d like you to come back.” Valentina nodded musing softly, “She knows me, and she would.”

Lincoln nodded to the car, “So lets go back. We need to take care of your vegetable garden before the cops start poking around.” She nodded and turned back, and he followed along at her pace asking, “So how’d you know I was going to come find you? I know you knew somehow, or you’d have taken the car rather than slash the tires.” Valentina replied, “Same way I knew you’d give me a gun without a magazine. I just know you, I know you trust me now. If not I would still be walking…that way.” She gestured with a thumb over her shoulder and he nodded.

Amused he asked, “Does it work on the race track, lotto or the casino’s?” Valentina shook her head, “No, sorry.” Lincoln nodded, “Well, if it ever does, let me know.” Valentina agreed, “If you like, but I don’t get anything from gambling for money. It’s mostly gambling with lives and for now, I’m gonna leave it.”

Lincoln commented, “Not that I want to start an argument, but that guy back there on the road is gambling for his life right now.” Valentina informed, “He had a knife, and meant to harm me. I had no choice.” Lincoln added with an amused expression, “And a high caliber rock.” She watched him sensing he was teasing and he gave her a light grin adding, “But I do understand.”

She let it go because she knew he did, and she replied, “Before you go insulting me by asking, I’m absolutely fine.” He shook his head, “No, I wasn’t going to, I saw you were fine.” She remarked softly, “But you were worried when you came across that scene back there.”

Lincoln agreed nodding, “I knew I better get you out of sight before the cops figure it out.” She looked at him sharply and saw he was teasing. They were quiet until they reached the car and he continued with her to get the door admitting, “I was worried, especially when you hadn’t been anywhere near there. I thought maybe there was someone else that might’ve grabbed you and took off."

He pulled open the door for her adding, “I even gave myself the guilt trip for causing you to go without a weapon.” She looked up at him before she got in, “That was my choice to go without a gun.” He closed the door for her and moved to the other side, it had been her choice, but he was sure he’d been part of it.

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***       Ana watched Michael as he surveyed the view from the window, there was no sign of anyone. He looked at Ana who sat curled up on one of the beds against the headboard as though trying to disappear. She had her eyes closed, but he could tell she was much to tense to be asleep.

Giving up on his watch for his brother, he moved to join her causing her to start. Ana looked at the door asking; “They’re back?” Putting his arms around her, he replied, “No, not yet. I just came to sit with you. I don’t like seeing you so frightened, especially if you’re safe now.” Ana mused softly, “Then you wouldn’t like to see me in Cuba. It was the only time I didn’t believe Valentina could get us out alive.”

Michael held her to him gently replying, “I don’t want to ask, but you’ve got me curious.” Ana stared at her hands, “Cuban insurgents, rebels, men with diplomatic immunity, they abused everything. If Valentina had never learned so much about weapons and fighting we would have died there. When we came here, we were better off, but there’s always someone. Eventually, Rey Raton heard of us, our escape, and Valentina’s expertise. You saw he wanted to recruit her, you understand.” Michael asked, “Now she wants to give it up, but can she?” Ana looked up into his blue eyes answering, “They never taught her to give up, they taught opposite. Keep going, don’t ever stop, the day you do, they take you. I believe it, I am the example of what happens to those who stop and give up.”

Michael asked gingerly with extreme caution, “Because you got captured? Is that how it was in Cuba?” Ana replied quietly, “If they can’t get Valentina, they take the easy choice. Without her, I am not free.” Michael shook his head, “You’re free now, and she’s not here. She’ll be back though, and I’ll keep you safe until she is. I’ll do it for however long we’re together for.”

He pulled her close to hold her tightly, noting the tension in her starting to slip away. He didn’t know how the world had been against her in such a cruel and violent manner that her only sister could defend her. All he knew was he disliked that the sweet soled woman feared many and deserved proper attention.

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***        As Lincoln drove back to where Valentina encountered the man, he said, “I think the best thing to do is move the car and him off the road where they can’t be seen right away. We can check out early and make tracks out of here before the cops start looking around.” Valentina agreed, “It is the best thing to do, but since when do you take charge of my mess?”

Lincoln glanced to look at her and saw she was teasing, he replied in jest, “I’m not butting heads with you on that, you’re libel to use a rock.” She nearly smiled, but noticed they came back upon the car. He pulled around behind it, and the downed man.

As he parked he said, “We need to get gloves on or something, check that glove box in front of you.” She did with amusement, but found maps. They searched the car before finding a pair in the trunk inside a toolbox.

Valentina looked at the man on the road before checking his car. Sliding on the gloves, Lincoln looked over the man musing, “Still breathing, but out cold.” Valentina moved closer to the car and looked over the inside ensuring not to touch anything. Unlike Don Raton’s premises, this road scene would be picked clean for evidence.

Lincoln used a glove hand to open the driver’s door and took a closer look around. Valentina suggested, “Push the trunk button.” He found it, and hit it looking to ensure the trunk opened. Valentina used a tissue from her purse to push the lid open completely and looked inside.

There was a spare tire, gas can, and another took kit. Moving back, she watched Lincoln looking around inside informing, “Spare gas can back there, maybe we can siphon some gas.” Lincoln finished his search agreeing, “We can.” He climbed out carrying ropes to show her, “He had plans.”

Tossing them back inside, he added, “But so do I, to get him in the car first.” She nodded, and watched for signs of anyone while she waited. After he had the man in the car they siphoned the gas from the car filling the can. Once done, she used a sham cloth to keep from putting her prints on the car to help push it off the road.

Once it was in the ditch, they looked for something to conceal the car with. There wasn’t much branches or debris to conceal it with from either side of the road, but at least it wasn’t as visible as before. When that was done, Valentina joined him back at the car. Using the sham to polish the hood as a test she asked, “Does this mean the next guy you take out, I gotta do all the hard work.” He gave her an amused look as he pulled the gloves off, “If so, I’ll have to make sure it’s not someone too heavy, or you’ll hurt your back.”

She feigned a pout as she examined her work, “Oh, I was hoping it would be Don Raton, and I know he’s heavy.” He admired her warning, “Don’t pout like that, it only makes me excited.” She looked at him in surprise, but he busied himself putting away the gas can and gloves in the trunk. She returned to polishing, trying not to grin.

When he returned he teased, “You going to do the police cruisers when they stop here too?” She shook her head with a light smile, “I’m not gonna get caught standing around any cars. All it takes is one picture, and all of a sudden, I’m Miss. January. Miss. Risky is good enough.” He nodded in amusement before motioning to the passenger door, “Get in before I get a camera.”

She moved for the door retorting, “I could do the same, except I might sell it on e-bay for money.” They got inside, and he started the car commenting, “Don’t give me any ideas.” He started the car and turned it back around heading back to the motel on the road noting lights coming behind them he muttered, “Shit, someone’s coming.” Valentina pointed, “Just up there on the right at those trees, it’s a dirt driveway, pull in. Cut the lights.”

He saw where she meant and did as she’d directed and then cut the engine. Valentina got out quickly and he followed asking, “What are you doing?” Luckily she’d walked past the driveway, she’d noticed the grove of trees from the road where she noted was too dense to see into. Watching the terrain, she picked a spot to watch the road from noticing the car coming and stopped to look back for Lincoln who nearly bumped into her again. His momentum carried him right up to her and he stuck his hands around her waist leaving them there mostly out of fear she would take off again.

Valentina pointed, “The car’s coming, let’s see if they notice our handy work.” He watched from over her shoulder as the car made it’s way along the road. From a distance, they couldn’t see the car they’d hidden from there. Valentina said quietly, “If it slows down then they noticed.”

There was no need for her to state the obvious, but he liked hearing her talk. Especially on dangerous matters where her intelligence showed. They studied the car as it ambled along carefully at the same speed. Lincoln mused quietly, “Who’s driving? Grandpa Herbie doing one over the minimum speed limit?” Valentina teased, “Maybe his wife Edna is giving him an earful about stopping for directions.” Lincoln didn’t take his hands off her, or his eyes off the car as he retorted, “You better hope they don’t live down this dirt road, or we’ll have some explaining to do.” Valentina nodded, “We were lost, and I told you to stop for directions.”

He wanted to look at her, but the car was coming up on where they’d ditched the man and his car. Silently they watched as it continued ambling along past that closer to them. The headlights were too bright to look into so they ducked away from it to wait.

When the car got closed to look at, they looked into the car noting two people. As it passed, Valentina commented, “Two old fishermen, likely making up stories about their catch for the day.” He looked at her again, letting go of his grip on her now that he could watch her again, “Let’s go Miss. Risky, I’ve had enough excitement for now.”

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They head back to the car and he was about to get the door, but she suddenly moved in front of it asking, “What are you doing?” He watched her in surprise replying, “Getting the door.” She shook her head, “We can’t go now, you’ll catch up to them in five seconds.”

He hadn’t thought of that, and they couldn’t be trailing them or they’d be noticed on the road. He pointed to the car asking, “So you just want to stand here and prop up the car?” She looked at it, around her, before using a sleeve on the side of the mirror, “Maybe I’ll polish it some more and be useful.” He nodded asking, “Oh yeah?” She nodded moving for the mirror next and he took her arm suddenly pulling her along, “Well, you missed a spot.” She followed him to the front hood asking, “Where? I did almost all of it?”

He climbed up and took a seat pulling her up pointing to the spot next to him, “Here.” She sat next to him trying not to laugh as she asked, “Are you looking for an award for best polished stolen car?” He grinned, “I won the best wrecked one already, why not?”

She looked at him as she asked, “Are you hoping for the longest time concealed car, like I am?” Lincoln agreed, “If that one stays hidden past a week, I’ll be looking for an award.” Valentina mused, “It fooled Grandpa Herbie, who by the way will need about five more minutes head start.” He nodded, “I could run behind him.” Valentina agreed, “Yes, but you’ve had enough excitement, I understand.”

He knew she was teasing and grinned pointing out, “You’ve been the cause of it.” She watched him replying in jest, “You don’t want to butt heads with me over that.” He shook his head, “No way, you put a damn good dent in his head. What did he do?” Valentina replied, “We got time for the long version. He came up and told me ‘Get in’. I said ‘Get lost’. I kept walking” Lincoln could near picture it and stated, “He pulled up in front of you, stopped, got out, and confronted you. Did anyone see you? What happened next?” Valentina informed, “Nobody saw us. I’d already picked up the rock before he came and had it in my hand by my side where he couldn’t see it. He stops in front of me about to lift the knife and says ‘I got a knife.’ So WHAM, I hit him.” She looked at Lincoln smiling proudly finishing, “Then I say ‘I gotta rock, and that beats knife.”

He nodded as he agreed, “It sure did, but where’s the knife? You slashed the tires, and then did what with it?” Valentina replied, “Tossed it after I walked far enough along.” Curiously he asked, “Why? You didn’t like it?” She nodded joking, “Yeah, it wasn’t pink.” He chuckled and she leaned to nudge him with her arm, “Don’t laugh too hard Señor Machismo, you would get into trouble without your brother here to referee.”

Seeing she was teasing he laughed, “I can laugh now at the black and white shirt.” Valentina smiled, “Oh good, because I wanted to add a whistle to that remark, but you looked so pissed off.” Watching him she added, “I am sorry I did, I only said things because I was hurt you didn’t trust me.” He watched her nodding, “I’m sorry too, but I can trust you now. So how about putting it all behind us?” She nodded, “Okay, and then we can laugh some more about it.”

She laughed suggesting, “Like that three stooges routine over getting the motel room.” Lincoln chuckled, “That is funny now, but Michael should be able to laugh with us now on that.” She agreed, “Him and my sister deserve to after all that.” Lincoln informed, “You had them fooled too, disappearing back there. Michael swore you were in the washroom.” Valentina commented, “Poor Ana, she must’ve been worried.”

Lincoln recalled aloud, “Ana must’ve told Michael she didn’t know where you’d gone, he told me. Then he added it threw us all for a loop.” She could imagine, and suddenly a different premonition hit her. One of her sister back in the motel alone with Michael.

Curiously, Lincoln watched her asking, “What?” He suspected she’d thought of something important, but wasn’t sure. Valentina looked at him informing, “Grandpa Herbie might need five minutes, but I think we need to give our siblings more time than that.”

Lincoln realized what she meant, and looked closer at her with surprise, “You got a premonition of them?” Valentina nodded, “We’re both close to them, it’s not difficult to happen. I have foreseen plenty about her before too. It’s how I knew the Don had her at the house.” She was pleased for her sister and his brother.

Lincoln was pleased for them too, and thought for a moment about it before admitting, “It’s obvious from the get go he’s liked her, I shouldn’t be surprised. After all, we did leave them alone.” He chuckled and Valentina grinned, “I’m pleased you’re not worried.” He looked at her retorting, “No offense, but Ana is an open book. I can forever not have to watch her; I know she won’t do anything. She’s usually right in the same corner somewhere quiet as a church mouse.”

Grinning suddenly he added, “You on the other hand, are a far different story.” Valentina teased, “No need to flatter me, but please…go on.” He grinned wider doing just that, “Jumping out of windows, coming down here, cracking open some guys’ skull, you’re just full of surprises. I’m not sure I want to know what’s next.”

Valentina wrapped both her arms around his closest one, clasping his hand in both hers offering, “I’ll keep my hands here where you can see them.” He didn’t pull away from her as she added slyly, “Unless that no longer counts because I don’t have a gun anymore?”

Lincoln already enjoyed her presence, but he was enjoying it even more now. He teased back, “I don’t know Miss. Risky, there’s quite a few high caliber rocks around here.” She laughed before joking, “I’m not too interested in them, none of them come in a nice pink color.” It had to be a feminine looking rock before she would be interested.

He laughed before he commented, “You would’ve been good to know when we busted out. Do you realize you not only got in and out of the Don’s house, but out of our motel room too?” She nodded, “Yeah. I know personally all about that.”

He laughed harder musing, “Man was I mad, and escaped convict foiled by an escapee.” Valentina shrugged, “I had to, if I tried to go out the door, you would’ve stopped me.” He agreed heartily, “I sure would.”

He watched her closely suddenly adding with a warning, “So don’t try it again.” Valentina shook her head, “Nope, I don’t need to as long as you’re gonna trust me.” He continued to watch her as he nodded, and then he asked quietly, “Have you decided what you will do? I’m not going to force you to pick up a weapon, or go with out. I will tell you, we do have a fight on our hands with Don. I never want to be the one making you join us, but your help will probably be needed.”

She looked away into the darkness agreeing, “I know, I’ve thought a lot about that recently. For now, I like going without a gun where I’m free. Tomorrow we could encounter the Don’s goons, and I’ll be grabbing them up again. It’s like when Ana and I first got here. I thought, I’ll keep the Astra for protection, we wouldn’t need it.”

Lincoln watched her feeling empathy for her, as he asked, “No chance?” She shook her head, “No, too many damn predators out there. Each one has to underestimate me, they see Ana and think the same. Even the cops, them I can manipulate.”

She gave him an example resting her head on his arm and looking up at him with an innocent expression that had him going, “Now officer, do you think a small, quiet woman like myself would have such courage to be involved in danger? It’s much too frightening, I would call a big strong policeman such as yourself instead.”

He gave her a grin of approval, “Very good, you got me believing it. Where are the bad guys? I’ll arrest them.” Valentina laughed as she joked, “Thank you; now pardon me while I go throw up.” It was Lincoln’s turn to laugh now, and Valentina joined him before informing, “I’ve started working off Ana’s personality, I can add a sniff here or there if I really have to, but I can’t do crocodile tears.”

He admired her talents and her, and he joked, “Unless they’re tears from laughing too hard.” She agreed, “True, but acting like that does make me nauseous.” Lincoln pointed out, “You’re also sick of all the shooting, Ana thinks you’d definitely pick it up again if you two were back out on your own.”

Valentina agreed, “I would have to, it would be like back in Cuba again. I wouldn’t want to, but then someone comes along, and forces me to use the skills again. It’s how they say, damned if you do, damned if you don’t.”

He again felt empathy for her and agreed, “That’s for sure.” He was reaching out to the Valentina that wanted to be out free without the violence, in the same heartbeat, he knew that knowledge of war would remain with her for ever. Just like all the faces of those lined up in her sights, it was the same for him. Now that he understood her, and trusted her, he found he really liked her. She definitely had the looks, and the intelligence, plus she had ace shooting and weapon skills.

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Lincoln asked curiously, “Who taught you the trick with the firing pin?” Valentina asked with surprise, “That’s what you were quietly thinking about? I thought it was about how nice I really am behind all that violence.” He gave her a coy smile, “I admit I was thinking about that too.”

She gave his hand a gentle squeeze with both of hers replying, “Since you’re so honest, I won’t mind talking about it. Maybe not all of it, but some. Like the first years, those were rebellious. I learned that trick from a friend of my cousin, Rodrigo. He told me when gun dealers didn’t trust new first time gun buyers; they did that. They used to put in blank magazines, but the gun buyers could slip in one loaded quickly. The pin worked better.”

Lincoln commented with impress, “I sure as hell am not going to disagree there.” Valentina gave him a sorrowful expression, but grinned when he did. He could see she did feel sad for the things that had transpired, and was pleased he no longer held it against her.

Valentina asked, “Want to hear a story that’s unbelievable? Ana will confirm some of it for you, if you like.” He replied in amusement, “Let’s hear it, I think I’ll know if I believe it’s true or not.” Valentina smiled slyly, “When I was six, my cousins brought in this pellet gun for me to use. They started showing it to me and talking about it. I told them ‘Guns are for boys’.” He had to believe that part; Ana had said she’d started with a pellet gun. He watched as she gave his ribs a gentle nudge with her elbow before adding, “I still do.”

Lincoln nodded with a grin, “So far I still believe you.” Valentina went on, “So they tell me I have to learn how to use this pellet gun. I told them I’m a girl; we don’t play with guns. They insisted, they said in case one day I need to use one to defend myself. I told them I would call a boy with a gun for help.”

She laughed, and he chuckled, “It’s getting a little unbelievable, that doesn’t sound quite like you.” She watched him asking curiously, “Really, you think so?” Lincoln nodded pointing out, “If you needed help right on hand, the simplest thing for you to do is just pick up a gun. I can’t really see you calling a guy with a gun to help.”

Valentina made her own point in rebuttal, “I would have to rely on you for help right now if I need it.” She eyed him nearly seductively as she added, “And I’m sure you got your gun on you somewhere.” He agreed with a grin, “Okay, point taken, but saying you did have your gun, would you really want to just rely on my help?”  She studied his intent green eyes carefully replying, “I still think guns are for boys, why should I do a job I don’t feel is meant for me? Even if more women these days are carrying and using them, and manufacturers are designing them for women, I still don’t believe I should be forced to carry, and use a gun.”

She saw he believed her and he nodded agreeing, “Okay, I believe it. Finish your story. What did you do? Put a couple of pellets in their rear ends?” She shook her head with a grin, “No, I never got a chance. They showed me how to hit a target; they put it up for me. They left me with a coffee can full of pellets. I was to finish at least half the can into the target, or else they would force Anna out to do it. She would be easier to force, and I knew it would upset her. So, I stood there pissed off loading and shooting as many rounds as I could fire into that target.”

Curiously, Lincoln asked, “How did you do?” She grinned replying, “It was an old round table with circles for targets painted on it. I might have hit the center circle a couple of times, the rest were all over the place, but I stopped when the can was half gone. I was too tired to hold that gun up anymore, so…I went inside with it.”

He sensed the rebel came next, and watched Valentina as she gave him a smile informing, “This is the unbelievable part, are you ready?” Lincoln nodded grinning, “I gotta hear the ending now.” Valentina finished the story slowly for clarity and drama, “Well, I went into the room Ana and I shared, and the pellet gun scared her away. I thought, if I’m a girl, and I gotta carry this gun, it’s gonna be a girl gun. Four bottles of pink nail polish later, and a lot of drying…I had myself a pink gun.”

Lincoln cracked up laughing hard, “No way!” She nodded, and released his arm to demonstrate with her hands, “The muzzle part was cotton candy pink, the barrel, like chewing gum color pink. The back was a soft baby color pink and the rest was the brightest neon pink. I used up all of it, and when Ana came in, she’s smelling nail polish.”

Valentina started laughing causing him to join her as she continued, “This pink gun is sitting right there and she isn’t even scared.” He laughed with her before he finally had to ask, “What did your cousins do?” Valentina replied in a serious tone, “They were mad, the pellet gun was ruined. They took it outside, and drove over it until it was gone.” Lincoln laughed again, and she watched him adding with a wide grin, “That’s why when you asked if I knew the Browning BDM didn’t come in pink, I later made that remark about Juan’s gun. I thought you might not believe it.”

He watched her with admiration and amusement, “I can picture you doing that, and I believe it. So much so, that I’m going to warn you not to do that with any gun in our possession.”

She held up her fingers to wiggle them in partial forfeit, “No chance; no nail polish.” Lincoln replied cautiously, “I’m getting to know you better, the warning includes: lipstick, makeup or any other feminine type of thing. Not even a frilly hair tie…deal?”

She laughed hard, and when it took a moment for her to stop, he realized she wouldn’t. Finally she held up a hand promising, “Deal, the only thing I use on guns, are silencers, cleaning equipment, or any other weapon related type of thing.”

He grinned at that, it would be something he would love to see, after watching her field strip the gun swiftly back at the motel. He slid an arm around her delicate shoulders informing, “I believe you, and I honestly think you’d never even contemplate it. Simply because you would’ve done something like that to keep your sister easy.”

She watched him musing, “You definitely are getting to know me. A while back, I saw this case for a gun…the Lady Elite. A Colt, you know it?” He gave her a wide grin, “.380 caliber, does about as much damage as you can do with a rock.” She laughed and then stated, “The case was black, with white writing and a red rose on it.” Lincoln teased as he asked, “Your suggestion to Colt manufacturers?” She shook her head smiling, “No, but when I showed it to Ana, to see her reaction. I already knew what my nail polish idea had done. She was onto it quick.”

Valentina shrugged, and looked away musing, “You can dress a wolf up to look like granny, but you know it’s capable of killing you.” The comfort his arm gave her being around her put her at ease, and she listened as he agreed, “There’s no hiding it.”

He felt bad that Ana had trained herself to be weary of everything aside from her sister, but with Valentina around wreaking havoc it had to also play a part on her attitude. Although Ana did trust his brother implacably he could see why, knowing Michael. Unlike him, Michael was no brute, and very soft spoken at times, especially around Ana as of late.

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***      It had started by the intention to keep Ana from being so frightened. Then the story about Cuba had pangs of empathy for her. From there, the yearning to protect her so she could be free. The thoughts about her life, and personality enforced his feelings she was the safest person he’d ever known to trust. Aside from shielding her traumatizing experiences from her life, she was open and honest.

Michael also knew he more than admired her innocence and he got curious about the feelings he’d ignored earlier when they kissed. So intent on getting the spring free, he’d kept his focus on that, rather than open up the door he’d kept closed. The feelings he’d suspected behind it hadn’t been wanted to distract him from their situation, and he’d barely been able to ignore them.

Now he was curious, had the feelings been there from anxiety, novelty, just lust, or actually real? Real like the strong admiration he had of her. Did he dare test to find out, now they were safe, if it felt the same? He noted, that the tension and fear had slipped away from her gradually until now. He didn’t want it to return, but he was curious to give it at least one gentle try. If she responded in fear, he wouldn’t continue, but he had to find out.

He leaned down gently to let his mouth touch hers. To his delight Ana didn’t tense, but was surprised. As they had been in the same moment earlier at the Don’s home, she was aware no harm was meant for her.

Some how his sweet experiment got quickly out of hand. One second it was a test, the next it was exploration. Had it been that sweet earlier? He couldn’t recall, and yearned to press further. Was it due to the fact they were no longer in danger? What had caused all the sudden sensations along his arm where she lightly stroked him?

It was the passion he’d awakened in her; he could feel it trying to break free wildly. Some where inside, she had the same door closed, only tighter from fear. The exploration quickly turned to lust, he couldn’t control, and Ana had no intention of trying to stop it. She knew this was not something she’d experienced before, the power of their feelings made it special. He wanted her, for who she was, and not just because she was a woman he could have sex with.

It made the reciprocation mutual as both doors burst open and the passion flooded in. Making love to her had not been a fearful reminder of the rape and torture she’d endured before. The safe haven he’d created from passion was a place she longed for, and more than willing to be.

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***      Lincoln mused quietly, “I’d take the Beretta too; it all depends on what you need it for and which one you’re able to use.” Valentina agreed, pointing out, “True, but you can train yourself with practice to use a more appropriate weapon. There are plenty of sniper rifles out there that I’ve never handled, but if I applied my gun skills to it, and trained hard…I could become successful using one. I just thank God I don’t have a need for it.”

He admired her as he gave her shoulder a light caress, “The recoil would separate your shoulder Miss. Risky.” Valentina shook her head, “Depends on what kind of weapon and shot you use, and you can work up to it.”

The conversation was already a turn on for him, and listening to her expertise with weapons, and knowledge of them was getting him more than excited. He stared at her in admiration asking, “Let me guess, one of your cousins got you training with rifles too?” She replied, “You haven’t heard the half of it Señor Machismo, but when I got here, that was when the world of weapons opened up. You wanna hear about the first time I met the Atchisson?”

He shook his head, “No, as much as it excites me, I’m still absorbing everything else.” She gave him a gentle elbow in the ribs informing, “Those stories pack a real punch, but you know I prefer to stick to what I need.” He grinned at her in appreciation, “Yeah, a few rocks, and you’re good to go. You should load a few in your purse.”

She smiled as he grinned; it was strange talking weapons with a woman. Especially an attractive one, and her knowledge was awesome. He knew what she meant about handling the recoil with time, and that at her size it didn’t matter. Bigger men weren’t able to handle recoil well due to experience and practice. Not only that, but he’d also heard somewhere that bigger sized rifle shooters soaked up the recoil, where as smaller ones rolled more with it.

Threshold was another matter, and he was sure she learned all that back in Cuba along with her other skills. It was getting him going thinking about all the hidden skills she possessed.

Valentina suddenly laughed, “If I load my purse with rocks, I am libel to separate my shoulder from the weight carrying it around.” He chuckled as he fondly admired her, and she teased, “I’d have to ask you to carry it around for me.”

This made him laugh, and she slid her arms around his torso lightly, “I was joking, but out of curiosity, it would be interesting to know if you did carry it for me, if you’d use it on someone.”

He was surprised by her sudden closeness, but he still laughed. Valentina added, “Hypothetically of course.” He grinned at her, “Hypothetically, I would use it on someone, but hypothetically speaking I would suspect you to put one in there intentionally just to watch me, do just that.”

It was her turn to laugh and he watched her affectionately, in a matter of hours he’d been drawn to the Cuban beauty next to him. If his trust of her hadn’t gotten in the way, he would’ve seen the side of Valentina that was very much human. Valentina followed with the joking, “Well, hypothetically speaking I’d have to take a picture of that, I’m positive I could make a lot of money selling a photo of an escaped convict swinging a loaded purse.”

Trying not to break up laughing, he retorted in jest, “You’d get more money if you were included in the photo.” They both laughed, and then Valentina commented, “I’d be more interested in a photo of your gun, I trust you put it back together and have it hiding behind you here.”

She looked him over in such a manner it nearly over excited him, but he managed to reply with a smile, “Yep, but I made sure the clip was full.” She watched him intently, noting his green eyes held no signs of bitterness, it had to be done, and it was definitely over now.

Now that they’d moved on comfortably, it was easier to relax. Softly she asked, “You don’t see me in the same light anymore, do you?” She was quite sure he didn’t, but asked to be sure. He shook his head replying, “No, you did one hell of a job getting me to see you for who you are. I should’ve seen you before you gave me that empty clip. But now that I do, it’s easy to read you.”

Valentina mused softly, “Oh, really? What am I up to right now?” He studied her for a moment before replying in a wild and crazy guess, “You’re contemplating lifting my gun?” Valentina shook her head grinning slyly, “Your radar is a little off Señor Machismo; I am contemplating stealing something though.”

She moved one hand up touching his jaw lightly as she leaned closer. He anticipated her intent, and moved to meet her feeling the full impact upon contact with her lips. The amount of shooting that occurred that night, couldn’t even reach the level of explosion that went off at that moment flooring them. It felt like he’d suddenly gotten on a wild roller coaster ride, everyone of his senses coming fully alive. He moved his other arm around her gently as he took in her warmth, tasting her lips before she teased him with her tongue.

The teasing wasn’t taken lightly as he’d already been enticed. Probing her mouth, he tried to capture her tongue, but her teasing continued. She could more than sense his reactions and hold her own in the tongue wrestle, but when she had enough, she relinquished her mouth to him.

It was already passionate, but when she forfeited, the rest of the emotion flooded through like a dam bursting, threatening to sweep them away. It was a mutual separation and he admired her lustfully musing, “I think the car moved, do you recall if I left it in park?” She smiled replying, “You did, but I never noticed before how hot it is sitting on the hood.”

He disagreed with a sly smile, “No, that definitely is you, that’s hot.” They both laughed, and he joked, “We’re going to need a referee here to break it up again.” She gave him a coy smile replying, “If you let me borrow the car, I can go get them a gift.”

Lincoln grinned guessing, “A nice black and white striped shirt.” She shook her head replying mischievously, “We’d never notice, either a whistle, or a bucket of ice water.” He laughed, and she watched, pleased to be able to cause it.

She glanced up the dirt road, it was too dark to see what lay at the end of it, but she was getting the feeling it was empty of human presence. She always picked up on the presence of others, and although Lincoln’s was an intense, strong, and dangerous one, she still picked up others.

“Are you sure you’ve had enough excitement for tonight?” she asked as she looked at him again. He’d already followed her gaze, and guessed her intention, “After that lip lock, do you really expect me to want to go up this road with you for more excitement?” Valentina mused suggestively, “It depends on what kind of excitement is there. If not I promise not to create any.” He nodded, replying brazenly, “Empty promise, you cause excitement regardless of what you do. Save the exploration for another time, meanwhile we should head back. We still need to watch the motel.”

Valentina gave him a surprised smile asking, “We?” He shrugged grinning back, “If you want, I told you I trusted you. If you decide to pick up a gun or not, you can do what you like. I’m not going to argue with you.”

She thought this over for a moment before she finally admitted what her choice was, “I don’t want to pick up any weapons unless I have to.” He understood, and nodded before he pulled her close to hold her.

He didn’t dare try kissing her like that again, for fear it got out of hand. They were in no place to get carried away, and had to get back to the motel. It was already getting him carried away holding her so damn close where he could feel every curve on him.

Quietly he offered, “You still don’t have to if you think you need to. Michael and I can pick up the slack for you if we have to.” He had to release her or he’d be all over her passionately. Looking at her when they were apart he added, “Don’t feel I’m influencing you one way or the other, I know how you got started, and how you feel about it. If you want to know how I feel about it, I’d prefer if you had no need to carry a weapon, but with, or without out, I’m confident you can handle yourself just fine.”

She touched his chin lightly and remembered the knick on his jaw. Glancing to examine it, she replied, “I appreciate that, it’s very machismo of you to admit it.” They smiled, and he gave her a sly grin asking, “Just promise me one thing?” Valentina uncertainly asked, “What?” He replied deviously, “Don’t sleep with any rocks under the pillow.”

She laughed and he grinned as he jokingly offered, “You can leave them on the night stand, paint them pink, whatever.” Valentina continued to laugh, “Please, a duffle full of guns is enough for that room.” He agreed whole heartily, “It is, and I know some people I could sell them to. It was a good spree, you can sure bring in a haul.”

It suddenly dawned on her; their next big adventure would be about pulling in another one. He wouldn’t like the danger involved and she let the thought go. For now they were at a wonderful peace, and there was no sense in ruining it

She gave him a meek smile, “Better for us to have it, than them. They don’t need it anymore.” She wasn’t sure if he would notice her previous thoughts had given her some trepidation and she forced herself to think of anything else aside from the new idea of striking one of Don Raton’s clubs for a haul of weapons or money.

Perhaps if they moved off it would be easier to forget and she looked behind them at the car musing, “The road has been quiet, it’s a good sign. Aside from us, just two cars.” He agreed, “It has been, I only noticed the one car, and it belonged to that guy. I don’t think anyone will spot it in the ditch until daybreak.”

Valentina looked at him again asking, “Shall we go now?” He nodded, and they moved climbing off the hood. Walking her to the passenger door he asked, “You’re not going to take off over there again are you?” She shook her head and replied, “No, and I won’t cause any excitement.”

She looked at him expecting the response he gave with a brazen grin, “Too late.” Moving for the door handle he pulled the door open swiftly adding, “But you knew that.” She moved to get in, but settled to give him a knowing smile rather than reply.

When he got in at the other side, she remained quiet as he started the car and brought it back out onto the main road. They both scanned the road, noting it was quiet as he started back and he suddenly chuckled prompting her to look curiously. Lincoln informed, “I almost said, ‘there’s nothing exciting along the road’.” She smiled before replying, “Hey, it’s still a good sign.” He nodded agreeing, “It is; we should be able to get clear tomorrow.”

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Valentina was more familiar with their surroundings having walked along the road, so she wasn’t really taking them in anymore. She was trying to forget her earlier thoughts. Nearly succeeding as she focused on their destination. Having given her sister and his brother enough time to be intimately alone, she had to wonder if there would be a chance if they would return the favor?

There wouldn’t be anytime, and she was tired. First thing in the morning, they had to check out, even if they left them the room earlier, she was positive Lincoln would be equally as tired, if not more. Would Michael give him a rest on the watch? As tired as she was, she had to offer, “If you like, you can get some sleep. I can watch. There’s not much happening out here, and you need to rest for the drive tomorrow.”

He glanced at her replying, “That’s thoughtful of you, but I can top that. My brother can sit up for me if I need to, and you can’t give up your first night of being able to sleep now that we can keep watch for you.”

She smiled pointing out, “I can sleep in the car tomorrow if I have to, but I’m not gonna argue over it. The only way I can make you close your eyes, isn’t very nice. So I’ll leave it.” He grinned as he glanced at her again with suggestive raised eyebrows, “Don’t give in too fast, you can always stay up and keep me company.” She laughed replying, “Sure, that way if you did fall asleep it would be with one eye open.”

He joined her in laughing in amusement before he looked at her with a grin, “I hope that was a joke.” She simply smiled licentiously, and he took her smile and silence as a sign. He mused softly, “I don’t like that silence.” Valentina replied sweetly, “Don’t worry Señor Machismo, I wouldn’t be trouble, unless we were alone.”

Suddenly getting her intent, Valentina watched noticing his sudden expression of curious excitement. She waited for the reply she knew was coming, watching him grin with eagerness, “Since it’s impossible to get rid of our siblings, I’m thinking that back seat can be useful. What do you say we just pull the watch duty from back there?”

She knew this was a joke, and replied in jest, “We wouldn’t be watching the road for trouble.” The stirring from within him grew as he glanced at her complimenting, “Good point.” Although he’d had a burning desire to claim her, it was blocked by thoughts of carelessness. There was a time lust over ran cautiousness, but he was an escaped convict who was being looked for by everyone. It only took one set of eyes to call the authorities while he got reckless going at it with Valentina out in the open.

As it was, his brother and Ana should’ve been careful. With no immediate sign of cops, or Raton’s men, it was still a risk to get distracted by the heat of passion in a motel room. Hence the expression ‘getting caught with your pants down’. He was sure Valentina saw it the same way, if things had been different, they would’ve been getting busy back in the driveway moments ago.

Valentina watched him asking, “Do you think it’s been long enough for them?” Lincoln grinned replying, “It wasn’t my premonition, but I can tell you right now…ten minutes is long enough for any average male to be satisfied. We’ve been gone a lot longer.”

Valentina chuckled, “I gave you more than ten minutes back at the Don’s house, I suppose that’s accurate.” He laughed suddenly musing, “Too bad I was alone.” She reached to pat his arm gently, “I can make it up to you, don’t worry.” He gave her a near lustful smile; “I’ll hold you to that.” Valentina insisted, “You better had.”

He glanced at her again before musing quietly, “This sure is a lot better, it was antagonizing before.” Curiously, she asked, “What?” He informed, “Riding around in here with your nails stuck into me.” She laughed, but took no offense as she agreed, “Yes, I think so too. You’re much more attractive with your fangs back in.” He laughed, as he replied, “I can only think of one other time I wouldn’t mind those claws.”

He caught her smile knowing she got his meaning, and he continued, “After that, I prefer if they got sharpened in some other sucker.” He could think of several people he’d love to see them in, and listened as Valentina replied in agreement, “I prefer that too.”

Knowing the road, she knew they were near the motel again. So did he, and he eased off the gas to slow down. They fell silent as they watched for any signs of trouble as the motel came into view. It was quite dark, and no new cars had arrived. They noticed a dim light came from number 12, and guessed they had left one on.

It was quiet as Lincoln pulled the car back into the spot and cut the engine once he parked. Valentina saw no signs of danger or alarm and looked at him as she asked, “Care to lead Señor Machismo?” He took her hand in his replying quietly, “We get out, go to the door. No picking up rocks, or climbing in via windows.” She grinned musing, “That last part sounded like fun, are you sure you wouldn’t give me a leg up? Once I got inside I could lock us-.” He cut her off pulling her to him as he moved to kiss her again.

She responded compliantly as she eased closer along the seat to him. The intensity and fire from his touch on her was too good to be wasted at their distance apart. Breaking off to slide closer to him she said, “Let’s forget climbing in the window and climb this back seat instead.”

He put his arms around her as she neared, “I’d love to climb something, but inside. Since that’s occupied, we’ll have to make do with here.” She reclaimed his mouth passionately, her intentions to give him a taste of things to come. Somehow he had tantalized her during the process enjoying what he had to offer nearly getting caught up in the moment.

Somehow they both knew how dangerous it was to get so passionately caught up exchanging saliva. Breaking apart mutually in reluctance, she watched him gasping quietly, “The car is possessed, it’s in park, but this time I did feel it move.” He watched her with a sly grin, “Whatever demon is controlling it; they turned the heat up ten degrees too.” She raised an eyebrow retorting seductively, “No, that’s definitely you that’s hot.”

They grinned mutually before he gave her a light kiss. Moving to take her hands he said quietly, “Let’s go, that offer is still good if you want to stay up. If not, I won’t mind keeping watch by myself.” She nodded, “I might stay awake a while, it’s still too soon for me to completely wind down.” He understood; it would take a while before she could relax and fall asleep.

Lincoln opened the door, still claiming one of her hands as they got out. Closing the door behind her, he didn’t bother to scrutinize the area, as he knew Valentina was doing just that.

The slam of the car door alerted Michael inside as he suddenly glanced out the window cautiously. A moment later he stood at the open door studying them carefully. She noted his bare torso, and massive tattoo mocking quietly, “He definitely does need a striped shirt.” Lincoln glanced at her with a grin, but didn’t comment as he led the way to the door.

Michael watched less apprehensively as they entered still holding hands. He glanced closely to be positively sure they hadn’t been hand cuffed together as he closed the door behind them.

Valentina noticed her sister asleep in one of the beds, and nearly smiled. Lincoln did as well; he turned back to Michael informing softly, “Go on back and sleep, I’ll take first watch.” Michael glanced at Valentina cautiously before asking softly, “Did you two settle your differences? Are we all on the same page now?”

Trying not to grin, Lincoln replied, “Yeah little brother, just stand by with a bucket of ice water, and we’ll be fine.” Valentina looked at Lincoln raising an eyebrow with surprise. He glanced at her knowing the expression before looking at Michael again, “Go on; get your rest. I’ll wake you later.” Michael uncertainly moved, casting curious expressions at them as he studied them, still scrutinizing their hands. There were no signs of forced connection, and looked relaxed. It appeared things were fine enough, but he wasn’t positive. After such a dramatic feud, he couldn’t foresee a resolution so quickly, but he did head back to Ana.

Lincoln pulled up a chair near the window where he could easily look out if need be, but not in a dangerous spot. If Raton’s men came in shooting, they’d miss him sitting there. When he claimed the seat, he noticed his brother’s stare from where he rested on the bed next to Ana. The stare was doubtful, and he guessed his brother hadn’t believed there was peace after such a feud earlier.

Lincoln was completely caught off guard by Valentina who made a deliberate show of enticement slipping onto his lap, and putting an arm around his shoulders as she kissed his cheek. Dramatically she made a fuss over the nick on his jaw, touching it lightly with a finger before giving it a kiss.

Lincoln looked at her as he put a hand around her waist, “Cool it, he got the point.” She purposely pouted, “But I was just getting warmed up.” He was already hot enough and ready to go and didn’t need to watch her fake pout. He warned quietly, “Watch it, he can go get that bucket.” Valentina retorted smoothly, “It would never cool you off Señor Machismo.”

He was beginning to like the nickname now, where as before the tease of it got him going. While he already was going, it gave him pleasure now. Valentina looked over at Michael debating on continuing dramatically or not. His closed eyes, made her quit.

She returned her gaze to his jaw checking the tiny wound asking softly, “Is there still a sliver in there?” He shrugged, “I never looked.” She used her free hand to lightly touched his chin while she examined it. The wound had scabbed over, and it was impossible to tell.

He took her hand instructing softly, “Don’t start fussing now, it’s fine.” She studied his intense green eyes before replying, “It’s already formed a scab, I can’t tell.” She let him take her hand in his, but made no more inspection of him as she offered, “If you want me to move, just say so.” He shook his head, “No, if anything you’re keeping me wide awake.” She almost wanted to purposely shift on his lap to excite him further, but she remained still.

Lincoln was pleased to be able to admire her up close, but he couldn’t forget his watch duty. Neither could Valentina, but she relaxed so she could completely wind down. It wasn’t hard to relax since nobody had been on the road; there were no immediate threats. It was easy for them to focus more on each other’s company.

He was busy enjoying the delicate curve of her waist under his hand. Recalling how agile her dainty form moved in their battle against the Don, it was not only a cheap thrill to touch her, but fascinating as well. She didn’t mind and reciprocated in her own fondling. Luckily, it went unnoticed by Michael who’d returned to sleep.

Valentina nearly envied her sister being able to be intimate and sleep with her love interest, but Ana deserved it. Besides, she was content where she was. Lincoln’s intent inspection shifted slightly higher to the narrow delicate form of her rib area. Since she hadn’t objected to his hands meandering inside her open jean jacket, he moved them lightly around there.

She turned her attention from her inspection of his shoulder to look at him with a smile. He waited expectantly, and she informed quietly, “I think the demon is hear now, it’s very hot all of a sudden.”

He admired her with a smile, and then with hot desire as she moved to peel her jacket off. It was more than an eyeful than he needed, and it nearly drove him wild admiring every curve in plain view before him. Even when she moved to set her jacket aside, he watched mesmerized with lust by her every curve. He couldn’t resist slipping several fingers under the bottom of her top, the article of clothing left nothing to his imagination.

Valentina looked at him with amused surprise and he nearly expected her to pull the top off to tease him. She didn’t though as she returned her arm around his shoulders, she kissed him lightly. He responded gently, keeping from letting his hands wander any further for fear of losing control.

With still no signs of immediate threats, it was easy to let go and continue. They didn’t though, and went back to their relaxed inspection. He could tell she’d wound down from her relaxed state. There was barely a hint of tension where he touched her.

As much as he liked her with him, he shifted to look at her offering quietly, “Go lie down, you don’t’ have to keep me company.” She watched him asking, “Are you gonna use toothpicks to keep your eyes open now?” He could easily keep them open to watch her, but he shook his head, “No, I’ll go check over our stash; see to it for a while to keep busy.” Valentina teased asking, “Trying to jealous me, playing with guns instead of me?” He grinned retorting, “No, trying to jealous you by playing with them while you can’t.”

She grinned, and then kissed him lightly which nearly turned smoldering before she moved apart, “I’m too tired to be jealous. Goodnight Señor Machismo.” He nodded, “Goodnight Miss. Risky. Have an exciting sleep.”

She got up from his lap and cocked an eyebrow tempting, “Oh, I will.” He could imagine, but didn’t comment. Instead, he got up to get the duffle bag, seeing her over to the bed first. She silently teased him getting in while he watched in desire.

Nearly joining her, he turned for the duffle bag as a distraction. Picking it up, he moved back to the chair with it and carefully looked inside the bag before selecting a Browning and pulling it out.

Valentina couldn’t keep her eyes open to watch once she was prone, and before he could check on her again, she was asleep.

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Lincoln spent the better part of the next few hours eyeing Valentina while he inspected the guns. Some were in need of cleaning, other’s he reloaded the clips with fresh ones. Once he had ensured all of them were fine, he set them aside, safeties all on.

The guns and ammunition and spare magazines would get them quite a bundle of cash to work with. If they could score better guns to take the Don on with, it would be a bonus. He wasn’t choosy though; he’d shoot with whatever he had.

After they cleared the area, he would get in contact with the people he knew for a sale on the guns they didn’t’ need. He was keen on keeping several clips for the Browning’s, as they were interchangeable and useful for any fight against the Don.

His gaze moved to Valentina again, after seeing her in the dangerous shooting back at the Don’s house it was hard to imagine the sleeping Cuban beauty was capable of such slaughter. As much as he approved of her current gentle appearance, he knew they needed the previous grim one when the shooting started up again.

The question was; would she start up again? She apparently liked just being the woman she’d wanted to be, not the gun toting one. As Ana had said though, ‘they trained her’. Could she train herself to quit? Had she already done that? She’d proven without a weapon she was a force not to be reckoned with when she clobbered her knife-wielding assailant earlier.

It made him think about the vegetable and his intentions with the ropes. Apparently, he’d figured Valentina was ripe for the picking. At first glance of the desirable woman, he would see that too. There were still times when he saw her that way, and he had to stop and think for a moment realizing she was fine.

Like when they stopped in the driveway, and she got out and took off suddenly. Every time she’d been off on her own, he’d been afraid to find her hurt, or worse. He didn’t even like the thoughts of that.

Studying her now, he had to wonder why he’d still gotten anxious at her disappearance? He knew she would be fine, but it still made him nervous. Perhaps it was his knowledge of the predators out there, and the fact that Valentina was a 5’7 slender, delicate looking female. The way it stacked up didn’t seem even at all, nor make any sense.

He glanced at his brother sound asleep with Ana. Now there was a woman who definitely needed to be guarded by predators and Michael had jumped in that job without hesitation. Perhaps there was a slight run off of the concern that he found with Valentina? Whatever it was, he knew, like his brother, he would guard Valentina well. He only hoped she didn’t mind it.

Between the yearning to be with Valentina and his weariness, he knew he had to wake his brother to take over the watch. It had been quiet and he was tempted to just crawl into the bed enough times.

He got up and moved over to wake Michael gently. His eyes opened right away as he focused on his brother. Lincoln whispered, “Your watch.” He gave a nod before checking to ensure Ana hadn’t awoken before carefully moving so as not to disturb her.

When he was on his feet he looked at Valentina before looking at Lincoln again asking, “Is this a permanent truce, or temporary?” Lincoln replied softly, “Permanent, we kissed and made up just like you wanted.” Michael nodded in relief, “Thank God that’s over.” Lincoln informed, “We still have a problem though. We need to split first thing.” Michael’s guard shot back up as he asked softly, “What now?”

Lincoln explained in a soft calm tone, “When she left, some guy came along the road and stopped. He was carrying a knife.” Michael’s eyes opened wider at the story and Lincoln sped it along, “She decked him with a rock, and knocked him out cold. After I caught up to her, we went back. I stuck him in the car and we put it in the ditch and covered it as best as we could. Only one other person went by on the road; it was long after, and they didn’t see us.”

Michael let out a tense breath as he looked at Valentina again. He was surprised his brother hadn’t argued with her over her latest attack. Looking closely at Lincoln he asked cautiously, “You’re cool with her?” Lincoln nodded, “Yeah, we’re all straightened out. We had a good laugh before we came back.” Seeing Michael’s doubtful expression he continued, “We’re cool, don’t worry. I need some rest, just get us up at daybreak. We really need to get clear of here before this road gets busy and someone sees that car.” Michael nodded, “I will, don’t worry.”

He would’ve loved to question his brother further, but Lincoln was tired. Michael watched as his brother wearily climbed into the bed with Valentina trying not to disturb her. It appeared things were cool with them, but the way things had last been between them it kept him uncertain.

Valentina did notice when Lincoln joined her, but didn’t wake up completely because she was too tired. If anything, knowing he was now there; was a comforting reminder she didn’t have to worry about anything.

Michael stared at the quiet road in thought surprised, Valentina had managed to take out a man with a knife and Lincoln hadn’t gone ape she’d done it. It certainly worried him she nearly got them into trouble. If they got clear in the morning he’d no longer worry though. He still didn’t like her risk; she was capable of putting them in a compromising situation.

He glanced at his brother again; he’d closed his eyes the second he was comfortable, one arm around Valentina’s waist. Neither had moved since, and he knew they were asleep. He thought about his brother liking Valentina, and was quite surprised neither had objected to the other being this close.

Michael finally surmised that once they’d lay down their differences, it was a clear sail across to peace. He didn’t know how his brother handled it with ease that some guy was along the road in the ditch. He was near ready for them to all leave now, anxious to get clear of the area. The only thing keeping him rooted to the spot at the window was the quiet road. If Lincoln hadn’t seen anyone else except for one car, he could rest slightly easier.

The other surprising factor was how they managed to stay cool; he saw no sign of bargaining or deliberation. Would his brother go off on Valentina on the next thing? What was going to happen to the Astra tomorrow morning when they left?

He glanced at Ana asleep on the bed, simply to see if she’d woken up. She was always so quiet it had to be a visual inspection. Seeing she hadn’t moved, he relaxed to watch the road again. Watching her relaxed him considerably, and the shock of Valentina’s latest violence wore off. After all, he did have a knife, and she was unarmed.

Michael was still a little peeved at Valentina for leaving them though. Mostly because they’d been duped into thinking she sulked in the bathroom. He glanced at the fiery Cuban woman so different from her sister. Lincoln had his hands full, if he wanted to take her on, it would be his problem.

There was no way Michael wanted to argue with her, Valentina was much too clever to be going at odds with. Lincoln knew her better, and her ways. Plus, they were similar in ways, which he was not with them. Lincoln knew how to deal with her, and he only hoped his brother had it all under control.

Like how he had been with Ana, now there was complete control. Somewhere in between them lay the perfect Eden, when they met there earlier; a connection had formed strongly between them. It remained long after making love, but he knew she still completed that other part. If Lincoln had that much faith and trust in Valentina as he did with Ana, there would be no trouble.

He glanced at Ana again, thinking of her gave him such a calmness he didn’t’ worry over his brother’s situation. He could clearly think about what they had to do. As Lincoln had mentioned, get clear was first. Then he was positive, Lincoln would want to sell off the weapons they didn’t need for cash. That, would be useful, and he didn’t’ bother trying to figure out how much they’d get to work with. Simply because he was sure his brother would keep spare clips, and likely want to trade for a gun he preferred or wanted.

It made him think about Valentina’s silenced Astra. He bet Lincoln loved that suppressor and would want to pick one up too. It had been so useful on their escape, and likely even more useful on whatever the Don had in store for them. He was sure Valentina would be collecting a weapon for that occasion. No matter how hard the fight could be against the Don’s men, Michael couldn’t knock that. He preferred she joined them; they needed to defend Ana.

It suddenly dawned on him that Ana was the reason they had common ground. They both had the urge to protect Ana from the danger. It was the reason he trusted Valentina, because Ana had with such ease.

His mind wandered back to the soft-spoken woman he desired, Ana had her own delicate personality beneath the fear. One he’d seen on various occasions, and the passionate one he’d made love to earlier. Unfortunately the chance they’d taken having sex while anyone could’ve came in was one he couldn’t afford to repeat too soon. They were in no place to be taking risks like that without having someone around to watch their back. Not that he wanted an audience, but he could’ve stood for his brother just being outside in the car.

He looked again at Lincoln and Valentina. She’d purposely been affectionate to Lincoln to get him about his uncertainty with their reconciliation. Had it been an act of realism? His brother lay close to Valentina, and his arm resting around her waist lightly wasn’t there just to ensure Valentina wasn’t going to run off again.

Looking out at the dark, quiet, road, Michael knew that affection had indeed been real, but also deliberate for his benefit. He nearly laughed, suddenly realizing the remark his brother made about the bucket of ice water, had been real. Not to keep them from arguing, but to literally cool them off! He knew Valentina could get Lincoln going from zero to ninety in seconds and realized they must’ve set fire to the car out there.

The new question was, was it a love-hate relationship? If they argued more later he would find out. He wouldn’t assume anything in the meantime. It was safer that way, to just sit back and watch as this thing unfolded between them.

One thing about the watch duty, he had plenty of time to think, and although he always had time for it, this was a quiet, solo kind of thinking. No chance for interruptions, and plenty of silence.

He’d figured out where his brother and Valentina stood, and guessed their next move. Now he could think about Don Raton. The man clearly was easy to dupe, but then, Valentina was clever enough to dupe two escaped convicts. Still, from his observations, the Don did take unnecessary chances, and was outsmarted. The thing Michael counted on; was the Don learned his lesson, no chances on his revenge.

Go out; eliminate them, and even the score. Valentina mentioned hit men, and Michael had to wonder if the Don had them on his payroll, or would hire them? If they were men he already had, he couldn’t assume they were as lax as the guards were that they’d encountered. Now the question was, did they try to eliminate the Don and his men, or take off? Either way, he couldn’t leave Ana, and they still needed money.

Michael was still contemplating ideas about the Don when he noticed Ana stirring, and looked. Noticing she’d missed his presence, he moved over quietly. With no signs of cars on the road, he deemed it safe to break off his watch for a moment. He wasn’t sure if someone would report the man missing, and a cop would make a search along the road for him. Or someone worrying he had car trouble and came to look.

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Ana’s eyes were opened when he came around the bed and she peered at him confused by his absence. Moving quietly to join her, he gave her cheek a light caress whispering, “It’s okay; they came back and are sleeping. I’m just keeping watch, you go back to sleep.” She did the opposite, sitting up to look for her sister and peered at the bed next to them.

Michael watched her with loving admiration as she thought about what she saw. He couldn’t help touching her, giving her arm a stroke before moving to kiss her cheek softly. He was stirring up a desire within himself and he forced himself to move back slightly informing softly, “They’re okay now.”

She looked at him and nodded, a small happy smile appearing. Michael liked seeing it, and rather than risk kissing it, he returned it with a smile of his own. It had been rare for Ana to be just a calm, natural woman. Knowing he’d brought that out of her pleased him.

When she moved into his arms, he knew she wasn’t going back to sleep. He held her for a moment before saying softly into her ear, “I have to get back to my watch; you can join me, or stay here if you like.” She moved to join him and they went quietly over to the window.

Valentina was still too tired to move, but still aware of Lincoln’s presence. It continued to make her completely relax as it reminded her; they were there. Ana was safe, and if there was any danger, Michael would alert them. As Lincoln had mentioned, it was the first night she could sleep peacefully knowing someone would be alert for her. So she did, and anytime something drew her near awake, she more than felt Lincoln’s presence still there. Which was why she was able to dream lucidly. As his arm around her made her conscience of the waking world, it slipped into her dreams. When Ana joined Michael she was aware of it, and the connection between them.

Ana was content to simply sit quietly with him and did so without tension. She wasn’t one for much words unless talking with her sister anyway. As much as she would like to speak more to Michael, she still hadn’t brought herself to that point. She was quite sure he was aware of things she hadn’t told him about from their past. He’d guessed she was captured before in order to get Valentina. It was how they met, and she’d sensed his hostility to the way Raton’s men had treated her. If they hadn’t been together and she was captured alone?

Involuntarily she shuddered at the thought, and Michael watched her suddenly. He pulled her close and ran a hand along her arm asking softly, “Are you cold?” She shook her head, and he realized she’d been thinking about something fearful. Disliking she’d upset herself, he gave her a light kiss on the jaw before instructing softly in her ear, “Just forget it now, you’re safe here with us.” She nodded replying softly, “I know.” He could see, she wouldn’t forget whatever had upset her.

Remembering how he’d first encountered her, and they way they had treated her, he suddenly could understand why she wouldn’t be able to forget. They’d been rough with her, and obnoxious, his revenge on the bell ringer hadn’t been enough justice. He wanted Tito, and that slime that prodded him too. At least the one Valentina killed was gone, and he’d confirmed it. The way he tried to get Ana into the car he stole, he was sure the man had other intentions before bringing her to the Don. If he hadn’t been there….

Abruptly he stopped his thoughts, he didn’t want to go there, and turned his attention back to Ana informing quietly, “We lost them, the road has been quiet all night. We’ll leave first thing, and I promise I’ll keep an eye on you.” She watched him intently and he gave her a wry grin adding softly, “I’ve got to let Valentina do the job too, or she’ll kick my ass.”

Ana’s expression lightened, she nearly smiled as she answered quietly, “She won’t, but that’s okay.” He gave her a kiss hoping to have distracted her thoughts. It seemed to have done something because she remained relaxed. Although there was no tension in her, her dark eyes still held something that told him she hadn’t forgotten.

He wasn’t sure he wanted to know what it was, and held her firmly to him trying to shut out unthinkable reasons for her dark thoughts. For some reason, the thoughts of Valentina protecting her sister seemed to keep his thoughts on track. She’d used her forced skills as payback on all their tormentors, and he didn’t doubt now Valentina would return to the battle There was too much justice to fight for on behalf of Ana to let it go, just like that.

Ana’s sudden quiet voice near his ear broke his thoughts, “I’m glad you were with me.” He suddenly looked at her realizing her thoughts had been where he dared not go. It opened a whole new door for him to enter and explore, but he feared what he would discover.

He couldn’t find words to reply, and tried to think of a possible hypothetical answer that was positive. Had he not been there, would the Don allow any of his goons to harm her? It was a tough call, and he watched her knowing no woman faired well as a prisoner.

Ana went on softly, “I wouldn’t have been able to survive this time without you.” He disliked the pain he saw in her eyes and heard in her voice, and moved a hand to her head, pulling her gently to his shoulder replying in a painfully, quiet tone, “Don’t talk like that, it’s over. We’ll make sure you’re fine.”

He had to keep reminding himself of the same thing as he held her firmly. She wasn’t harmed, and they had her back safely. They just had to keep her safe and after all that he was going to do whatever it took to keep her safely with them.

She moved to look at him from his shoulder apologizing, “I’m sorry, I can’t help it.” Michael understood, and nodded, “It’s okay, I understand.” Ana explained softly, “It’s because it reminds me of before.”

He wished she hadn’t opened that door for him, but it was too late. He touched her cheek with a hand replying gently, “You don’t need to torture yourself talking about it. It’s okay.”

She moved to look at him closely, earnestly trying to get this out now, “But I feel I have to, so that you’re aware of things.” He could see why she felt the need to talk to him since they’d shared such an intimate moment together, but he didn’t want her to think she had to do it all right away. Softly, he informed, “I don’t need to hear it now, or even all of it right away. I’d rather you took your time, and took it easy.”

Ana shook her head informing softly, “Now, while I have the courage.” Michael pointed out softly, “You can take two or three weeks getting the courage again. I can wait, months…years if I have to.” Regardless of if they were still together or not, he didn’t need to hear about her past. It was un-changeable, and over, and nothing he did was going to make it better.

Ana stated softly, “It explains a lot and makes you aware of things you should know. I just have to Michael.” He knew he was going to hear it, whether he wanted to or not. Whether he liked it or not too. Ana was determined and eager to do so, and he wasn’t going to stop her.

She started so quietly, and eerily almost as if she was reliving it, and they were not even there, “Our cousins, and second cousins forced Valentina to train with weapons because they could foresee the future of us in Cuba. We were naive, and young, I didn’t like when we saw of the people there. Our parents had been killed years before in a rebel raid. They just wanted to occupy the land we lived on so they could be closer to attack the government. They didn’t need to kill people; we were giving it up peacefully. The fighting amongst all the men was starting to escalate. Rebels against the government, insurgents with diplomatic immunities came in to stop them both. Amongst them, were men who lost their families, and gone mad. They stole from all of them and attacked anyone. Others declared war on the government and rebels, blaming each other for everything. The fighting was amongst everyone, and Fidel put the traitors he caught or suspected into the Bay of Pigs.”

“I never blamed our cousins for teaching Valentina, she needed those skills to protect us like our cousins did. We couldn’t trust anyone, nobody could. If anyone turned their back for a second, they were killed. It was very, very dangerous, and without Valentina and those skills, we wouldn’t have survived.”

Ana paused to rest a moment as it had been the most she’d spoken since he’d known her. She looked away at her hands and he offered quietly, “Take your time, and you don’t have to tell me everything.” He wasn’t sure if she heard him, they’d been using hushed voices. She was still back in time, and went on quieter, “Our cousins, and their friends talked every night. The insurgents weren’t trustworthy; the rebels stole, and hurt everyone. There was no side to be trusted, which was safe for us to take. The best plan was to stay together and try to escape Cuba. They called in Valentina to hear them talking. She was the only woman amongst them, and very alert to what was going on. When they planned, I didn’t listen. All I could think about was how things had gotten so bad? Without Valentina, I was afraid because she watched out for me. I thought I could trust our cousins, and their friends, but they are all men, and I’d already known what could happen if we were left alone with them. I was afraid for Valentina too, but I noticed our cousins were becoming afraid to push her. She was getting angrier, and bitterer each day. She listened to our cousins though, because they’d trained her. Their friends she didn’t like so much, maybe one or two. The ones who joined us when the sides started getting confused wanted a group that fought for peace. That was us, and after seeing the dirty tricks all the fighters used on one another, they taught them to us.”

“More and more, Valentina joined them, but the newer allies disliked a woman in their midst. I begged her to stay with me while they talked, and she did sometimes. She would listen in, or try to read their lips when they spoke. Valentina learned a lot about it all, and knew they would fail in their plans to escape Cuba. Valentina was planning on her own, but I didn’t know it. She could foresee a lot of errors in their ideas, but only warned our cousins…those she trusted. She still trusted them and wanted us all to escape.”

“There were arguments over who would take charge and over having Valentina join them fighting while they got us out. Sometimes during plans, one or two of the men demanded Valentina left. I remember each night before I fell asleep, feeling safe Valentina was watching over us while we rested. I didn’t think any harm could come tome if she vigilantly watched.”

Ana paused again, this time needing to, so she could get through the rest of the painful memories. Michael didn’t pressure her to continue. He simply held her, while he listened, picturing it in his mind. Ana let out a tense breath and continued even softer than before, “On the last night we stayed at the house, the men came to talk. As usual they didn’t want Valentina to hear, and nobody thought of me. I always stayed back in our room. One of our cousins told Valentina to go out and practice her shooting skills in the near dark. Since everyone practiced out back, shots were constantly firing and I hated it. Even when it was just Valentina out there, I still cowered on the bed. It only reminded me of the shooting amongst the men there.”

“So, that night, she went out and practiced, and I cowered, but I kept thinking it was important for her. Not all fighting happened in good lighting, she needed to do it. So I was praying she never had to use a gun on anyone. I didn’t hear when he came in, one of the new joiners. Pedro was his name; I didn’t know him well. Valentina told me later he was sent by one of the rebel parties as a spy. Not that I particularly liked to hear about any of them, she did it so I could know who was who. Anyway, he came in, and I didn’t hear him because I cowered at the shooting. It wasn’t until he was on the bed before I noticed, and by then it was too late to run.”

“I was trying to struggle, but he was all over me, and very heavy. He had my hands pinned with his, and that was when I realized I could scream. So I did, and I remember thinking, if Valentina heard me, the shots would stop. They did, but by then Pedro had enough of my struggling and screaming and stuck his gun in my face. I don’t know what frightened me more.”

Michael couldn’t imagine, and didn’t like the way the story was going, but now he wanted to hear it all, and hoped she didn’t stop.

Ana only stopped for a much needed rest before continuing in an even eerier tone than before, again seeming as though she were reliving each second of the story, “Of course I froze, all I could see was this gun, and pray the dark barrel remained empty. When he realized I no longer moved, he got back to his intentions, but held the gun on me. Luckily, with one hand free to work with he was slow and awkward. He wasn’t paying attention to anything except holding the gun on me while he got his pants undone with the other hand. The rest of the men and our cousins had thought they’d heard something, but went to check on Valentina because she’d stopped shooting. None of them came to check on me, but Valentina came to the bedroom window. It was slightly opened for air, and she came to check on me from outside. I remember seeing her from the corner of my eye, but afraid to move. Even when he’d finished getting himself exposed and reached for my skirt, I just kept praying the barrel would stay empty.”

“When Valentina fired, I thought it was Pedro, and expected to see that bullet coming. Instead, he dropped dead on me, and I panicked. There was all this blood, and this….”

She paused to find the word she wanted and he didn’t need it, he offered quietly, “I get it, something morbid, don’t describe it.” He was sure she meant some kind of gore or brain matter. Regardless it had been far more terrorizing than he’d suspected. Ana went on softly, in the same near silent eerie tone, “It took me a moment to get free of him, by then Valentina had the window fully open, and ordered me to come get out. She literally hauled me out of the window, and pulled me along with her. I just ran and followed her; I didn’t care where we went as long as it was far from there. We went to a different cousin’s house to get cleaned up and rest for a minute to regroup. Valentina trusted them, and told them what had happened. We promised to come back again if we got word our cousin wouldn’t turn us over to the others for the shooting. When we came back, our cousins were there, having found Pedro as he was, exposed; they believed the story. Valentina was relieved they were still on our side because we needed them to get out of Cuba. We had to stay at various places though because they were looking for us, mostly Valentina.”

“The rebel party was angry about Pedro and she knew she needed to be careful of who to trust. I noticed the first thing she did was get the silencer for her gun, I had told her what I’d thought about Pedro shooting. She promised me she would do her best not to scare me like that again, and respected my fear of loud shots. Until tonight when she came for us, I haven’t heard any shots from her in a while. She always leaves the silencer on, and I’m grateful to her for that.”

She gave him a moment to digest this before looking at him again asking gently, “You understand that?” He nodded; Valentina likely felt her sister would’ve had a better chance against Pedro if she wasn’t cowering from her shooting practice. With a silenced weapon, there were no loud noises for Ana to duck at.

He pulled her gently to him and gave her temple a gentle kiss replying softly, “Yes I do, and I’ll mention picking up silencers to Lincoln when we go to sell off these other guns. Now, why don’t’ you give yourself a break? I know there’s more, but I can wait.” She did as he suggested falling silence to relax a moment.

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After several hours of deep sleep, Lincoln found his dreams creeping in on him. Usually if they weren’t about women, they were about all his other favorite things. Lately, they’d been about getting caught though, and he was surprised when this one started in Mexico.

When he looked for Michael, he found Valentina practice shooting at a sombrero. Sensing this to be a wild encounter, he kept a close watch of her asking where their siblings had gone? Valentina motioned upward as she reloaded and he peered upward in the direction of a huge tree house. Stunned, he checked it out realizing it was the work of Michael. Room to room he went in search, awed by the masterpiece while he searched for his brother. The house went upward forever it seemed, climbing each stairwell to a different floor.

At the very top in a tiny alcove, he thought the room was empty only to realize Ana was in the corner. Again he asked her where Michael was, and she pointed to a window. When Lincoln looked out, it was so high up; he could see all of Mexico below him. Not seeing Michael he heard a noise from above and looked. There on the roof was his brother perched carefully while he worked. When Michael noticed him, he explained, “I’m adding on for the latest addition to our family.”

Baffled by this, he watched for a moment before looking in for Ana again. She was gone, and he worried something happened to her. Going back through the house, he came to the bottom and outside he looked for Valentina again. The sombrero full of holes was there, but Valentina was gone.

Frustrated, he went in search for the sisters’ now when suddenly Valentina appeared in his arms. Quite literally she did, turning over next to him in the bed slipping close before returning to sleep. He barely noticed the movement as he desperately tried to hang onto his dream. If it was one thing he was eager for, it was a wild intimate dream about Valentina.

Ana and Michael watched as Valentina turned, it gave Ana a reason to nearly smile. Neither woke up, but it was clear they didn’t mind each other’s company. Michael was so sure of this now since neither had argued in their sleep, and he was positive they would if they wanted to.

Ana turned her gaze back onto Michael stating barely inaudibly, “She likes your brother, if not she wouldn’t get that close.” Michael agreed replying gently, “Same with him, he’d have shoved her off the bed by now.” Ana agreed in soft astonishment, “So would she, that’s so strange!”

He admired her now replying in a soft tone, “Not really, look at us.” Ana nodded, but replied, “True, but Valentina can be prickly around men at times. With your brother, it’s different, she gets some kind of sense from him, and knows how to manage him.”

Michael watched his brother again wondering if he should feel sorry for him, or worry? Watching Valentina sleeping innocently curled up under his chin now he couldn’t imagine she’d be anything but dangerous.

He decided he liked admiring Ana more, and turned his gaze back onto her. She was still watching her sister and thinking quietly. He guessed about her sister, and he asked curiously, “Did she tell you anything about Linc yesterday in the car?”

Prison Break copyrighted Paul Scheuring Fox network ©2007 Valentina and Ana López  copyrighted Desejo ©2006 All Rights Reserved