Never Surrender (Task Force Eagle) Read Online Free Page B

females from nine to ninety.
    “I don’t have any idea where Jordan is. I know nothing
about evidence and I doubt this Olívas believes I do.”
    “Be careful. You wouldn’t like his kind of pressure.
Olívas enjoys hurting people.”
    “I believe you, but I can’t trust strangers with my
brother’s life.” She dug a dollar bill from her bag and shoved it under her
plate. She slid from the booth.
    Rick remained seated as she strode to the cashier. A
sudden craving for a smoke had him popping a mint.
    He was a man who loved women, and they usually loved
him. From childhood, he knew that his looks and smile gave him an edge with
females. In return, they charmed him. He liked their company, their scents,
their soft skin, their musical voices, the intricacies of their minds. Age didn’t
matter. The mutual admiration ranged from his ancient Basque grandmother to the
smallest tot. Even at times, his sisters.
    But not Juliana Paris. Exactly like the guys had said.
Shit.
    After she swung through the luncheonette’s glass door,
Rick paid his check and followed her at a distance. He’d keep an eye on her as
far as her car. It would be tragic if stubbornness placed her in harm’s way.
But her refusal seemed like more than stubbornness, more like distrust. Did
Juliana distrust the DEA or cops in general? And why?
    A steady stream of people strolled Congress Street.
Students and older tweedy professorial types. Street people in ragged layers
and office workers in business layers. No one strode more purposefully than
Juliana.
    She turned right at the side street and waited to
cross. He wove among the few passing cars and pedestrians lined up at an ATM to
duck in Computer Fix’s doorway. Around the display window, he observed her
progress. Keeping an eye on her dark red backpack, he treated himself to the
sight of her trim hips swaying with her brisk stride.
    A green van with smoked glass windows screeched to a
stop before Juliana. Two men jumped out. Blind to the street drama, the foot
traffic parted around the van and proceeded on their way. Horns blared and
irate motorists shouted.
    One man grabbed Juliana by the right arm. The other
gesticulated and spoke rapidly to her. Traffic noises and distance prevented
him from hearing what the man said.
    Adrenaline surged. Rick didn’t wait to see what would
happen next.
    Pistol in hand, he raced down the street.

 
     
    Chapter 4
     
    Juliana’s heart pounded and her throat tightened. She
twisted, trying to wrench from the man’s grasp. If only she could swing her
bag. “Let me go!”
    He was barely taller than she and hefty, but more
lumpish than muscular. With a sharp pinch like oversized pliers, his hand
clamped tightly on her elbow. The other man was taller and stoop-shouldered,
with sunken eyes and a drooping moustache. Abruptly he glanced behind her. He
scowled and beckoned to his companion.
    One minute Juliana was struggling to get free, and the
next her kidnappers leaped into their van and sped away.
    Two strong, hard hands gripped her shoulders and
turned her. “Are you all right? Those bastards didn’t hurt you?” Ricardo Cruz
stared at her as if he could see inside for the answer to his question.
    “I’m fine.” She stepped back. She panted with rasping
breaths and her knees shook. “They . . . just wanted to talk to me.”
    Adjusting his jacket over his holstered pistol, Cruz
shot a skeptical glance heavenward. He pulled out his notepad and jotted
something.
    The van’s license number maybe, but she wouldn’t give
him the satisfaction of asking. His running to her rescue and his strong hands
on her shoulders made her feel safe, no longer imperiled. Frowning, she glanced
away. She wouldn’t rely on this man or like him.
    A few passing students smiled their way, apparently
taking them for quarrelling lovers. A car horn beeped once and then blared the
driver’s irritation at the delay. Ack, they still stood in the street and the
light had changed again.