Hidden under bushes and behind boxes and through piles, spyglasses peered and men watched and commands were given and men were armed and horses were moved and telegrams were sent.
Inside the lavish command tent, with its blue cloth fabric and gold thread accoutrements, Valentino paced back and forth. He had a leaner, thin frame, but held grasping, clutching hands and his wizened face was cold and hard and unforgiving. He had the eyes of a hungry hawk as he paced back and forth behind his desk. His fingers wore white rings with skulls carved out of bone, a reminder of what happened if someone crossed him one too many times. He gnashed his teeth. He was absolutely pissed.
"Señor Valentino!" a man saluted as he paused outside the command tent.
"May I have permission to come in?" he asked, uncertain.
"Come in and make it quick." snapped Valentino, annoyed.
The man gulped and entered the tent cautiously. Valentino was a powerful man and was known for his very thin temper and frequent rampages of anger. One bad word or one insult was enough to be drawn and quartered (if you were lucky). Most of the time, Valentino would simply imprison and torture his victims in his various strongholds and once he got bored, leave you to his men or his dogs. No one ever got off easy from pissing off Valentino – Valentino saw to it himself that they never did.
"We...We've just received a telegram. Sebastiano and his party have spotted them. Your stolen property as well as the American girl and her companion. They are onboard a train bound northwest to El Paso. They are awaiting orders on what to do next, Señor." the lieutenant said nervously.
Valentino raised his hand, only to clap the shaking man on the back.
"Good work! Very good work! Inform your superior that I order him to set an ambush at place name. Let him spring the rat's trap about 10 miles from El Paso. Most of all, let him know that he may do anything with the escaped property and her companion, but that I wish to have the American alive. I will see to her torture myself. Comprende?
"Sí Señor!" The lieutenant saluted again, before scurrying away, with obvious relief that he was getting out unscathed.
Valentino licked his lips and his hands trembled with anticipation. He could not wait to get his hands on them, especially the little blond puta who had stolen his prized possessions and eluded his grasp for months. He'd break them with own two hands before feeding them to his dogs.