Broken Promises

Chapter Seventeen

Frank watched in shock and horror as Juan shot Lucia in cold blood. Reacting on instinct, self-preservation or otherwise, he quickly grabbed Juan's arm and began to wrestle the weapon away from his so-called friend. The two men ended up on the ground, each fighting for control of the gun.

A thousand scenarios filtered through Frank's stunned brain as the two continued their possible life and death struggle. This meeting had been a set up for some sort of revenge……..Juan had become paranoid and delusional……..and possibly, just possibly, Juan had told him the truth.

If Frank had been able to spare a second or two to look around him, he would have seen the 6 or 7 guards in the room now circling the two men, all trying to jockey for position in order to take Frank out if given the opportunity. Juan, however, could see this, given his position on the floor. And through clenched teeth, he was barely able to say, "Noooooo……..back off…….all of you." The men looked from one to the other, but eventually did as their boss commanded.

As the struggle continued, Frank soon gained the advantage. Exerting pressure in just the right place near Juan's wrist, he forced the other man to drop the weapon. Once done, Frank quickly grabbed the gun and pressed it squarely to Juan's chest.

"So am I next on your list….old friend?!" he demanded, his voice revealing the myriad of questions floating through his over-stressed brain. Although now clearly in control of the situation, Frank was surprised to see how utterly calm Juan appeared to be.

Frank continued to eye Juan suspiciously and his confusion escalated when the other man still refused to look in the least bit ruffled by the fact that Frank now presumably held all of the cards. Of course, Frank was more than aware of the fact that if he killed Juan, he himself would follow him in death mere seconds later. Why had Juan warned the other guards off?? The man almost looked as though he had expected just this reaction.

Easing himself up off the floor, Frank sat back on his heels and stared strangely at the man still lying prone on the floor. Of course, he still had a small advantage……he still held the gun which was squarely pointed at the center of Juan's chest.

"Get up," Frank commanded and watched cautiously as Juan did just that. "Explain this to me."

Juan nodded. "I have proof, mi amigo. If you'll allow me," he explained as he turned toward a desk close by.

Frank was immediately behind him. Thrusting the cold, hard steel of the gun into the man's back, he nearly whispered, "I swear to God, Juan…..if you pull anything out of that desk other than paper, I will kill you without a second's hesitation."

Turning his head slightly, Juan could just see Frank out of the corner of his eye. "Of that I have no doubt, Luis. But please, let me just show you something before you pull that trigger."

When Frank didn't answer, Juan once again approached the desk. Sliding the top drawer open very slowly, he reached for an envelope that was contained within. From what Frank could see, no weapons of any type were visible, but he kept his guard up just the same. Retrieving the manila envelope, he slowly turned around in order to face Frank once more.

Juan looked to Frank, asking silently for permission to open the package. Frank nodded, signaling Juan to continue. Gradually the man pulled yet another stack of photos from inside. Once done, he turned the pictures so that Frank could see them for himself. What he saw on just the first photo made Frank frown furiously.

If the man in the other pictures had indeed been an agent for the CIA, then Lucia had no reason to have any sort of contact with the man. But in the picture before him, he clearly saw the two together, immersed in some sort of conversation.

Without waiting, Juan continued to flip through the remaining photographs. Picture after picture showed the two together, on different occasions and in different places. After viewing such damning evidence, Frank's resolve slowly crumbled and an icy calm washed over him. He'd been betrayed, plain and simple. How many other plans had Lucia spoiled over the years? How many times had she run to this Marsh individual with relevant information? He'd been used…….a pawn for the CIA. The thought made his blood run cold.

With little ceremony, Frank lowered the gun that he'd been holding and handed it off to the nearest of Juan's guards. He was ready to accept whatever punishment or recrimination he had coming to him due to his stupidity. He'd allowed his desire for the woman blind him, and that was unforgivable.

Juan watched as the man before him went from being angry and defensive to being sullen and defeated. "Do not blame yourself, my friend." Frank looked incredulously at Juan. "Luis….Luis…..Luis…..we've all been blinded at one time or another by our needs. Look at me. I know full well that another man is gathering forces as we speak in order to defeat me. And what have I been up to this evening?? Was I readying my own men? Was I preparing myself or this house for just such an attack?" Shaking his head, he walked toward Frank and put his arm around his shoulders. "No. I was doing none of those things. I was enjoying the company of a bevy of beautiful women." A mischievous smile graced his lips as he looked at the face of his remorseful friend. "In fact…….I believe we are both in need of such distractions now."

Frank turned his head to look at his old friend. He couldn't believe how cold-hearted and ruthless the man had truly become. Just minutes ago he had gunned down a woman and now…..well now, he was ready for the party to continue as if nothing happened.

Juan sensed the hesitation and leaned closer. "Luis…..I know that the woman meant something to you. I'm not entirely blind. But I have also noticed that after all of these years you still had not made her your wife. So what was she to you?? Huh?" Without waiting for Frank to answer, he continued. "I'll tell you what she was…..just another body to warm your bed at night. She can be replaced, my friend. Easily." Without turning away from Frank he snapped his fingers and two of his men moved forward to take Lucia's body away. In fact, they took the sofa and all that she was still laying on.

As the piece of furniture was removed from the room, Frank looked once more at the lifeless body of the woman who had been a part of his life for so many years. Her unmoving eyes stared straight ahead, the shock still registered in their catatonic orbs. Quickly averting his eyes, he noticed then that the room had begun to fill with the flock of women who had exited less than an hour ago. Had it really only been an hour since his whole world had been turned upside down? He'd come here, confident in his abilities and ready to get to work, but now…….now he had begun to doubt anything and everything about his life. How many other tragic errors had he made along the way and was still unaware of?

He had little time to dwell on such questions. Within minutes he found himself on one of the still ever present sofas with a drink in his hand, surrounded by 2 or 3 very curvaceous and seemingly willing young ladies. Frank looked to Juan and saw the man already immersed in an intimate exchange with 2 of his own female companions.

"Drink, mi amigo!" Juan commanded. "Tonight you are truly free from anything and everyone standing in your way. Relax….enjoy……tomorrow we will begin to build a new empire." Frank watched as Juan downed the drink in his hand and then grab the nearest woman and slid her onto his lap.

Staring at the drink in his own hand, Frank wondered how it could be that easy for him. But again, before he could contemplate things further, the dark haired beauty to his right reached for his glass, quickly emptied the contents into her mouth and brought her luscious lips to his own. As her tongue worked its way into his mouth along with most of the tequila that she had just drunk, he wondered for a second or two if indeed it could be so easy.

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Hours later, Frank's head was reeling a bit from the 15 or so shots of tequila that he had downed. The room seemed to move of its own accord and he was fairly sure that nothing at all was wrong with the way things had turned out this evening. He was back in Colombia working with a man that he had admired so many years ago. He was also free from Lucia and her meddling. And to top it all off, he was more than enjoying the company of the woman who was now straddling his lap and eagerly licking her way down his nearly bare chest.

Before anything could go further, the girl pulled away and turned to look at her boss across the room. Frank could barely hear what had been said, but before he knew it, he felt a pair of hands trying to rouse him from his nearly prone position on the couch. Opening his half-glazed eyes, he saw the girl trying desperately to help him come to his feet. It was only then that he noticed 2 things. The first was that it was almost dawn. The second was that he and the woman were the only ones left in the now deserted room.

With some effort, he hauled himself up from the all too comfortable sofa and allowed the girl to lead him where she wanted.

Down a series of twisting and turning hallways they went until she finally stopped at a doorway. Taking his hand once more, she led him into a spacious bedroom filled with some of the most opulent furniture he had ever seen. But before he could truly get a good look at the place, her mouth once again descended on his leaving no question as to her intentions or her reason for being there.

For Frank, something had changed once he was alone with the girl. Images flitted through his inebriated mind. Images of Lucia reacting just as this wanton woman was now doing. He'd been used. No….more importantly, he had allowed himself to be used. Suddenly, the calmness that he had been wallowing in for the last couple of hours vanished only to be replaced by overwhelming anger at the betrayal.

Grabbing the girl by the arms, he roughly pulled her away from him. Her face registered shock and fear. For the last couple of hours he had been putty in her hands, but suddenly a light blazed in his eyes that she had not seen before. His anger was palpable and she was swiftly afraid for her life.

The rage built within him and seeped out of his pores along with the tequila that he had so willingly consumed throughout the evening. He silently vowed to never again allow himself to be used and manipulated. As he eyed the woman now trembling in his hands, he was strangely elated to see the panic in her wide-set eyes. For a few seconds, he considered sending her away, but he decided instead to use her first before discarding her. He needed an outlet for his rage and loathing, and the frightened girl would be of great use in being just that.

He pulled her against him roughly, taking her mouth almost savagely. She fought his attack as best as she could at first, but soon gave herself over to his onslaught. After minutes, he felt her melt against him and knew that he now controlled her. Pulling his mouth from hers, he noted her half-lidded eyes and dilated pupils. Once again taking hold of her upper arms, he forcibly tossed her up against the nearest wall. Once again the shocked look returned to her face. She had begun to think that whatever emotion had overcome him just minutes ago had passed over him, but she had been mistaken, and silently she sent up a prayer that she would survive the night.

Frank walked slowly toward her, never once taking his eyes from hers. He liked seeing the terror that dwelled there. He enjoyed being in control, knowing that he could do anything he wanted to her with no repercussions.

Raising his hand, he slowly and almost gently caressed the side of her face and neck. He delighted in the mix of emotions that he saw flit through her eyes. It was a strange and curious mixture of desire and fear.

His caress continued down to the top of the dress that she wore. His fingers toyed with the buttons that lined the front of her outfit and he once again noted that she was quickly losing her battle with her own longing. She feared him, but she wanted him just the same.

Throughout the evening, one thing had been revealed to him. She wore nothing under the dress that she had on, and he decided it was high time that he saw what she had been so seductively hiding all night.

Bringing both of his hands to the collar of her dress, he quickly and almost painfully ripped the garment from her trembling form. An audible gasp escaped her lips as she now stood naked in front of him.

His eyes now drank in the sight of her. Her skin was soft, supple and called out to be touched and stroked. A call he was more than willing to answer. He forcefully brought his hands to her more than ample breasts and began to kneed them none-to-gently. At first she tried to fight off his touch but he soon could see and feel her response to him. He knew that she was trying to fight her arousal, but he was very aware that she was quickly losing the battle.

As her heard rolled back against the wall and her eyes began to glass over, he moved one hand to the inside of her one thigh and quickly progressed to the jewel that she had hidden between her legs.

Her eyes popped open and a moan of pleasure escaped her lips as he began to stroke her mercilessly. After but a few moments, he had her writhing against the wall, her breath now coming in shallow gasps as her climax neared. Her head once again lolled against the wall, her eyes now shut from the pleasure he was inducing with his touch. But he had other plans. Almost forcefully, he grabbed hold of her face with his free hand. He wanted to see her face. He wanted to see her as she succumbed to the wave of her orgasm. Although he could clearly still see the fear and near panic in her eyes, he also saw the undeniable passion that was building inside her. On and on he pleasured her until he felt the first contractions of her climax begin to overtake her. A strange sense of power overcame him as he watched her give in to her orgasm.

As soon as the heat of the moment had passed, he withdrew his hands and walked away from her. Seating himself in a lounge chair across the room, he watched with some amusement as her legs seemed to give out from under her. She slumped to the floor as though her bones had turned to gelatin. After a few minutes she appeared to be recovering somewhat and looked for him. As soon as her eyes found him, she slowly maneuvered herself to her hands and knees and crawled across the floor towards him.

He was slightly amused by this turn of events and cocked his head to one side as he watched her progress. When she neared him, she ran her hands up his strong calves and thighs and positioned herself between his legs. With no assistance from him, she began to unbuckle his belt. She then stopped after doing so to see what his reaction would be to such a gesture. When she could read nothing in his face, she continued. Slowly, she unbuttoned the top button on his pants and gently began to unzip his pants. Again she looked to him for some sort of reaction, whether good or bad, but found none. He just continued to stare at her almost impassively.

It wasn't until her hand actually landed on his stiff member did he react in some way. He inhaled deeply as her hand began to stroke him. After she successfully freed him from his pants, her mouth descended on the tip of him as she began to pleasure him with her mouth.

During all of this, not once did he reach out to touch her in any way. He simply watched as she continued her efforts. She had a talent for this. He couldn't deny it as he felt his arousal begin to consume him, but something was wrong. He couldn't quite place his finger on it, but at this moment, something was wrong. He, however, didn't stop her as she continued on. Within minutes, he began to feel the first signs of his impending climax. He thought for second or two about taking her, forcing her to the floor and ramming himself into her, but thought better of it. Instead he allowed her to finish what she had so willingly started. A few minutes more and a moan escaped his lips as he emptied himself into her welcoming mouth. Only until she had completed sucked him dry, did she finally remove her mouth from him.

She stared at him expectantly, not sure what to expect as a result of her actions. He had certainly seemed to have enjoyed her efforts, but she was still unsure of what his next move would be. She didn't have long to wait to find out.

Almost instantaneously, the anger that had threatened to overwhelm him resurfaced. Suddenly the sight of her sickened him and he wanted her gone. As he stood, the girl fell back on the floor, fearing the look she once again saw in his eyes. Scurrying away from him, she cowered near the door as she watched him once again cover himself and rezip his pants. He stalked toward her and grabbed her under one arm hauling her trembling body up off of the floor. Without a word of explanation, he opened the door and threw her into the hallway. She scrambled to cover herself with the remnants of her torn dress as he slammed the door after her.

Once alone, he began to pace throughout the room. Everything was wrong. Everything felt wrong. Again, he couldn't name what it was that was bothering him, but suddenly he felt sick to his stomach and in dire need of a shower. Pacing into the bathroom, he stared at his reflection in the mirror over the sink. Minutes passed and still he stared at himself in the mirror almost as if he expected the man on the other side to provide the answers he so desperately sought. When no answers were forthcoming, he almost violently ripped his own clothes from his body and tossed them back into the adjoining bedroom.

Approaching to the shower, he turned on the water as hot as he could get it and got under the spray. Almost zealously did he scrub his body from head to toe and then over again seemingly trying to wash away whatever was bothering him. Was Lucia's death really at the heart of his discomfort and turmoil? He searched within himself and knew that in some way it was but that there was so much more. Something that hung just out of his reach. Now that the effects of the alcohol that he consumed were beginning to wear off, he hoped that the answers that he sought would be forthcoming.

After a half hour or more, he finally emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a robe that he had found hanging on the back of the door. His mind was still in turmoil, but outwardly, he appeared to be much calmer. It had been ages since he had drunk so much. Perhaps his reactions this evening were simply a result of just that.

Shaking his head, he began to gather the clothes that he had so violently thrown all about. Picking up his pants, his wallet fell to the floor. Bending once again, he retrieved the item and opened it to replace the few items that had become dislodged as a result.

A paper of some sort was sticking half in and half out of a slot behind one of his credit cards. Frowning slightly, he pulled it free and began to unfold it. Once open for him to see, his confusion multiplied ten-fold when he looked at what appeared to be a child's drawing. He could clearly make out what appeared to be a house and four figures standing in front of it. He then noticed something above the crayon rendition of the house. Some figure that he couldn't quite make out.

"That's Michael. He's an angel."

Frank shook his head furiously trying to dislodge the sound of the child's voice inside his head. Looking back at the picture, his heart began to race. He knew the voice…..he knew who the people were in the picture…….he knew…….

"That's you and Mommy, and Christopher and that," she said now pointing to the part that Frank had been unable to make out, "that's Michael. He's an angel."

Frank's hands began to tremble so badly that he could no longer see the picture that he was looking at. He squeezed his eyes shut in a vain attempt to block out the images that threatened to overwhelm him. Faces…..voices…….places……..a touch ……a sound…….laughter…….

It all came back to him in the speed of light. He knew……..oh dear God, he knew……

He had betrayed everything and everyone, himself included.

Collapsing to the floor, his legs now too weak to support him, he once again looked at the picture still clutched in his hands. Almost reverently he touched each of the figures that he saw there. Alicia……Christopher…….Michael…….and Laura…..the woman who had given him everything, meant everything to him. His heart actually hurt thinking how he had betrayed her. How he had betrayed everything that they had built together.

As he sat on the floor in a motionless lump consumed by his own guilt, he failed to hear the commotion going on outside of the mansion. Gunfire could be heard along with explosions and excited shouts. But he heard none of it, his consciousness unable to register anything other than the image in the picture before him.

The Colombian night was giving way to a violent dawn, and Frank Donovan was thousands of miles away, oblivious to it all.

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A/N: My sincere apologies to everyone for taking so long to update this story. I'm afraid that real life has taken a toll on me this last month and a half. I'm trying my best to get through it and I hope that you stick with me as I work my way through this story. I can't promise multiple postings each week, but I'm going to try my best to post at least one chapter a week from here on out. Again, I thank you for your patience, and a special thanks to all who have written to me offering their support. Thank you!