In Mexico Chapters 13 and 14
Author's note: Again, as with Chapter 9, Chapter 13 has a longer, very adult, very slash version available on my website, 24nmore(dot)com.
Chapter 13—Twelve Hours before the raid
The afternoon hours slipped away even more quickly than had the morning ones. At every turn, Jack found someone or something diverting him from what he needed to do—which was make that phone call.
He'd been unsuccessful in finding Oscar and regretted the twenty minutes he'd spent trying to find him. Oscar hadn't appeared in the bunkhouse when all the others had returned from the fields. Jack was fairly certain the kid was hiding from him and not for the first time wondered what the hell Tony had told him. He was hoping Oscar had a way to contact Tony. But now that possibility had vanished.
By six thirty, Jack was frustrated, tired, and hot. But finally he made it back to his room. He had two and a half hours. Retrieving the cell phone, he plugged it in, not surprised when the screen remained dark and blank. He held out hope that the lights would come on, but he knew that was too optimistic. He needed to get to the house phones.
With that goal in mind, he showered and dressed quickly. Without thinking, he found that he'd put on one of the last laundered pair of pants he had, dark tan slacks and a button down shirt—what he'd wear for a business meeting on the ranch. Well, maybe that's how he should think about tonight. A business meeting. He laughed at the ludicrous thought.
Jack had taken a huge risk and left the phone plugged in. He went to check it just as an insistent knock sounded at the door. His heart pounded that whoever it was wouldn't glance through the window as he dove for the exposed phone and cord, unplugging and shoving it under the bed table in one swift move.
His heart still thudded in his chest as he opened the door, in the back of his mind noting that the LCD screen had still been lifeless.
"Senior." It was one of the house servants. Jack relaxed in relief that it wasn't Ramon. Ramon for sure would have spied before knocking. "Senior Salazar requests you join him for dinner in the main house."
Jack glanced back at the alarm clock he'd restored to the table. It was almost seven o'clock. "What time?" Jack asked.
"The senior asked that you come as soon as possible." Jack translated. Ramon wants you there immediately.
"Please tell Senior Salazar I will be there momentarily."
The man turned and left with only a nod of his head as acknowledgement.
Jack closed the door and leaned his head against the old stained wood. What the fuck was he going to do? This meant Ramon would be in the house with him. Being alone would be next to impossible. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
Jack walked to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. There were dark circles under his eyes and bruises on his mouth and forehead. His face was as thin as he ever remembered it being in his adult life. He needed a haircut. He had trouble looking himself in the eyes.
It was Claudia's anxious and sad face that greeted him when he walked into the dining room five minutes later. He'd been so worried about Ramon, he'd forgotten that Claudia would be there. Immediately, he also had to wonder what Ramon had planned. Was he going to tell her out and out what Jack had agreed to? How far would Ramon take this to punish Claudia? God…would he make her be there?
Jack wondered how he was going to be able to force any food down.
"Good evening, Jack," Ramon greeted evenly, offering a glass of wine. "Feeling better I hope."
"Thank you Ramon," Jack accepted the dark burgundy. "Yes, I am." Jack was buoyed by the formality of Ramon's initial words. He only could hope the act would continue throughout dinner for Claudia's benefit. That making him have dinner with her was only to make him uncomfortable. In that, Ramon had already been successful.
"Claudia," Jack greeted formally.
"Jack," Claudia responded with a polite smile and a half hearted toast of her own wine goblet.
So this was how they were going to play it. They would all ignore the elephant in the room. That was fine by Jack.
Dinner was served. The conversation remained polite and superficial. Only one of them ever wore a smile that was unforced. Jack had several glasses of wine that served to slightly calm the tremor in his hands and make him at least a little grateful that Ramon hadn't out and out announced to Claudia about their upcoming 'meeting.'
When, after coffee, Claudia politely excused herself to retire early, given Hector's absence, Jack rose with great relief to say good night. Ramon had only been teasing him. As far as he knew, Claudia was ignorant as to Ramon's after dinner plans. Jack was surprised at Ramon's restraint.
With Claudia gone, his worry shifted back to the phone call. It was almost eight thirty. He had a half an hour to save the mission.
"Cigar Jack?" Ramon asked, already having produced two of the expense Cuban variety he preferred.
"Can I join you outside in a minute, Ramon? I need to use the restroom," he said, gesturing vaguely at his own midsection. Jack could tell Ramon wasn't happy that Jack was still dealing with the withdrawal. Ramon had forgotten about his game and moved on. For him, all that was over. He had expected Jack to do the same…regardless that Jack still had the physiological realities to deal with.
Jack was glad his stomach was surprisingly calm after the meal. Although the excuse to find himself alone was ideal, he wasn't feeling that bad.
Ramon rose with Jack, but each went a separate direction. When Jack disappeared around the wall separating the dining room from the hallway, he paused waiting to hear Ramon step outside. Only when he heard the slam of the screen door did he dart back into the kitchen and to the wall phone.
Jack had never considered how few phones were in the house. One phone and line in Ramon's office and one in the kitchen. He hadn't seen any others. Of course, permanent lines would be easily and very likely tapped, so, except for mundane household business, the family used cells.
Jack's hand was perspiring as he picked up the portable handset. He stationed himself against the wall where he could peak occasionally to make sure Ramon was staying put outside. He dialed CTU, making note to dial a local number after he was done to erase the US number from the 'redial.'
The connection seemed to take forever. The voice that answered was unfamiliar.
"CTU. How may I direct your call?"
Fuck. This was the main number for the operation. Ryan, Chase, or Tony should have picked up. Or at least a god damned agent. Unless they were already on their way here.
When Jack spoke, even his hushed whisper sounded too loud, as if announcing to the entire fucking ranch that he was on this phone. "This is Agent Bauer. Put me through to Almeida or Edmunds."
The pause that ensued was discomforting. "I'm sorry Agent Bauer. They're not here."
Jack didn't need to ask where they were. "Forward me to Agent Edmunds cell. Now," he finished in a frantic whisper…if such a thing were possible.
He heard the footsteps behind him just in time. Deep down, he knew they were Claudia's, but he reflexively hung up the phone, unsure and unable to take the risk.
"Jack?" Claudia asked, finding him leaning oddly against the wall.
Jack took a gulp of air and turned to her. He turned on the well practiced symptoms of the withdrawal. The perspiration induced at almost being caught was real.
"Are you alright?"
He had to wonder how Claudia would react if he simply told her the truth. Maybe that would have been a risk worth taking. But then he rethought the risk when he saw that her concern was no more politeness. He saw she was angry about the way he had treated her earlier in the day. Not knowing how deep her anger went, he couldn't take the chance she wouldn't call for Ramon.
"Yeah, thanks," he said perfunctorily. "Just a little dizzy with the wine. I don't think I drank enough fluids today. I came in to get a glass of water and lost my balance a bit."
Claudia eyed him suspiciously. His admission was unlike him. But she was done with him. She was no longer his nurse. Claudia nodded her head and found the magazine she'd come back for. She turned back towards her room without another word.
Jack felt the coldness. He felt how he'd hurt her. "Claudia," he called out softly. She stopped but didn't turn. Then Jack's reason returned. This was how it had to be. Tomorrow she'd be assailed with the whole truth. She'd be hurt even more. "Good night," he mumbled before she started back towards her room.
Before he could even consider picking the phone back up, he heard heavier footsteps coming from the other direction. Jack straightened. Ramon stepped around the corner, an empty wine glass in his hand.
Jack moved before Ramon could speak, picking up the half empty bottle from the counter and taking the glass from Ramon's hand. He found a second for himself and filled both. Jack didn't let Ramon ask him what had been keeping him. He raised the glass in an informal toast, took a sip, and prompted Ramon for the cigar he'd been promised.
Together, they walked back through the dining room and out on to the porch. Jack sat and lit the cigar and sipped the wine. Neither of them spoke. Jack realized that this is what it could be like actually being Ramon's partner. For a moment he closed out CTU and Ramon's last requirement. For a moment, he forgot what Ramon had put him through and what Ramon was capable of doing. For a fleeting moment he sat and enjoyed the quiet evening, the drink, and the cigar.
Tomorrow was now inevitable. Now he only had to deal with tonight. But not yet.
Time passed. When Ramon rose, neither of them knew exactly what time it was. Without thought, Jack got up and followed him into the house and then into Ramon's spacious office. It was during the walk that it occurred to Jack to be anxious, watching Ramon's compact body move in front of him. The false sense of security he'd allowed to form during the quiet time on the porch was fragile and quickly gone.
He clung to the hope that this had all been a bluff, another one of Ramon's tests. Recent history and Ramon's character, though, made that extremely unlikely.
Ramon had stayed. Now he couldn't possibly fly out until the morning. Maybe Jack could hold him off. Sexually teasing Ramon Salazar didn't seem like a safe option. But the thought of letting Ramon…of letting Ramon do what he'd threatened wasn't appealing. He almost panicked at the thought of Ramon's hands on him. And he knew how violent Ramon could be. What the whore had done—was Ramon planning more of that?
Jack's face flushed and he slowed. Ahead of him, Ramon walked on, oblivious that Jack was in crisis behind him. Using the wall for support, Jack worked to control the wave of anxiety that assailed him. Once it passed, Jack resolved to control his emotions. Whatever happened, Ramon would not see his fear. Whatever happened, he could survive this—if he cooperated. He had no choice. He quickened his pace and caught up to Ramon.
"Have a seat," Ramon told him matter-of-factly when they stood across from each other on either side of the large antique desk. "I need you to look at this. Hector sent it earlier this evening," Ramon added, shoving a trio of papers across the worn surface at him.
Jack had trouble shifting gears. The last thing he expected was routine work. A glimmer of hope that this is all there would be flickered as he stared at weapon specifications and large numbers of predicted inventory. Once he began to concentrate, he quickly scanned all the pages for evidence of exactly who was making the requisition. Besides some random markings in Arabic, there was nothing.
"You are going to make a lot of money," Jack concluded, looking up at Ramon, who was already smiling in satisfaction.
"Are the numbers realistic?" Ramon asked.
Jack wanted to know what small army they were supplying. "If they can pay," he assured. "Ramon, this is a hell of a lot of weaponry. Who the hell are these people?" he asked staring down innocently at the numbers.
"You'll meet them Jack," Ramon assured.
Jack's stomach sank. He knew that was unlikely.
"I've gathered them together carefully over the last year. The Benitez raid was the final hurdle. I needed that extra income for the upfront expenses."
Jack looked at the numbers. At the time, he'd thought the raid had been foolhardy…back then, greed was the only reason he could think of why they'd done it. Now it made sense. It also made sense that Ramon had decided to kill two birds with one stone that day by initiating Jack's final test at the same time.
Ramon was good at his job. He'd kept most of this from Jack while he'd juggled the players and simultaneously fucked with him. Maybe Jack should consider himself lucky he was still in this game with as skilled of an opponent as Ramon Salazar.…that Ramon hadn't figured it all out yet. Lucky-even in face of what he would have to do tonight to reach the finish line.
"Impressive, Ramon," he congratulated, not lying. "This is all very impressive."
Ramon couldn't suppress another smile at Jack's praise as he reached out to retrieve the papers Jack was handing back. And he couldn't help but notice that Jack's hand was trembling as he held them aloft. Shoving the papers into one draw, Ramon reached lower and opened a second. Before he lifted his hand to show Jack what was in it, he looked at him. Jack was watching him with concerned interest. No fear, no apprehension.
And that was why he respected Jack as much as he did. He had no delusions that Jack would be here if he didn't want the power Ramon was offering. Ramon respected him for being willing to do what it took. It's what he himself would do…had done…in the past when it had been necessary. He no longer had to prostate himself to men with more power. There were very few of those left. And soon Jack wouldn't either.
But even in his admiration, Ramon was not going to give him a reprieve. He was honest with himself about how much he wanted Jack. Probably more than he'd ever wanted any other man. From that first time Jack's wide eyes, full of pain during his early initiation, had challenged him, stared right at him, this urge had been building.
Ramon remembered vividly. Naked from the waist up, covered in sweat, mute and still with each blow, Jack had sensed Ramon the minute he'd walked into the barn. His head had risen immediately from his chest and his outstretched arms had tensed in the restraints. He'd blinked his eyes clear of sweat and wiped the blood pouring from a gash in his lip ineffectively against one shrugged shoulder before he'd met Ramon's eyes. He took the next two lashes without looking away.
Initially, he'd felt simple anger at the challenge. But as the moments ticked on and Jack's resolve remained steady, Ramon had seen that this was more than ignorant pigheadedness. Curiosity had replaced some of the anger. He had been unaware of the silence that had descended on the men in the room as he had approached Jack and stood only inches away.
The waning arc of sway of his suspended body from the last blow had brought Jack close to touching him. Ramon had reached out just before the contact and grabbed Jack's chin, stopping his swinging body. Still, Jack had not lowered his eyes. Then he did, after another tense moment, showing Ramon, with perfect timing, that he knew his place and knew he could only challenge so much. Ramon had roughly pushed Jack's head away and had caused the lithe body to swing again, the ropes audibly creaking with his weight in the quiet room.
"Cut him down," Ramon had ordered, turning on his heals and leaving the barn. He had held the satisfied smile until he was alone outside. He'd liked what he'd seen. It had been a long time since he'd felt this sort of challenge. It had excited him.
The respect and growing power Jack had garnered so quickly among the men after that had only added to the allure. He'd continued to test him because he was never quite certain why a man of Jack's talents had ended up on his ranch. Jack was like him in many ways. Because of that, it had taken a long time to trust him. But very early on, he had appreciated him.
Ramon brought his hand up and put the black leather pouch on the desk right in front of Jack, who saw immediately what it was. Jack stared at the fine black leather and Ramon actually felt sorry for him. He knew Jack didn't want it, but he needed it. Ramon would not want to be in his place. But as he knew he would, Jack's hand slowly reached for the kit. Once he had it, Jack stood quickly and walked away from Ramon, as if seeking privacy even though he wasn't alone in the room.
"It's okay, Jack," Ramon reassured. "If you need to, you need to."
Jack looked at Ramon sadly, resigned. Jack heard the closest thing to an apology that Ramon would ever give.
He went to the large leather sofa and sat slowly on one end. Feeling the heaviness of the drugs in his hands, not wanting to, but knowing he would use them, his fingers automatically reached for the small bronze zipper as he placed the kit on the large coffee table in front of him. The small tremor that was making the task slightly more difficult would soon be gone.
He felt utterly alone as he filled the small syringe and tied the tourniquet around his arm. His disgust with himself isolated him from Ramon, quietly watching from several feet away.
Ramon had been used to injecting Jack himself. He'd never seen Jack do it. Quietly he walked closer as Jack rolled up his sleeve and pressed the needle against the vein. Ramon watched Jack's face. He hadn't forgotten that each time he'd done this to Jack he'd been fascinated and turned on by the changes it induced in him. The vulnerability the drug created in the usually hard and closed Jack was enticing…and erotic.
This time was no different. In fact, it was better when Jack did it himself, when Ramon could watch from afar as he let his head flop back against the dark smooth leather of the cushion. His features relaxed and, for a few seconds, he was oblivious to everything but the high. Suddenly, then, Ramon found himself next to Jack on the sofa.
From a distance, Jack felt Ramon's weight come down next to him…too close to him. But the drug, momentarily, made him not care. Soon, he felt Ramon's lips on his neck. But he didn't move. He kept his eyes closed and let the drug make it okay that Ramon was kissing him, moving his lips sensually over the front of his outstretched neck and down to where his chest was exposed between the open top buttons of his shirt.
Ramon's hand released the tourniquet Jack had left dangling on his bicep and then lightly travelled down Jack's arm, pushing his sleeve down as well, covering the evidence of Jack's weakness. Jack swallowed hard and felt Ramon's lips ride up and over the prominence in his neck as it moved up and down. Oh, God.
The hand moved off his arm to the first closed button of his shirt. Jack now coached himself to be still as that first button, then the second, third, and fourth, were freed and Ramon tugged the rest of his shirt from his pants. He knew he was beginning to breathe too hard, but he couldn't help it.
He felt Ramon's weight come more solidly across his chest as his hands simultaneously cupped his face hard. He kept his eyes closed as Ramon leaned in and put his lips on his own. Jack was shocked at how easy it was to open his mouth and let him in, now down from the high just enough to realize that had probably been Ramon's plan all along…to give him the heroin to relax. He couldn't help but be grateful. But then he wondered, without it, would he still be allowing this, or would he be pushing Ramon off him. Which would be better?
Ramon's taste was familiar, heavy with the same wine and cigar as Jack's own breath. And he was gentle. He eased in with his tongue and waited for Jack to respond. Much to his own surprise, Jack did. This was not much different than kissing a woman. And how many random whores had he been obliged to kiss in the last six months? Or was that the drug talking…or was that his psyche rationalizing what he was doing here, with Ramon?
But this was different. Ramon was heavier. His hands on Jack's face were bigger and stronger and the kiss had more force than any he'd had with any woman. And Jack's hands remained limp on the sofa, unable to bring himself to embrace the body on top of him like he would naturally hold a woman.
Jack was saved from a forming swell of panic when Ramon broke away. Ramon raised up from Jack's chest and looked down at him. Jack realized they were both breathing hard. He hid the panic from his eyes and could only wonder what Ramon would see there instead.
Ramon was relishing the feel of Jack underneath him and that Jack had responded to the kiss. Below him, Jack was unreadable. Ramon knew he would go slowly—as long as Jack cooperated. He didn't want Jack to bolt…like some buck he was breaking. He wanted to bring him down gently, not have to force him. Ramon smiled slightly at the apt analogy and saw Jack looking at him, trying to understand the slight grin.
He slid off Jack to the side, his chest pressed tight against Jack's left arm, pinning it, as he used his left hand to finish off the last of the buttons on Jack's shirt. As many times as he'd seen Jack naked now, this was different. Undressing him slowly, Jack allowing it, knowing what was going to happen…it all made it different and better. Ramon was already too hard as he sensed Jack watching his hand as it pushed open his black cotton shirt, exposing his chest.
He saw Jack's abdomen moving up and down a little too fast and put his hand down below Jack's rib cage, letting it rest there, attempting to calm him. He couldn't help but think again of a skitterish horse. Under his hand, Ramon did feel Jack's breath slow and then felt the muscles relax as Jack let his head fall back on the cushion again, not watching anymore. Ramon paused a few seconds longer before he moved again-this time towards the buckle of Jack's leather belt.
Jack felt and knew where Ramon's hand was going. And he knew he had no choice but to let him-as much as he knew he wanted to stop him. He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling as Ramon undid the belt and the button on his pants. It was no easier with his eyes open…only more real. An eternity seemed to pass before Jack felt Ramon's hand move down, on top of his still closed fly, to tease his dick.
On instinct, Jack flinched. His control wavered. His free right hand sprang into action to protect himself. Jack instantly knew he'd erred, even as he contacted Ramon's hand and batted it away.
Ramon reacted quickly, grabbing Jack's wrist hard and pinning his hand painfully against his own genitals. Jack gasped.
"I've been gentle, Jack…so far," Ramon said in a threatening rumble,
"That can change," he continued.
Only now, Jack met his gaze. The anger in Ramon's voice was not reflected on his face. Jack knew very well how much that could change. That Ramon had been as slow and careful as he had been had already come as somewhat of a shock. He had an idea…oh hell, he had seen…how bad Ramon could make this for him. He unclenched the automatic fist that his captive hand had formed. In apology, he let his body relax, despite the pain he was in, unable to voice the words at the moment.
"Good, Jack," Ramon coached, releasing Jack's wrist.
Jack looked up again as Ramon's weight left the sofa and he positioned himself between Jack's legs. When Ramon's hands reached up and undid his zipper, Jack resolved to not loose control again. He'd lost hope that all the preamble to this, the touching, the sexual teasing, had been a bluff. He'd seen the desire in Ramon's eyes after he'd kissed him tonight.
Suddenly it occurred to him that this was not about punishment…that Ramon really wanted this…for himself.
Why, he couldn't fathom-yet another undecipherable facet of Ramon Salazar. But that it was going to happen was a certainty. And Ramon's threat was real. It looked like he could walk away from this unhurt if he didn't fight him. That's about all he could hope for…and that Ramon would be satisfied and not come back for more. But wait, he wouldn't be here for more. Small relief, considering.
Cool air entered through his open zipper. He felt Ramon's fingers close around his loosened waistband and knew that the main act was about to begin. He would not loose control.
Ramon was glad when Jack cooperated. He wanted this to be good…for both of them. As much as he wanted Jack, he also wanted Jack to have pleasure. Of course, his own pleasure came first. But there was some sort of challenging in bringing Jack along with him. Maybe it was proofing to the stubborn son of a bitch that he needed to take pleasure where he could get it. Now that he was his partner…or would be very soon…Jack needed to loosen up a bit, learn how to have more fun.
Jack had been obstinate at first with the whore. But he'd weakened. A man could only take so much no matter how hard he tried not to respond. Ramon wanted him to cum for him like he had for her. His dick swelled at the memory of what she'd done to Jack, of their coupling, and of Jack's face as he had climaxed and lost control.
He wanted Jack to lose control.
Chapter 14-The Salazar Ranch-Real Time
The complete silence of the surrounding dessert was a problem. Every small sound the men or weapons made seemed amplified to Chase's ears. Recon reports indicated that there'd been a lot of drunken revelry on the ranch last night. Chase could only pray that they were heavily into sleeping it off this morning.
He'd left several armed guards far in the back lines keeping close watch on the local police. At this point, a shouted warning wouldn't do Salazar much good, but it wouldn't help CTU at all. With radio silence in effect, Chase signaled with his hand to the unit leader to his right that they'd go in five minutes. He acknowledged and relayed the signal down the line.
To his left, Tony watched Chase and sent the same signal up the lines the other direction. A group of men broke off and headed silently towards the western assault point. Now everything was set. Their timing had been perfect. Just as the departing unit of men disappeared around the curve of the wall, the first faint rays of the sun broke over the distant horizon.
Jack thought he heard something. He sat up in bed. The tattoo burned accusingly on his forearm. The tattoo he had now earned by granting Ramon complete control…of everything…his life months ago…and last night his body. He felt nauseous.
He hadn't been able to sleep since returning from Ramon—even after fixing. He had been awake for hours wondering if he'd ever sleep peacefully again after what he'd allowed Ramon to do last night. Some boundaries in this job were vague, but he'd gone clearly over the line last night. He felt sick that he'd done it…and probably done it for little gain. Yes, Ramon would be on the ranch to be captured. But the big payoff, the one he'd survived those two weeks of hell to live for was never going to happen.
"Fuck them," he cursed aloud, damning Chapelle…and even Chase and Tony. They had no idea. They weren't here living this nightmare. They didn't know what it had taken to get where he was. Two fucking more weeks and all the players would have been here—all in one room. Arresting them would have been like shooting ducks in a barrel.
But now this operation was out of his hands. Even if he had found a way to contact Tony yesterday, he doubted they would have aborted the raid. Ryan had wanted to come in a month ago. Fucking Ryan.
Tony's note had said Sunday. Dawn would make the most sense. He hadn't taken a big hit so that he'd be alert at daylight. And thus he hadn't slept either.
He considered the raid again. An attack on Sunday at dawn would take everyone by surprise and find them at their weakest. The sun would eliminate the darkness that could only help Salazar's men, who knew every inch of the ranch by heart. They had to be coming soon.
The clock read 5:50am. Sunrise was just before 6:30 today. He'd checked. He rose and went to the window. The moon was hidden by clouds. There was nothing moving. Nevertheless, he went to the closet, found some clean clothes, and got dressed. He slipped a blade into his boot and his knife into his pocket. His fingers itched to feel the handle and trigger of a gun. He didn't feel ready without one.
He debated whether to go to Ramon first or to the armory when the action began. Ramon. He'd have an extra weapon stashed somewhere. Definitely Ramon. He paced anxiously a few minutes and peered out the window again. Still nothing. He sat down on the bed to wait. The raid had to be coming at sunrise.
The sound he had thought he heard earlier came again. It was soft, but years of military service had made the sounds of battle, even of men readying for battle, very familiar to his ears. Boots scuffing in dirt, clips being loaded, the sounds of equipment being moved were almost silent…unless you were listening for them.
The first shout came from a sentry calling the alarm. A series of shots followed. Jack bolted out the door towards the main house. Above all, he needed to keep Ramon alive. As he ran, the ranch came to life around him. He heard men shouting. More gunfire came from the south wall. Then he heard more distant shots to the west. A two pronged attack.
They had thirty two men on the ranch this morning-not counting him, Tomas, and Ramon. He hoped Chapelle was coming with enough. He'd sabotaged as much of the heavier weapons as he could yesterday without drawing suspicion. But he'd had no time to get to the small arms and ammunition. The ranch men had the home field advantage and a set plan in place. CTU had surprise, hopefully numbers, and better equipment. With a helicopter or two, Jack would say that they were probably the favorites.
Jack wasn't going to be doing much in the way of field command today except pretending and if anything, hindering. But there were several men, including Tomas, who could serve adequately in his place. He didn't want the Salazar men to be victorious, but he also did not want them to die. He'd try to prevent that if he could, but he already would have his hands full.
"Jack," Tomas shouted from behind him as if on cue. "Where are you going? We need to get to the armory…the men."
The sound of gunfire was growing louder. "I need to tell Ramon something. I have an idea of who's behind this. You get to the men. I'll be there in a minute."
Tomas finished zipping his pants and hitching his belt and acknowledged Jack before running towards the bunkhouse. Jack ran off in the opposite direction. He found Ramon emerging from the house.
"What's happening?" he asked.
"A raid."
"Who? We have little here," Ramon assessed. "Most all the Benitez heroin is gone. Our shipments are well hidden at the other house. What could they want?"
Jack knew Ramon was also thinking Who would dare? "That's why I'm here, not with the men. Ramon," he said dramatically, "I think they are here for you."
"For me?" he asked incredulous. As if he never considered that he might be vulnerable to personal attack. The other cartels were all too weak to be viable threats.
"I think that nephew, Benitez's brother's kid might be behind this." Jack was speaking quickly to prevent Ramon interrupting. "I know we discounted him as a problem when we were planning. But maybe we underestimated him. Maybe Benitez and the nephew had stronger alliances. The other cartels may not have liked that one of them was attacked without provocation. This may be a group effort."
"You said the nephew was of no concern," Ramon said accusingly.
"I know, Ramon. I may have been wrong. You can take it out on me after this is over." After last night, he suspected Ramon would be all too happy to find a new way to punish him. But Jack knew he was safe from revenge. He'd either be dead or Ramon would be in custody after this was over.
"But first we have to win this. I can't see who else would have the balls to do this…attack the Salazar compound," Jack declared, playing Ramon's ego.
"So how does that change our standard defense plan?" Ramon asked, accepting Jack's assessment for now.
"It doesn't," Jack said. A grenade exploded on the other side of the compound. "I just want to make sure you are protected."
"You expect me to stay in the house and hide…like a woman? Not defend my home?"
Jack would like that, but he knew it was unlikely. "No, of course not Ramon. But if you would, fight next to me so I can watch your back. I don't want any diversions or tricks that would isolate you. I won't let that happen." Jack felt like some fictional knight offering his life for his king. But Ramon was buying it, especially now that he thought Jack was his lap dog.
"Alright Jack, we'll stay together. Maybe it's your back that will need protecting."
"Maybe," Jack agreed, knowing Ramon needed to show that he did not believe he was in danger and had no fear of what was about to come. He couldn't acknowledge that he might need or want Jack's protection.
"Do you have an extra gun?" Jack asked. "I don't want to cross the compound unarmed."
He followed Ramon back inside. Jack briefly considered knocking him out and tying him up, well hidden in the basement. But soon they both would be missed and Ramon wouldn't be tied up for long and Jack would be instantly dead. Ramon handed him a weapon.
"What's going on?"
Claudia appeared in her nightgown, her eyes wide with fear.
Ramon ignored her and headed towards the door.
"We're under attack. We don't know who. Get dressed and stay inside the house and away from the windows," Jack ordered. Claudia said nothing, just stood there, looking stunned.
"Claudia," Jack said harshly trying to break into her fright induced trance, "do you hear me? STAY IN THE HOUSE."
"Yes…okay…I will."
"We'll send in the wounded. Get the supplies ready." She seemed to respond to having something to do and came to life. Jack turned to leave.
"Jack," she called out to him desperately, grabbing at his hand. The cold stare from last night was gone. The fear was filling her eyes with heart felt emotion.
"I'll be careful, Claudia," he smiled reassuringly at her. He squeezed her hand and went quickly to catch up to Ramon.
Arriving at the barn, he saw that most of the men were dressed and armed and several were slowly advancing towards the wall with ladders. Jack had had masons create several niches in the wall so they could see through the high and thick barriers to the outside and still be protected.
Another explosion sounded not far away. A puff of smoke and dust arose from the section of wall forty meters to their left. CTU was bringing down a section to breach the barrier and create a way inside.
One of their men had reached the wall and was peering out into the dark outside.
Jack looked at Ramon who in turn, pressed against the wall of the barn, was watching the besieged section of wall. "Stay here and watch. Tell me if they make any more progress."
Ramon nodded. At least in most military matters, Ramon usually deferred to Jack's judgment. Ramon would not choose today to exert his control in that area as well. Too much was at stake. That would make Jack's job much easier.
Jack bolted across the open space between the barn and the wall. Another explosion sounded on the other side of the fence a few hundred meters away. If he was planning on winning this, he'd split the men at this point to defend a probable breach on the west side. Not doing that would be his first planned oversight.
"Diego," he shouted reaching the foot of the ladder, "what have we got?"
"I'm not sure, Jack, it's still too dark. But it looks like there are a lot of them," he replied raising his gun and aiming out into the dark.
Five other men had reached other niches and were doing the same. An exchange of shots began between those on the inside and those on the outside. Behind him, closer to the armory and then again on the other side of the barn, two teams were setting up small mortar cannons. Jack wasn't worried…those weren't going to work.
Jack noticed he could see the men moving around him much better in the improving light. "Get down Diego. The sun is coming…let me take a look." Diego passed Jack his automatic weapon as they exchanged places. "Find me field glasses," he ordered. Diego ran off.
Peering out with his naked eye, he could only see that CTU had indeed brought numbers. He fired a few shots high into the air for effect. To his far left he could see a small gathering at the wall working on the breach. Oversight number two—he wouldn't be lofting grenades their way.
Tomas appeared at his feet. "Jack, I'm taking five men over to the other side. They're trying to come in from the west too."
Tomas had five of their best men in a jeep complete with grenades and a mounted gun. Damn. "Okay," Jack had no choice but to agree, otherwise he'd be just giving himself away, "but leave Oscar here and take someone else, I need him." Those men were going to be isolated and exposed. He didn't want the kid being one of them.
He had to protect Ramon. He wanted to protect Claudia and Oscar.
Tomas eyed him, confused, but followed orders.
Diego arrived with the binoculars. Jack turned to Oscar. "Oscar, go behind the barn and stay with Ramon and the men waiting there for deployment. No one moves until I get back. I need to see which direction to move the men."
Oscar obeyed without a word. The battle was unnerving him far more than Ramon could right now.
With the five minutes that had passed bringing more light and the aid of the binoculars, Jack saw that the Salazar's cause was already lost. They were outnumbered by CTU bodies alone. But Jack saw dozens of men and vehicles that had to belong to local or Mexican federal law enforcement.
Although he had screwed the mission, Chappelle wasn't fucking around with the raid. But then again, this would be Chase's doing. Chase would not let CTU go in unprepared. Jack should have known that.
Now Jack's job was clearly not to help CTU win…they had that covered…but to keep down loss of life on the inside…including his own. He jumped off the ladder, handed the gun back to Diego and sprinted back to the barn-only to find he was the second bearer of bad news. Tomas had doubled back and was in the middle of providing his own assessment.
"…too well equipped…and too many." Jack heard him conclude.
Ramon swung on Jack, fury blazing in his eyes. "Did you hear that Jack? Federales? And you thought it was that impotent Benitez kid?"
Jack didn't respond to Ramon's anger, but to the threat to the ranch. "That's what I was coming to tell you. They're a well equipped military force. I can't tell who, I couldn't make out any markings…"
"And you didn't see this coming Jack? Isn't that your fucking job?" Ramon interrupted accusingly. The men around them, the reserves waiting to join the battle, were all watching this confrontation with some interest. Although they were not ignoring the threat the gunfire all around posed to them.
Jack's own eyes blazed. He'd had it with this son of a bitch. Arrogant, full of himself, heartless son of a bitch. "It wasn't like I was free to do my job the last two weeks Ramon," he actually yelled at Ramon, managing to sneer and exaggerate Ramon's name.
Although it was becoming necessary to shout to be heard over the increasing din of the battle, Jack was actually screaming with rage. "I had to prove myself to you. Well, I proved that I can't keep the ranch secure while I'm high and locked up." He didn't add beaten and sexually abused.
Ramon jumped him and slammed Jack's back against the peeling paint of the barn. Every man around them had shifted their full attention away from the larger battle to this one. Both men glared at each other in silence, chests heaving. No one witnessing this thought that Jack was going to survive this day, even if by some miracle they did pull out a victory.
"You can kill me here and now Ramon," Jack seethed. "Or you can let me try to save all our asses and then you can do it later."
Ramon smiled maliciously. The men watched as he leaned toward Jack and said something quietly that only Jack could hear over the melee. The rage returned to Jack's eyes. He said nothing but he actually had the balls to put his hands on Ramon's chest and push him away. Not hard by any means, but still, he had physically pushed Ramon Salazar.
Several of the men had renewed interest in making sure they won this fight today so the battle between Ramon and Jack could continue. They wanted to see what happened next.
Jack stood and turned his anger onto those same men. "Stop cowering behind this fucking barn. You three, over there," he ordered to the three closest, one of them Oscar's father, planning to direct them towards the now almost complete breach. "Hide behind the water tank and try to limit the flow of men in when they finish blowing the wall open."
"The rest of you, except you and you," he said pointing to Oscar and Pablo, the two teenagers, "go with Tomas and do the same with the west breach. All of you listen for the signal for retreat if it comes…" Ramon glared. "Or the order to advance," Jack added, placating Ramon, knowing that order would never come. As if for dramatic confirmation, two wounded men, supporting each other, limped past, on their way to the house for medical attention.
"And we are to stay cowering here like women, Jack?" Ramon sneered.
Jack knew just about anything he did or said was going to draw scorn from Ramon. He'd give anything to be able to just shoot the son of a bitch right here, right now and call it a day. Especially after the whispered threat of what he was going to do to him later if they lived to see the sunset
What Jack never understood was how Ramon could threaten men, or how men knew what he had done to their friends and coworkers, and yet have them remain loyal and productive for him. If Ramon had any gift except for cruelty and ruthlessness, it was the incredibly misplaced, warped sense of loyalty he inspired.
"No Ramon. We are going to try to get out." Escaping through the emergency tunnel was unlikely to prove successful. Jack had seen a jeep patrolling far out in the distance. The tunnel opened into a small group of trees only fifty yards out. He was only doing this to prevent a random bullet from striking their group and to occupy Ramon.
He had wanted and planned to keep his cover intact even after they'd been captured. A worried Ramon, facing jail and a trial might confide something to Jack that he might not otherwise. The chances were small but existed none the less. But if they did manage to elude the patrols, he could always arrest Ramon on his own and drag his ass back here.
"I'm not leaving my ranch and my men to run."
"Then you will die or be captured," Jack said bluntly.
"What about your military prowess, Jack? Won't that save us in the end?" Ramon goaded.
"Only if I had at least forty more men and far more weaponry. There comes a point when number and firepower advantage is simply insurmountable. We are at that point. You didn't let me finish before. Out there is a well trained army of at least 75 men. They have heavy artillery if they want to use it and beyond that, I saw two attack helicopters landing.
Ramon looked down as he remembered hearing the sounds of choppers.
"They want you badly Ramon, whoever they are." Jack saw Oscar eye him suspiciously and thought the boy might be piecing this together with what had happened Friday night. But he couldn't worry about that right now. Jack didn't want to, but if he had to he could take the kid out before he gave Jack away to Ramon.
Realizing what he'd just considered doing, Jack looked at Oscar. He disgusted himself that he could think about killing Oscar so readily. This place had warped him. With difficulty, he put that consideration aside, knowing that after this was over, he'd have to wrestle with it.
"If you want to sit here and hand yourself over to them, fine, I will go over to the wall and fall on my sword for you, as will all the other men."
Ramon rose and turned toward the house, the cellar, and the tunnel.
"I didn't think so," Jack said sarcastically to his retreating back. Ramon turned and glared. Jack could see him planning his revenge on him. "Oscar, go with him. Stay alert," Jack ordered, ignoring Ramon's scathing look. "I'll be there in a second."
When Oscar and Ramon were far enough away, he grabbed Pablo by the elbow and walked him the other way. "Do you trust me Pablo?" he asked. He knew Pablo did. He was a good soldier but not a good thug. He had become a sort of student of Jack's in the field and showed great potential as a soldier. Jack had always wished he'd been training him for a better cause.
"Yes, Jack," the kid answered, calm and serious.
"I'm going to get Ramon out of here. But I don't want all the men to die. This raid, these people out there, they're military and police. If we surrender, they won't kill everyone once they have us like another cartel would."
Pablo's eyes went wide in shock. "Surrender?" He said the word like he didn't understand the meaning.
"Pablo, we surrender or we all die fighting. There is no doubt." He stared the boy down until he softened.
"Okay," Pablo acknowledge, his shoulders already slumping in defeat.
"Go to all the men and tell them to lay down their arms. Tell Tomas that this was Ramon's order. He will believe you. Once the shooting stops, Tomas must surrender the ranch."
Pablo opened his mouth to argue but Jack preempted him. "Go. There is no time. Do it." Jack turned on his heels and ran towards the house.
Once in the house, he ran past Claudia, tending to the wounded in the dining room, and paused momentarily. She looked at him. He felt a surge of emotion riding atop everything that had happened in the last twenty four hours. Everything would be different in just a few minutes. If he couldn't keep his cover, then she would know. The last month he'd been wondering whether she was someone who he could be with 'on the outside.' Soon he'd know.
When she came towards him he turned away to avoid saying anything and ran to the basement. If he had the time, he might try to explain in advance. But he didn't have that luxury.
Oscar met him at the bottom of the stairs. Jack saw Ramon disappear into the tunnel. "Jack," Oscar began anxiously. "I…I…told"
"You told them-Tony- about the tunnel." Oscar had made the connection. And he hadn't said anything to Ramon.
Oscar nodded.
"I figured. Don't worry." Jack pushed Oscar towards the entrance. This was even easier. If there were men guarding the exit, he would be arrested with Ramon immediately and his cover would be intact. More than he could have hoped for.
Poor Oscar looked very confused. Jack realized while he probably had figured out the attack had something to do with Tony; he hadn't put Jack on the other side yet, on Tony's side. He still thought Jack was really trying to help Ramon escape. He'd enlighten him later. Or Tony would when he sprang him from whatever jail cell he was eventually routed to.
Five minutes later, when they emerged into the low, heavy brush, Jack was relieved to hear that the gunfire behind them was significantly diminished. Ramon was dismayed to hear footsteps advancing towards them and stood as if he was planning to fight his way out.
Jack shook his head vehemently in Ramon's direction. Maybe he should have been more worried about protecting Ramon from Ramon. After a pause, instead of raising his weapon, he followed Jack's lead and dropped to the ground. Jack realized they hadn't been spotted yet…the small group of military police must have just arrived at the stand of trees, or, they hadn't been sure of the exact location of the door. It was well hidden.
They advanced surprisingly far on their bellies, almost to the edge of the thicket, before Jack heard the soldiers almost directly behind him, completing their sweep of the small wood. Thank God, he thought. In the next minute they would have had to stand and then attempt a sprint across wide opened ground. They'd have been easy targets.
"Halt. Drop the guns. Now. And stay down," ordered a deep voice in English. The order was repeated in Spanish.
Jack had risen to his knees with his gun in his hand. "Drop it!" a voice commanded. He did immediately. Ramon was slower to comply. For a harrowing second, Jack thought Ramon was planning to take out one of the soldiers in the act of committing his own suicide-by means of their guns. Jack could just envision Ramon planning to go out in a blaze of glory.
Oscar had dropped his weapon at the same time Jack had. Both of them looked frantically at Ramon. He could get all three of them killed. Finally Ramon reconsidered. Jack knew that capitulation was not something Ramon was well practiced in. He was relieved that Ramon was able to do it at all. Ramon cursed in Spanish as he surrendered his weapon.
"Hands behind your heads and don't move a muscle," they were ordered, this time only in Spanish.
As the three of them knelt in the tall grass, hands frisked them roughly and took up their discarded weapons.
"On your feet, hands behind your heads."
When they stood, Jack was able to count six men with three sets of uniforms. Three were local Mexican police. They bowed their heads when Ramon glared threateningly at them. They knew to pray that Ramon never returned. Two looked like Mexican drug enforcement. Ramon had no effect on them. The uniformed CTU agent was staring at Jack, not Ramon. Jack prayed he knew enough not to blow his cover.
"What the fuck are you staring at," Jack snarled to remind him that he was under cover and was to stay that way. Jordan Hill—that was the guys name Jack suddenly remembered. Jack had hired him just before this mission. "Fuck," he added under his breath. The agent kept his mouth shut, looked away and dropped back, letting them be led away by the Mexican federales.