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Chapter One
An uninhibited island a couple miles south of Pilottown, Louisiana…
“You don’t seem to grasp the seriousness of the situation you’re in,ese.”
The clanking of chains confirmed he was still strung up in a dark and dingy underground bunker, so Tanner Wilde didn’t bother opening his eyes. He knew all-too well who the whiney voice belonged to—Diego Ramirez, the oldest son of the leader of the Jalizio Drug Cartel.
In a twelve-month operation, the DEA, with the assistance of the LSU Police Department, successfully tracked down drug dealers linked to various Mexican Cartels. Their operations spread nationwide but were specifically active in New Orleans. Prior to Tanner’s recent election as U.S. Senator, he had played a key role as attorney general to set plans in motion to defeat the Siranoa and Jalizio Cartels.
To date, they hadn’t been able to find a connection between the two cartels and the Sanchigo Mafia group led by Salvitore Sanchigo, aka Carlo Coldero. However, Tanner suspected he was the mastermind behind the resurgence of drug distribution across Louisiana.
The fucking bastard lost out on the banking scam, so now he’s back with a vengeance to stake another claim.The thought sparked his anger. They had been so close to capturing the mafia don. It was still a mystery how he had managed to escape at the time.
Tanner had been satisfied in his position as attorney general and originally declined the invitation to stand for the elections. In the end, the state legislature elected him by a unanimous vote based on his lineage, which he couldn’t walk away from without dishonoring his family. He now held the distinction of being the only U.S. Senator preceded in office by both parents.
“And you’re wasting your time. The new law imposes harsher penalties on gun trafficking and gives U.S. prosecutors a powerful tool to combat the illicit flow of weapons from the United States to drug cartels in Mexico and drugs across our borders. No one will agree to scrap it. The bill was passed by the Senate last month, and the House of Representatives approved it a week ago. Since I’ve been the recipient of your cordial entertainment for the past six days, I have no way of confirming this, but I’m relatively sure the President already signed the bill into law.”
“Ugh!” Tanner groaned as Diego punched him viciously in the stomach. He might be scrawny, but the strength behind the hit was undeniable.
“I’m not in the mood for a sermon, Senator. You will do what we ask, or your tenure will go down in the records as the shortest run ever.”
“Nah, in 1812, Jean Destrehan resigned before even assuming the position. I don’t think anyone can beat—ugh, fuck!” His taunt was cut short by a hard kick against his ribs.
I suppose I now have another couple of broken ones. Jesus, it hurts!
“You think you’re funny, cabrón?” Diego leaned so close their noses almost touched. If Tanner wasn’t in so much pain, he might have given in to the desire to bite the tip and rearrange its shape. “But I like it. At least I have a reason to beat the shit out of you.”
“Chained as I am, I’m sure your bravery will be the talk of all the cartel whores.”
Tanner was renowned for his unwavering fearlessness. As the attorney general, he never used to just delegate orders. He actively engaged in frontline battles alongside the appointed teams. The day he became senator was indeed a sad one for the LSU Police Department, who he always assisted.
“C’mon, Diego, do the math. It’s too fucking late. The wheels have already started turning.”
The drug cartels were empowered by having weapons readily available, which they utilized to instill fear in local communities, defy state control, and extend their lethal narcotics business back into the United States. Tanner had no intention of being the reason such an important barrier to drug and weapon smuggling was overturned. As cliché as it sounded, he’d rather die first.
“With enough pressure, it can still be overturned, Senator, and that’s where you come in,entiendo?”
“You’re the one not getting it,estúpida.” The chains clanked as Tanner leaned forward to spit in his face. “It’s not happening.”
“For your own good, it fucking better.” Diego glared at his cohorts. “Remind themaldito idiotaof the hopelessness of his situation. Maybe by the time I return, he would’ve changed his mind.”
“¡A huevo!”The three men choired their excitement at the order.
The resounding slam of the cell door marked Diego’s departure. Tanner suppressed a groan as he eyed the trio of burly guards. They were demons from another realm or, more fitting, patsies of the devil. Their sinister grins and anticipation swelling their chests didn’t bode well for him. He already knew they had no mercy and used their meaty fists with ruthless glee. The multitude of bruises and cuts covering his body were a vivid showcase of their painful entertainment over the past couple of days.
“I don’t suppose it’ll do me any good to urge you to change the path you’re on?” Tanner ignored the voice in his head, warning him to shut up. He was fed up with being beaten up for hours just so they could show off to each other. If he could taunt them into shutting him up so that he passed out quickly, so much the better.
“We like the road we’re on,cabrón.” Brute, as Tanner had christened him, swung a meaty fist at his face, which Tanner just managed to avoid. “For one thing, I make more fucking money than you do.”
“Yeah, killing people so others don’t have to dirty their hands. So, how did you end up as a useless criminal prone to torturing strung-up men? Ah, wait, I know. You’re a big ass piece of muscle with no brain. All you know how to do is swing your fists because you’re too dumb to—ugh!”
The next strike connected with Tanner’s chin so hard, his neck made a sickening cracking sound as his head snapped backward from the force.
Ignoring the searing pain that shot through his jaw, Tanner smirked. The taste of blood lingered in his mouth, but the rush of adrenaline fueled his defiance. Forgotten was the desire to be knocked out. Now, he wanted to see just how far he could push the bastard. Fury glowed in Brute’s eyes, but a part of Tanner reveled in pushing his buttons.
“Is that all you got?” he taunted. “I’ve had paper cuts more painful than that. You swing like a toddler throwing a tantrum.”
Brute growled, and with his anger boiling over, he lunged forward again, aiming another punch at Tanner’s gut. This time, he managed to tighten his abdominal muscles just in time to lessen the impact, but the blow still knocked the air out of his lungs.
