“I know that Hades, but I’m also looking into St. Clair’s background. There’s no way that they’re not related.” Argos caught that too. Thankfully I’m not going mad.
I go to the kitchen, grab the whiskey and three glasses. When I return to the sitting room, I see Mr. Mayers standing behind Argos as he works. I can’t even imagine what he’s going through; this is his daughter whose life is yet again at risk. I pour us all a drink, take a seat and do all that we can; we wait.
***
The beeping of the laptop has us all alert, “Got him, his name is Raphael St. Clair.” Argos tells me.For fucks sake, how the hell did we not know about him before? Argos starts tapping away on that fucking keyboard, “He’s Luis’ twin brother.”
“How the hell did you not find that out before?” I’m raging right now. How incompetent can Argos be? I mean, surely a background check includes looking into the family members too.
“I only found out by searching the birth records. They were both registered at birth but Raphael hasn’t been registered with Luis in anything else. They went to different schools. I don’t think they even lived in the same house growing up.” Argos tries to explain his fuck up.
“Where are they?” I grit out, having had enough of these fucking excuses.
“I don’t know, but I’m trying to locate Raphael.”
“Please hurry Mr. Argos.” The fear in Mr. Mayers’ voice makes Argos start tapping away quicker. That fear is somewhere I won’t allow myself to go. I’m going to get her back and when I do, I’m going to fuck some sense into her. She shouldn’t have gone through with this plan. Paybacks a bitch and as soon as I get her back, I’m going to enjoy every moment of it.
Chapter 5
Lucy
I sit in the corner with my knees pulled close to chest. Leaning my head on my knees with my eyes closed, thinking about my happy place. Which is in Cash’s arms. That has been my happy place because I know that he is out there trying to find me, that he’s shouting at Argos to find me.
The door opens and I push myself back into the corner. It’s taken them long enough to come. I mean they haven’t even asked if I want some water or food. Not like I trust them, they’d probably put drugs in them.
I watch as Raphael walks into the room pushing myself into the corner some more as he places a chair in front of me, “How is my queen doing this evening?” He asks, as he sits down. Not able to take my eyes off him, I have no idea what game this is to him where he thinks that I will be his queen but he’s really fucked up. Ignoring his question, I look behind him at the man standing there. The plan I had of running when the door opens is long gone as I can see at least two men out there.
I’ve not been here a full day, but it feels like I’ve been here months already. The air is tight and they won’t even open the window for me, so the chances of me dying are more likely to happen before I agree to be his queen.
“Would you like some dinner?” He asks and I look up at him in surprise. What game is he playing with me? “I’m not Meu Irmão, I have the patience to wait for you to break, he was a man that would to break you.” Raphael leans forward and I freeze as his hand moves closer to my face. He moves some of my hair behind my ear, “I don’t want to hurt you, I want to show you everything that I can give you.” Irmão means brother. It’s hard to keep up as he switches between both English and Portuguese seamlessly.
“By holding me prisoner.” I bite back.
“Well, that small part we can forget. Soon you will break and you will want me to help you…”
“Your mother must be so proud.” I interrupt him, and he holds his eyes on mine. I’m not going to show him fear, or any sign of me breaking.
“Minha Mãe was a girl just like you. Myself and Meu Irmão are just following through with the family business. I have to say I’ve been doing this for a long time and I’ve never seen a girl that has captured me like you have. I can see why Meu Irmão worked so hard to get you,” he stops talking when the man comes to whisper something in his ear. Minha Mãe means my mother. The sadness when he said it tells me how deeply affected he is by her death.
How many other women’s lives have they ruined by kidnapping them and making them their slave, wife, or whatever they want to in this sick game? There is no way I am going to let this man touch me. There is no way that I am going to die here. I will find a way to escape.
“Our dinner is ready.” Raphael stands and puts his hand out for me. I stand, not taking his hand, and look over to the window. “Just so you know, don’t try to run because I will find you.” The words run through my body like a blast of cold air. Taking a step closer to me, his hand lands on my tank top and he lifts it a little. “I’m surprised you haven’t noticed. Your body must be so tired. You haven’t even noticed,” he tugs causing me to look down, “that I put a tracker in you, so I can always find you.
I touch the bandage on the side of my stomach. How did I not notice that? How does it not hurt when I move? “So, my Queen shall we have some dinner?”
I look up at him and he smiles. Knowing that I was about to run and that plan is so far behind me now that I don’t know what the hell I am doing.
Following him up the stairs, I close my eyes as the cold breeze hits my face. It feels so nice to have the fresh air hitting me. Opening my eyes, I look around to see where we are. I see nothing but woods, and water. I can jump, but to where? If I go in the woods they would find me before I even make it to a town with this stupid tracker in me.
I turn around as I hear the chair being pulled out, “I hope you like chicken?” Raphael asks me, giving him a nod I take a seat I have to play this until I can figure something out, or even until Cash and Argos find me. “Wine?”
“No, thank you.” I reply distractedly as I look out at the sea. I try and find a landmark that I can recognize but I’m coming up empty.
He sits in front of me as some man puts the food in front of me, and I look at it wondering if they have put something in there, “If it makes you feel better you can have mine. To prove that there is nothing wrong with your food.” I look up at him watching me.
“Maybe that’s what you want to happen?”
He laughs as he takes a bite of his food, “See I’m still alive.” then swaps our plates. Still giving it a moment I watch him as he starts eating his dinner. If I want to fight this I need some energy and whatever plan I come up with, I need to eat some food.
“So, tell me about your family?”
“You know everything about my family. So, how about you tell me about yours?” I ask him and with a shaky hand I take the first bite of my food.
“Meu Pai is a very well respected man who works alongside the Cartel. We bring them the girls; they pay Meu Pai a lot of money for it. Minha Mãe was a girl he got for them, but he took a liking to her and he married her. Then they had me and Meu Irmão,” he stops and takes a sip of his beer, “she died two years ago, and it affect Meu Pai a lot. He couldn’t continue with the job so I and Meu Irmão took over. That’s about it for my family history.” Leaning back into his chair, he stares back at me as I look at him.
He might look like his brother, he even scares me a lot more than his brother, but he is so different at the same time. I know that he's going to make my life hell. He's going to hurt me in ways I never thought anyone could hurt another person. Listening to him talk about his mother, makes me think that is his weak spot. A weak spot I plan on using when the time is right.
“The funny thing is, I only wanted you. Hoping that your bodyguard will find you, because putting a bullet in that fucking asshole’s head is the one thing I’m going to enjoy more than I am when I finally fuck you.” The tone, the dead look in his eyes brings fear into mine and he starts laughing again, “Do you not want me to hurt your lover boy?”
“Fuck you!” I scream back at him. He clicks his fingers. His man grabs my arm and pulls me down the stairs.
He throws me into the room again and I hit the wall hard.
I will not let him hurt Cash and I know that Cash won’t let that happen either. I look out the window again and start working on a plan. I’m getting off of this boat, one way or the other.
***
I didn’t sleep at all last night, because I was scared of what could happen if I closed my eyes. Would they come into my room and attack me, or would Raphael lose his patience and do something? I kept looking at my bandage wondering how deep the tracker is in me and if I could get it out somehow. Even I know that is going to be painful and I will scream the place down, as I don’t do well with pain of any sort.
There was a party last night although I have no idea what party they were having. I do know it was awful and it was a big party. I heard girls, I have no idea how old screaming, begging to be let free. All I could do is sit in this room locked away. I kept wondering how many girls they have on the boat. How many times these girls have been raped by these men? How could I sleep knowing that there are girls on this boat crying, scared, not knowing what will happen to them?
I sit up straight as I hear the door unlocking and see Raphael walking in, “I hope my queen slept well,” he leans on the door and I roll my eyes at him. “Breakfast is ready.”
I just stare at him. All night I was working on my plan and I couldn’t think of anything good. Everything I thought of ended up with him finding me. I’m not staying here, there’s no chance in hell. I’m going to find a way out. I have to find a way out.
Slowly getting of the bed, I walk over to the door, “Did you enjoy the party last night?” I ask as I walk out of the room and I hear him chuckle a little.
“Did my queen not sleep well?” I hear him walking behind me.
“Stop calling me that! I will never be your queen! The only way that will happen is if you kill me.” I shout at him; the word is just pissing me off now.
“Well you better get used to hearing it as that is what you are now.” I make it to the top of the boat and I look around. There isn’t as many men as there was last night. I bet they are all still in bed. “If it makes you think a little more of me, I didn’t touch any of the girls. I don’t rape girls.”
“No, you just kidnap them and wait until they are weak enough to agree with you.” I bite back at him, and again I’m met with a laugh. He’s deluded to think that anyone would even want to willingly beg him.
“This is a business; you don’t use items that are for sale. The girls were purchased last night before anyone fucked them. I don’t do freebies or tasters.” He pulls out a chair for me, and I look at him before I take my seat.
“And where did you kidnap them from?”
“Somewhere.” he looks at the man and gives him a nod, “And before you ask, no I won’t tell you anything about the Cartel just yet. One thing I can tell you is that they won’t touch you now, because I’ve told them that you are now my queen.”
I look up at the man pouring some water for me, “So where did your father kidnap your mother from?” I ask him. I know that his mother is a subject that is more to his black heart.
“Minha Mãe came to the US for a holiday with some friends from France. Meu Pai saw her and took her back to where he was living in Brazil.” He says as he takes a sip of his coffee. “When Luis was older and knew the family business, Meu Pai sent them both back to the US, to handle the business over there. Which you know about as you heard from your step father’s office. I stayed back in Brazil with Meu Pai, and looked after things from there.” Meu Pai, means my father, he talks about his dad with pride.
“And in Brazil you did what?” I ask. Thinking if I know more about his life, the more answers I can give Cash when I see him.
“A few things.” He says dismissively with a wave of his hand but rolls his eyes when I go to open my mouth to say something. “I shipped girls to whoever paid for them along with any drugs people will need. But you don’t need to worry about that, your job in Brazil will be to look after our children.”
I can’t help but let out a small laugh, like I would ever let his babies be born. If by some miracle I did get weak enough for him, I would kill myself before I let a baby come into his fucked up life. “You said your mother died. How?” I’m pumping him for information. I need anything and everything to tell Cash.
“Meu Pai came to the US and killed her because he found out she was telling the police things about what we are doing.” I look at him for a moment, something doesn’t add up here. If she was telling the police about the family how did Tanner not know that Luis had a twin brother? “I know what you are thinking. How was I kept a secret from all this? Well that is very simple; Meu Pai knew that Minha Mãe was always helping the police, in Brazil and even here. So when we were born, he told Minha Mãe that one had died.”
“I’m confused. So where were you this whole time?”
“At home, he gave me to his uncle that lived next door. Minha Mãe was never allowed out of the house, so she never saw me. Everyone fears Meu Pai enough to know that if they say anything a bullet would go through their head. So, everyone knew about me except her.” He nods at the man as he plates our food, “When she came to the US I moved back home and here we are.”
I look at my plate, and again he swaps them around. “So, will you lock me in the house and never let me out?” I look up at him pushing away the plate.
“No, I think by the time I’m finished with you, you will be two things. One, begging me to protect you and two, a small part of you will even love me a little.” He takes a mouthful of bacon, and I take deep breath in as I close my eyes. “Like I said my Queen, I’m not Meu Irmão, I have the patience to wait.But also know this, if you think Meu Irmão was fucked up, you haven’t seen the bad side of me yet.”
“I already know that you are more fucked up than your brother.” I look into his black eyes staring at me, eating away my soul little by little. And I realize if I want to make my move, I have to do it now. “Where is your father now?” I ask, wanting to get a little more before I execute my plan. I’m not sure if the stalling is to make the move or find the courage to do it.
“He’s in Mexico. He’s not very well but I called him to let him know that I have his future daughter-in-law with me,” His hand stops on the way to his mouth, his fork full of food and watches me for a moment. His eyes moving down my body and stopping by my chest. He gets up and brings his chair to my side of the table. He sits leaving no space between us. “I bet you have no idea how beautiful you really are?”His finger trails down my neck and a cold shiver escapes me, as his other hand is placed on my bare leg.
He takes a step back as someone from behind calls his name. Standing up he turns to the person and they both talk Spanish, thinking that I don’t understand them.
The next shipment arrives in two days to shipyard on the Anacostia River.
Listening to them both I look around the water and my eyes stop when I see that just past the woods are people, a lot of people. Which means that I’m close to something. Looking over my shoulder to make sure that they are both still talking away about the shipment. I suck in a deep breath and I quickly climb over the edge. I look back and see they’re both still talking so now's the time. I dive into the water. My arms hit the cold, icy water first and it’s a shock to my system but I don’t let it affect me. Holding my breath for as long as I can I stay under water and swim fast as I can. I think if I have more people around me the better the chance I might have of escaping. If they do find me they won’t hurt me in front of people, as that will bring the police. Finally coming up for air, I take a quick look behind me and see that they have their guns pointed to me. But Raphael puts his hand up to stop them.
Looking in front of me again, I see that I’m not far from the trees so I swim fast. I move my arms faster and kick my legs, a burning sensation enters them but I have to power through. I know why he's not coming after me, because of this fucking tracker. He’s going to know where I am, before Cash gets close to me. Pulling myself out of the water, I turn to face the boat.
I can see him and my eyes lock with his. He’s not angry, he’s actually smiling at me and gives me a little nod. Almost as if he’s found an adversary. I run through the woods until I can hear people talking. As the voices get louder, I stop and look around me.
I’m still in Washington. Of course, the Anacostia River! How the hell did I not realize that?
I say to myself as I look at the White House, I look around to see if there is anyone that will let me use their phone. I made sure that I memorized Argos’ number. There’s no payphones anymore, looking around I see a store across the road, I need to use a phone. Running over to it, I rush in and come to a stop when I see an elderly woman sitting behind the till. “Hi Ma’am, I’m wondering if I can use your phone? I need to call my boyfriend and ask him to come pick me up.” I try and give her a reassuring smile, it seems to work as she crooks her finger for me to follow as she steps out behind the till and towards the back of the shop.
As soon as she hands me the phone I dial Argos’ number, it feels like I’m waiting an eternity for him to answer
“Hello.”
“Argos,” I look around to see if I don’t see anyone walking close to me.
“Lucy, where are you?”
“Move! Lucy.” I hear Cash shout.
“I’m… in a store, the woman is letting me use her phone. I’m by the White House but I have to keep moving. They’ve put a tracker in me.” I say quickly, my breaths coming out in pants.
“Keep moving but stay in the area. did you see a clock?” I hear Argos ask. They must have me on speaker and I look around to see if I can see the time.
“Yes.”
“We will be there in forty-five minutes. On the hour, you come back to this phone…”
Captured Page 4