by B. B. Hamel
I sigh, shaking my head, trying to dispel the images from my brain. I reach the rocks and drop down into the cave before unpacking the communications equipment I use to connect with command.
I get a link quickly and type out my message. I tell them in no uncertain terms that Riley’s life and my life are both in danger. The operation has to happen as soon as humanly possible.
I hit send and lean back to wait. The memory of fucking Riley in this cave drifts back into my mind and I enjoy it with a smile.
There’s still one thing nagging me in the back of my mind. I don’t know what’s going to happen to Riley at the end of all this. From what she’s told me about her father, he’s a sadistic piece of shit and she should never have to be around him again. And yet he’s paying for all this and will expect to get his daughter back.
Command is going to want to return her, even if I recommend against it. In the end, we’re a for-profit business that sometimes does some shady and questionable shit for money. They’ll return her, I’m absolutely sure of it.
Can I let that happen? I don’t know if she’ll actually be safe with her father. She won’t be imprisoned and raped, but she’ll likely get emotionally and physically abused in other ways.
She’s been through enough. Giving her back to her father would be like taking her from one prison and shoving her right back into another. I know that’s what I’m here to do, but the thought of it makes me gag.
One thing at a time, though. I’ll find a way to let her go free, to escape from her father. It might cost me a job, but who the fuck cares about a job? There are plenty of jobs out there, but there’s only one Riley, and I’m not letting her suffer any more.
My computer beeps and I look at the screen. The response from command populates and I slowly read it.
Anger rises into the back of my throat as I go through it all, beginning to end. I read it twice, just to make sure that I understand it.
The bastards are ignoring my recommendation and requesting further information. In effect, they’re telling me to go fuck myself and they don’t give a shit if I think I’m in danger. They say their intelligence doesn’t suggest anything is off.
What the fuck is going on? I’m the one on the ground feeding them intelligence. If they have someone else here, they should tell me that so I can work with him. Maybe the Russians are sending them information, but they don’t know shit about what’s happening here in Mexico.
I type back an angry response, dashing it off. “Command, situation dire. Mission will terminate if serious action is not taken as soon as possible. No more intel is forthcoming. Send backup.”
I hit send, wait for it to transmit, and then shut the computer down. I don’t need to wait for their response.
I have to make my own plans now. And Riley is my highest priority. If there’s no raid by tomorrow night, I’m taking Riley and getting her out of here.
It’s the only thing left for me. She’s what’s important here, not this fucking mission. I want to save the other girls but they’re on command’s shoulders, not fucking mine. I can’t be responsible for all of them.
Fuck, I can’t just leave them. I climb out of the cave, conflicted and angry. I can’t save them all as just one man, but I can’t just let them all get abused and hurt and possibly killed.
An impossible situation. I’ve been in some shitty spots in my time in the field, but this is by far the worst one.
I trudge back to the compound, careful not to get seen as I slip back inside. Once safely inside the walls, I head back to my room to stash the computer in its hiding space.
But I don’t get that far. Three goons suddenly converge on me as soon as I step into the courtyard. I stop walking and look at them.
“Boss wants you,” the big one in the middle says. I can’t remember his name, but he’s one of the Russian guys Anton brought with him.
“Fine,” I say.
“Where are you coming from?” the guy on his right says.
“I was working out,” I say. “Got a fucking problem with that?”
The main guy narrows his eyes. “Come on,” he grunts. “Boss is waiting.
The other two guys turn and look away, and I know something is about to happen. I don’t know what, but it can’t be good.
I follow them back inside. They’re all armed, more than usual, which only makes my nerves stand on fucking edge. I’m ready to fight if I have to, but I doubt I’ll get far against three guys with high-powered rifles. I can probably take one or two, but not all three. It would be close if I fought all three.
We head into Anton’s main party room, but this time there are no girls lined up along the walls. The atmosphere is dim, and the drinks aren’t flowing like usual. Anton is standing near the television, his arms crossed, talking on his cell phone.
“Wait here,” the Russian guy says, and heads over to the boss.
I cross my arms and grin at the guy closest to me. “Nice day, huh?” I say to him.
He glares at me and doesn’t respond.
“Friendly,” I mutter, smiling to myself. I’m just trying to put them off balance in case something does happen.
I watch as Anton’s eyes flick over to me and he nods once. He wraps up the call he’s on and then heads over toward me.
“Logan,” he says, all the fake warmth he’s usually full of completely gone. “I have a job for you.”
I cock my head at him. “I don’t do jobs for you.”
“Yes, you do,” he growls. “You work for me, remember?”
“I train girls. That’s it.”
“I’m finding that we’re a little short staffed lately, Logan. You need to accompany these gentlemen on a little job.”
So this is it, then. This can’t be just some normal job. They’re going to try something, but I don’t know what.
“What’s the job?” I ask.
“Dropping off money for a local cartel,” he says. “We pay them for protection from the local cops.”
I nod slowly, wanting to refuse further, but I know that I can’t. “Fine,” I grunt. “When do we leave?”
“Right now,” Anton says.
“But I need my gear,” I protest, knowing it’s useless, but still playing my part.
“Too bad. Mikhail here is in charge.”
Ah. The big surly Russian is named Mikhail. Good to know, I guess.
I sigh and give Mikhail a little shrug. “Lead the way then, leader,” I say.
“Don’t be cute,” he grunts at me, and starts out back toward the door.
“Logan,” Anton says. “Don’t screw up. Be fast. We’ll be waiting with your girl when you get back.”
I raise an eyebrow at him and he grins at me, but I don’t have a chance to say anything. His phone rings and he turns away. I have to walk fast to catch up to Mikhail and his two goons.
I don’t know what the deal is with this. I know this can’t be some straightforward job, but if they wanted to kill me, I don’t know why they just don’t do it here.
Maybe I’m protected somehow. Maybe command has a deal with the Russians. But if I got popped on a mission to the local cartel ...
I put that thought out of my mind. Concentrate on the here and now, that’s all I can do. I follow Mikhail into a waiting truck. I sit in the passenger seat and the other two get in the back. Mikhail starts the engine and we pull out.
I’ll find out what this mission is soon enough. In the meantime, I put my bag on the ground and reach inside of it, making sure I have my weapon ready.
25
Riley
The morning after our walk on the beach, Logan brings me breakfast, but he doesn’t stick around. He kisses me quickly on the lips and then leaves me alone to eat.
I’m so relieved. It’s hard to even explain what it means to me knowing that Logan is here to keep me safe. I suspected that he’d protect me, or that he was protecting me already, but now it’s just confirmed. Logan isn’t some bad guy asshole like everyone else.
He infiltrated this group to try and save me.
All because my father sent him. A chill runs down my spine at the thought of my father.
I don’t want to go back to him. That’s like going from one prison right into another. I don’t want to be a part of that man’s life anymore, even if he’s the one that’s trying to save me. I don’t know what I’ll do at the end of this, but I’m not staying with my father. No matter what.
This experience taught me something important about myself. I’m not as weak as I think I am. I can handle a lot more than I ever imagined. Living out on my own and making my own life won’t be nearly as hard as surviving what I’ve gone through already.
I’ll run from my father. I don’t need his help or his money. I’ll make my own life outside of his reach.
There’s also Logan to think about. I don’t know what we’re going to be once we get away from here. Can we really have something beyond these walls? I feel in my heart that we could, but I don’t know what he thinks. It’s impossible to talk about it here, since they’re listening, but I need to know.
I can’t help but picture what life might be like outside of this place with Logan. I want to know how he lives, what he does on a normal day. I want to know everything about him. I’m not afraid of him, not anymore. There’s no question in my mind that he’s here to help me.
And I know my feelings are justified. Even if they came about in some strange and impossible way, they’re real and for a person that deserves them. That’s all that matters to me in this moment.
Despite Logan’s warning about something being off, I feel good all day. I can’t help myself. I just keep smiling, even though there’s nothing to smile about. I’m still locked alone in my cage, held by a bunch of psychotic bastards that want to sell me into sex slavery.
At least I know now that Logan will never let that happen. I don’t have to be afraid anymore, because I have him. And that’s like an enormous weight lifted from my body. I feel like I can breathe, really breathe, for the first time since I was taken.
The morning passes quickly, and soon I can hardly contain my excitement. I know Logan is coming again, and although we can’t talk, at least I’ll get to see him. Maybe even touch him. It seems silly now, but I can’t wait for him to get here.
He’s the man that I wait for. He’s the one that’s getting me through this nightmare. I didn’t even know it, but this whole time he’s been like my guardian angel or something like that, working to protect me from the other bastards that are keeping me here.
But soon lunch rolls around, and Logan is nowhere to be seen. I feel antsy, anxious, and can’t understand where he is. He’s almost never late for lunch, and I’m sure he wants to see me right now as much as I want to see him.
My heart swells around the time the sun is highest in the sky. I can hear footsteps outside of my door, and I’m sure that it’s Logan. I sit up when the latch switches open and the door slides inward.
But it’s not Logan. A man I don’t recognize walks into the room followed by another man, this one I feel like I’ve seen before, but can’t place him. He’s fat and bald with a wicked grin on his face.
“On your feet,” he orders.
“What?” I ask.
He walks up to me and backhands me across the jaw. I see lights flash across my vision.
“You’ve had it easy, bitch. That ends now.” He’s crouched down in front of me, his breath like rotten garbage on my face.
I whimper and nod, biting back the tears.
“On your feet,” he says again.
I stand up. The man nods at the guard, who proceeds to come into my room and take away every comfort Logan gave me. No more books, magazines, pillows, or blankets. When the guard is finished, I’m standing in a bare cell again, and the bald man smiles at me.
“I’m sure you’ve enjoyed yourself with Logan, but that’s over now.” He steps toward me, his smile morphing into something lewd as he looks at my body. I shiver and look away. “My name is Anton, and you’re mine, bitch.”
I nod but don’t look at him. I can smell his breath again as he chuckles.
“You’ll learn to like it,” he says. “For now, be quiet and be good.” He turns and leaves. The door closes and locks behind him.
I collapse into the corner, sinking down to the hard floor, trying not to cry, but the tears rip from me with convulsive suddenness. I sob into my hands as my jaw aches like crazy where Anton hit me.
What the hell just happened? Ten minutes ago, I couldn’t wait to see Logan again and things were okay. But now, suddenly this horrible, disgusting man says he owns me and they take away everything Logan gave to me.
I can’t help but think about Logan’s warning. He said things were getting bad and that I need to be careful, but I didn’t really know what he meant at the time. Clearly, these people are beginning to see through whatever cover he was using.
Terror strikes me in the stomach, sudden and fierce.
He knew this was a possibility. He told me about him because he was afraid that they were going to take him away.
He could be dead.
The thought devastates me. There’s no other way to put it.
Logan could be dead. He’s probably dead. I can’t imagine any other reason why they’d take all of that away from me. He’s no longer in charge of me, and that means he’s probably dead.
My sobbing intensifies, although I know that’s not what he’d want for me. And I can’t be sure that he’s dead. Logan clearly knows what he’s doing if he’s been able to survive this long. He was a Navy SEAL, after all. He’s probably the hardest, most capable man I’ve ever met.
I can’t give up hope, but it’s hard to hold on. Everything I thought was torn away from me in seconds. I thought Logan was going to appear and things were going to be okay, but maybe that’s just not my fate. Maybe I’m just fated to be a slave for the rest of my life, to be kicked around and abused forever.
What else can there be for me?
I was born into abuse. My father was a piece of shit that controlled me for as long as I can remember. And now I’m a slave to these people, and they’re going to use me however they want to. The only person to ever seem to give a shit about me, to actually go out of his way to try and help me, is probably gone now.
This is it. This is all that I mean.
I suck in a sharp breath and raise my head up from my hands. I wipe the tears from my eyes and release a large breath.
This is what I am now, and so it’s time to survive. I have to get through this. I can’t rely on Logan. If he’s really gone, I have to keep going, at least for him. He wouldn’t want me to roll over and take it from these bastards.
But as soon as I build up the confidence to resist, I remember his warning. He wants me to do whatever they say. How long can I do that for, though? A few days maybe. If he’s still alive, a few days is enough for him to try and get back to me. Afterwards, I’ll fight them with every ounce of my energy.
And then I’ll probably die. They’ll kill me somehow. Dying won’t be easy, but it’s all I have left.
I’m nothing already. It can’t get worse than this. At least now I can resist them. If Logan is out there somewhere, he’ll come back to me. And if he’s not, I’ll fight until I’m dead.
I stand and walk over to my cot. I lie back down and stare up at the ceiling, wondering how I’ll fight and what comes next. But I’m down for maybe five minutes before I hear more steps and the door flies open again.
It’s the guard from earlier. He walks in and grabs my arm.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
He grunts and yanks me from the cot. I go along with him as he shoves me into the hallway and slams the door behind him.
“Where—“
I don’t get the sentence out before he slaps me in the face.
“Move,” he says, and shoves me down the hall.
I obey silently, fuming and angry, but doing what I’m told. He hustles me dow
n a series of halls until he opens a door and shoves me into a cell identical to the one I just left.
“You’re close to your new master now,” the guard says, leering at me, and then leaves.
I stand in the middle of the room before dropping down onto the unfamiliar bed.
New room, same situation. Logan can find me. He will if he’s around.
Otherwise, I’ll resist soon.
As I lie there on my bed, looking around my new room, I notice one big difference. It’s surprising, completely surprising, to see a mirror on the far wall.
I stand, curious, and walk over to it. I look at myself and frown, almost unable to recognize the girl staring back at me. She’s gaunt, tired, and dirty looking. My hair is a mess. I need a shower. I need to get rid of the bags under my eyes.
It’s me and it’s not me. Going so long without a mirror has been an interesting exercise. I don’t know how I feel about having one suddenly. I turn my back to it and walk away, trying not to think about the mirror.
I just need to focus on one thing at a time. Just one foot in front of the other, so to speak. I have to take it minute by minute until the end comes, otherwise I’m going to go inside.
I can’t think about Logan. I can’t let myself. He might be dead or maybe he’s not, I don’t know, I can’t know. I’m just a prisoner in my cage, praying that someone takes me away.
I’m in an impossible situation, but all things considered, I think I’ve done a great job so far. I’ve survived, despite everything going against me. I don’t even know what happened to my friend back at the club. Maybe she’s dead or maybe they have her. All I know is that I’m still alive.
I’ll keep on being alive until I know Logan is gone.
26
Logan
It is not the most comfortable car ride I’ve ever been on.
I could have used a little chatter. Maybe even some light banter, but that’s probably too much to expect. The two guys in the back are stone-silent, and probably don’t speak much English. Mikhail comments on the landscape around us and says one vaguely racist thing about Mexicans, but otherwise we drive on in silence.