by Aaron Hubble
The old pilot grumbled something and then activated the comm. “Europa Collective control. Thank you for the welcome. Proceeding on designated course. Dallas out.”
“There, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” Luana said, lightly slapping Abram’s shoulder.
“You know, a couple days ago, I was minding my own business. All I wanted to do was deliver my cargo. Within a forty-eight-hour span, I blasted away from Carrefour, tore a hole in Retem Station, not to mention seriously damaging any hopes of being reelected, and now I’m deep in Collective territory on a hopeless rescue mission. Not a bad couple of days.”
They continued on their course for an hour. It gave Malone time to think about what they were undertaking. He hoped the disguises worked. The plan hinged on their ability to get into the hotel without being identified and then quickly finding the girls. Any delays and the plan would implode upon itself. They had no way of shooting their way out of a scrape. There was just too much security on Vina.
Soon a blue and green orb grew larger in the forward window and rotated slowly in front of them. Wispy clouds swirled through the atmosphere. It was an idyllic view and reminded Malone of the pictures he’d seen of Earth taken from space.
“What’s the name of the planet?” he asked Abram.
“Damned if I know. It’s not on any charts I have and I thought I had the most up to date ones you could find. It’s like it just popped up out of nowhere.”
Luana leaned forward. “It’s called Vina.”
“Pretty name. Should look good in our obituary.” A message scrolled across his screen. Abram turned toward them. “You two should get ready. We’ve been cleared to land.”
Nervous energy raced through Malone. This was it. After all the chasing, the fighting, and the heartache, he was going to be on the same soil as his girls once again. One step closer to getting them back.
One step closer to being a family again.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
The concierge met them on the landing pad.
Malone ducked his head and walked down the steps extending from the side of the shuttle. He held out his hand and helped Luana out and took a moment to scan the complex.
The Vina Resort glimmered like a jewel in an otherwise uninhabited forest world. Set on the edge of a deep blue sea, the resort backed up to one of the forests.
The complex itself was massive. The hotel stretched skyward for thirty stories made entirely of glass and gleaming alloy. To each side of the hotel, the entertainment facilities stretched for acres. A casino dominated the northern side of the complex. The southern side housed shops, theaters, pools, and outdoor activities. Directly behind the casino was the brothel.
Their target. Where Galila and Safiya were being kept. He had to keep himself from running in that direction now. That wasn’t the plan. He had to stick to the plan.
An extremely tall and thin man strode toward them with his hand extended. Malone took the hand in firm grip.
“Mr. And Mrs. Dealey. It’s nice to meet you and it’s my honor to welcome you to Vina. My name is Mr. Phillips.”
Malone shook Phillips’ hand. He tried not to gape at the man’s frame. He probably stood close to eight feet tall. Most likely the result of spending much of his childhood and adolescence in low G. Malone assumed that under the flawless suit, Phillips wore a motor assisted exoskeleton to assist him with Vina’s more Earth like gravity.
“Nice to meet you Mr. Phillips. May I introduce my wife Regina Delaney?” Malone extended his hand to Luana.
She stepped forward. The sight of her in her disguise still surprised him. Even he would have a hard time recognizing her. She’d chosen to cut her long, dark hair short, just below the level of her chin and dye it bone white. It created a startling contrast with her chocolate brown skin. The long black dress she wore fit her well, but typical to Luana, remained conservative. Malone, himself, had chosen to shave his head clean and wear a dark pair of glasses.
Phillips bowed low before Luana. The man’s suit was impeccable, the creases so sharp Malone thought they might cut flesh.
The concierge straightened to his full height and clasped his hands behind his back. “I’ll be your go-to guy for the duration of your stay, which is not very long if I remember correctly.”
Luana pressed her face into a wonderful pout. “True. Mr. Dealey has business to attend to Monday so this will only be a weekend visit. Perhaps you can help me convince him to stay a little longer and let his more than capable vice-president handle the office for a couple more days.”
Phillips chuckled. “A workaholic. Well, I excel at convincing type A’s of the rewards that come from a weekend away from the board room.”
Malone forced a smile to his face. “We’ll see. I’m a hard man to convince.”
“Certainly,” the concierge said. “In any case. Your stay with us, no matter how long, will seem very short. With that in mind, let’s get started.”
He motioned to a porter who swooped in and took the small bags from Malone and Luana.
“Your bags will be taken to your rooms and waiting for you when you finally make it there. Now, Vina boasts the finest casino in all of the galaxy with three hundred different games of chance with the best odds anywhere. Numerous bars, clubs, and restaurants will cater to your every culinary need and wish. The top level of the hotel has our outdoor pool where you can relax in the sunshine or enjoy a poolside drink under the stars. I will upload each day’s scheduled activities so you can peruse and decide if any are right for you. They range from horseback riding to hang gliding. We literally have it all at Vina. And if we don’t, we’ll find a way to get it for you.”
Phillips grasped the handle of the great glass and silver door. He opened it wide and Malone and Luana were ushered into more opulence than he’d seen in all his life. Every surface was covered in a different kind of fine stone or wood. Staff in uniforms as crisp as the one Phillips wore hurried about their work.
“Welcome to Vina Resort. If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you on a short tour of our main facility.”
Malone and Luana fell into step behind Phillips as he pointed out the many amenities the place had to offer. With each step, Malone felt his grasp on reality slipping away. He knew this type of wealth existed, but he was unprepared to see how it actually played out in real life. Women in exotic furs and crystal stiletto heels passed them in the atrium. Men wore glittering rings and boots made of the leather of animals from distant planets.
Phillips ushered them into the dining room open twenty-four hours a day. A giant crystal fountain bubbled in the center of the room and each table had its own wait staff. From the dining room they toured the casino. The place was loud with the voices of those winning and losing as well as the noisy electronic games of chance. The last stop on the tour were of the outdoor facilities. The resort had a large stable of a variety of horses available so patrons could tour the surrounding rain forest. It was almost more than Malone could take in.
He sagged against the wall of the elevator when they finally finished the tour as Phillips pressed the button to take them to their room.
“So, what do you think?” Phillips said, extending his arms wide.
Luana’s arm slipped through Malone’s and she pulled him close. “Simply wonderful! This is exactly what we’ve been needing.”
The elevator doors opened and Phillips led them down the hallway. Malone’s feet sank into the plush, multi-colored carpet. They stopped in front a carved door of dark wood.
“Your room,” Phillips beckoned. “But before I leave you, is there anything else I can do for you?”
They’d rehearsed this part and made sure their acting would appear genuine.
“Now that you mention it,” Malone said, giving Luana the coy rehearsed look. He hesitated. Just saying the words, even though they were untrue, made him sick. “There is something else. Mrs. Dealey and I, from time to time, like to step outside the bounds of our marriage, so to speak. Try something new…with someone else. D
o you understand what I mean?”
“Certainly,” Phillips said coolly. It made Malone wonder how many times he’d gotten this request. It didn’t seem to faze the concierge one bit.
“Our upscale brothel boasts the cleanest and healthiest companions you’ll find anywhere. Let’s step into your room and I can show you pictures of companions you can choose from.”
They entered the plush room and Phillips scrolled through menus on the room’s entertainment portal.
“Here we go.” A myriad of pictures flooded the screen. “As you can see, all are beautiful and all are well trained in various pleasure giving arts.”
Malone made a show of scrolling through the pictures. “Hmm. I was thinking something a little younger.”
“For sure,” Phillips said. “We can accommodate you in that regard.” He scrolled through another menu and the faces of children of various ages appeared on the screen. Malone’s heart dropped in his chest. So many lives ruined by the unfettered appetites of those with money and power. He scrolled fast through the pictures until the one he was looking for appeared in front of him.
Rage boiled in him. How dare they put his little girl up for sale to be used by loathsome men and women. He clasped his hands behind his back in order to keep from reaching out and choking Phillips. With great effort, he forced the words out of his mouth.
“That one,” he said pointing to a picture of Galila. “That’s the one I want.”
Phillips selected her picture. “Excellent choice. There will be a significant up charge. She’s brand new and has never been purchased before.”
Malone breathed a silent prayer. “That will be fine.”
Phillips turned toward Luana. “And for you, ma’am?”
She scrolled until she found Safiya. “This one will do nicely.”
“Ah. Again, there will be an up charge for being the first with this one.”
They’d made it in time. After everything that had happened, everything that had slowed them down, they’d made it in time to save their daughters from the horrors of being violated in the most heinous way possible.
Phillips set up the order and then turned to them. “Very good, Mr. And Mrs. Dealey. You will make your way down to the brothel in two hours and the attendant will make sure the girls are ready for you when you arrive. Please enjoy yourselves and I hope to see you around the facility over the next couple days.”
He ducked out of the room.
Luana rushed into Malone’s arms. He held her and stroked her hair.
“We made it in time,” he said. “Just two more hours and we’ll see them again. Then we’ll take them home.”
As close as they were, Malone also knew the most dangerous part was yet to come.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Tears ran down Galila’s face and dripped onto her new dress.
Dress.
That was a kind word for the piece of sheer material she wore over her body. She wrapped her thin arms around herself and shivered in the dark. Miss Emma, the matronly woman who took care of the young girls of the brothel, had explained to her what was going to happen and terrified her. Even more horrible was knowing that in the next room Safiya would be going through the same thing.
Galila bit her lip. What would that do to Safiya? How would it change her? She had always been the carefree one, the one who laughed and joked so easily. Galila couldn’t stand the idea of her changing, not being Safiya anymore because of what some disgusting person did to her.
There was a knock on the door. Galila shuddered and wanted to throw up, but stayed where she was. She wasn’t going to open the door for anyone. If they wanted her, they would need to come in and get her themselves.
Miss Emma had painted Galila’s nails a bright red. They were long enough to use as a weapon and she planned to do just that. Even if it was pointless, she knew she needed to fight.
The lock thudded back into the door. It opened slowly and a large silhouette stood in the entrance. The man stepped into the room, its dim light reflecting off his bald head. He closed the door. Galila balled her hands into fists, preparing to fight for her life.
The man rushed toward her. Galila tensed, willing to do whatever needed to be done. A familiar voice spoke her name.
“Galila!”
The man wrapped her in his arms. She struggled to free herself to fight him, when she recognized the voice‒ her father’s voice. She stopped struggling and looked into his face, into the eyes of her father. Shock flooded her body and she went limp in his arms. He hugged her tightly and then cupped her face in his hands.
“Daddy!” she said through the tears.
“I’ve got you, baby girl. Let’s get you out of here.”
She let him lead her toward the door and then pulled back. “Safiya. We need to get her.”
“Your mom’s got that taken care of. Come on. Our ride is waiting.”
Galila followed her dad out into the hallway and froze when she heard the voice. She looked down the hallway and saw the man who had taken her on this nightmare ride. The one who had threatened to do terrible things to her. She cowered up against her father, melting into his protective embrace.
There was a blinding flash, a loud noise, and then her father was pulling her down the hallway.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Ekene’s mood had improved dramatically after touching down on Vina.
This place had a way of doing that for him. He’d spent the last day filing reports and making sure that everything they’d brought back from Carrefour had been cataloged, including the debtors who were now in the servitude of the Europa Collective.
Now, it was time for some much deserved rest and relaxation. And he knew just what kind of rest and relaxation he wanted.
Her name was Galila and he’d decided she was going to be his, no matter what price they were asking for her in the brothel. His bank account had swelled to ridiculous sums in the last several years. The investments Laukkanen had helped him make were paying off handsomely. He never spent any of it. Didn’t need to. The Collective took care of pretty much all of his expenses because he was always working.
He made a brief stop at the casino bar, bought a drink, and then made his way toward the brothel. He called for the elevator. When it came, he stepped aside to let out a large overweight man, his face red as he fixed his necktie.
Ekene then stepped in and pressed the number for the brothel’s main reception area. He downed the drink in three large gulps. The warmth of the liquor spread through him and he felt a delightful buzz fill his head.
He remembered the girl. The memory of having her pressed up against the wall stirred his passions. This time, there wouldn’t be anything to interrupt them. Ekene hoped she screamed and fought. It would make it all that more fun.
The elevator toned and the doors slid open. He stepped out and unbuttoned the top button of his collared shirt. Hopefully no one had picked the girl yet.
Some distance down the hallway he saw a bald man in a dark suit step out of a room. Trailing behind him was a dark haired girl.
It was her. It was the little fighter from Carrefour. Disappointment filled him at not being her first. But why was this man taking the girl out of her room? That wasn’t allowed. He picked up his pace. Something wasn’t quite right.
“Hey,” Ekene said. “The girls aren’t allowed out of their rooms.”
The man looked up. Ekene stopped when he saw the face. He was bald now, but the face was unmistakably that of Malone Kay.
“Holy—”
Ekene’s world filled with light. He was thrown from his feet and tossed against the wall. His head slammed against it and consciousness began to slip from him. The world around him swam and thunderous noise filled his ears. He tried to push himself off the floor, but was too disoriented and his limbs wouldn’t respond.
A woman in a black dress stepped over him. She led the girl’s little sister by the hand. He watched them disappear down the hallway.
&nbs
p; His head began to clear as the noise subsided. He fumbled at his ear, trying to activate his communicator. He finally succeeded.
“Security detail to the brothel. We have an escape attempt. Lock down all entrance and exit doors immediately.”
He rolled onto his hands and knees and rose on shaky legs. Pulling his pistol from his shoulder holster, he checked the magazine. It was full.
He was going to finish what he should have back on Carrefour. He’d let the man bleed out slowly, painfully while Ekene had his daughter in front of him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Malone had watched Luana toss the flash grenade at Ekene’s feet. He turned his head just in time to avoid staring into the flash, but it had prevented him from seeing Ekene tossed about like a rag doll. Luana was running down the hallway, pulling Safiya behind her.
A lump formed in Malone’s throat when Safiya’s face lit up with that beautiful smile. He rushed toward her, pulling Galila behind him.
“Safiya!” He scooped her into his arms. Luana embraced Galila. Malone could have held them forever, but a proper reunion would have to wait until they got off Vina.
“We need to move fast, girls. Our ride won’t wait for us forever. Let’s go.”
A set of doors at the end of the hallway led back to the mechanical areas of the complex and eventually outside. Abram would meet them in the forest north of the complex. They could make their escape from there.
They rushed down the hallway. Freedom was close.
The door that led to their liberation burst open and black uniformed officers carrying assault rifles filed through.
“Stop right there,” the first man said, leveling his gun at Malone. “Those girls are Collective property. Put your hands up and let the girls go.”
Malone looked behind him, and saw Ekene moving toward them, his gun drawn. They were trapped like animals. His mind raced through possible actions, but he couldn’t think of any that would work. Something whizzed past his ear.