“Where is she?” If she was dead…I couldn’t…even contemplate that right now.
“We don’t know.” Nate’s expression was serious. “She was here, in the building. I saw her just a few minutes ago. Tony saw her. But now she’s gone.”
I spun around, glaring at everyone. “Where could she be? If we killed all these motherfuckers, then where would she go?”
Silence reigned. Then Tony muttered something in Spanish. He rubbed a hand roughly over his face. He sighed loudly, then looked me in the eye.
“I know where she went.”
What? I lunged at him, reaching for his throat, wanting to strangle him. Son-of-a-bitch!
Jacob and Noah yanked me back.
“Tracker, get a grip!” Nate snapped. “Let Tony talk.”
I growled and squirmed against the arms holding me back. “Talk! Where the fuck is she?”
Tony’s dark gaze stayed firm on mine. “She went after the guy who has her sister. Gordon told her the bastard’s name before he died.”
I snarled and pulled free, shoving my face in Tony’s. “How do you know this?”
His gaze never wavered from mine. “Because I was there. I overheard it.”
I continued to glare at him, but he still didn’t budge. He was serious. I sighed and closed my eyes, stepping back. What the fuck?
Stupid, stupid girl. What was she thinking? Why hadn’t she waited for us? For me? I should have gone back to my apartment and checked on her before we’d left the maze. If I had, I would have discovered she was missing, and she wouldn’t have been able to get away with this. Damn her.
A heavy sigh escaped me.
She’d been there before Gordon passed? That relieved me a little, knowing she’d been there for him at the end. Gordon had liked Jessica. Her presence would have comforted him. Was he in a better place now? With Ellen?
I opened my eyes and glared at Tony. “Why the fuck didn’t you stop her?”
Tony shrugged. “I didn’t know she was going to leave. She just…disappeared.”
I let out a howl of pain that was directed at no one and everyone. At myself.
“How can I track down the asshole when I don’t know his name?”
Tony’s lips twisted into his attempt at a smile.
“No problem, amigo. I know the guy’s name.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Tracker
We buried Gordon beneath a large pine tree behind the old plantation home. The sun was already up by the time we got back to our hideout, and it beat down on our backs as we took turns digging a grave for our befallen friend. As much as I’d longed to immediately go after Jessica, my friend deserved to be put to rest first. Everyone said a few quiet words, then we all walked away, leaving him to rest in peace.
Another vision of Eliza had flashed through my mind right after Tony had told me the name “Enrique Vasquez”. I’d seen Eliza quite clearly, sitting on a bed in a small room, looking out a window. Across from her had been another small bed. A room with two beds. The other bed was empty. A college dorm.
An image of a college campus had flashed through my mind. And I’d seen more Hispanic men with guns, guarding the buildings. I’d told the other dregs about the vision and Noah had immediately gone online and searched for colleges in Augusta. He’d said there were at least fifteen colleges in the city. It would be time-consuming going from campus to campus, but as soon as I reached the right one, I would know. I would feel Eliza and know she was there. Jess was another matter. I wasn’t sure where she was or if she was okay at this point. All I could do was hope she was safe.
It was almost one in the afternoon by the time we finished burying Gordon and I gathered what I figured I would need in my upcoming search for Jess and Eliza. I didn’t expect any of the other dregs to join me, and I refused to ask any of them. No one else would die because of me.
To my surprise, Tony intercepted me as I was heading out of my apartment with my guns and plenty of ammo.
“If you want to find your woman, you’re going to need my help.”
I quirked a brow in disbelief. Was he serious? The dreg who disliked Jessica the most wanted to help find her? “Why is that?”
“Because I’m Mex-i-can, man. I speak the language. I can talk to the Enrique. I can get things from him that you can’t.”
I considered his words. He was right. He was fluent in Spanish. I barely knew a few words. But why would he want to help? “Why?” I repeated. “You don’t even like her.”
He looked away, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down as he swallowed. “She was there for Gordon in the end. She gave him comfort before he passed. For that, I am grateful to her.” He pulled his gaze back to mine. “And I respect her, believe it or not. She’s brave, your woman. Tough. Fierce. She would make a fine warrior.”
Pride swelled in me. Yes, my Jessica was brave. And tough. And fierce. And so beautiful, inside and out. God help me, I had to get her back. I had to make sure she didn’t get herself killed.
I cleared my throat. “Okay, then. Let’s go.”
He grabbed my arm. “No. You’re not going out there in broad daylight. You’re gonna stay here until dark. And then we’re going and getting Jessica back.”
“I’m not waiting until dark! She could be dead by then.”
A door closed somewhere down the corridor, then footsteps clomped forward as the rest of the dregs approached. They reached us and gathered around.
“We’re coming, too,” Nate said. “Jessica’s one of us now. And a soldier never leaves one of his own behind. But Tony’s right. We’re waiting until dark. Don’t you think our entourage of fancy cars will capture attention wherever we go? If we go out now, someone will see us. Someone will turn us in. And we can’t save Jessica or her sister if we’re dead.”
“Fuck.” I closed my eyes and rubbed a hand over my face. He was right. Ever the logical one, Nate always seemed to have a clear head no matter the situation. Would his head be this clear if it was his woman in danger?
Nate squeezed my arm reassuringly. “Don’t worry, we’ll get her.”
I shoved his hand off. “Fine. But I hate waiting. It’s going to kill me.”
Tony’s lips twitched. “Not if you’re distracted. Come on, amigo. I know how to ease your pain.”
They all steered me toward the workout room, making sure I didn’t bolt out on my own. I appreciated their support, but it pissed me off, too.
A few rounds in the ring was what I needed to clear my head and get it on straight.
In a few hours, we would head out.
And I would be ready.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Jessica
The small handgun gripped in my hand, I slipped from one dark place to the next. I was now a mere woman against the criminals who ruled the streets. How the heck would I find Eliza on my own? I should go back, stay with the dregs, let Tracker help me.
And then others might die.
My chest squeezed as I remembered Gordon lying on that floor in a pool of blood. He’d sacrificed himself so Tracker could be with me. He’d died because of me. That was something I would have to live with for the rest of my life. No one else was going to die because of me. I couldn’t have another death on my conscience. I refused to. I would find Eliza on my own. I had to. There was no other choice.
I wasn’t a tracker. I didn’t have the skills Tracker did or his supernatural ability to “see” things. But I had determination, and I wasn’t giving up on Eliza.
I tried not to think about what Gordon’s death would do to Tracker. He would be hurting right now, missing his friend. And probably cussing me out. I didn’t expect him to forgive me. I wouldn’t blame him if he hated me. It would probably be best if I just found Eliza and moved on. But I didn’t know where we would even go. Everything had been taken from us when the gang had forced us out of our apartment. We had nothing.
My heart pinched at the thought of never seeing Tracker again. I was in love with him, an
d he didn’t even know it. I hadn’t had the chance to tell him the truth.
Would he even want me after what I’d done? His best friend was dead because of me. He didn’t need me in his life as a reminder of that. Besides, he was a dreg. A man with a damaged soul. A man whom I wasn’t even certain could feel love. We’d experienced something beautiful and passionate that I would cherish until my dying day. But sex wasn’t love. And even though it had felt like much more than just sex to me, that didn’t mean he’d felt the same.
I needed to focus on finding Eliza now. That was my biggest priority. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and forced all thoughts of Tracker from my mind.
I spent the rest of the night and most of the next day searching, asking questions of anyone I came across, looking for Enrique Vasquez. Most people turned away from me, refusing to talk. Others said to beware of Vasquez, that he was dangerous, but they had no idea where to find him, and that even if they did, they wouldn’t tell me.
The military patrolled up and down the empty streets, but other than the occasional gunfire from farther away, there were no interactions between them and the gangs. I wasn’t sure how long this war would go on. I just had to find my sister before it was too late.
With dusk falling, and my exhaustion creeping in, I finally found someone to help me.
A group of Hispanic kids were playing basketball in an empty parking lot. When I asked them if they knew Enrique, they all went silent. Then a good-looking kid named Carlos approached me, tossing the ball to his friends.
“Enrique’s at Paine College downtown. He took over the campus there a few weeks ago. Are you sure you want to go there? It’s dangerous.”
“Yes. Thank you.” I hurried away as the kid went back into his basketball game.
A half hour later, I made my way to the deserted campus of Paine College. Straightening my spine with determination, and forcing a courage I didn’t feel, I headed toward the center of the campus, assuming Enrique would want to rule from there. The sun was just going down, shadows closing in around me.
I only made it as far as the first building before an armed guard appeared from out of nowhere.
He said something in Spanish that I didn’t understand, so I just shrugged my shoulders and tried to appear non-threatening. He motioned me forward with the gun, marching me toward the center building that I’d been heading for.
Perfect. He was probably taking me to Enrique. I had no idea what would happen during the next few minutes. I would question Enrique about Eliza and try to bargain for her release. He might laugh in my face. He might kill me outright. He might even decide to sell me into the sex trade as well. Though the idea terrified me, if I was inside Enrique’s network, I had a better chance of finding Eliza.
Taking a deep breath for courage, I walked forward.
The closer we got to the center building, the more armed guards appeared. Soon, I was surrounded by about ten Hispanic men with guns.
I swallowed hard and tried to hide my fear. I thought of Tracker, of those incredible moments in his arms. I would never forget last night, no matter where life took me from here. Tracker would always hold a special place in my heart. My first true love. I missed him already. I wished he were here to give me courage to face whatever was about to come. But Tracker wasn’t here. And that was my own doing. I’d tricked him, sneaking off without telling him. He might not forgive me for that, either.
Again, I pushed thoughts of Tracker from my mind and braced myself for whatever was about to come.
You’re doing this for Eliza. Be brave, Jess. Be strong.
The guards searched me, crudely brushing their hands over my breasts and intentionally groping between my legs. I gritted my teeth and bore their disgusting touch. They took my gun—my only defense—away, then ushered me through a door at the front of the building. Most of them remained outside. Two pushed me forward and down a long hallway.
There was a guard stationed outside of a room at the end of the hall. He rapped on the door. Another guard opened it from inside. So far, everyone here was Hispanic. Did this Enrique guy speak English? If not, I would have a difficult time communicating with him.
The guards conversed in Spanish, then shoved me forward into the room.
The door closed behind me.
Enrique sat behind what I assumed was the college dean’s desk. Eating. Apparently I’d interrupted his breakfast. He dropped his fork and pushed his plate aside. I glanced around, noticing he’d turned the office into his private throne. A large box of guns sat to the left of his desk. Another box contained what looked like drugs of some kind. And still another box was full of bundles of cash. I was now in the heart of illegal activities. I shoved back the shiver of fear that snaked down my spine.
You can do this, Jess.
Leaning back in the large leather office chair, Enrique eyed me with cold black eyes. He wasn’t quite what I’d expected, though I wasn’t sure what I’d expected. He was of average height and build, not ugly or scarred or mean-looking, though his eyes held a meanness, a coldness that I expected a criminal to have.
“Chica blanca, chica blanca.” He waved me closer, his black gaze narrowing as he scrutinized me. “I know you.”
Whew. At least he spoke English. And if I looked familiar, that meant he had Eliza. Or had done something with her.
“No, you don’t know me.” I cleared my throat and spoke louder. “I believe you have my sister, Eliza. I’ve come to negotiate for her release.”
Surprise crossed his features. He threw his head back and laughed heartily. An evil sound, it grated on my nerves. “Negotiate?” He sniggered. “I no negotiate with females. I sell them.”
I cleared my throat. “Can I at least see her? Make sure she’s all right?” If I could get to Eliza, then maybe we could figure out some kind of escape plan together.
He glanced at one of the guards and said something in Spanish. The man left the room and closed the door behind him.
“I send Juan to find your sister.” He eyed me, his gaze raking me up and down, stripping me bare, perusing my assets. He scowled and I sensed he found me lacking. Which was fine with me. I didn’t want to be found attractive in this particular situation.
But Eliza was prettier than me. I could easily see these guys wanting her. Selling her. Passing her around…
Bile threatened its way up my throat.
Don’t think about that. You’re going to get her out of here.
I couldn’t bear the thought of what they might have done to her.
“I get a buyer for you,” he said after completing his perusal. “Sí?”
I barely held back my choke of denial. “Sí,” I responded, though inside I fiercely objected. If I cooperated, maybe they wouldn’t be so strict on security and Eliza and I could find a way to escape. If escape wasn’t possible, then I wanted to be sure Eliza and I stayed together. “Can you sell me and my sister together? You know, to the same person?”
He contemplated me for a long moment, then nodded slowly. “Sí. Some buyers like two women.”
Though my heart was pounding with fear, at least Enrique could arrange to sell us to the same person, so we wouldn’t be separated.
The guard returned a few minutes later and spoke to Enrique in Spanish. Enrique nodded, then glanced at me.
“Your sister is in Hollis Hall. You go to her now. You will stay there until I sell you.”
I swallowed hard and nodded. I might be a fool for just handing myself over to this gang to be sold, but I was doing it for my sister.
They were letting me stay with Eliza. Overwhelming relief swept through me. I couldn’t wait to see her. Was she all right? Had they hurt her?
The guard led me across campus to a building with the name “Hollis Hall” on the front. A typical dorm, it had all the basic necessities for a large number of people, which explained why Enrique had set up camp here. He could house all the women here until he sold them.
The guard led me to a room
four doors down on the right. He shoved open the door.
And there she was.
Eliza sat on a small bed against the wall, staring out the window. It was a standard dorm room made for two residents. She was the only one in the room. She looked so small and innocent, sitting there. So fragile. My baby sister. My only family. I’d practically raised her on my own. My chest squeezed. She was alive!
She turned toward us, her eyes going wide and rushed forward, flinging herself in my arms. We hugged tightly, sobbing, clinging to each other, assuring ourselves we were both alive, then stood back to look each other up and down.
The guard left without a word.
“Oh, thank God I found you!”
Eliza let out another sob and hugged me again. “I’m sorry, Jess. I messed up. I should have listened when you told me to stay put. But I wanted to help. You’re always doing everything for me and I wanted to do something for you for once. I wanted to show you I wasn’t a burden.”
I hugged her tightly again. “You’re not a burden. You’ve never been a burden.”
She sniffled, then leaned back and wiped at her tears. “They haven’t hurt me. Not really. There’s lots of girls here. They don’t let us leave the dorms. There are guards everywhere. What are they going to do to us?”
She hadn’t been harmed yet, thank God. I’d been terrified she would have been raped or beaten or killed before I found her. But she was alive. How long could I keep her safe?
We had to escape. There was no other option. I would protect my sister with my life.
But even if we did manage to escape, where would we go?
Back to the dregs.
Back to Tracker. That was my goal. To somehow get back to Tracker.
If he sent me away, there would be nothing I could do about it.
But before I left, he was going to know I loved him.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Tracker
“They’re here.” I opened my eyes as the vision slowly faded. “Both of them.”
We were at Paine College, the fourth one on Noah’s list. As soon as I’d stepped on the campus, a vision had flashed through my mind of Jessica and Eliza, hugging tightly. They were here. Jess had found her sister. Now I had to get them out of here.
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