“Come on, Goose,” Derrick chided himself under his breath. “You have work to do.”
He shook off the regret he thought he had conquered and rushed on silent feet across the barn. He slipped through the open doorway leading to the area his team hadn’t known existed and pulled up short to the stench of unwashed bodies and excrement. There was no denying the space was used for holding people. Now, though, the room held nothing but the impression of those held and sold. How many people had waited here in despair? How many defeated souls had been dragged to the auction block behind the building Kiki and Eva slept in?
Slavery still had its talons gripped tight into the world. People would always take advantage of the weak. Didn’t he see that every time he rescued a mistreated horse? Derrick had found his fight in the battle against evil, transforming the disparity of abuse into a path of healing for both horse and human.
He had accepted that he wasn’t supposed to be a soldier anymore when he retired from the army. That didn’t mean he couldn’t cause a little chaos to this seedy operation. He smiled grimly. Once he got Kiki and Eva safe, he’d leave a mark of his own on the regime, hopefully helping Marco in his covert mission as Derrick escaped.
Twenty-Two
“Do you think that prisoner will make it out of the jungle?” The question in Spanish from a guard posted on the dock made Derrick smirk as he swam beneath them toward the yacht.
His head bobbed low in the water, and he made his way toward the open garage on the side of the yacht. He’d spent some time creating diversions in the storage buildings scattered throughout the huts. It was a long shot that the make-shift explosives would be found while Derrick was here, but he had needed to do everything he could to increase his chances. Trusting Marco to get Kiki and Eva to the yacht had Derrick’s head pounding with uncertainty.
“Nah, the jungle will take care of him.” A gruff answer preceded the distinctive strike of a match lighting.
“I don’t know. He got out of the handcuffs.” Awe laced the first voice as he responded. “How did he do that?”
“However he did it left him covered in blood. That will attract a predator faster than Jose’s beans cause the runs.”
The two guffawed. Derrick could splash like a beached whale and they probably wouldn’t hear above their conversation. Only four more feet and Derrick would be in the garage.
“Did you see Edgar’s tantrum?” The conversation dropped to a hushed whisper.
What did the mercenaries think of Edgar’s earlier display?
“He whines worse than my two-year-old niece.”
They snickered.
“He’s not right.” The statement was low, like the guard worried Edgar would hear him.
“Completely loco. If you want to stay alive, keep out of Edgar’s way.”
Derrick shivered in the warm water. He couldn’t wait to get his family far away from this place. He slipped into the garage, easing along the speedboat and pulling himself into the smaller rig. He had a better chance of escaping discovery if he didn’t leave wet footsteps everywhere.
Lifting the cushion off the boat’s couch, Derrick smiled around the small flashlight clamped in his teeth he’d scavenged. The stack of towels neatly folded would dry him off and erase his arrival. Quietly, he untied the make-shift bag he’d made of a tarp from one of the storage sheds and pulled his clothes from it. After drying any evidence of his arrival and shoving everything back under the cushion, he made his way through the yacht.
Anxious energy laced his muscles tightly as he searched the yacht. He listened at the first door he came to for any sign of movement. When he heard none, he turned the knob nice and slow and cracked the door. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, making it hard to hear.
Calm down, man.
He inched his light up from the floor into the rest of the room. Lifejackets, scuba gear, and motorized diving equipment lined the walls and shelves. He scanned the storage room for anything he could use, categorizing everything for the future. He didn’t know how he’d get Kiki and Eva off the yacht once they were there, so he had to build several contingencies while he searched. He closed the door without a sound and moved down the hall.
One down. Many more to go.
With a yacht this size, there was no telling how many doors he’d be opening. He eased to the next door and repeated the process, only to be greeted by empty crew quarters. Where was the crew? Were the two men on the dock all that kept watch over the ship?
Focus, D. Stay alert.
He shut the door and continued his search. Exhaustion pulled at his brain and the slight rocking of the ship beckoned him to find a place and rest. Maybe he could rack out in one of the crew rooms. Derrick rolled his eyes at himself. There’d be time for sleep later.
His eyebrows rose as he peered into the next room. He shot into the space and shut the door. The computers lining the built-in desk, walkies, and keys hanging from the pegboard indicated he’d just found the security room. Striding to the desk, he pulled opened the drawers.
Four SAT phones sat stored in the bottom drawer. He closed his eyes and let out a quiet exhale. Maybe he could get some backup?
Checking the first one, he gritted his teeth when the screen flashed a red low-battery message. He checked the next one, only to have his heart drop a little more. Come on. The third screen blinked a dark blue before springing to life. Derrick leaned his forehead on the edge of the desk and squeezed his eyes closed. Had he ever felt such relief before? He shook off the emotion and dialed.
“Hello?” Zeke’s tight voice coming through the phone clogged Derrick’s throat with warring emotions.
He cleared the regret and relief away and pitched his voice low. “Zeke.”
“D, man, thank God.” The sound of snapping and moving bodies came over the speaker. “Where are you?”
“Columbia. That complex we rescued Hope Issac from.”
He heard mutterings from others. Zeke had him on speaker. Good, it’d save time.
“What happened?” Zeke’s voice held an edge of emotion Derrick had never heard before.
Was it blame or despair? Whatever it was, Derrick had caused it. He’d do everything he could to fix it.
“They overpowered us.” Derrick sighed and started sifting through the other drawers. “They were after Kiki and thought that Eva and I were her family. Something to do with Kiki’s father.”
“Are they okay?” Zeke’s question squeezed Derrick’s heart.
“At the moment.” How could he tell one of his best friends his daughter was about to be trafficked? “There’s an embedded operative here. CIA. He helped me escape. Promised me he’d keep an eye on Eva and Kiki and try to get them on the yacht docked here.”
It now sounded like such a flimsy plan. Why hadn’t he tried to get them free? They could be miles away by now. He shook his head. He had to trust, to let go of his need to control everything. At some point later that day, Marco would get Kiki and Eva on the yacht. Derrick had to do what he could to prepare.
“Something’s happening later today. The yacht is empty at the moment, so I’ll be able to set up a means of escape.”
“We won’t be able to get down there until late morning or so.” A loud huff sounded, blowing Zeke’s frustration through the phone. “If you head out to sea before then …”
They might never be found. Derrick finished the thought Zeke couldn’t say. There had to be a way to track them.
“Can you track this SAT phone?”
“As long as you keep it on, we should be able to see your location.” Rafe’s sure tone eased Derrick’s tight muscles.
He peeked at the phone’s screen. “It has a full battery.” He quickly opened the drawer with the phones and pulled out the last one. “I have another here that also has a full battery. I’ll call you with it, so if this one dies, we have a backup.”
“Good.” Rafe’s voice grew quiet as he talked, like he was rushing to his computers. “I’ll contact the navy. M
aybe there’s a ship close.”
Derrick prayed there was. He’d take a rescue from a frogman unit if it meant Eva and Kiki got home safe. He picked the lock on a tall cabinet, his mouth twitching when it swung open. The stash of weapons pumped hope through his blood.
“I’ve found the mother-load. I need to take advantage of the yacht being empty while I can.” Derrick pulled weapons out of the cabinet and set them on the desk.
“We’ll do what we can to help.” Zeke’s take-command tone was back. “We’ll be in the air within the half hour.”
“Zeke?” Guilt tightened Derrick’s chest, making it hard to breathe.
“Yeah?” The change in sound said Zeke had taken the phone off speaker.
“I’m so sorry, man.” Derrick cleared his throat. “I didn’t assess the situation properly—had let my guard down.”
“D, man, it could have happened to any of us.” Zeke’s soft answer made the band of guilt cinch taut.
“No, Zeke.” Derrick had to get the confession out. “I wasn’t on and let distractions pull my attention.”
“Bright blue eyes and a soft smile will do that to a man.” Zeke sighed. “I know you, man. Even distracted, you’re the best there is. You can’t change the past, D. Just do everything on your end to get you all home.”
“Copy that.” Derrick sniffed, blinking the stinging from his eyes. “I’ll check in when I can.”
“SASS, man,” Zeke commanded before cutting the call.
The order to stay alert and stay safe settled over Derrick. Glancing at the stash of weapons, a plan formulated in his mind. His lips pressed into a grim smile. If he played it right, he could create chaos unlike any this group had ever seen before.
Twenty-Three
A monkey shrieked, followed by another, jerking Kiki awake. Sweat-soaked hair clung to her face and neck. The stench of an untold number of soiled bodies lifted from the mattress and filled her nose. She scowled as a lizard darted along the cinderblock wall. Just another day in paradise.
Would they get free before she had to lie on this filth another night? Had Derrick found a safe place? She rolled over and stood from the bed. She couldn’t let the questions assault her again, not if she wanted to keep sane.
Footsteps approached, and the lock rattled. Someone was here already? She wiped the sweat from her neck and rolled her shoulders back. She couldn’t give in to the urge to cower.
The door swung open, and Marco stepped in. Thank God. Relief loosened her muscles. She quickly tightened them back up. Are you stupid or just dumb? Marco was the enemy just as much as Edgar and Mathias. Just because he seemed nicer than the rest didn’t mean he wouldn’t hurt her or Eva.
“Come. The boss is waiting for you.” Marco’s gruff tone reinforced her inner chide.
She kneeled on the mattress and shook Eva’s shoulder. “Eva, honey, it’s time to wake up.”
“Mommy?” Eva’s sleepy question bit into Kiki’s heart.
Would her sweet niece ever see her mom again?
“It’s time to get up. We have to go for a walk.” Kiki motioned with her head at Marco when Eva’s eyes finally blinked open.
Eva’s eyes widened, then she turned her face into her hands. Her tiny shoulders shook as quiet sobs filled the dreary space. Kiki’s vision blurred as she reached for Eva.
“I want my daddy.” Eva’s emphasis on just what dad she wanted wasn’t lost on Kiki.
At least the smart darling was brave enough not to blow their secret. Kiki would have to be fearless, push the trepidation and pain aside so she could keep Eva safe. She didn’t know what this so-called boss wanted, but Kiki was prepared to sacrifice anything for Eva’s protection.
“We have to go.” Marco’s statement held annoyance and a hint of something else. Fear? Maybe.
Kiki pulled Eva into her arms, determined not to let whatever she detected in Marco’s tone affect her. Eva wrapped her arms and legs around Kiki and buried her tear-soaked face into Kiki’s neck. When they got out of this and she left the ranch, she had a few things she wanted to say to her father before she disappeared forever. Maybe she’d find some mission or nunnery or something where she could not only hide but do the world some good. Not that anything she did would balance the evil her family was steeped in.
Marco led them from the cell, the bright sun blinding Kiki as it rose above the trees. Her mind whirled with possibilities as she followed Marco toward the beach house. Could she buy their freedom? While she didn’t have nearly as much as her father had, she had a good nest egg accumulated after years of trading. Surely it was enough for two lives. If not, sixty-million plus definitely could ensure for one little life to be spared, couldn’t it? Kiki would squeeze her accounts dry if it meant Eva went free.
“You need to get her to stop crying.” Marco glared back at Kiki. “The boss hates crying.”
“If he doesn’t like crying, maybe he should stop stealing children and women,” Kiki shot back before she smoothed her hand over Eva’s hair. “Honey, you need to be brave.”
“But I’m scared,” Eva whimpered against Kiki’s neck.
“I know, honey. I’m scared too.” Kiki choked down her own wail. “We can’t let these jerks win, Eva-mine. We can’t let them see our weakness.”
“Be strong and courageous, just like Daddy told me.” Eva sniffed, wiping her arm under her nose.
“Do not be dismayed.” Kiki gave Eva a squeeze.
Eva wiped her face on Kiki’s shirt, causing Kiki to both cringe and chuckle. Eva wiggled free, slid her small hand in Kiki’s, and walked with her chin high. Samantha would be so proud of Eva right now. Her mother’s strength shone through her face and filled Kiki with pride.
Be strong. Be courageous. If Kiki kept the chant up, maybe she could succeed at both.
A distant thumping caught Kiki’s attention as they approached the grand house. She shaded her eyes from the sun with her hand and peered out over the ocean. The silhouette of a helicopter flying in gave her a jolt of anticipation. Was it a rescue party? Kiki shook her head and focused on the path before her. It wasn’t hiding its advance on the area, so it had to be someone within the organization.
Kiki climbed the stairs to the house’s deck, her rapid pulse making her lightheaded. What would the boss be like? Would he attack them right away? Would he have buyers lined up and waiting? She stumbled over the images barraging her mind and gripped the handrail.
Be strong. Be courageous.
The shaded deck had luxurious furniture scattered throughout. Sheer curtains creating areas of semi-privacy around clumps of chairs floated in the morning breeze. A woman dressed in a gauzy sundress with a plunging neckline reclined in a lounge chair. A large-brimmed hat covered her face. Was she a captive as well? She lifted her head to watch their approach, a blank expression on her face.
“Aunt Jackie?” Kiki stopped short, and confusion flooded her brain, making it race with broken thoughts.
“Kiki. How nice to see you again.” Her father’s sister lifted the hat from her head and gently laid it on the side table laden with fresh coffee and fruit.
“What? I don’t—” Kiki shook her head to jiggle her thoughts in order.
“Have you enjoyed our accommodations?” The sinister gleam in Aunt Jackie’s eyes countered the sweet smile on her face.
“You knew we were here?” Pain bit into Kiki’s palm as she dug her fingernails into her hand.
“Of course I knew, you ninny.” Jackie tsked and shook her head like she was disappointed. “I had such high hopes for you. I always wanted you to take over in my stead, tried to groom you for it, but you were too much a goody two shoes.”
Memories of Aunt Jackie giving Kiki attention growing up assaulted her mind. She’d loved the extra attention. Had savored the visits, spending time with the aunt that doted on her like neither of her parents had. Kiki rubbed her hand over her chest as vulnerability left her exposed.
“I had to abandon the venture for a lost cause and had hop
ed your brother would be more suited.” Jackie examined her nails. “Shame he didn’t like following orders. Seems to be a family habit. His death was a hard command to issue.”
All the blood rushed from Kiki’s head, and she forced herself not to collapse. She had never observed such false emotion as what flitted across Jackie’s face. Her gaze landed on Eva and a predatory grin pushed the evil woman’s cheeks up. Kiki pulled Eva closer. How could Kiki have been so wrong about all her family? The wicked delight splashed across her aunt’s face tightened the cinch that the family lies had tied around Kiki’s neck. This time it might just strangle her.
Twenty-Four
Derrick peered out the small window from the room used as storage on the yacht. He had done all he could the night before to scope out the layout and set diversions. When a small crew led by a stoic Mattias and a shouting Edgar filtered onto the boat in the early morning hours, Derrick had abandoned his reconnaissance to lie low. He had several escape plans mapped out in his head, if only things would fall into place.
He had holed up in a storage room for movies, books, and other things of nefarious nature he’d rather not think about. Its location, close to the engine room and only a floor below where prisoners supposedly were kept, would work into his plan. The tactical gear he’d stolen from the security room hung heavy on his body with enough artillery to start a small war. None of it brought any comfort.
“Just trust, man.” He adjusted his grip on the rifle as the thumping of a helicopter landing on the yacht drowned out all other sounds.
When he’d spied Kiki and Eva being led to the beach house, he’d almost abandoned his plans and stormed from his hiding spot. Kiki’s confused and desperate expressions had had his teeth gritting with his inability to help her. His only comfort was that Marco stood at Kiki’s side.
Derrick peered through the rifle’s scope again, observing the woman gesturing toward Eva. When he’d first noticed her sitting on the lounge chair without a care in the world, he’d guessed she was the boss’s wife or girlfriend. Yet the way Kiki had reacted said the woman was much more than what he’d expected. Their voices had been too low to hear, especially with the helicopter now gearing down. The woman stalked from Kiki and Eva and peered toward the yacht.
Convincing Derrick Page 11