Mouse Trapped

by Manda Mellett

  “Hellfire’s happy,” Prez agrees. “Paladin could transfer as a full member, and Hellfire will let Jayden stay with him and his wife.”

  Seeing Slick watching me, I mouth, I’m sorry. It’s my fault I might have put the Satan’s Devils back on the Herreras’ radar. Knowing how I feel about Drew, I can well understand why he wants his wife’s young sister to be safe.

  Paladin’s stare goes to the prez, then to Slick. Slick takes a deep breath. “I’ll speak to Ella.” His shoulders slump, suggesting that’s one conversation he’s not looking forward to.

  Again Prez raises the gavel, but before he brings it down, he says, “I think it’s for the best, Slick. Don’t want anyone to sneak up behind us while we’re focused on protecting Mouse’s kid.”

  Chapter 29

  Mariana

  Hoping I’d slipped the woman sufficient money to more than cover the mailing charges, I was optimistic my letter, with the warning, was now on its way to Drew. When time for dinner approaches, and there’s a rapping against my door, I open it to find, as expected, my escort waiting to walk me down to dinner. Tonight I have a spring in my step as I descend the stairs, believing I’ve got one over on my father. He wanted me to write to Drew, and I did. Just didn’t extend the invitation he wanted.

  I enter the dining room as usual, walking to the seat that I habitually take. As I sit and pull the chair into the table, I’m aware there’s a difference about the atmosphere. Feeling eyes burning into me, I look up to see my father’s lieutenants are openly smirking. A cold feeling settles inside of me. What’s going on?

  When I glance toward him, my father smiles back, reaches over and pats my hand. From anyone else it would seem a friendly gesture, but I feel like a mouse being pawed by a cat. He’s never shown any outward sign of affection before.

  “Did you enjoy your day with Miguel, Mariana?” he asks as the first course is set down in front of us.

  As his men start dipping spoons into soup, and everything gets back to normal, I question whether I’d been imagining things. I decide to act normally, while staying on my guard. “I enjoyed getting out into the country,” I reply, honestly.

  Miguel, sitting next to me, leans closer. “We had a lovely time, didn’t we?” Without waiting for my response, he grins widely at my father, letting me see his yellowed teeth. I shudder, there’s something about this man I really don’t like. It’s not just his looks. He tries to be pleasant, but my gut tells me it goes no deeper than the surface.

  My father’s smile broadens. “That’s so good to hear. Mariana, I don’t know if you realise it, but Miguel, here, is my second-in-command. I trust him.”

  I nod, not knowing how I’m supposed to respond. The first course is over, the second placed in front of me. I toy with it, knowing I need to fuel my body, but having no appetite in this place. Or, not in this company. When I eventually decide to tackle it, my father glares at me when I put my fork in my right hand. I narrow my eyes in response, and continue eating as I always have done. I’m not Colombian, and he’s not going to change me.

  As I’ve done every night, once the dessert course is over, I push out my chair, signalling I want someone to take me back to my room. Tonight, no one stands in preparation to escort me.

  “Stay seated, please, Mariana. I wish to talk to you,” my father says, his hand again snaking out over mine. “Please be patient while I finish my coffee.”

  With no other option, I settle back again. Coughing when he lights a cigar and puffs smoke into my face. On my other side, Miguel does the same.

  I notice I’m now getting snide glances from the men sitting around the table, it dawns on me they all know something I’m not party to. It’s unnerving, I don’t like it. Something’s going on. Something I have strong suspicions that I’m not going to like.

  I’ve nothing to do, nothing to occupy my hands. I clasp them in front of me on the table, staring at them. Being kept incarcerated as an illegal immigrant took all the fight out of me, at the mercy of the machinery that rolled on mercilessly. It had made me depressed, I had nothing to fight, no one would listen. Authority on the side of the system and not me.

  Here I’m a prisoner with no means of escape, but instead of retreating into the dark depths of my mind, I’m determined to fight. Whatever plans they’ve got for me, I’ll protest. I won’t willingly do whatever my father wants me to. If he thinks he’s got an obedient daughter, he’s soon going to find out differently. My backbone imperceptibly straightens. I won’t give in. Won’t give up. Somehow I’ll find a way out of here.

  At last the cigars are extinguished, stubs lying dead in ashtrays. My father stands. It’s a sign for the others. When he indicates I’m to accompany him, I get to my feet and exit the dining room.

  “This way.”

  With his hand on my arm, I’m led in a different direction and into a room far more utilitarian than the luxury I’ve seen so far. My father goes to seat himself behind a desk. Miguel, who’s accompanied us, leans against a table to the side. I’m directed to a chair in front of the man who sired me.

  “I have to thank you, Mariana, for making it easy.”

  Immediately I know I’ve made a mistake. My blood runs cold through my veins.

  “You took the bait. Oh, you think you’re so clever. But we retrieved this.” He opens a drawer and slides something out, pushing it over in front of me. My letter to Drew. “But don’t worry, your brother will get a letter. The one I wrote instead. He’ll know his sister hasn’t forgotten him.”

  My eyes widen, and I swallow a couple of times. “How?” I croak out.

  Miguel crosses his arms. “The shopkeeper had already been warned. My man retrieved the letter while we were in the café. Child’s play.” His casual tone makes me want to hit him.

  “You threatened the woman?”

  “Come now, Mariana. What must you think of me?” My father shakes his head. “There was a reward offered, a nice one. Large enough for us not to worry she would give anything away. There’s one happy woman in the village tonight. She earned herself a fortune.”

  Proving I’m a bad judge of character. “Drew won’t believe it, if you sent that letter you tried to make me sign. He knows what you are,” I tell him bluntly.

  There’s that chilling smile again. “Oh, that doesn’t matter. We know where Andrew lives.” He taps the address on the envelope.

  But he doesn’t. He’s with Tse, isn’t he? Or is my brother alone and unprotected? Not wanting to give any suggestion that I’m not expecting Drew to be living at the trailer park, or that when they find him gone, I’ll know where he is, I put my hands over my face, partly to hide my expression, and partly to remonstrate with myself that while I thought I was being clever, I’d fallen into their trap. How could I have been so stupid?

  When I feel composed, I look up. “He won’t come.”

  “He won’t have a choice,” Miguel speaks for the first time. “If he thinks you are in danger, he’ll come.”

  He might try. I wouldn’t put it past him. A teenage boy overconfident in his abilities to deal with men. Tse won’t let him.

  “I don’t know why you’re so interested in a boy you’ve never met. Never knew existed,” I say with spirit. “Leave him alone. He’s getting a good education and has the chance of a good life in the States. If you care for him as a father, you’ll know he’s in the best place. He’s an American citizen.”

  Leaning on his desk, my father snarls, “He’s my son. He should be with me. He’s my heir.” He waves his hand around him. “Everything I have built up will be his one day. He deserves to learn of his heritage.”

  My eyes widen, then I scoff. “Drew wouldn’t want to be involved in anything you’re offering.”

  Miguel steps forward, leans his hands on my father’s desk and turns his head in my direction. He laughs. “A fifteen-year-old boy? We’ve got things to tempt him. Women who’d do anything for him, and who he can do anything to. Alcohol, drugs, money. Yeah, what kid wou
ld turn down all that?”

  The picture he’s painting is shocking. My mouth opens and shuts, then I spit out, “Drew wouldn’t be tempted. He’s a good kid.”

  My father snorts. “He’s my son. My blood. He’ll take after me.”

  I feel faint, the Drew I know wouldn’t be bribed by such disgusting things, would he? I’ve never seen a sign of the cruelty inherent in my father.

  “He’ll be a prince in my kingdom. Wealth beyond his wildest dreams, anything will be his for the asking. He was born to this role; he’ll take to it.”

  He’s placing doubts in my mind. But if I can speak to the boy that I raised, maybe I can convince him to refuse temptation. I won’t allow him to accept the degeneracy that’s on offer. I purse my lips as my thoughts firm up. I can make Drew see reason.

  “Now, dear daughter. You’ve fulfilled your purpose. I will have Andrew here, and I will groom him as my successor. A few days enjoying the good life, and he’ll forget all about you and his American ways.”

  He won’t, will he? Of course he won’t. I lean forwards. “You don’t know him like I do. He’s a good kid. He won’t be taken in by you, or what you’re offering. When I speak to him, I’ll tell him exactly the type of person you are.”

  “Which is why,” Miguel interjects, “you won’t be allowed anywhere near him.”

  “I’m afraid,” my father puts in, “your time of enjoying my hospitality here is coming to an end.”

  Are they going to kill me? My jaw drops open in horror.

  “I had several ideas what to do with you. You see, I hate any commodity being wasted. Don’t try to appeal to me. I never wanted a daughter, thought you were a waste of space from the moment you came out of your mother’s womb. But now you’re grown, I may be able to make use of you.”

  My determination not to give into him is hard to maintain. But I don’t plead, I don’t beg. Even if I did, I’d be wasting my breath. All I can do is go with the flow, and hope there’s an opportunity for escape. At least a chance to see Drew and warn him.

  His fingers tap on the desk. “I had several ideas what to do with you, but Miguel here, well, I have a lot of respect for him. He offered to take you off my hands, and as my thanks to him, I’m inclined to accept.”

  “I’m not something you can hand over to anyone you want.” My cheeks redden with anger.

  Still tapping the desk, he looks across to Miguel. “Show her the hospitality we offer to putas like her,” my father suggests. “I think she’s gotten too used to the accommodation we provided up to now.”

  I focus on one word. The word the guard at the detention centre had used. The word that upsets me so much, being so far from the truth. “I’m no whore.” My cheeks blaze, my eyes go wide as I wonder exactly what they intend to do.

  My outburst lands me a sharp look from my father. Then he bursts out laughing. “Don’t tell me you’re a virgin?” When I don’t reply, he reads the answer on my face, and laughs. “Oh, this is priceless. Miguel might give you more to think about.”

  Miguel nods vigorously, a lecherous leer on his face. “Oh, I know exactly what I’m going to do with her. That’s she’s untouched? Yes, that gives me more ideas. I’ve got a few ways to make her start thinking about changing her behaviour and learning respect.”

  They then have an exchange in rapid fire Spanish which I’m unable to understand. I try to sit tall, lock my shoulders in place, determined not to show my fear. Detention in the US broke me; I was fighting an impossible enemy with no face. Here I’m determined to survive. Breaking me is exactly what they intend, and whatever they do, I’m not going to give my father that satisfaction.

  When I’m told to stand, I do, my head held high. I spare one look of disdain for the man whose genes I carry, then follow Miguel out of the room.

  From what they’d said, I wasn’t expecting them to take me upstairs to the bedroom I’d been staying in up to now. No, it would be somewhere far less comfortable. As long as it’s not in Miguel’s bed, I shudder at the thought as I’m led across the elegant entrance hall. Could I remain aloof if he raped me? Took what I wasn’t prepared to give? Remembering the damage I’d done to the guard’s face, I’m determined I won’t give in easily.

  His hand on my shoulder brings me to a halt in front of a curtain. He pulls it back, exposing a doorway. From his pocket, he takes out a key and opens it. There are stone steps leading down. The elaborate decoration of the house hasn’t extended to here; the walls are plain brick. The stairs bare. Wherever they lead to, it doesn’t look inviting.

  Chapter 30

  Mouse

  “Everyone in position?” Drummer’s voice sounds loud in my ear. He made Devil get transmitter/receiver devices that fit into your ear and which we’re now all wearing.

  One by one my brothers respond. I keep my eyes fixed on Drew, my heart warming and my doubts somewhat assuaged by the thought of the amount of backup I’ve got. Not wearing our cuts, we’re scattered around various parts of the football field. All entrances are covered. The changing rooms too, Joker having volunteered to dress up as a janitor.

  Blade’s at my back, Sam and Sophie sitting beside us. We look like any other parents come to watch their kid practise. Which is what I feel like. Drew’s mine.

  Drew makes a good run, I zip my mouth closed, cheering on a random boy who’s just tackled him, not wanting to draw attention to myself, or who I’m there for.

  Drew goes to sit on the bench and a teammate takes his place. Drummer’s sitting right behind him. He’s safe.

  My leg keeps bouncing as my eyes constantly search left and right, trying to spy any suspicious characters. I want, need, Drew to be approached. I want those men taken. Then we can question them, hopefully being able to follow a chain which will give away Mariana’s location. Or at least her father’s, but I know she’ll be with him. My gut churns as I think he might have already hurt her. He’s using her as bait for Drew. Until he’s got the boy, he has to keep her safe. Doesn’t he?

  “We’ll get them, Mouse,” Blade reassures me out of the side of his mouth. “When the kids are packing up, that’s when they’ll make their approach.” We’ve discussed it. They wouldn’t snatch him off the field. “Don’t draw attention to yourself. We’ll all saunter down as though we’re just picking up our kids from practice.”

  I might not have been at the sharp end as much as others, but I’m not going to do anything to jeopardise our mission. My mission. To save my kid. “I won’t fuck up, Blade,” I answer through gritted teeth.

  “He’s yours, Brother. Time for holdin’ back is now. Later, when we’ve got them at the compound. That’s the time you can let loose.”

  My eyes widen slightly. “You’ll let me lead?”

  The enforcer raises his hands. “All yours, Brother.”

  Half my mind’s concentrating on what’s going on, the other half is planning what I’m going to do if, as we suspect, the man, or men will attempt to snatch Drew this evening. Yeah, I’ve got some ideas about making them talk. As I sit, my native blood races.

  On the field Drew scores a touchdown. I’m about to leap up when Blade’s arm shoots across me. “Chill,” he reminds me.

  It’s hard. I can see the kid’s got talent, and I want to cheer him. Next time, I tell myself. There’ll be a next time.

  Then practice is over. The coach calls the teams together, stands talking to them for a while. I notice him slapping Drew on the back, probably to congratulate him. Kid’s done well. I’ll be telling him that myself.

  “We’re on,” Blade whispers, standing up and stretching to get the kinks out of his back.

  I’m on my feet too. Ah, there’s Lady. He’s started down. Viper and Bullet have appeared as well. Closer to the boys, following them as they make their way to the changing rooms, are Wraith, Peg and Dollar. Heart and the rest will be waiting out front, just looking like dads come to collect their sons. Beef, Rock, Shooter and Marvel will be hidden at the edge of the parking lot.


  Drew emerges from the changing room and goes out to where the cars are waiting just like I told him. He takes out his phone, looks at it, then around at the parked cars as if not seeing who he’s looking for. He does good, he walks a little distance away from the others as though to get some privacy, still looking at that darn phone.

  I send him a quick text.

  Got you covered.

  I see him give a quick smile, but never once does he raise his head trying to find us. Kid trusts us. One by one the other kids get into cars. The parking lot starts to empty.

  What’s that? I nudge Blade. A car with its engine idling draws closer to Drew.

  Walk back towards the entrance.

  Immediately Drew obeys my text. I don’t want him to be grabbed and tossed into that vehicle. The distance increases between the car and my ward. Out of the corner of my eye I see Marvel, Rock and Beef approaching from the rear. Shooter’s veered off to meet Heart, and they’re heading for the side of the car. I nod to Blade. We start moving to position ourselves on the passenger side, and I check to make sure Drummer and Wraith have the front. Unseen by the few remaining kids waiting with the coach, Prez has his gun in his hand and is pointing it at the windshield.

  Heart wrenches open the door, his own gun pointing inside. I pull the passenger door more or less at the same time.

  Two Hispanic faces look at us in dismay.

  “What are you doing?” one says, while the other swears in Spanish.

  “Out,” I tell them, gesturing with my gun.

  “We’re here to pick up my nephew.”

  “Oh?” I ask conversationally. “Which one would he be then?”

  His eyes flick to Drew, then past him. He points… to a kid who at that moment starts waving at another car which has just arrived.

  “Seems your nephew doesn’t need a ride after all. So we’ve got time for a conversation. Out.” I wave my gun again; Blade having positioned his body to prevent anyone seeing it.