“Miss Martin?” Abraham knocks on the door.
I haven’t went back to sleep since I overheard his conversation with Ty. “It’s open.”
“Breakfast is ready and Sylvia is waiting down stairs.”
I get off the bed and follow him down stairs. I guess she’s going to have a crack at me. Might as well. Maybe when they get everything they need I will be nothing but a fucking shell. “I’m not hungry.” I say as we reach the end of the stairs. Sylvia is sitting on the sofa looking as beautiful as ever. I take a seat beside her. Might as well get this over with.
“How are you, Jessica?” Sylvia stands.
“Fine.” I lie. I’m in no way fine.
“Okay well Tango said you needed to talk to me. Is there something on your mind?”
I have to refrain myself from throwing a temper tantrum. It won’t do any good. “Where do I start? The dreams are getting more vivid. I can actually remember some things. Sara mostly and her Mom. I know that I was sold like cattle on the beef market. Vancard bought me then he rented me out to his friends and strangers. But I guess Abraham has already told you this. Let’s see… I had a dream again last night. It was different. Not much too really tell. I got away only to let them capture me again. I couldn’t leave Sara. So I went back. That’s when I woke up. The fear was clawing at me. That’s about it.”
She looks at me with no emotion at all. That’s good because I don’t think I can take another moment of getting the sympathy look from another person. “I see. When did you really start remembering?”
“Oh. I guess it was around when William threatened to blow us out of the room. I opened the door and saw his face.”
“How did you feel when you first saw him?”
“Surprised. Happy that I actually remember something. Then pissed that he did what he did.”
“I see.” She write something down. “What did William actually do to you?”
Now she wants the bad parts. I hope she can pull her big girl panties up because this is going to be bad. “Where do I start? Well at first he was nice. Then when he raped me things got ugly. Then he let other men do the same. Then when the fun was over he was going to sell me. Only his partner Vancard bought me. Said I wasn’t used up just yet.”
She masks her horrified expression. She clears her throat. “You are going to have a long road ahead of you. I think this is enough for today.”
“Why stop now?” I feel anger rise up again and I don’t know why I’m taking it out on Sylvia. She hasn’t done anything wrong to me.
“Jessica. You are angry and I can see you’re hurt. I realize you think at this moment no one cares, but we all do. I can’t say I know what you have gone through, because I don’t I can only live it through your eyes. Believe me when I say you’re not alone in this.”
“I don’t understand why I’m not afraid anymore. I should be terrified of staying in this house alone with Abraham, but I’m not. So you want to tell me why?”
“Are you asking me why you aren’t afraid of men when you were repeatedly raped?”
“Yeah I guess I am.”
“Well it’s hard to say. Some people realize that not all men or women are like that. They are afraid at first and it takes years to get comfortable with men or women again. In your case you didn’t remember right away. You had already gotten to know most of the men around you. You trusted them, so there for you’re not afraid of them. Who is to say if a stranger touches you or engages you in a conversation you won’t have a back flash.”
“I didn’t do that with Abraham and I don’t know him.”
“True. It works in different ways, Jessica. I think you know you won’t be here long and you know you can leave at any time.”
I nod my head looking down at my hands. It makes sense. I did get to know the men around me before I knew who I was. She doesn’t know how close I came to walking out yesterday. The only thing to stop me is the thought of William capturing me again. That scares the hell out of me. “Where do I go from here?”
“In what sense?”
“Do I stay here until William is caught? Do I go home? Where ever that is. What do I do?”
“I don’t know what the plan is, Jessica. Ty isn’t going to want to leave you here for too long. He is concerned about you.”
“Why does everyone keep saying that? His plate is full. He still has his wife out there somewhere probably going through the same shit I did. So don’t tell me that. I know better.” I feel as if I’m walking on a tight rope.
“His ex-wife. Yes his plate is full. He has a lot on his mind and taking care of Sara. He doesn’t want her out of his sight. But he still cares for you. Don’t let him looking for his ex-wife blind you. He feels responsible for William kidnapping her. He brought her there after all.”
“Yeah well it’s hard to see it your way.”
“Yes it is. But have faith, Jessica. Don’t shut out the people that want to help you. I can sense anger inside you and that’s good. You still have feelings. You’re not completely broken.”
“Sometimes it doesn’t feel that way.”
“No it doesn’t. I think we are done for a while. I’ll come by tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
Chapter 24
Ty
After Abraham had called me last night. I wanted to run to Jessica. I wanted to be there to hold her, to let her know she wasn’t alone. I didn’t want her to stay with Abraham. I want her with me and Sara. Tango thought it would be a good idea. Unlike Lazarus, he has a way of getting information without bodily harm. He had a breakthrough with her. He pushed, just a nudge, his words not mine and she opened up some. She still doesn’t remember the information she overheard.
I can still see the look on her face when I left the hotel that evening. She looked lost and heart broken. It hurt me to leave her. I wanted to walk back in there and take her with us. When on a mission the first rule is, don’t get attached. It’s hard not to. She is stunning, beautiful and she loves Sara. That is plain as day. She cares for her. Jessica has taken a little piece of my heart. I agreed with Tango to send her to Abraham. He’s right I need to stay focused.
We have a lead on William. Lazarus and I are going to check it out. Sylvia is coming by to sit with Sara. I’m a little nervous on the update she is going to give us about Jessica. She had gone to seen her this morning. When I called Sylvia she seemed almost upset. That is a first. She never gets emotionally involved with any clients. Meaning us mostly. Except for Tango. So whatever Jessica has confided in Sylvia, it must have been horrifying. Sylvia sounded as if she had been crying.
“Daddy? Is silver going to sit with me?”
“I’m afraid so munchkin.”
Sara sits at the table with me crossing her arms leaning her head on the table. “Why can’t Jessica come too?”
“She has to do other things sweetheart.” I can’t tell her Jessica is having a meltdown.
“When can she come stay with us. I miss her.”
“Soon sweetie.”
“How soon?”
“A day or so.”
“Oh.”
“How about we go to the pound and look for a puppy when I get back.”
“Okay. Can Jessica come with us?”
“Sure. If that’s what you want.”
“It is.”
Sara and I sat at the table talking about puppies and the names she has picked out for them. My phone rings and its Cassie. My heart sinks to the pit of my stomach. “Cassie.” I say walking out of the room.
“Hello Ty. I thought you would like to know that I have been in contact with Sara’s family. They want to see her. The police and I had gone to visit them. It was an emotional trial for them. The grandparent are devastated. We have a meeting with the family next week. I should warn you, it’s going to be hard for Sara. I think it would be a good idea to bring Sylvia alone. She can help Sara cope with it.”
“Okay. What day.” I take a deep breath.
“Thursday.
We will meet you at the airport.”
“We will be there.” I hang up. How do I tell Sara that she is going to go visit her family? Only that her parents aren’t going to be there. She is going to cry and I don’t know how to make it better.
“Daddy.” Sara comes in the living room sitting on the couch with me.
“Yes honey.”
“Will silver play tea party with me like Jessica does?”
“I’m sure she will if you ask her.”
“Will she put real tea in the cups? Jessica did when Aaron was with us.”
“Of course.”
“Will you ask her?”
“Sure.”
Sara runs to her bedroom no doubt gathering her brand new tea set I bought her on the way here. We had the leave her other set at Lazarus’s house. I have a decorator coming in to redecorate Sara’s room. Tango had said for me to wait until we have contact with her family, but I couldn’t wait. I want Sara to feel at home for ever how long she is here. I know the right thing to do is not fight her family over her and I will not.
The doorbell rings and Sylvia makes her way inside. So much for waiting for me to open the door. “Ty.”
“Sylvia. How are you?”
“Well. She flings herself down on the couch.”
“That bad huh?”
“You have no idea.”
“How is she?” I don’t have to say who. She knows I’m talking about Jessica.
“She’s good on the outside. She looks great except for the lack of sleep. She’s a mess Ty. She is starting to remember things and they’re not good. I can’t go into detail about it, patient confidentiality. I can say that she thinks she’s alone.” She sniffs.
“Do I need to bring her here?” I hope Sylvia agrees. Hell Sara isn’t the only one that misses her. I do too.
“I really believe that wouldn’t be a bad idea. She thinks we all have abandon her.”
“Where would she get an idea like that?”
“Well you guys did just dump her off on Abraham, whom she doesn’t know.”
“Tango’s idea.”
“You agreed, Ty.”
Sylvia has a point. I did agree. Lazarus and Sara comes out carrying Sara’s tea set. He is staying with us until he get his mountain and house repaired. “Sylvia would you please put real tea in the cups for Sara?”
“Of course. Umm… one more thing. When do you want her to come?” She refers to Jessica.
“Today?” that came out way to eager. I can’t help it. I want her.
“I can arrange that.” She smiles wide.
“Sounds like someone is going to get… a fun night.” Lazarus blurts out. He has a shit eating grin on his face.
“Not what you’re thinking.” I roll my eyes at Lazarus.
“Daddy can I have a fun night too?”
“Umm… Umm…sure honey. We can watch a movie and eat popcorn.”
Lazarus laughs and Sylvia shakes her head taking Sara to the kitchen to start the tea. “Sorry. I’m still getting used to having a kid around. I just got to say the look on your face was priceless.”
“Fuck you.” I laugh.
“No that will be Jessica.”
“It not like that.”
“Oh it’s just like that. You were quick to answer Sylvia. You can’t wait for Jessica to get here.”
“You coming. We have a man to kill.”
“Daddy. Wait.” Sara comes running out of the kitchen.
I kneel down and she give me a wet kiss right on the cheek. “I love you Daddy.”
“Love you too Munchkin.” She give Lazarus a kiss on the cheek as well before we leave.
Once we are in the car Lazarus goes over all the details of the last known place William is hiding. If our sources are right, he has Aaron there as well. I turn in an abandon parking lot across from where they are supposed to be. We wait for Tango and Ash to get there before we make ourselves known. A man about half my size comes out lighting up a cigarette. William couldn’t have many men left. We have taken out quite a few. The man blows out a stream of smoke. He looks around and up at the sky.
Tango and Ash pulls up beside us. Lazarus rolls down the window. “He here?” Tango asks.
“Not sure. Only seen the one come out.” Lazarus point to the guy smoking.
“We go as planned.” Tango and Ash drive out of the parking lot and park right in front of the building.
Lazarus and I get out of the car walking across the street. Ash and Tango are talking to the man outside. The man suddenly pulls out a gun. Tango quickly disarms him. Ash punches him in the face. The man falls over Ash’s shoulder. Lazarus and I enter the building cautiously. I pull out my fire arm slipping around the corner. William is standing in from of Aaron. She looks okay from this distance.
I give Lazarus the go ahead and he moves to the far left side. I take the right. There are men scattered throughout the building. I guess they are covering every advantage point. I look up and see a man pacing on the upper level with a semi-automatic slung over his shoulder. I duck back to the shadows. That was close. I point to the man upstairs and Lazarus nods. I wait for Lazarus to take him out before I proceed.
Lazarus sneaks up behind the man and just in seconds he falls to the ground. I slip out of the shadows and up behind the next guy. He has no idea what happened. He falls to the floor. Lazarus and I do this until we are close to William. He is surrounded by men. Where the hell he can find them so quickly is beyond me. He must put a fucking add in the paper.
“William.” I say calmly. My gun is pointed right at his chest.
“Ty. So good to see you.” He smiles evilly.
“This is the end of the road for you.”
“I hardly think so. You wouldn’t want to see your beautiful wife messed …up now would you?” He steps aside.
I take a quick glance at Aaron. She has a bomb strapped to her. This isn’t good. It will take some time to get Leo here to disarm it. He is our bomb specialist. William holds up the detonator. “Just one push of this button and it’s all over. Now that I have your attention. I will only ask this once. Where is the girl and the kid?”
“Not going to happen.”
“Whose life do you value most? A kid and the slut, which you don’t know either of them, or your wife? I’ll give you a minute to think on it.”
“Let her go William.”
“Where would the fun in that be, Ty? We were best friends once. You know I like having fun. I always envied you. You had this beauty and never really cherished her at all.”
“Fuck you.” I’m letting my anger take over and there’s no room here for that. I need to keep cool.
William laughs. He signals his men. They come at us all at once. It looks like a brawl. Tango and Ash appear out of nowhere. That evens the odds a bit. Not that Lazarus and I couldn’t take care of them ourselves. Tango plants his fist in one guys face. I punch and kick they just keep coming. Lazarus is doing the same, but he is enjoying it. Like I said before he gets off on this shit. I’m so glad he’s on our side.
Out of the corner of my eye I notice William running away and he has the detonator in his hand. I need that device. I plow thought this guys who is trying to take out my eyes. Running after William and tackling him. I punch him in the face knocking out his front teeth. That felt so damn good. He rolls us over and the device slides across the floor and under a shelf. That’s the safest place for it right now.
William punches me in the face multiple times. I forgot how strong he is. We roll on the floor punching and kicking. The way he is fighting you wouldn’t think he had ever been shot. But he had because I shot him three damn times.
“You’re not going to win, Ty. Might as well give it up.”
I don’t respond. I crack him in the jaw. That should shut him up. He howls in pain. I punch him again in the same spot. His head whips to the side. He pulls back punching me in the ribs breaking a few. That hurt. I can’t breathe for a second. I regain my breathing quickly though thr
owing punch after punch to his kidneys. He rolls off me. Coming to his feet limping toward the back entrance. I stand to give chase when someone tackles me from behind. I fall to the floor. He is punching me in the back of the head several times.
Throwing an elbow to his face, he falls off me. I don’t look back to see who it is. I run out of the back entrance to find William is spending down the road. “Son of a bitch!” I yell. How the hell does he keep getting away from me? I limp over and take a seat on the floor. My ribs are hurting and I think I may pass out from lack of oxygen. Taking a deep breathe slowly I wait for the dizziness to pass. When it does I notice bodies lying all over the place. Some are moaning in pain and some are laying still.
Making it to my feet I walk over to Aaron. Tango has the tape pulled off her mouth. He’s down on one knee looking at the bomb. “We need Leo. It’s going to take some time to get him here. I don’t want to move her. This is some high tech stuff. One false move and…” He shakes his head.
“You okay?” I ask Aaron.
“What do you think?” She cries.
“Get Leo on the phone.”
“Ty. This isn’t a good idea.” Tango rushes out.
“Just do it.”
Lazarus and Ash come to kneel down beside me while Tango calls Leo. “I have never seen this set up before.” Ash whispers.
“All the wires are blue and green. Only Leo will know which ones to cut.”
“Get the detonator. It’s under the shelf by the door.”
Ash runs over to the shelf retrieving the detonator. “We need to keep that safe.” I inform him.
“Okay Leo is an hour away. That’s the best he can do.” Tango informs us.
“What do you mean it’s the best you can do? I want this off me now!” Aaron yells.
“Aaron. It is the best we can do. I can’t do it. Neither can anyone else besides Leo.” I try explaining.
“If it were Jessica you wouldn’t hesitate.”
“Are you being serious right now?” I can’t believe she has brought up Jessica.
“Well wouldn’t you?”
“Aaron that’s enough. We are doing everything we can.”
She looks at the floor sniffling. I know she is scared and jealous, but she needs to focus on getting out of this vest.
Secret Ops: Ty's Revenge Page 19
