Blaze a Trail (The Flanagan Sisters, #3)

by Claire Boston

  “It’s no use,” Johanna sobbed.

  The man came back inside. “Is she still sniveling?” He raised his hand and Zita automatically stepped in front of Johanna.

  “She’s stopping.”

  The man scowled and backhanded Zita. She stumbled back into Johanna, blinking rapidly to clear her eyes and fight past the pain. Feck. He’d actually hit her.

  “Know your place,” he said and walked out the back.

  Zita’s cheeked burned, but she turned to Johanna. “Stop crying,” she murmured.

  The expression on the woman’s face was pure desolation.

  “I’ll fix this.” Zita hoped she could keep her promise.

  Johanna didn’t respond, but Zita couldn’t wait until she recovered. She walked out and hurried across to the markets, her mind racing as she formulated a plan. She found David not far from where she’d left him.

  “What the hell happened to you?” David exclaimed, reaching for her face.

  “Shhhh,” she said, brushing his hand away. “Listen to me. Manuela’s done something to annoy the gang and they’re pimping her out today.”

  He swore.

  Zita took a breath, hating the words she had to say next. “I need you to hire her.”

  Chapter 17

  “What?” David’s mind couldn’t keep up. Zita had returned with a nasty red mark on her cheek and he wanted to know who the hell had put it there.

  “I need you to go into the brothel and hire Manuela. It’s the only way we’ll get her out.” She pulled him toward the car. “I’ll be with you as your translator. We can pretend you’re into young girls and want the youngest they have.”

  The mere idea made him feel ill. “There’s got to be another way.”

  “There isn’t.” She glared at him. “You said you wanted to help.”

  This was his fault. They wouldn’t be in this mess if he hadn’t recorded all of the information. “What’s the plan?”

  Zita kept walking, pointing to the hostel across the road. “First, we need to get a room.”

  A few minutes later, they were in a private room in the hostel. Zita dragged a change of clothes out of her backpack.

  “We’ll go into the brothel together,” she said, stripping off her T-shirt. “I’ll tell them you heard you can get young girls there. You’re looking for the younger the better, and for a virgin you’ll pay top price.” She shrugged a new top on. “This is Manuela.”

  Zita took a passport out of her backpack and showed him the photo. The girl looked similar to Teresa, and was so damned young. David felt ill. How could anyone do that to her?

  “You’ll choose her and then what happens next will depend on what they do.” She changed her skirt for jeans. “I don’t know if they let the girls leave the brothel. If they want you to stay there, you need to make a fuss, say you’ve got a clean room here and you want privacy or something like that.” She waited for his response.

  This was real. He had to hire a twelve-year-old girl from a brothel. His stomach swirled as he nodded.

  “Then we’ll take her straight to the car, grab Johanna on the way past and get out of here.”

  “What if they send someone with us?” He doubted the gang would let Manuela go alone.

  “Then you’ll have to come here.” She paused, glancing around the room and then went to the window and peered out. “You can climb out.”

  David walked over and stuck his head out. The room they were in was part of a row of three, and they were at the far end. There was a small strip of grass between it and the next row of rooms. He and Manuela could climb out, walk along the back and then dash between the two rows, hoping the person guarding wouldn’t see them. “It’s a long shot. Manuela won’t trust me, and I don’t speak enough Spanish to tell her what’s going on.”

  Zita bit her lip. “I’ll write a note, and I have a photo of Teresa on my phone. I’ll send it to you.” She pressed a few buttons on her phone.

  David opened the door as he thought it through. The distance between the rows of rooms was at least twelve feet. “If the guard is looking our way, we’re screwed.”

  Zita came out. “I’ll distract him. I’m sure I can talk to him for a few minutes, wait until you go past and then make my excuses.”

  “Hell no.” He shook his head. “I’m not leaving you alone with any gang member.” There was no telling what they’d do to her.

  “Have you got a better idea? I can’t come into the room with you.” She moved back inside and he followed her.

  She was right. He couldn’t think of another way around it. “Then what?”

  “I’ll meet you at the car and we’ll get Johanna.”

  “And if someone else spots us?”

  She took his hand. “Your priority is Manuela. Get her away from here. If we’re spotted, or have to split up, head for the airport.”

  There was no way he would leave Zita behind. David shook his head, opening his mouth to refuse, but she covered it with her hand, pleading with her eyes.

  “I speak Spanish, and Johanna knows this neighborhood. Chances are if you get spotted, people will chase you and not remember Johanna until after I’ve got her.” Zita took her hand away. “The laundry is on the other side of the market. We can blend in there, then get a ride out to the airport. We both have our phones, so we can meet up there.”

  David’s chest was so tight he could barely breathe. “I don’t like this.”

  “Neither do I, but it’s the best I can come up with. Are you ready?”

  He was never going to be ready. He wanted to tell Zita how much he loved her, but it would sound like he didn’t think they’d get out of there alive. He nodded once. “Let’s go.”

  ***

  Zita left her backpack in the car, hoping no one would steal it while they were away. Then she walked toward the brothel with David. Her heart raced and every step felt like she was walking toward her own execution.

  As the red building came into view, she said, “Let me do the talking. I’ll translate any questions they have. You just need to pay.” She’d given him the cash while they were at the car.

  There were two men guarding the door.

  “He’s after a girl,” Zita said in Spanish, jerking her head at David.

  They looked David up and down, grinned and let them in. Inside the dim, narrow hallway Zita took a breath to brace herself. The scent of dirt and sweat filled her nostrils and she screwed up her nose.

  Slowly, she walked down the hallway, glad she wasn’t alone. She entered a large room with a wooden desk in the center. A tall, broad-shouldered man with a mustache and gang tattoos sat behind it. As Zita strode over to him, she took in the room. The paint on the walls was yellowed and peeling, and there were half a dozen plastic chairs around the edge. A teenage boy lounged in one, and there was a flight of stairs up to the next floor.

  Mustache man glanced up from cleaning his gun. “What do you want?”

  She dragged her eyes away from the weapon. “We’re here for a girl.”

  The man grinned widely. “What kind of girl?”

  She translated for David.

  “The younger the better.” He winked at the man, and Zita had to take a second to control her surprise at his authentic leer before she translated.

  The man called to the teenager, “Bring in some young lovelies.”

  The boy got up with a groan and headed up the stairs.

  Mustache man leered at Zita. “You know you’d fetch a pretty penny here. I can make you rich.”

  “No, thank you.” She couldn’t prevent the disdain on her face.

  “Why, you rich enough?” He scowled. “You too good for us?”

  Her heart thudded. She hadn’t considered the gang might want her. She should have — it was what had happened to Teresa. Zita was saved from having to answer by the arrival of the lovelies. The girls trudged down the steps, all of them no more than teenagers. As Zita searched their faces for Manuela, all she saw was resignation or f
ear. Her heart wanted to burst. She wanted to save them all. They lined up in a row, and the man indicated to David that he could choose.

  Feck. Manuela wasn’t there. She couldn’t say anything, could only hope David realized.

  David took his time, standing in front of each one, checking them out and then moving to the next. When he reached the end, he frowned. “Got anyone younger? I’ll pay well for a virgin.” The expression on his face was creepy.

  Zita translated and the man pursed his lips. “Virgins cost double.”

  When she told David, he said, “I’ve got the money.”

  The man ordered the girls out and said to the teenager, “Go get Manuela and Agatha.”

  Zita turned to the window as if she was bored so her relief couldn’t be seen. Mustache man got to his feet and walked around to get a better look at Zita. Her pulse pounded. What was he going to do?

  He reached out and caressed her cheek. She shuddered and stepped away.

  “I’m not done with her yet,” David said, moving to stand beside her. Zita translated.

  The man looked at David. “Let me know when you are,” he said in English. “I’d pay well to have her here.”

  David grinned and nodded.

  Zita was so stunned she couldn’t speak. She knew he didn’t mean it, but damn he was convincing.

  The boy returned with two young girls. One of them was Manuela, and she looked absolutely terrified, with tears welling in her eyes.

  Zita wanted to smile at her, reassure her, but she couldn’t. Instead she said to David, “Will either do?”

  He slowly examined Manuela, a smile on his face. “She’ll do nicely.”

  This time, she couldn’t hide the revulsion on her face.

  “You don’t like it?” the man asked.

  “Not my kink,” she said.

  “You like to dominate the women?” the man asked David in English.

  David brushed Zita’s hair out of her face to show the bruise. “Only when they need it.”

  The man nodded his approval. Zita was going to be sick.

  David got out the money and put it on the table. “Will this do?”

  The man took it and smiled. “Yes.”

  David took Manuela’s arm and started leading her to the door.

  Manuela sobbed hysterically, dragging her feet. “No, no.” Each cry ripped Zita’s heart in two.

  “Wait. Where the hell are you going?” Mustache man demanded and the teenager blocked their path.

  Zita translated, her skin tight.

  “I’m not taking my dick out in a place like this.” The disdain on David’s face was so much like Bob. “I’ll catch something.”

  “He has a room at the hostel down the road,” Zita added as she translated.

  “It’ll cost extra.”

  They negotiated a price.

  “You’d better behave,” the man told Manuela.

  The little girl was shaking, but she nodded.

  They took Manuela out of the building and one of the men on the door fell in step behind them. Zita wanted to tell her it was going to be all right, but she couldn’t risk it yet.

  When they arrived at the hostel, the guard checked out the room before letting them in. Tears streamed down Manuela’s face. She reached out to Zita. “Please help me.”

  Zita couldn’t bear it. She turned away as David shut the door with him and Manuela inside and the lock clicked.

  “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” the guard asked with a smirk. “Think you’re missing out?”

  Zita straightened. She had to remember why she was here; she had to keep this man distracted. “Not at all. He’s not my type.” She had to be careful. She didn’t want to give him any more ideas than he already had. She had to be able to leave when she wanted to. “What about you? Don’t you wish you had the girl?”

  The guy grimaced. “I like women who know what they’re doing.” His eyes raked her body. “You’d know a thing or two.”

  She forced a smile on her face, hoping David would hurry up. “Well now, I don’t like to kiss and tell.” She stepped away from the door and he followed her, turning away from where David and Manuela would pass.

  “I’m sure you don’t,” the man said. “Where are you from? I haven’t seen you around here before.”

  “I’m from the other side of town,” she said. “This guy needed a translator.” Zita grimaced. “He didn’t mention what he wanted to do.”

  “You following him around then?”

  She nodded.

  The man grabbed her. “Well, we could have a little fun of our own while we’re waiting.” He ran a hand down her arm.

  She brushed him off, and as she did, Manuela and David hurried past. Relief filled her. “Maybe some other time. He gave me some errands to run and I don’t want to be punished.” She showed him her bruise. “But I’ll be as fast as I can.” She winked, blew him a kiss and hurried away, resisting every urge to sprint.

  At the entrance of the hostel Zita checked if she was being followed. She wasn’t. David pulled the car up and she jumped in the front seat. Manuela was lying on the back seat and she was no longer sobbing.

  “Niñita, everything is going to be all right,” she said. “We’re going to get your Mama now.”

  Manuela nodded silently, tears streaming down her face.

  Zita turned back to David. “Turn here.” He did as she asked, and the laundry was ahead of them. The same guy was sitting on the step out the front. “Pull up there.” She pointed to the curb. “I’ll get Johanna.”

  “Be careful.”

  “I will be.” Walking across the street, she breathed deeply and evenly to control her fear. They just needed to get Johanna and then they’d go home.

  Johanna was serving a customer as Zita entered. There was a different man sitting on the crate out the back. The customer left.

  “Johanna,” Zita said. “Come and see this cute puppy outside.”

  Johanna’s eyes widened when she saw Zita.

  Zita smiled and gestured. “Quickly, you don’t want to miss it.”

  Johanna hurried to the door and Zita followed her out. “The white car across the road,” she whispered in her ear. “Manuela’s in it. Go, get in.”

  With a shriek, Johanna raced across the road. The guy on the step yelled and stood. Zita shoved him and ran to the car as Johanna got in. David had the door open for her. She slid in and slammed the door behind her, her heart pounding. “Drive.”

  David hit the accelerator as gunshots rang out. The back window smashed.

  “Get down,” she yelled, as David swore.

  Another couple of bullets hit the car before they sped around the corner and out of sight.

  “Is everyone all right?” she called in Spanish.

  “Sí,” Johanna replied, sitting up.

  She turned to David and saw that the sleeve of his shirt was red with blood. Her heart stopped. “Feck. You’ve been shot.” She slapped her hand over his wound.

  He gritted his teeth and his hands were white on the steering wheel. “Caught some glass or something. Stings like a mother—”

  “Pass me my backpack,” she ordered Johanna. Both mother and daughter were clinging to each other, crying. “Now, Johanna!”

  Johanna passed her the backpack.

  “Before you do anything, does someone want to tell me which way to go?” David asked.

  Zita couldn’t remember. She translated and got the directions from Johanna as she ripped her skirt into strips. She pressed one bandage to the wound and David swore.

  “Don’t be a baby,” she said, praying it was only a superficial cut. “Slow down,” she said. “We don’t want to get picked up for speeding.”

  He did as she said and she took the cloth away from the wound. It was a deep abrasion, like a bullet had grazed his skin. Her heart rate slowed. Taking another strip of cloth, she wound it around his arm. “We’ll clean it when we get to the airport.”

  “Grab my phone and cal
l Captain Johnson. Tell her we’re on our way. We want to leave as soon as possible.”

  Zita dialed the number and organized the flight. Then she sat back, put her seatbelt on, and her heart rate came down to normal. They weren’t being followed. She breathed in and out. The draft from the broken window was quite cool. “I don’t think you’re going to get your deposit back,” she said.

  David laughed and the sound lifted her heart. “I think you might be right.”

  ***

  It took a while to sort out the rental car and to clean David’s graze, but once it was done, they cleared customs quickly and were settled in the plane by midday. Zita had called Carmen to tell her they were on their way home. Manuela still looked a little shell-shocked and Johanna hadn’t stopped thanking Zita. But Zita wouldn’t fully relax until they were in the air. They would definitely be safe then.

  David had been silent the whole time. She was worried about him, but there was no privacy to talk.

  Finally, the plane was cleared for takeoff and they were in the air.

  When the captain announced they could now walk around the cabin, David said, “Zita, can I talk to you for a minute?” He stood and walked toward the bedroom.

  She followed him. “What’s wrong?”

  He shut the door behind her and pulled her roughly into his arms.

  “David?” She held onto him as he started to shake.

  “Jesus, Zita. I don’t want you to ever do that again.” The anguish in his voice was clear.

  Her heart melted as she rubbed his back. “It’s all right. We’re all safe.”

  His eyes were full of horror. “That place was hell. All those girls in there were miserable or defeated. How can those places actually exist in the world?”

  She couldn’t be angry with him. Not when he was so distressed. She kissed his cheek. “We’re working on it. Fernando almost has enough evidence to shut it down.”

  “It’s not right.” Tears poured down his face. “Teresa was there, wasn’t she? And Manuela . . . it could have easily been another man who’d hired her.”

  Zita held him tightly. She’d heard more than just Teresa’s story, she knew these places existed, and while the reality of it had still been a shock, she had been prepared.