by LM Terry
The man pulls back and his eyes roam over my face. He is unrecognizable. How can I be his daughter? I didn’t hear Oliver right. I am drowning in the blackness of the old man’s scrutiny. He draws me into another tight embrace before finally letting me go.
I slump into my chair. I’m done. I am literally fucking done with this shit. Fuck Oliver, fuck whoever the fuck this is, fuck all of it. Oliver helps him to the place setting across from me and then takes his seat at the head of the table. He reaches over to grab hold of my hand.
I peer up at him. He smiles at me before turning to the other man. “William, she is just as beautiful as her mother is she not?”
“Even more so, her dark skin compliments her eyes. She has her mother’s eyes you know?” He pulls something out of his jacket pocket and hands it to Oliver. Oliver takes it holding it up to the side of my face comparing. I realize it is a photo. “Amazing,” he says as he passes it to me.
I accept the photo with trembling hands. It is a photograph of my mom. Tears sting the corner of my eyes. Oliver pushes the tissues closer. I glare at him, defiant, refusing to take anything he offers me.
“William is your father, kitten. I’m not sure if your mother ever told you.” He knows damn well that this all comes at a shock. “She ran away from him when she was pregnant with you. He has been searching for you ever since.” He speaks the words like he harbors intimate feelings for me, as if we were not complete strangers. “When he became ill, I took over running his business and his search for you.”
“Oliver, I don’t know how I can repay you. You have been so loyal. After I got sick, I thought I would never get to lay eyes on my child,” my new father says reaching for the box of tissues.
“Well, now that you mention it Anna and I have grown fond of each other.” He flashes me a smile and a wink. “I would like to ask you for her hand in marriage.” He pulls my arm across the table so that William can observe the huge rock on my finger.
The man claps his hands. “My dear boy, yes! This is perfect.” He pauses as he places his hand on his chest, a small flash of pain quickly passes over his face. “You will get married soon will you not? I would love to walk Anna down the aisle. Who knows how much time I have left.” His obvious anguish does not hinder the excitement in his eyes.
A woman comes out from a swinging door dressed in a black and white maid uniform. I watch silently as she places a beautifully arranged plate in front of each of us. My earlier hunger has vanished. My mind reels from all I learned. My whole life has been a lie. As I slowly put the pieces of the puzzle together I realize that I am the daughter of a sex trafficker.
I can feel the blood pump in my temples. The man I thought was to blame for my situation was not the reason for me having to hide at all. William is the reason my mother sent me away. The one responsible for me having to live as Sarah for the past nine years. He is the monster. It is his business that my mom was trying to protect me from.
“Anna, I know all of this comes as a shock to you kitten, but you need to eat.” I stare down at my plate. Oliver squeezes my hand painfully as a warning before letting it go. I pick up my fork and take a bite, forcing myself to chew and swallow.
“I cannot tell you William how happy your daughter has made me and yes, we will get married soon. I would not want you to miss it. I was thinking next week? What do you think Anna?” He leans over and gives me a peck on the cheek.
I don’t answer. He has already decided. I have no say in any of this so instead I look at the man who is now my father and ask in a quiet voice, “William? Would it be okay if I kept this picture?”
He looks at me, I can see he is happy. The thought should warm me, but it doesn’t. I know he is evil. He admittedly had my mother against her will. They said she had run away. “Sweetheart, anything for my daughter and call me Dad, honey.”
I place the photo inside the front cover of the book that Oliver gave me and ignore my new father’s endearments. I decide in this moment I will do whatever it takes to get away before this wedding happens even if that means I do not make it out alive. My mother found the courage to run and so will I.
“Thank you,” I say as I force myself to offer him a small smile.
Oliver drops his napkin in his lap and leans back in his chair. I can sense that he reads my mind. I do not look at him as I pick up my fork and continue eating. One foot in front of the other as a plan slowly unfolds.
Chapter Nine
∞∞∞
Anna
Oliver keeps me close to him during the daytime hours for the next few weeks. He knows I am planning my escape. He does however still let me go downstairs to sleep with Sophia which makes me happy. She doesn’t ever say anything, I hold her and let her cry each night.
I don’t see William, my father, much. When Oliver demands, I visit him in his room. We don’t speak. He just stares at me, maybe making a brief comment about how I look like my mother. The last few days I haven’t had to sit through the awkwardness thankfully, his health taking a turn for the worst. As cruel as it sounds that makes me happy too.
I remain quiet through all of Oliver’s meetings and business dealings. I pretend not to listen all the while writing feverishly in the notebook he gifted me. He reads through it at the end of each day before releasing me to the tiny cell.
“You are talented.” He peers up over the leather-bound book at me.
“Thank you,” I reply. If only he knew how talented of a writer, I really am. I smile as he hands me back my musings and turns to pour himself a drink.
“I set the wedding for Saturday.” He studies me over his shoulder, fishing for a reaction.
Two days. Two days is all I have left. I wish I could take them all with me but right now I need to focus on getting Sophia and I out. I won’t forget the others. There are many. Oliver has girls not just here but in several countries. I listen as he is on the phone arranging buyers for them, planning auctions with what I assume are very wealthy and powerful men. The names familiar to me.
I nervously eye him. “Saturday?” I lick my lips as my mouth turns dry at the prospect of marrying this man. I stare at the book in my hand. I have one last thought, I need to know something before I enact my plan. “After I marry you will you allow Sophia to leave?” I ask as meekly.
He pulls up a chair in front of me and sets his drink down on the desk. He reaches out taking a strand of my hair twirling it between his fingers. “If I agree to let her go would you come to me freely?” he asks.
I swallow hard, shaking my head yes. My original plan is to run, but it is dangerous. I don’t know if Sophia is well enough in her mind to go along with me. I hate to risk her life so if I am able to spare her I will. It is the least I can do considering she is in this situation because of me.
He clicks his tongue. “Words Anna, remember your words.”
“Yes,” I say. Somehow this day is taking an unexpected turn. I am not sure I can finish what I started.
“Show me.”
I freeze. I wasn’t expecting him to react this way. I assumed he would just give me a simple answer. He hasn’t touched me the last few weeks, busy ensuring my father’s lawyers had changed his will. William is leaving everything to my new husband and me.
He has made it clear though that my nights with Sophia will end once we are married. Ironic that a sex trafficker has been waiting to sleep with me until our wedding night. He likes to toy with me. I suspect he gets great pleasure watching my nervousness over the whole situation.
He laughs and is about to get up calling my bluff when I reach out and place my hand on his leg.
He stills and looks at me lustfully. I can do this. If he will let her go, then I must do this for Sophia. He pulls me into his lap and takes my mouth so forcefully his teeth graze across my lips. I taste the metallic flavor of blood mixing with his gin and tonic. His hand glides up my thigh under the sundress I am wearing. I close my eyes tightly as he reaches my most intimate spot.
He nuzzles the side of my
neck all the while keeping his palm stilled on me. I tremble. No one has ever touched me there. I was not prepared for this. I hear Sarah’s familiar voice calling me back to the lake. I can do this. I will run and hide with Sarah until this is over.
His lips deliver light kisses along my throat then he whispers in my ear, “Kitten, do you think I am a fool.” His finger slips slightly into me. I plead with my body to stop shaking and brace myself for his violation. Abruptly he dumps me off his lap onto the hard floor.
I land with a thud my dress coming up in a very unladylike manner. He tilts his head back and laughs. He glares down at me with menacing eyes, terrifying me to the core of my being. “I cannot do that. Sophia knows too much. You know too much. Don’t think for one second that either of you will ever be free of me.” He stands then whistles, signaling Brian to come and escort me to my cell.
When we get downstairs, he opens the door and follows me inside. I go to the bed scooting to the corner as far away from him as I can. “Doll, I realize that this isn’t your idea of a good time but trust me you got it better than some of these girls. Don’t do anything stupid.” He looks around the room my breath hitches. He knows. “I mean it, if you run, and he catches you it will not end well.”
He walks out as another man, the skinny one brings Sophia back. She gives me a look of concern as Brian slaps her on the ass. “Talk some sense into your friend Sophia, tell her there is no way out.”
She stares at me with wide frightened eyes. He closes the door. She rushes to the bed, speaking for the first time since our initial reunion. “You are not planning an escape are you?” She doesn’t let me answer her words continue to rush out. “There is no way out, Anna.”
“I can’t stay here. He wants to marry me Sophia.” Tears fall as I continue to relay my plight to her. “Manuel is not my father, a man named William Ramirez is. He is here.” I sob heavily now. “He is or was a sex trafficker just like Oliver.”
She sits quietly and puts up her hand to stop me. “I know, I’m sorry Anna this is all my fault.”
“No. I am to blame. They took you to get to me. None of this is your doing. I’m getting you out of here Sophia. I’m getting us both out.” I hiccup in between sobs.
She stands going to the door and leans her back against the metal running her hand through her hair. “I told him Anna. He didn’t know you were alive until I informed him. They thought you had drowned. Your mother’s plan worked, but I ruined it.” Her head falls as she speaks burying her face in her hands.
I sit unmoving on the bed. I’m not sure what to say. “Sophia, it’s okay. It’s not your fault.”
“It is. They came to the estate, they killed everyone except the young girls.”
My heart drops to my stomach. My parents are dead?
I whisper, “They are all dead?”
“Yes, except the girls. They took us. He sold the others. I shouldn’t have told him anything. I didn’t think they would find you. I thought I could bargain with him for my release.” She bangs her head harshly on the door as if trying to punish herself. “I didn’t tell him everything, only that you were alive. He has been waiting for you to make a mistake.”
And I did. I get up going to her. She tries to push me away, but I pull her into my embrace. “It is okay Sophia. None of this is your fault.”
I hold her tightly and whisper into her ear, “I am getting us out of here tomorrow. I need you to be ready.”
She pulls back and looks at me, shaking her head feverishly. “You can’t escape him Anna, you can’t.” She quickly slides by me and shuts off the light then jumps into bed leaving me to stand alone in the dark.
I walk over to the bed and reach under the mattress to pluck out the rope that our captors mistakenly left tied around Sophia’s neck one night. I tuck it under my pillow and get in pulling Sophia to me. “It is not your fault,” I whisper to her again as I allow myself to drift to sleep. Tomorrow I am running. I am bringing her with me whether she likes it or not.
Chapter Ten
Dylan
I top my piece of shit little rental car to one twenty, slamming my fist into the steering wheel. Nothing went as planned. Not a fucking thing. I am going to get my revenge though and she will help me.
Liam told me she gave the FBI a lot of helpful material. She relayed information on other cell locations and buyers. She was keeping tight-lipped on everything else. The other girls say she is engaged to the fucker. How the fuck could anyone want to marry that bastard. I don’t really care to figure it all out. She isn’t my end game, I’m just going to use her to get to him.
All I can see is red as I make my way swerving in and out of traffic. Liam better not be late. I am done letting his bureau investigate this. I’m taking matters into my own hands. He told me she planned a service at two this afternoon. I am hoping to meet up with him before then.
He might try to stop me. He is always stopping me from one stupid thing or another but not this time. I am going fishing. I’m dropping a line and she will be the bright, enticing lure at the end.
I turn off the freeway and make my way to the small town near her home pulling into the Midtown Motel. Liam and the girl are on the road back. Nobody knows about our connections to Sophia. He has had to keep his shit together. His superiors would freak if they learned he had any ties to the case. I feel bad for him but there is no time for that. The mission may have changed, but the end will be the same. Oliver Wright will die.
I kick open the door to my room and throw my bag on the end of the bed. I need to get some sleep. Sleep has eluded me ever since receiving Liam’s call telling me everything fell apart. I failed her and there isn’t a damn thing I can do to bring her back.
I feel alone. I shouldn’t. I still have my guys. They are like family, but Sophia was the one person who knew me before. Before all this shit. I used to be a good man, not anymore. I will do anything to get to him. Even kidnap a girl? I crack my knuckles and weave my fingers together placing my hands behind head. Yes. I would hijack the pope himself if it brought Oliver Wright to my door.
A knock brings me out of my dark thoughts. I peek out of the small opening in the closed curtains. Good, he isn’t late. I need to get as much information as I can before I take her. She is going to tell me everything I want to know while we wait for her fiancé to show up. Maybe she knows where he is, and this will go faster than planned. I need Liam to inform me of what he knows about her.
I open the door and sigh at the sight of him. He is worse off than I am. He puts his hand up before I can say anything coming in grabbing the whisky out of my bag. He opens it slamming a third of the brown liquor down.
He slumps down in one of the rickety motel chairs. I sit across from him. He hands me the bottle. I take a swig and hand it back. He needs it more than I do. “Where is the file?”
He reaches into his briefcase on the floor and tosses a folder on the table. “What are you going to do?” he asks.
“Better you don’t know.” I grab the folder and open it. Everything I ever wanted to learn about Sarah Madrono inside.
Liam takes another swig. “She is innocent Dylan.”
I laugh. “Innocent? I thought you said she was engaged to the fucker?”
“That’s what the other girls told us. You don’t understand you didn’t see her. She was just as frightened as the rest of them.” He closes his eyes.
I feel bad for him I do. I may not have been there this time, but I have rescued my fair share of young women. I realize what they’ve been through. “So, you think she was a reluctant bride to be?” I toss the folder on the table, I will study this later.
“Yes, I do. She is smart Dylan. She must have been privy to his private conversations. She had a whole notebook of information. He monitored what she wrote so to the reader it looks like poetry. But, she had laced it with words and letters to help her recall the names of buyers and towns. Brilliant really. She will save a lot of people. So, whatever your plan is, remember this.”
He shakes his finger at me as he stands going to the bed to lie down.
“What about Sophia? What is Sarah’s tie to her?” I ask as my chest tightens.
“I don’t know, she said they shared a cell together. She asked for two things in return for the information in that book of hers, one was for a new identity and the other was for…” His voice cracks, he takes a moment to control the wave of emotion before continuing. “She wanted to know if they could release Sophia’s body to her, so she could give her a proper burial.”
I look at my watch, Liam had told me that the girl had planned the service for two. I don’t want to miss it. “Are you going?”
“I can’t Dylan, if I go I won’t be able to hide my feelings for Sophia.” He gets up and heads to the bathroom.
As he walks away, I grab the whiskey and take another long drink. I put the folder away, walking out of the room leaving the alcohol on the table for him.
I toss my bag in the back and peel out of the motel lot. I head to the edge of town checking my phone to make sure I’m headed in the right direction. I see it now. A small cemetery on the side of a hill. My heart sinks as I spot a tent rising out in contrast to the surroundings. A minister of some unknown denomination stands there looking at a book, a bible I’m guessing.
I pull up behind a grove of trees a short distance away get out to crouch down by some bushes. A small silver car arrives, and a young girl gets out, walking up to the minister. She shakes his hand. He reads as they stand side by side near my sister’s casket.
It is beautiful with the sun shining on it. Their reflections peer back at them in the black onyx. It has silver handles with a design etched into it. At least Sophia is being cared for at the end. I pick up a leaf and crush it into my palm watching the pieces fall slowly to the ground.
I look back up to see the minister give the dark-haired girl a hug. He gets in his vehicle and leaves her alone with my sister. She takes the rose in her hand carefully setting it on the casket.
