Page 104 of Ruthless Beast

“Is he rich?”

“Yes. But I don’t care about that,” I add quickly.

“It’s nice when you have money.”

“I guess. But even rich people have problems.”

“We’re all just human.”

“True. I’m so tired. I think I’ll close my eyes for a few minutes. Do you mind?”

“No. You sleep. I’ll keep watch.”

“Okay.”

I’m utterly exhausted. I’m sure I’ll sleep for a month once I’m home. I’m not in the clear yet, but once morning comes, Maria and I can get to a working phone so I can call Dannie. I’ll just close my eyes for a bit so that I’m not the walking dead in the morning.

* * *

What was that? I sit bolt upright in bed.

“Maria,” I whisper.

“Shhh,” she says.

She’s standing at the window, peeping through a slit in the curtains. I don’t like the look on her face. There’s trouble outside, and if I were a betting woman, I’d say it has something to do with us.

“What is it?” I whisper.

“There are men outside with guns. They’re busting down doors,” she says in a panic.

“Is there a backway out of here?” I ask.

“I don’t think so,” Maria says with a look of pure terror in her eyes.

“I’ll check the bathroom.”

I jump out of bed and rush over to the bathroom. There’s a small window above the toilet. I’m sure Maris and I will squeeze through it if we try hard enough.

“Come,” I call to her from the bathroom. “There’s a small window. I’m sure we’ll fit.”

I watch as Maria crosses the floor toward me. But before she can reach the bathroom door, the front door flies open. Shards of wood fly all over the place as the lock shatters. A heavy set man with a gun moves at lightning speed and grabs Maria by the hair as she tries to get away. She screams and squirms to break free, but it's no use.

I slam the bathroom door shut and turn the lock. Will I have enough time to squeeze through the window before he can get to me? I scamper onto the toilet and reach for the window. But as I do so, my food slips, and I fall backward and hit my head against the bath. I’m overcome by a wave of nausea before I pass out. I guess there will be no escape for me today.

25

LUCAS

Our car is second in line to get through the border post. We’ve patched Damon’s face to look a little less beaten up so that he doesn’t attract too much attention from the guards.

“Keep your mouth shut,” I instruct him as we move forward.

He looks at me defeatedly and nods. I’d play along too if I were him. He’s lucky he’s still drawing breath. The only reason Damon isn’t fish food is because he’s agreed to take us to Gallo’s club and show us the backway into the seedy joint.

The border patrol guard looks at our passports and gives Damon a side glance.

Damon smirks and says, “Boxing. You should see the other guy.”

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