Page 106 of Brick's Retribution

The sisters—Xiomara and Itzel—haven't let go of each other since we loaded them onto the plane.

Xiomara's arms wrap protectively around her younger sister, whispering constantly in Spanish even though Itzel hasn't responded with a single word.

Mei sits rigidly upright, switching between Mandarin, English, and Spanish in a stressed stream of consciousness that no one can fully follow.

Valeria clutches her stomach, rocking slightly, lost in some private grief I can't begin to understand.

And Lashes—she stares at Brick across the cabin like he might disappear if she looks away for even a second.

"Let's move," Brick announces as the plane comes to a complete stop. "Medical team boards first, then we transfer to the vehicles."

The next twenty minutes are chaotic as all hell.

Ruby comes onto the plane with other people, immediately triaging the women.

When they try to examine Itzel, she clings tighter to Xiomara, a terrified whimper escaping—the first sound we've heard from her.

"No separate," Xiomara says firmly in broken English, her young voice carrying surprising authority. "We stay together. Always together."

Ruby nods, adapting immediately. "Of course, sweetheart. You can stay with your sister for everything. We'll examine you both together, okay?"

The tenderness in Ruby's voice shows how delicate she’s going to be with these kids.

Even she's affected by it.

I help guide Mei toward the exit, but she grabs my arm with surprising strength.

"My family," she says in English, then switches to Mandarin before landing on Spanish. "Necesito... I need to call them. They think I'm dead. My mother... she must be..."

Her voice breaks, and I see tears streaming down her face.

"Soon," I promise gently, squeezing her hand. "We need to make sure you're safe first. Make sure no one can track the call. But I promise, within the hour, you'll hear your mother's voice."

She nods, but I can see the desperation in her eyes.

For two months her family has likely believed she was dead.

And I’ll help her navigate those feelings.

The ride to the clubhouse is intense.

I'm in the lead vehicle with Brick, Xiomara, and Itzel.

The little girl hasn't released her death grip on her sister, but her dark eyes track everything—every turn, every sound, every movement.

"It's okay," Xiomara whispers to her in Spanish. "These are good people. They saved us. Remember? The pretty lady who bought us? She saved us from the bad men."

Itzel's eyes flick to me, and I try to give her a reassuring smile.

"You're safe now," I tell her in Spanish. "Both of you. No one will separate you again."

When we pull through the clubhouse gates, I'm surprised to see what looks like half the charter waiting in the courtyard.

Word travels fast with the club, and the ol’ ladies have banded together to make sure everyone is taken care of.

"Jesus," Brick mutters. "Looks like the whole family turned out."

Tables have been set up with food, water, and basic supplies.

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