Page 9 of Sold Blood
Someone pushes back the curtains from up front, letting a bit of light shine our way. "Shut up back there. You are not allowed to speak. Do it again and I will cut your tongues out."
"Where are you taking us?" I ask.
The man growls. "Don't you worry about that, just sit back and shut up. You will go where we put you."
"They are going to kill us," Trenton whispers again and the small amount of light allows me to see him rocking back and forth with his eyes closed, his dark blond hair matted with blood.
I have to get out of here, we all do.
Five
Carlos
I hurry back to my car the moment Isaiah and I part ways. I don’t have time to waste, Joey could already be on the other side of the world right now. I search for my friend Malcolm's name, hitting the call button when I land on it.
"Hola."
"Malcolm, how are things? I'm hoping you can spare some time out of your busy life to talk to an old friend."
"Carlos? I thought you were on vacation."
I laugh. "When is a man like me ever able to go on vacation?"
"You could use one, I'm just saying. Maybe it'll help you not be so uptight. How long has it been since you've been out and had some fun, got lost in a sweet honey? I have a few new ones at the parlor who could help you relax. Even a few males if they're more your thing."
"I didn't call because I need a whore. I called, because I need that favor you owe me.”
He sighs loudly into the phone. "I didn't ever think you would cash it in. When does the almighty Carlos ever need anybody's help?"
"Looks like today may be that day and it's not really for me, it's for a friend. His boyfriend is missing."
"And I would know where he is, because? Maybe it’s time you take a step back and let others deal with their own problems for once."
"How about you worry about what’s going on in your own house instead of worrying about me. What do you know about the Mendez Brothers and their business dealings with Santana?"
"Why would I know anything about that? I don't mess with the Mendez brothers. You know I don't run that kind of establishment. My whores aren't here against their will."
"Maybe not, but that doesn't mean they are there because they have a choice either.”
"Everyone has their way of paying off debt. You know I don't give handouts. If they want their kid in the best schools, their parents' debt paid off or to help pay off a loan shark, then I got a way for them to do it. It's their choice to sign that contract."
"So business is good?"
"Business is great."
"I’m guessing the clientele is too then and so are the new contacts. I need you to help me get in the next auction the Mendez brothers may be attending."
"Mira, I don't know what kind of trouble your friend is in or the shit you're planning to stir up, and I don't want to know. I want no part in it."
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "Last time I checked, when a man like you makes a promise, he never backs down. Are you telling me you are no longer a man of your word?"
"My word is only good if it doesn't involve my body being cut up and tossed in the nearest ocean."
"Do I need to remind you of the many men who want you dead and why you've been left breathing this whole time?"
"And if I help you, I'm just as good as dead anyway. You are no match for these men, no one is."
"You underestimate a man like me. They are merely men and no man has ever been too much for me to handle. You forget my job consists of taking down pieces of shit like them every day."
