Page 74 of Healing Love
The man continued, “I’ve been paid shit for a long time, so I’m due. It’s about time that my worth was recognized.”
Snorting, the woman said, “Your worth? As a double agent? Hell, that just means that you don’t have any loyalty to anyone.”
“Shut the fuck up, bitch, or I’ll take you back with me.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” the woman bit out, anger pouring from her.
“You never know when to keep your trap shut, do you?”
Miriam was glad the two in the front seat were arguing since it gave her time to get her eyes open and her mind clear.Cam will know I’m gone. He’ll come looking for me.Fear gripped her once more…if he can get to me in time.
The vehicle slowed as it made a sharp turn onto a bumpier road, jostling her as she lay in the back seat. Unable to see anything out of the windows except for the stars, she was not gaining clues as to where they were taking her. They finally came to a stop and the man jumped out of the driver’s side, leaving the woman in the front still grumbling.
“Come on, doll face,” the man said, as he tried to heftMiriam’s body out of the back seat. “Dios mío. How much did you give her?”
As the woman climbed out of the front seat, she jerked on her nun’s robes. “I hate wearing this,” she bit out. Then, turning to see the man struggling with Miriam’s body, she added, “Whatever you put in the needle is what I gave her.”
“Well, get over here and help me,” he growled.
Miriam tried desperately to make her body go limp and appear still drugged.Don’t give yourself away too early.
With much difficulty, the man finally hefted her over his shoulder and carried her inside a building. Sneaking a quick peek, she could see a small two-seater plane inside.Oh my God, NO!She jerked involuntarily and the man roughly laid her down on the hangar floor.
“Well,mi bonita.I see you’re awake now.”
“Where…” she croaked, then swallowed and licked her lips. “Where are you taking me?” The man’s face was vaguely familiar.
“Why, back where you belong. You left beforeel doctorhad a chance to make you his.”
El doctor? Doctor? Ernesto!Her eyes widened in understanding, and she immediately began wiggling to loosen her bonds, to no avail.
Just then, the bottom of a nun’s robes came into sight. Lifting her eyes, she saw an older woman similar in appearance to Sister Genovia. The woman raised her hand and pulled off the grey wig, leaving her long blonde hair cascading down her back. The theatricalmakeup still gave her fake wrinkles, but Miriam could now see the imposter.
Gasping in recognition, she cried out, “Sharon? You?”
Sharon glanced away, a flash of regret in her eyes quickly replaced by determination. Looking back down at Miriam, she said, “I wasn’t given much choice. It was either you or me and I’m sorry, but I’ll choose me every time.”
Manuel jerked Miriam to her feet. “You and I are going to take a little flight.” He saw the struggle in her eyes to recognize him. “You only met me once,chica. I work for Alberto…” he grinned before continuing, “and the Guzmans.”
“That’s what she meant. You’re a traitor to both.”
Getting his face into hers, he growled, “I work for me, bitch. And this’ll get me in good and tight with the good doctor and in turn, Juaquim. What the government pays me to keep an eye on the cartels barely keeps me out of poverty.”
Manuel jerked her arm once more toward the plane. “Let’s go.”
“Stop!” she cried. “I’ve got to go to the bathroom first.”
He looked at her incredulously. “How fuckin’ stupid do you think I am?”
“I do. I can’t make it without going.”
Not wanting to risk her making a mess in the small plane, he shoved her toward Sharon with a nod toward a side door. “Take her and you’d better not fuck it up or your ass will be on the plane instead.”
Grimacing, Sharon caught hold of Miriam’s arm as she stumbled toward her. “Come on. Let’s get this over with.”
Having to hop with her ankles taped, she finally made it inside the small toilet. “I can’t sit with these clothes on.”
Sharon assisted and then pulled Miriam back toward the sink when she was done.
