My father snorts. “He’s my son. My blood. He’ll take after me.”
I feel faint, the Drew I know wouldn’t be bribed by such disgusting things, would he? I’ve never seen a sign of the cruelty inherent in my father.
“He’ll be a prince in my kingdom. Wealth beyond his wildest dreams, anything will be his for the asking. He was born to this role; he’ll take to it.”
He’s placing doubts in my mind. But if I can speak to the boy that I raised, maybe I can convince him to refuse temptation. I won’t allow him to accept the degeneracy that’s on offer. I purse my lips as my thoughts firm up.I can make Drew see reason.
“Now, dear daughter. You’ve fulfilled your purpose. Iwillhave Andrew here, and Iwillgroom him as my successor. A few days enjoying the good life, and he’ll forget all about you and his American ways.”
He won’t, will he?Of course he won’t. I lean forwards. “You don’t know him like I do. He’s a good kid. He won’t be taken in by you, or what you’re offering. When I speak to him, I’ll tell him exactly the type of person you are.”
“Which is why,” Miguel interjects, “you won’t be allowed anywhere near him.”
“I’m afraid,” my father puts in, “your time of enjoying my hospitality here is coming to an end.”
Are they going to kill me?My jaw drops open in horror.
“I had several ideas what to do with you. You see, I hate any commodity being wasted. Don’t try to appeal to me. I never wanted a daughter, thought you were a waste of space from the moment you came out of your mother’s womb. But now you’re grown, I may be able to make use of you.”
My determination not to give into him is hard to maintain. But I don’t plead, I don’t beg. Even if I did, I’d be wasting my breath. All I can do is go with the flow, and hope there’s an opportunity for escape. At least a chance to see Drew and warn him.
His fingers tap on the desk. “I had several ideas what to do with you, but Miguel here, well, I have a lot of respect for him. He offered to take you off my hands, and as my thanks to him, I’m inclined to accept.”
“I’m not something you can hand over to anyone you want.” My cheeks redden with anger.
Still tapping the desk, he looks across to Miguel. “Show her the hospitality we offer toputaslike her,” my father suggests. “I think she’s gotten too used to the accommodation we provided up to now.”
I focus on one word. The word the guard at the detention centre had used. The word that upsets me so much, being so far from the truth. “I’m no whore.” My cheeks blaze, my eyes go wide as I wonder exactly what they intend to do.
My outburst lands me a sharp look from my father. Then he bursts out laughing. “Don’t tell me you’re a virgin?” When I don’t reply, he reads the answer on my face, and laughs. “Oh, this is priceless. Miguel might give you more to think about.”
Miguel nods vigorously, a lecherous leer on his face. “Oh, I know exactly what I’m going to do with her. That’s she’suntouched? Yes, that gives me more ideas. I’ve got a few ways to make her start thinking about changing her behaviour and learning respect.”
They then have an exchange in rapid fire Spanish which I’m unable to understand. I try to sit tall, lock my shoulders in place, determined not to show my fear. Detention in the US broke me; I was fighting an impossible enemy with no face. Here I’m determined to survive. Breaking me is exactly what they intend, and whatever they do, I’m not going to give my father that satisfaction.
When I’m told to stand, I do, my head held high. I spare one look of disdain for the man whose genes I carry, then follow Miguel out of the room.
From what they’d said, I wasn’t expecting them to take me upstairs to the bedroom I’d been staying in up to now. No, it would be somewhere far less comfortable.As long as it’s not in Miguel’s bed,I shudder at the thought as I’m led across the elegant entrance hall.Could I remain aloof if he raped me? Took what I wasn’t prepared to give?Remembering the damage I’d done to the guard’s face, I’m determined I won’t give in easily.
His hand on my shoulder brings me to a halt in front of a curtain. He pulls it back, exposing a doorway. From his pocket, he takes out a key and opens it. There are stone steps leading down. The elaborate decoration of the house hasn’t extended to here; the walls are plain brick. The stairs bare. Wherever they lead to, it doesn’t look inviting.
Chapter 30
Mouse
“Everyone in position?” Drummer’s voice sounds loud in my ear. He made Devil get transmitter/receiver devices that fit into your ear and which we’re now all wearing.
One by one my brothers respond. I keep my eyes fixed on Drew, my heart warming and my doubts somewhat assuaged by the thought of the amount of backup I’ve got. Not wearing our cuts, we’re scattered around various parts of the football field. All entrances are covered. The changing rooms too, Joker having volunteered to dress up as a janitor.
Blade’s at my back, Sam and Sophie sitting beside us. We look like any other parents come to watch their kid practise. Which is what I feel like.Drew’s mine.
Drew makes a good run, I zip my mouth closed, cheering on a random boy who’s just tackled him, not wanting to draw attention to myself, or who I’m there for.
Drew goes to sit on the bench and a teammate takes his place. Drummer’s sitting right behind him.He’s safe.
My leg keeps bouncing as my eyes constantly search left and right, trying to spy any suspicious characters. I want, need, Drew to be approached. I want those men taken. Then we can question them, hopefully being able to follow a chain which will give away Mariana’s location. Or at least her father’s, but I know she’ll be with him. My gut churns as I think he might have already hurt her.He’s using her as bait for Drew. Until he’s got the boy, he has to keep her safe.Doesn’t he?
“We’ll get them, Mouse,” Blade reassures me out of the side of his mouth. “When the kids are packing up, that’s when they’ll make their approach.” We’ve discussed it. They wouldn’t snatch him off the field. “Don’t draw attention to yourself. We’ll all saunter down as though we’re just picking up our kids from practice.”
