I go to answer, but at that moment, Devil walks back into the room. He comes straight toward me. “Carter had this in his first aid pack. Seems he likes to be prepared for all eventualities.” He hands a packet to me.
I immediately see what it is. “How long until it works?”
“Possibly thirty minutes, maybe not for a few hours. It’s sodium phosphate.”
“Is it safe?”
I don’t miss the slight tic by the side of Devil’s eye before he responds to Tse. “She’d have been given it had they got her to the States.”
“Doesn’t answer my question, Devil,” Tse growls.
“Just tell me, Devil. Please,” I put in. It’s my body after all.
He frowns, then admits, “Some laxatives can cause the latex to be compromised. But this is a saline solution, and I’m confident it will work.”
“She’s not taking it. We’ll wait it out.”
I swing around so I’m face to chest with Tse—I’d forgotten just how tall he is. “Tse. I’ve got a belly full of drugs which is driving me out of my mind. One could break any minute. I’m freaking out here. I’d rather take my chance and get them out of my system. As Devil said, I’d have been given laxatives anyway.”
His dark eyes stare into mine. Then he raises his chin fractionally. “Your body, your call.”
“One thing, Mariana.” As I turn back to face Devil again, I notice he’s now looking apologetic. “You’re going to have to count them as they come out. Got to know you’ve got them all.”
My face scrunches in disgust. Isn’t it bad enough they’re inside me? Now I’ve got to examine my shit.
“Babe, I’ve got you.” I’m back in Tse’s arms, and he’s comforting me as he would a child.
As Drummer steps up with a mug of water he’s scrounged from somewhere, and I’m swallowing what I hope is the correct dosage down, the man with blood now drying on his arm returns.
“Devil. We’ve foundEl Procurador’s fucking lieutenants. You were right. Dimensions didn’t seem to match up. Found a secret room under the floorboards. Just like a priest hole.”
Priest hole?
“I’ll explain later,” says Tse quietly.
Then my brain processes that my father’s men have been found. “My father?”Is he dead?That would be the best news I could be told. He deserves it. He’s traded in misery far too long.
Devil cocks his eyebrow as though seconding my question.
“He’s escaped, Devil. Sorry. Seems he thought one man had more chance on his own. Went through a secret passage andlocked a steel door behind him, trapping his men on the other side. He’s in the wind.”
“I want this place torn apart,” Devil growls. “Paperwork, computers. Mouse, can you help?”
“As long as Mariana’s by my side I will.”
I’m shocked when Devil turns to me. “We’ll find him, Mariana. I promise you that. Wewillfind him.”
The house is a hive of activity. A couple of men are trying to sort out the women. From what I hear they’re getting information which will help reunite them with their families if they have them. Others are pulling out drawers and going through desks, putting aside paperwork which presumably they’ll take with them.
Though I’m following Tse, I hesitate on the threshold of my father’s office, still feeling his presence here. Tse comes back when he sees I’m standing at the door, holding out his hand.
“He’s not here. He’s gone.”
I shiver, again wrapping my arms around me. “I hate him, Tse. I thought I did before, but having met him? He’s more evil than I could ever imagine.”
He nods, tugging me to him, and resting his chin on the top of my head. We stand like that for a few moments. He’s giving me comfort, and I’m taking it. Enjoying just being held in his arms, the feeling I’ve longed for, but never thought I’d get to experience.
After a moment, he draws back, takes my hand and leads me over to the desk. “Sit with me while I get down to work.”
