Page 70 of Beast

“Jose. And Renzo. And others. They know everybody. I don’t think you can save me.”

“I’ve taken men a thousand times more dangerous than them. Annie, I’m going to get you out of here, but I can’t do it today. I’m deployed and our ship leaves in a few hours.” Her head started shaking, but I continued. “I need my weapons, to case the entire building, the surrounding area, get a car, and find a safe house for you. Bring a few of my buddies. You have to act normal. Do what they say. We’re leave Aruba tonight to return home, but I will come back for you, I promise.”

She pulled a fistful of her hair and rocked her head back on the cot. “No, please don’t leave me here. You found me. You said you could save me. You came back! Come back and save me tonight! I’ll be ready. I know you can.” She rubbed her skin.

Hell if I was just going to lie there and watch her rock herself back and forth, like she was in some mental institute. She needed someone to comfort her, hold her, and tell her that her nightmare would be over soon. I took her in my arms and flipped her on top of me. She nestled her head on my chest. “I won’t let you down, Annie. I will get you out of here and back to your family. I would do anything to save you today, but I can’t. I promise you I’ll spend every moment figuring how to get you back to your family.”

She let out a pained breath. “Please, Patrick. Please, take me tonight. I need to go home. You don’t understand. We have to get out. I’m going to die here. I can’t take another day in this life. I’ll do anything you ask.”

She attempted to kiss my neck, but I pulled away and sat up, holding her to my side.

“I have to leave. But I have something for you.” I rummaged through my pocket and retrieved the necklace, and placed it around her neck.

She gasped as if it was expensive jewelry, not a cheap fake gold chain with an anchor charm. I hoped if her pimps figured it had no value, she’d be more likely to be allowed to keep it.

I stroked her forehead. “Every time you look at it, know that I’m working on extracting you. You aren’t invisible—you’re invincible. I know you’re alive. I know your name. You’ve survived this long and I will get you out of here.” My pulse raced and I was disgusted with myself for being attracted to her in her present state. Her vulnerability was like a sword in the chest and a shot to my dick. I wanted to both protect her and fuck her and it was a combination, which could get both of us killed.

Her voice cracked. “Please, take me. You said yourself you have a few hours ‘til you leave. Just go get your guns and buddies and save me. I’ll do anything.” Her hand reached in between my legs and she stroked my cock over my jeans. “Don’t leave me here. I shouldn’t be here. You don’t understand. It’s not just—”

I firmly moved her hands off my pants. “Don’t, Annie. You don’t ever have to touch me again. You don’t owe me anything—saving you is my only mission now. I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

“Patrick!” She started looking desperate, clutching me now. “Promise me you’ll tell Chris I didn’t kill myself. And my parents that I love them.”

“You’ll be able to say whatever you want to your boyfriend and your parents yourself. Soon.” I never made promises I couldn’t keep. And if I couldn’t save Annie, if she died and I couldn’t get her home safely, I’d never be able to forgive myself.

Her body was shaking. “What if I’m not here when you come back? What if they trade me?”

Fuck it. My hands clutched her body in a tight embrace. I wished she could read my mind and trust that once I committed to something, nothing would come in the way of achieving my goal. “I will find you. No matter what.”

I pushed her off me, and rolled off the cot. I pressed one hundred dollars into her hand, opened the door, then walked out of her room, and out of the brothel. Staying any longer would arouse suspicion, and I couldn’t fuck this up for Annie.

Every step I took away from her tore me up inside. Why should I be safe when she was stuck here turning tricks? Hadn’t she been through enough hell for a lifetime? I should’ve knocked out her pimp and carried Annie to safety. But a hasty plan like that could get us both killed. I needed to be patient to ensure the success of my mission.

6

Patrick

I PACED AROUND THE LIVING quarters of our ship as we set sail back to San Diego. I couldn’t focus on anything except saving Annie.

I pulled Vic and Kyle into an empty rec room away from the rest of our Team.

Vic sat down in a chair. “Dude, what’s going on with you?”

I stared at the drab gray walls, hesitating to tell them.

Kyle glared at me. “Spill it, Walsh.” Kyle was a complete badass. He was one of only a handful of African-American men on the Teams, and unlike Vic and me, he was an officer. He’d been a linebacker in the NFL, and had been recruited through a joint partnership with the NFL and the Navy Special Warfare programs. Kyle gave up all that fame and money to join the Teams. There was a saying once on our recruiting posters, something like, He’ll never win MVP, never get a Super Bowl ring—some heroes don’t play games. Kyle was the living embodiment of that quote.

I didn’t want to speak. So I logged into the common computer and pulled up a website on Annie.

Kyle focused on the screen. “Yeah, Annie Hamilton. Everyone knows about her. Fine as fuck. Got drunk and vanished from a resort out here. I bet her stoner boyfriend killed her. What’s your point?”

I took a deep breath. “She gave me a blowjob last night at a brothel.”

Kyle laughed. “Sure she did.”

Vic shook his head at me, probably not sure whether or not I was joking. “Fuck you, man. She’s someone’s daughter. That’s not funny.”

“I’m not laughing. I didn’t want to believe it either. She was fucking kidnapped and forced into sex slavery. I went to a brothel last night and this chick gave me head. Afterwards, she said her name was Annie Hamilton. I thought she was trying to con me, but it’s fucking her: hazel eyes, Californian accent. And she made a point to show me her shoulder scar and ankle tattoo. Here, look at the pics.” I handed Kyle my phone and he scrolled through the pictures while Vic looked on.