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By the time Coal is done, Sandoval’s voice is almost gone, and he is weeping uncontrollably. My VP tosses the bloody scalp on the floor and then tips the chair back up to sit on its legs. Rivers of red run down Sandoval’s face, dripping on his pants legs as his head hangs down until his chin is touching his chest.
“Give me the combination to your safe, and then give me the location of any women you still have hidden away. You do that, and your pain ends.”
A silent moment passes before Sandoval’s defeated voice finally croaks, “Thirteen, twenty-three, ninety-six.”
“And the women?”
“Bahamas. Andros Island. I own a large compound on the south part of the island.”
“Anything else you want to tell me?” I ask, done with the man in front of me and anxious to leave to check on Brooke and Madyson.
“If you let me free, I will give you every cent in my bank account,” he feebly pleads.
A booming laugh escapes me, making him flinch. “One of my men has already seized your accounts, all six of them, you sly bastard. You’re already penniless.”
Standing up, I look one last time at the man who used to be known as the Cuban Terror. He is now a shell of a man who knows his last breath is near. “Cut him up into pieces, and then call Dwayne over at the Everglades. Go out with him on the airboat to Gator Island and feed this prick to the ’gators. I’m goin’ to call Lucas, let him know we got justice for his two men that died because of this fucker. They also have to get their shit together now. The Ex Ops Team is going to have to track down and rescue any of the women that can be found from the records in the safe. Overseas is beyond our territory, capabilities and pay grade.”
Giving Coal a chin lift, I pull out my cell phone, preparing to dial Lucas’s number. “Let me know when you’re done getting rid of the trash.”
As I turn and walk away, Lazaro Sandoval asks me what will be his last question. “Will you kill me first?” At my continued silence he begs. “Please!”
Turning my head to look at him, I note his bleak look of acceptance as I ask back, “Did you spare any of the women you kidnapped any pain?”
His head drops to his chest again.
“That’s what I thought. Coal there is going to give you as much mercy as you gave those woman—none.”
With that promise, I leave my brother to finish the job, satisfied that justice has been served and Sandoval will soon be taking his final breath.
The screams start before I close the door behind me.
Chapter
19
Morgan
Three Weeks Later…
“You need anything before I head out?” Coal asks from the doorway of what is temporarily my sister’s room. He has been a rock solid support for us.
I have stayed here with Madyson through the slow detox process: the vomiting, the chills, the sweats, the pain, and the nightmares she can’t remember when she wakes. Through everything she has endured, I have remained steadfast at her side.
Ice hasn’t been around much. He has called here and there, but I haven’t seen him. For a few days after we arrived here, Coal didn’t come home at all. Now we have found a routine in being here. Coal checks in, and we have formed our own friendship. He never comes close to Madyson, though; never comes inside the room, only stands in the doorway.
“No, Coal. Thank you for everything,” I reply as he looks over at Madyson’s peacefully sleeping figure.
“How is she?”
“The withdrawals have passed. The meds seemed to ease it. She is coming off those now. She doesn’t remember anything of her actual captivity. Her last memory before waking up here was being asked by a man to hold a cable on his car so he could get it started. Everything after that is a blur. At least, that is what she tells me. Sometimes I wonder if she remembers more than that and just doesn’t want to tell me. I see the battle in her eyes as she fights to push back the darkness that is ruling her life. She gets upset because she feels like she should’ve known better. She was having cramps and wanted relief. Instead, she got a lifetime of scars.”
Something dark passes through Coal’s features. “Make sure she gets whatever help she needs. Don’t let this haunt her.” Without another word, he turns and leaves me standing there, wondering what ghosts are chasing him.
My morning passes as every morning has lately. I make breakfast, try to help Madyson get through her school work, clean up, and go through the motions of refusing to allow myself to breakdown as my sister struggles. The reality is daunting. She can’t concentrate. I don’t blame her, but we need to make some decisions. She has missed too many days, and the school wants answers. I don’t have them to give, and Madyson doesn’t want to talk about it. She tells me constantly that she doesn’t want to think about her future.
