Suddenly, the device in her hands rang. It was hardly the first time. Victor had called all night. She hadn’t answered, but every time his name appeared, she’d fought panic. What calmed her was knowing that if he had any idea where to find her, he wouldn’t waste time dialing.
Thankfully, the number on her display now was the one Walker had told her to expect.
“Hello?” she answered cautiously.
When the man on the other end asked if she was all right in Spanish, she recognized his voice. Walker’s friend.
“You can speak English.” She was calmer now.
“All right. I’m Kane Preston. I have your sister with me, along with fellow operative Forest Scott. He’s called Trees. We’re on our way to your location and we’ll take you to safety.”
Were they foolish enough to believe any place was secure from the violent Ramos brothers? From the ruthless Geraldo Montilla? “Where?”
“I’ll explain when we arrive.”
Laila opened her mouth to object.
“Jorge!” Her sister’s wail filled her ear. “How is he? Is my son all right?”
Laila understood the worry, since she loved Jorge like her own. “Fine. You know I will protect him with my life.”
Her sister sobbed in relief. “Thank you.”
“I will always do anything I can to keep you two safe,” she assured.
“You are so brave…” Valeria dissolved into tears.
Kane took the phone again. “Be ready to leave in ten minutes.”
“The shelter?”
“The state. We’re taking you far from Orlando.”
Finally, a decision she agreed with. She had never felt safe in this city. Too many neighbors too close together. Too many unfamiliar, transient faces. Too many people seemingly stared, as if they knew she didn’t belong.
“All right.” Once she learned where Kane and Trees planned to settle them, she would decide if it made sense to remain. For too long, she had allowed her sister, and therefore EM Security, to decide. No more. She was captaining her own ship. No one else was making her choices. And if Valeria didn’t agree, she would persuade her older sister to her way of thinking.
Seven minutes later, the same number rang back. “Yes?”
“We’re here,” Kane replied. “Exit the building into the alley. You’ll find two vehicles. Bring the boy to the minivan. Then get in the RV.”
She didn’t like his authoritative demeanor. Walker had worked with her when, with the rest of EM Security’s help, they had escaped Emilo and Mexico. Kane barked orders as if he knew the enemy better than her. Arrogant man.
“Why two vehicles?” Did he intend to separate her from her sister?
“I’ll explain once you’re outside.”
In other words, trust me.
Laila scoffed. “I want to hear now.”
Before she put her life and her nephew’s well-being in the hands of strangers.
“Since we’re blocking the alley, the shelter only gave us five minutes to collect you and get out.”
That was likely true. The narrow lane had been used early this morning for delivery to the restaurant two doors down. A bank on the far end had received a visit from an armored car a few hours back. Besides, she couldn’t continue risking everyone else at the shelter. They had problems of their own. That meant she either had to run away or comply. Since it was dark and cold, and she had no way to care for her nephew, she would follow Kane’s edict—for now.
Was there any possibility he and Trees had planned it that way so they could lure her and her sister to their doom?
Kane sighed impatiently, and Laila’s thoughts raced. She glanced around what had once been a bedroom in this old house. Now bunk beds lined three of the four walls—all full of women unfortunate enough to find themselves at the receiving end of some man’s threat, including a sobbing woman with a bruised face and an infant. Laila’s heart went out to her.
Then she caught sight of the paring knife a volunteer had brought the woman to cut her apple and some cheese. The blade still sat on the little cutting board…and the woman lay on the bed with her baby curled tightly against her.
“I will meet you outside.” Laila hung up without waiting for Kane’s reply, then lifted Jorge before hopping down from her bunk.
The diaper bag dangled from her shoulder, concealing her hand as she casually swiped the knife and tucked it against her side. She passed the same volunteer in the hall, probably on her way to retrieve the cutting board and utensil.
Definitely time to leave.
She wound her way to a sitting room, where a TV played the local news. Laila glanced at the broadcast, not surprised that a woman and her young nephew being attacked by two armed men was deemed too unimportant to mention.
As she reached the back door, another volunteer waited. “Will you be all right? The bed is yours for another night if you need it.”