rather he take my life than for me sit by like a coward and let him sell little kids to rapists.”
“Damnit Rachel,” Sammy yells. “You’re telling her too much.”
He’s probably right, but I have a gut feeling about this woman. She’s probably in her late forties or early fifties but her eyes look like they’ve lived many lifetimes.
She’s exhausted and I just know that she has a good heart.
“I love my brother,” she admits softly. “But he’s not a good man. His son wasn’t a good man. And there are days when I’m glad he took my son's life because he was growing to be just as mean and hateful.”
She sits on my bed with her head hung low.
“Why are you telling me these things?” I ask.
Elizabeth looks up and gifts me with a sad smile.
“Because you remind me of myself at your age. Stubborn, hardheaded, and full of defiance. Please, don’t lose that part of you, don’t let my brother take who you are and mold you into who I am.”
I nod but remain silent.
“Are you in love, Rachel?” she asks.
The thought of Sammy makes me smile.
“I am,” I admit.
“Good,” she says, standing. “Love is a good thing. It’s a strong thing. Love is a bond that no man can break.”
Elizabeth walks to the door. With her hand on the doorknob, she turns and looks at me one last time, tears streaming down her face.
“My brother and all his staff and guests have a get together planned in the next hour. It will be in the basement. There is only one way out. The door will be locked from the inside and I am the only one with the key.”
“Why are you telling me this?” I whisper, shocked at what she’s saying.
“My brother has to pay for the crimes he’s committed,” She whispers. “You were right, we always a choice. And this is mine. Be careful Rachel, Mike never attends those meetings.”
“Thank you, Elizabeth,” I say, not holding back my tears.
“Tell the man you love to hold you tight when he comes to save you,” she says, a soft smile on her lips. “Tell him not to worry about Carlos. I’ll take care of my brother the way he deserves.”
Without another word, she opens the door and leaves.
“What just happened?” I whisper.
“I think Carlos’s sister just gave us the in that we need,” Wolf says.
“Trigger, Hawk, come over and join us.”
“On it, prez.”
“Get ready, baby,” Sammy tells me. “I need you focused on your part. Get down there and locked into that cell with those girls. Got it?”
“I’m already halfway on the chair,” I grunt, ignoring the pain in my back.
What does Elizabeth have planned?
***Elizabeth***
There comes a time in a woman’s life when she has to put her foot down. Well, that time passed a long time ago. I have watched for years as my brothers and nephews killed, stole, lied, corrupted, and schemed their way to where they are today.
I watched as this new batch of children were led inside and locked away. I watched from the security monitor as Mike beat the pretty handicapped woman while my brother stood to the side, watching.
I think that’s what finally broke me. Not when he killed his own son. Hell, not when he killed mine. Or our parents, for that matter. But when I saw how resilient and strong this woman was.
That’s how I used to be. There was no way I’m going to let him break down another woman. No way I’m going to let him sell another child.
Visiting Rachel was what I needed to get the courage to do what needs to be done.
My brother has these special meetings once a month. Everyone will go to the basement for drinks and to discuss prices for whatever Carlos is currently selling. My job is to keep the door locked, with the only key, and not to unlock until one of my brothers gives me the okay.
I wait until every last member of this wretched place that are here today, and every guest is inside. I step in, lock the two locks, and secure the deadbolts. Then with my back turned, I place the key in my mouth and swallow.
In five minutes' time, the air conditioner will turn on and release a tasteless and odorless gas into the air. Within minutes, every single soul in this room will be dead.
This has been my plan for years. I only wished I had done it sooner.
Turning around, I sit down on the