35. Alex
Chapter thirty-five
Alex
I go to my office to turn on the transmitter so no one can hear my call, and then I click on my grandfather's name on my phone.
“Lopez García,” he answers on the second ring.
“Please tell me what I am hearing isn’t true.” I plead with him, hoping that Oliver and his dad are wrong, that my grandfather wouldn't be so cruel as to take the woman I am with for some twisted game.
“It all depends on what you are hearing; many people talk.”
“Do you have a girl held hostage right now?” I am trying to sound as stern as possible, while also not giving away that Olivia is my weakness.
“Mi Nieto, I sell women. Of course, I have girls held hostage. I’m unsure of the exact number right now, but I can get Tony to give me the number and get back to you with it," he says nonchalantly as if he is having a normal conversation with someone on the street.
“No, you have one of the girls I have been dating. I want her back! Now! She is mine.” I yell at him.
“Mi Nieto, you know I can’t just get rid of my product. You have never shown concern for the family business or who is involved. Why now? Do you want to join and be part of the business? I can make you my right hand.” He sounds fucking excited right now.
“First off, No. I do not want to be a part of this ghastly trade you deal in. I don’t think it’s right that you sell humans like cattle. Second, I don’t believe you are selling Olivia. I believe you are holding her against her will because of her father.” I am trying to keep my temper in check, but this man. Family or not. He is ready to get shot. I’m done playing these games with him. I want my girl back, and I want her back now.
“Ahhh.” He says. “Olivia, that beautiful red-headed cop? Yes, she is here with me. You have such a feisty one there. But to clarify what you just said, yes, I will be selling her, just as I would any other woman I have. But I think I might play with this one a little bit first.”
Did he just fucking say what I think he said? I am seeing red! He has my girl! He is talking about taking advantage of her and is acting like this is no big deal!
“I want her back! Now!” I yell into the phone.
“Mi Nieto, you need to stop yelling. I will not get rid of her until the auction is over. I am sorry to disappoint you. She is important to me and my business. So sorry. " Before I can reply, he hangs up.
I screamed and threw my phone against the wall. How could he fucking do that? How does he even sleep at night? I reach up and grab the roots of my hair and pull as hard as I can, trying to get any other pain to take over the pain in my heart. My breathing is ragged, and the tears start to fall. I stand up and punch the wall to get some of these emotions out so I can try to fucking think. The punch breaks the wall, causing the drywall to flow further from the fist-sized hole. How have I failed Olivia so badly? I need to find her. I need to think about where my grandfather would keep her so that I can get her back.
My spiraling is interrupted when I hear a knock on my door. I turn towards it, and Rachel’s head pops in. Her hair is wet, and she is wearing one of my shirts that hangs down to her mid-thigh.
“I’m sorry to interrupt. I heard a scream and banging. I wanted to make sure you were okay.” She smiles shyly.
I hold my arms out to her, and she walks into them without asking questions. I nuzzle my nose into her hair, inhale her scent, and try to relax a bit. This plan, Oliver and I have better fucking work. If not, I will lose Olivia, and I'm not sure I could handle that. I reach up and rub Rachel's hair, trying to soothe the rage simmering in my bones.
This is the calm before the storm that is about to wreak havoc on all of San Diego. I am that storm and will burn this whole planet to the ground for these women.