CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
As soon as Shane and Mia left with the victims, she contacted Mr. Dawson so he could send reinforcements to get all the criminals we had arrested. But I made sure Aaron and I were the ones to transport Keyes.
What a huge mistake.
The fucking demon whined and talked the whole way to the DEA station. Aaron and I deserved a medal for maintaining our control, especially after he and his minions attacked my woman, my brother, and the victims .
We dragged a complaining Keyes to one of the interrogation rooms and locked him in to increase his wariness and discomfort until Mia was ready to interrogate him with me.
I looked around the long corridor, searching for her, and found her in the break room with my brother, the victims, Edna, and a medical team.
I approached the room but didn’t get in. The whole thing was traumatic enough for the girls without them having to face another man. I waited outside with Ben and Danny, and even Mr. Dawson opted to stay out.
“Why are they still here?” Danny asked. “They should be in a hospital, and we should be looking for their families.”
Edna joined us. “We are. Some of our agents are working with social services and even child services to look for their families.”
“Are they all underaged?”
She looked at me. “All but the one with Mia and your brother. From what they could tell, she’s in her early twenties and has been a victim the longest.”
Aaron rubbed his lips, breathing heavily. “They shouldn’t be medicated here. They need a proper place for their care.”
“They will soon.” Oddly pale and contrite, Mr. Dawson assured him. “Bringing them here was our best option since it was closer and safer for this initial contact. Besides, we need to know, at least on a minimal basis, how much they know about the cartel’s operation, so we can know how much safety they need.”
Ben cursed. “They’ll never be totally free, will they?”
We watched as Mia and Shane dealt with the victims. I had no doubts she could handle the girls with care and empathy. She was a caregiver all the way. It made me proud, though, to see my brother was also gifted with it.
As terrified as the victims were, they seemed comfortable around my brother and my woman—as comfortable as one could be in that kind of situation.
But when one of the doctors touched the oldest victim, she completely lost it. She fought back on instinct; I doubt she could see anything that was happening. She kicked and screamed, waving her arms frantically, and ran to the corner. Mia ordered the doctor to step back, and Shane approached the girl carefully and squatted in front of her.
She was still in her own head, most likely reliving the horrors she’d endured. He touched her hand tentatively and placed it over his chest until she looked at him. He kept signing to her, over and over again the same motions, for several minutes, until she gradually calmed. Her breathing evened, and she leaned back against the wall.
They talked through sign language, and Shane nodded at the doctor to approach again to administer the medication, but not once stepping away from her .
Mia turned around, and the first thing I noticed was her red nose and shiny eyes. She bit her lips as she gazed at the girls in the room, and her eyes landed on the one in the corner again, being comforted by Shane. Mia’s nostrils flared as she rubbed her temple and leaned her other hand on the table for support. She was hanging on by a thread.
Mia marched outside toward us and eased the door closed behind her. When she spotted Mr. Dawson, her pupils dilated in anger.
“Why don’t you sign your name on them? That’s your work; you should be proud.” She pointed at the window we were looking through. Her hand was shaking, but her voice was harder than I’d ever heard. “You see that woman? The one freaking out, shrinking against the wall, and trying to disappear into her skin? That woman has been living a nightmare for years. Years! I tried to get her out, but oh no, the agency wouldn’t let me. In fact, I was called insubordinate when I insisted on it. Now enlighten me, please. Why the fuck did you stop me? What on Earth could justify you not wanting to save her life?”
He rubbed his lips in discomfort. “There’s a lot you don’t know about that assignment—”
“I know enough to understand I was sabotaged. I know enough to conclude rescuing her wasn’t in the best interest of a high-ranked man. So, congratulations to your ego. It just won a victim.”
He shook his head conflicted. “It’s too complicated.”
“Don’t worry.” She sneered. “If you don’t understand something, just ask me. I love providing answers and I don’t have a superior anymore to worry about. But I wonder: how many skeletons would I find in your closet?” His jaw was set but he didn’t argue. “Now excuse me. We have an unsub to interrogate. Unless you have any objection.”
She turned on her heels, and I followed her without question.
We reached the common area right before Keyes’s interrogation room and I touched Mia’s arm to stop her. The look she gave was one of complete despair. Without a word from either of us, we stepped closer to each other, and she rested her forehead against my chest, fisting my shirt.
I circled my arms around her shoulders, hugging her tightly, and leaned my cheek over the top of her head.
We stood embraced until Edward showed up, short of breath and worried.
“What is going on? What is all this commotion?” He peered at Mia and frowned. “Darling, are you okay?”
She huffed but nodded, trying to control her emotions. “Sorry. It’s been a long day.”
He peered around at the nonstop activities. “I can see that. Did I miss something? ”
Not once stepping away from Mia, I placed my hand on the small of her back still in comfort. “We’ve just come from a new assignment. Things are just kind of hectic right now.”
His brows turned into a vee. “Assignment? Why wasn’t I informed of it?”
Aaron walked in our direction. “I’m sorry, sir. It was confidential. We had to act fast, and we couldn’t risk the word spreading out.”
“What kind of assignment?”
“About El Rey Alacrán ,” Aaron informed. “We received some last-minute information and orchestrated an offensive tonight.”
Edward scoffed. “I hope you’re ready for Robert’s wrath. He might not like it.”
“He was the one who endorsed it.”
Mr. Landon's eyebrows shot up at Aaron. He looked around and leaned over to question quietly, “Do you think it’s safe?”
“What do you mean?” Mia asked.
He shrugged and hesitated, seemingly looking for the right words. “He’s been so resistant about you guys taking charge of this investigation, and then he signs on a secret mission to face the cartel…” He shook his head and raised his hands. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to put silly distrust in your heads. I’m sure he had your best interest at heart. Anyway…any luck? ”
I nodded, feeling dreadful. “We were able to rescue thirteen victims. They’re in the last room down the corridor being treated if you want to go check on them.”
“Thank you, kid. But I’d rather not go meet the victims. I’m sure the last thing they need is another man showing up.” He studied me and Mia, then leaned his head to the side. “I know you well enough to know you wouldn’t leave the victims unattended. Unless there were some more urgent matters to attend to. Where are you two going?”
“To interrogate Bryan Keyes.”
He concealed his gasp but then beamed at us. “Well, I shouldn’t be surprised. You three and that Delgado boy were always overachievers.” He slapped Mia’s shoulder. “Are you sure…I don’t want to ask if you can handle it, because I know you can. But don’t you want a break first?”
She gave him a tired yet determined smile. “There’s nothing else I’d rather do other than interrogate him.”
He nodded, respecting her decision. “Then you go get him. I’ll watch through the window if you don’t mind.” We watched her head to the room, and Edward pulled me aside. “If she ever needs help with anything, just call me. The same goes for you. Another thing: I know you and Mia are more than capable of dealing with it. But here’s a tip: unlike Tequila, Keyes is a known member of the community. He has a lot to lose. If you push him too hard, he’ll lawyer up fast. So instead of spreading out the interrogation, break it into multiple sessions. The more he squirms in discomfort and uncertainty, the easier it’ll be for you two to get your answers.”
I tipped my chin in gratitude and went after Mia. As we watched Keyes through the one-side mirror and waited for the others to join us, I intertwined our pinkies together.
I leaned closer and whispered, “Just breathe.”
She didn’t say anything but followed my breathing pattern.
The whole time, we heard Keyes whining and complaining, and I was sure she’d lose her mind. But she took in one last deep breath, closed her eyes, and exhaled slowly. When she opened them again, her dark brown eyes were sharp, and she seemed ready for a battle.
“Edward thinks we should take pauses during the interrogation instead of stretching it. Are you up for it?”
“I’ll stay here as long as we need.”
I squeezed her finger in mine. “Tomorrow, we rest?”
Mia nodded. “Tomorrow, we rest.”
I walked into the room first, and the devil’s whining increased. “This is absurd. I’m being framed. I couldn’t—”
He was seated with his back to the door, so I rounded the table and sat across from him. “Good evening Mr. Keyes.”
“There’s been a huge mistake— ”
“I’m sure you know why we’re all here?”
“You’re going to pay—”
Mia scrunched her nose, crossed the room to sit by my side, and asked with disdain, “You know you have the right to remain silent, right?”
The moment he saw her, he turned pale, and his eyes rounded like saucers. “You.”
She grinned at him. “That’s just so sweet, you remember me!”
“Is this because of the girls?”
Mia raised one eyebrow. “Should it be?”
“No! No…I’m just…I had nothing to do with what happened tonight. I was invited for a dinner—”
I scoffed. “We found your belongings in one of the wings! We also found the pictures and videos you thought it’d be a good idea to make.”
He squirmed in his chair. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I bit my tongue to control my temper and tapped my fingers on the table. “Remember when you raped all those underage girls? And decided to record it?”
He shook his head in desperation. “I would never. I never touched any of those whores. ”
“Watch it,” I warned. “So, you had no idea you were shacking up with Alacráns in a house full of kidnapped girls turned into sex slaves?”
“I told you; I had no involvement with it, I didn’t know they were being trafficked.”
I rested my forearms on the table and tipped my head at Mia. “You do remember you were going to sell them to her, don’t you?”
“You must be out of your mind if you think I would ever sell her a whore.” With his hands handcuffed to the table, he tried to point at Mia as best as he could. “I don’t even know who the fuck this bitch is.”
She leaned over the table so fast, that Keyes jumped in his chair; she fisted his hair and pulled his face right in front of hers, their noses almost touching. “I’m the bitch who's going to smash your head against the table the next time you call those girls ‘whores.’” She tightened her hold on his hair, making him wince, and said sweetly, “Despite our previous interactions, I’m afraid we haven’t been properly introduced. Hi. My name is Mia Bryant.”
He gulped. “The Prodigy’s sister. ”
I noticed her jaw clenched for a second at the mention of her brother, so I intervened, “A very common mistake, but a mistake, nonetheless. You see, she is the Prodigy. You know? The one who arrested Salazar. The one who followed Matias until he was murdered. The one who arrested Tequila . And the one who also got you today.”
His complexion turned a sick shade of green, and he took in a deep and shaky breath. “I’m going to be sick.”
She let go of his hair forcefully, and he rocked back in his chair. “Don’t worry. We’ll make you throw up in a minute. I believe you have some interesting information you could provide us.”
“I already told you that I know nothing about it.”
I rubbed my face in exasperation. “I don’t think you understand the gravity of your situation. We found a stash of drugs in your room. We caught you red-handed with a bunch of sexually assaulted girls. Most of them are underage. We found the many videos you recorded and the victims’ pictures in your room . We also know you were willing to sell them. I’m not sure if you’re just plain stupid or if you’re afraid. But speaking now might be your only saving grace.”
He tried to harden his expression yet his eyes betrayed his fear. “I’m no snitch.”
Mia rested her elbow on the table and leaned her head on her hand. “Aww. That’s adorable. Stupid, but adorable. ”
I drummed my fingers on the table again and squinted at him. “I wonder if you’re reluctant to snitch out of loyalty or terror.”
Keyes clammed his mouth shut and fidgeted in his seat, and we got the answer.
Mia squinted her eyes and pursed her lips in displeasure before rolling her eyes. “Okay, to show you proof of good faith, let’s save the name behind all this operation for later. We’ll even take off your handcuffs, what do you think?”
He eyed her skeptically, proving to me he wasn’t so stupid after all. I’d be rightfully suspicious as hell of her sweet voice.
She pulled her chair around the table to sit closer to him, unbothered at the loud scratching sound of the legs on the floor echoing in the small room. She sat next to him and freed his hands. “Why don’t we talk about Pablo Salazar? You must know by now that Matias was,” she waved her hand looking for the right word, “ offed . By us, by the way. And I’m sure it’s safe to say Pablo isn’t all that happy about it. We also know he’s been trying to reach out to you for help. Now, I’m wondering: where is he?”
He leaned away from her. “I don’t know, he never really told me. ”
I got up and rounded the table to lean my hips on it on the other side of him, so he’d be trapped between me and Mia. “Come on. I know you can do better than that.”
“I swear, I don’t know where he is!”
I palmed his shoulder. “But you know something helpful, right?”
“Look, he never mentioned where he’s staying. All I did was clear the path for him as he asked, but someone else was hiding him.”
Mia smiled with… encouragement . “Does that ‘someone else’ have a name?”
Keyes winced, avoiding looking us in the eye. “I can’t. He’ll kill me.”
I clicked my tongue. “You’re going to get killed anyway when we throw your ass in jail for what you’ve done. I heard they don’t care that much for rapists in prison. Look at Tequila . Although to be fair, he was also two-timing the cartel. But you’re a nice fellow, I’m sure you wouldn’t do that. So, who is this ‘he’ you keep talking about?”
He shook his head in defeat, and his shoulders dropped. “You don’t know who you’re messing with. You think you can handle your crusade and this investigation, but you can’t. His reach is bigger than yours. He’s easily just as powerful as Carlos Gomes. ”
Mia rolled her eyes. “Your concern is so touching. Why don’t you let us judge for ourselves? There’s no need to worry about our safety. Now, who is this man you’re talking about and how can we reach Pablo Salazar?”
He ran his shaky finger through his hair. “You just don’t get it. You can’t fight him off. You won’t find Pablo unless he wants to be found, because the one behind him knows the right shots to call. You can’t stop what’s happening because the wheels are already in motion. You’ll never find Pablo and you can’t get the one behind it. You’re fighting a battle you can’t win. They’ve already made sure one of you was killed to clear the way. How many more are you willing to lose?”
Mia’s jaw clicked, her eyes turned darker, and she fisted her hands. It was time to take a much-needed break. I stood up in a hurry, walked around Keyes’s back, and touched Mia’s shoulder to calm her down.
“Maybe you need to stew over here until you come to your senses and realize being helpful is in your best interest.”
I leaned slightly between them, ready to intervene if necessary. Waiting for her to stand up felt like an eternity. Not once did her eyes waver away from him.
I guided her to the door and opened it, finding our closest team, the three superiors, and two of the agents who participated in the raid .
Mia peered at the agents. “Please, keep Mr. Keyes company. He wasn’t feeling well earlier, so if he needs a bathroom break, stick his head into the toilet until he throws up.” She pointed down, empathizing each word. “Until. He. Throws. Up.”
I walked out, and she turned to him. “We’ll be back in a few with more questions. I hope barfing makes you more compliant.”
He shook his head again and scoffed. “You’re making a huge mistake. You’re trying to bite way more than you can chew. You need to learn how to let go. Zachary was lucky that you killed him before the shitstorm that’s coming your way. But if you weren’t so stubborn, maybe your brother would still be alive.”
It took me a second too long to react and intervene.
The next thing I knew, Mia slammed the door in my face and locked herself inside with Keyes.