Layers Deep Read online

  “All right. I’m here. I won’t leave you, Allie.”

  I yawned.

  We lay down on the bed. I crunched up into a fetal position, feeling his arms around me. He pulled the duvet over us both.

  “Thank you. We’ll get her. I promise.” I closed my eyes, finally feeling some normality tonight.

  “You have nothing to thank me for. I owe you more than my life for this.” He scooped me in, and my back pressed to his chest.

  “I’m just doing my job.” My eyelids felt heavy. It wasn’t late, maybe nine in the evening, but it may as well have been two, and when I woke up a few hours later it took me a while to get my bearings.

  Tristan was snuggled against a pillow with his mouth open. I removed the towel from my dampened hair and brushed it out. After a drink of water, my mind was fully awake. Without making any noise, I pulled on a pair of jeans and a waterfall blouse, took some cash, and headed downstairs. The lobby bar was quiet, with only a couple of patrons enjoying a late night conversation. The bartender seemed ready to go home. His eyes were half closed.

  I tapped the bar. “Tequila. And leave the bottle please.” My reflection in the mirror behind the bottles took me aback. Without makeup and my hair straightened I looked so regular and felt more like the Allie Green I knew.

  “Are you alone?” Someone sat beside me. He had a thick Spanish accent. My stomach tightened at its familiarity.

  CHAPTER 17

  Inside I shut down. I’d have believed it if every single one of my organs had stopped functioning. The initial instinct to tell him to back off crawled into a corner. I swung back my shot of tequila, letting it wash away my nerves. It flew through my whole body like a bullet of adrenaline and confidence. I had no time to think or feel whether it even burned my throat. My cell phone burned in the back pocket of my jeans, and as much as I wanted to call Tristan, I couldn’t. And all this happened in seconds, as I answered, “I am. Do you like what you see?” I pushed my shoulders together. The loose fabric at my chest flowed down in waves, revealing more of my ample cleavage.

  His clammy hand grasped my knee.

  “I like. Why don’t you join me at the table?” He pointed to a secluded booth in the corner of the bar, right by the entrance to the washrooms. Someone was seated there already. The petite figure hiding in the shaded seat trembled.

  Martinez grabbed the tequila and two shot glasses the bartender passed him. His hand went down to my lower back, guiding me forward. More than not liking him touching me, I hated the pressure of it, and wished that somehow I could alert Tristan. Something about the way one of his fingers pressed harder than the rest reminded me of a gun.

  I sat down on the window side of the booth. The green plants behind me obstructed the street view. The girl across from me lifted her head. I gripped my knees, clenching my fists under the table. My tequila-infused blood sped through my veins. I had refused to hope it could be her when I was at the bar, but now that I saw her, my luck couldn’t have been better.

  Her eyes were empty and red; she’d been drugged. The glimmer of hope I’d seen on her face in the photos Tristan had showed me was gone. In fact, in none of the photos had she looked so miserable. Her life and strength must have been abandoned a while back. She lifted her hands onto the table. Her wrists were tied with rope, which was in turn fastened to the table’s side leg. But even if she wanted to, I doubted she could find the strength to move. Kendra must have lost half her weight in the past few weeks.

  I understood now why Martinez chose this area. It was perfectly concealed, yet had a clear view of the outside from behind the green plants. If someone was coming in, he’d know.

  “Who’s this?” I nodded toward her.

  “Just a bitch.” He poured the tequila into the shot glasses.

  “Why the ropes?” Although I knew the answer to that, it was still the appropriate question. Anyone else sitting in my spot would have asked. I had to appear as a regular, curious woman.

  “So she obeys. Drink.” It wasn’t a request.

  I gulped the tequila down like water. I’d make every effort to cut down on the shots tonight, but judging from the way Martinez gripped the bottle, it wouldn’t be easy.

  “You playing zoo animals?” I growled like a tigress.

  “Sure. I have a cage, too.”

  I didn’t doubt that. But being locked up with this maniac was the last thing on my mind.

  “Would she come along?” I raised my brows up and down as if I was actually interested, when in truth, I needed to find out Kendra’s fate.

  “No. She’s waiting for her new owner.” He looked at his watch with a frown, and then poured another round of shots. “Once she’s gone, we’ll have time for some fun.”

  Had Martinez already sold her? Was Tristan’s intel inaccurate thinking she’d be at the auction or had they decided last minute she’d be sold privately. If that was the case, tonight could be the only chance I had to help Kendra. As much as I wished Tristan were here, if I went to get him now they could be gone before we returned. I couldn’t take that chance. And if I pulled out my phone in front of Martinez, he’d disappear; or worse, hurt her on the spot.

  He scanned my body as if it were already naked. The tequila in my stomach pushed right up. I had to force it back down and keep the bile from contracting my throat. Kendra just sat there with her head lowered.

  I pouted. “Too bad. Three’s always a better party.”

  I must have hit a nerve. Martinez’s weary glare rested on me. What was he thinking? Was I too pushy?

  “Drink,” he ordered again. His gaze darkened. I’d seen enough in my time at the strip-club and as a cop to know when a man became dangerous, and in that single moment, Martinez had changed from a scum to a bloody murderer who’d skin me alive and leave my carcass in the desert so the vultures could pick at my flesh until there was nothing left but bare bone. He was just as bad as Wright, if not worse.

  I lifted the glass to my mouth, focusing on his eyes. When he threw his shot back and closed his eyes for a split second, my arm shifted. The liquid in my glass flew back right into the plant behind me. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.

  Martinez didn’t waste time pouring another one. The bastard was trying to get me drunk. All three of the shots ended up feeding the shrub of a plant behind me. I swayed from side to side and added a giggle or two, fluttering my lashes and leaning forward. He ate it all up.

  On the fourth shot, I looked away. But the reflection in the bar mirror showed that he’d slipped a powdery substance into my glass.

  When my attention returned to the booth, Kendra’s head flew up, her eyes wide open as if she was trying to warn me of my death trap.

  “Bathroom,” she said.

  “Hold it. We’re almost done.” Martinez’s gaze never left the lethal shot waiting in front of me.

  “I can hold onto your pet in the washroom. Unless you’re afraid she’ll bite.” I leaned back against the seat, indifferent.

  He hesitated a moment before saying, “If she escapes, you’re her replacement.”

  “Grrr.” I made a cat-like gesture of scratching the air with my nails.

  He gripped my wrist before I stood up. “Drink first.”

  My poisoned tequila shot waited.

  Kendra’s eyes bulged again.

  Slowly, he let go of my hand and I picked up the glass. There was no way I could get away with this one, so I looked at Kendra saying, “Let’s go pee-pee,” as if I were a little kid, and downed the shot.

  Martinez handed me the rope she was tied to, pleased with himself. We scooted around the booth, and before we entered the bathroom he said, “You have three minutes.”

  The door shut closed and I jumped into the first stall and shoved two fingers down my throat. The gag reflex was instant and my tequila along with acidic contents came up and out like a fountain. My stomach tightened once more and my shoulders scrunched forward for another round. Whatever Martinez gave me, it had already be
gun working into my bloodstream.

  “Holy fuck!” Kendra covered her mouth. “Run, you should run while you can,” she barely whispered, her entire body shaking in fear.

  I pulled myself up. The room spun a bit and I rinsed my mouth with water. Bracing myself on the sink I took a deep breath, pressed my index to my lips, and looked at her to be quiet.

  Hurrying into a stall, just in case Martinez decided to interrupt, I reached into my back pocket for my cell and typed: LOBBY BAR. NOW! BATHROOM.

  And I prayed Tristan’s phone wasn’t set to vibrate – or worse yet, silent.

  “Who are you?” she asked.

  “It’s better you don’t know, but I’m not leaving you with him. What did he slip me?” I worked my fingers past the haze in my eyes on Kendra’s rope. Most of the drug had probably left in the stream of puke, but I was sure not all had, and I was beginning to feel the force of its effects.

  “I don’t know, but it can’t be good. He’ll kill us both for this.”

  “Why don’t we worry about getting rid of him for now? You seem strong enough. Please tell me you want out of this. We have to work together. I need you on my side, Kendra. Are you with me?” I couldn’t believe how much I wished for my gun at this very moment.

  The first rope strap unwound, but there was another one, digging into her flesh. The last knot must have been glued together. The tips of my fingers ached, and after I’d broken a nail it finally let go. Red strands of burnt skin circled her wrists.

  “You know who I am?” she asked wearily, looking back at the bathroom door.

  “Yes, I do.”

  “I’m with you,” she said. A slight hint of hope resonated in her voice.

  The room begun to spin.

  I looked for another exit, but there wasn’t one, except for a small window. If Tristan didn’t pick up the message, we had to move. Lifting the latch, I opened the window. Cold night air filled the bathroom.

  “Do you know who he’s waiting for?”

  If something went wrong I needed to know who the buyer was; but of course that would be too much to hope for.

  She shook her head sideways.

  Martinez knocked on the door. “Hurry up.”

  “Almost done,” I said in a half-drunk voice and checked my phone. No reply.

  “Is he alone?” I asked.

  “I don’t think so. And they’re always armed.”

  “I figured.” I pulled out my phone and shoved it down her cleavage right into her bra. Unfortunately in her tight short dress there weren’t too many places to hold a phone. “Tristan’s number is there. He’s in this hotel. Run to a safer place and call him.”

  “What about you?” she asked.

  “I’ll be right behind you. Don’t worry.” Except the accelerated speed at which the drugs began working had me doubting just a little. Had I not thrown up, I would probably have been crunched down on the floor, unconscious.

  He knocked again.

  I didn’t answer this time. We had seconds left.

  “Hop up.” I pulled up the only chair in the bathroom for a boost. She sat on the window ledge.

  “Grab my arms and lower yourself.” I said.

  The jump wasn’t high, but enough to break a leg if I didn’t lower her.

  “Do not turn back.” I said looking down at her body swinging below me, her hands clasped with mine. My drugged arms were barely able to hold her frail weight.

  The door to the bathroom flew open.

  I didn’t turn around.

  “You let her go and I will shoot.” Martinez growled. The click of a gun sounded in my ears.

  I let go of her hands, mouthing, “Run.”

  Once she turned the corner, I said. “It’s too late, you son of a bitch.” I hopped off the chair.

  And he fired.

  I didn’t hear a gunshot and didn’t see any blood. The pinch on my shoulder ached like a day-old bruise, and I looked to the side. A dart with a red feathered tip stuck out.

  Shit! Tristan, where are you?

  My knees buckled and I crashed to the floor. The disgusting grin on Martinez’s face slowly faded into black.

  CHAPTER 18

  He dragged me by my hair. I felt some of my extensions give out. It wouldn’t surprise me to see a fist full of black strands between Martinez’s fingers. The jab in my arm ached. Whatever he had given me contained a muscle relaxant. I could hardly stand. With the added effect of the powdered substance I’d swallowed earlier, I was semi-conscious. Everything around me blurred.

  By the time the barman could have called the police, we had left the hotel. His confusion was masked when Martinez had said his new bride had one shot too many. He lifted me in his arms and carried me out the lobby as if I was already his. The thought pained me, but I had not the time to ponder. It took seconds to reach an abandoned alley.

  “You just made the biggest mistake of your life,” he grunted.

  The iron tang of blood in my mouth couldn’t be my own. A faint memory of biting the son of a bitch put somewhat of a smile on my face. I remembered spitting out a chunk of his flesh I had bitten off.

  The drugs he’d given me suppressed my ability to defend myself. Julian was right. I didn’t even get a chance to fight, but I promised myself that the first moment my body would cooperate, I’d wring his neck. That was, if he didn’t chop me to pieces first. I hoped Kendra was far away from this place.

  We turned the corner, and the streetlights lost their glow to the shadows. A rat skidded away from a garbage container a few feet deep in the alley. The smell of rotten chicken and decomposing trash filled the air. Maggots feasted around the perimeter of the overflowing waste, their round puffed bodies rolling rather than crawling in their king’s buffet.

  Blood trickled down my arm and fingers, my hand immobile more so than the rest of my limbs. A loud bang bounced off against the alley walls, like the whack of an iron skillet on someone’s head. This made me laugh because I’d never actually heard the sound before, other than in a Tom and Jerry cartoon, and because where would someone get a pan in an alley?

  The grip on my hair loosened and Martinez crashed to the ground.

  “You bitch!” he moaned.

  I crawled up to my knees and scooted as far away as I could. Someone’s arms helped me up. My vision fogged, but I could feel that the frail arms holding me up wouldn’t get me far.

  “You got to run. His men will be looking for us.” Kendra pulled me backward, my feet dragging along the littered pavement.

  “I can’t even stand up. Did you call?” I pushed as hard as I could against the pavement, but my feet preferred to be dragged. It didn’t matter how much I wanted to stand up, my legs felt like rubber.

  “Yes, but he’s not picking up, and there’s more of them by the hotel now.”

  “Don’t fucking move.” A growl and the sound of a gun click awakened the goose bumps on my arms.

  “I should have done this a long time ago.”

  The hair on the nape of my neck stood like a forest of toothpicks. We had seconds before Martinez pulled the trigger. This time what he gripped in his hand was not a dart gun. He paced toward us, the gun in one hand pointing at Kendra while his other hand reached back to his head, massaging the spot where she’d hit him. I leaned my body against the garbage container, feeling something crawling on my hand.

  “You’re a waste anyways. I think I’ve done a nice trade tonight. An old used bag for a fresh one. Don’t worry. I’ve tamed feistier creatures than you.” He looked toward me.

  She backed away. Martinez passed where I was sitting. Kendra pressed her back into the wall of a building, her hands flat against it. Her gaze skidded from side to side, then back to me, probably wondering whether she should run. I urged her with my eyes to go, or at least try, but with Martinez only a few feet away, he wouldn’t miss the shot. I squeezed my fists and forced adrenaline into my body. I wouldn't fail Tristan. I couldn’t let him blame me for not getting Kendra to safety. Push
ing off the metal container, I launched at Martinez’s mid-section and took him down to the ground.

  I twisted his arm to its breaking point and got him down on his knees. A single gunshot echoed in the alley and my tummy felt warm. I tightened my grip on his arm, and he dropped the weapon. I wondered why the back of my head felt warm as well, and then everything went black.

  CHAPTER 19

  The sound of a pulse beeping pinched my ears. The rhythm was steady and quieted as I listened in. A familiar smell of antiseptic hand wash wafted around my nose. My head ached. I reached up, but something restrained my arm.

  “Don’t move.” I heard Tristan’s voice and let out a breath I didn’t know I’d been holding.

  I opened my eyes a fraction. His beautiful face slowly came into focus from above. Dark shadows underlined his hazel eyes. A shade of worry disappeared as I felt my mouth curve in happiness. His scar lifted slightly on his upper lip. Was I dreaming, or dead? The last thing I remembered was pinning Martinez down to the ground with his gun right between us.

  “Where am I?” I didn’t recognize my hoarse voice. My mouth felt as if it had been stuffed with a hundred cotton balls. My throat ached as if someone shoved a ten-inch pipe into it. A smooth end of a plastic straw touched my lips before I even asked for water. I sucked on it for a few seconds. My jaw muscles hurt.

  “You’re in the hospital. It’s been five days.” Tristan said.

  “Kendra?”

  Please tell me she’s safe.

  “You got her. She has a long road of recovery ahead of her, but she’ll be fine.”

  “Good. That’s really good.”

  My eyes felt heavy.

  “It is. You’re on morphine. Martinez’s thug whacked you in the head before Martinez shot you.”

  “He shot me in the head and I survived?” Why did that sound confusing? And why was Tristan wearing a purple wig?

  “No, silly. Martinez shot at your stomach as his thug whacked you in the head. The bullet flew without damaging any major organs. You were very lucky.”