Page 20 of The Bronze Garza
“Tracing you from Cali to Mexico to Columbia to Russia took several weeks. Once in Russia, it took another couple of weeks to find your location. But in situations like this, it’s not as easy as busting in and dragging you out. That’s not how it works. We learned quickly that extracting you wouldn’t be easy. In fact, he went back to America and told your parents it was impossible. Life and death.
“But your father was determined to get you back. Offered enough to make it worth the risk. So, favors had to be called in. Bigger powers enlisted. Crafted a careful plot that would end up taking longer than we’d anticipated. Assumed new identities. It all had to be believable.
“Igor’s a businessman above all else, so that was ultimately the way to get to him. We lured him in with money, offering opportunities no one else was. Palatable deals that assured him we weren’t trying to encroach on his business. Gained his confidence.
“And no, Tor didn’t sleep with those girls. All a ruse, and the girls were grateful enough to stay hush about it. As for you, ‘devaluing’ you was a key part of the plan. We infiltrated the client list and planted unfavorable words about you—not telling you what was said so don’t ask. Things that would turn the big regulars off you. Which would inevitably render you worthless to Igor. A waste of investment, time, and resources.
“We anticipated several outcomes to that, the main being him sending you to the first floor. In which case extracting you would’ve been a walk in the park. When he pretty much begged us to have you at the club, it was the perfect opportunity. All attention would be on his more valuable girls. And in the event of sudden chaos, like say, afire,you’d be a low priority. Making it easy for us to take you without anyone noticing before it’s too late.”
Wow. Just…wow. “But...But why only me? What about the others?”
“Youare the job.”
“B-But the others, they’re still there. You could’ve gotten them out.”
“No, Lyra. We couldn’t,” he says firmly. “Don’t you understand yet?Wemade it easy to getyouout. There won’t be a reprisal for you. For the others, there would be.”
“Not for Simone. He hates her, too. You could’ve—”
“Lyra, I get it. Human trafficking is disgusting, horrifying, and I can’t even begin to imagine...” He trails off and sighs. “What you’re feeling right now is survivor’s guilt, ‘cause you got out and they’re still stuck there. I understand. I’ve been there. But you’ve got to understand that we aren’t the government, or military, or anyone’s saviors. We’re private workers and our lives are on the line as much as yours.
“This tookthirteen months. The goal was to get you out, unscathed, and back to your family. ‘Cause that’s what we’re paid to do. Anything else, any other deviations, would’ve resulted in a pile of dead bodies. And that’s not what we’re here for. We aren’t heroes, Lyra.”
“What are you, then?”
“Red Cage Commando Security & Investigation Services.”
Red Cage.That’s the company Dad had started using for his as-needed security and home surveillance after his net worth skyrocketed. A Red Cage bodyguard would be assigned to me if we had to travel or attend crowded functions. And oh, how it used to irk me, how I used to whine about his overprotectiveness—if only I knew what awaited me.
Of all the Red Cage men that had ever came to the house, however, I’ve never seen either of these two men.
“And there’s nothing at all that you can do to help the others?”
“We’ll pass on what we know to the authorities, but that’s about it.”
Wrapping my arms around myself, I gaze out the oval-shaped window. At the clouds drifting in a sea of inky blackness. Idofeel guilty. But I’m also angry that they hadn’t tried to do more, to get the others out. How do I go back to a normal life and sleep at night knowing there’s an entire building of enslaved women being sold and abused? How do I live with this?
In a gossamer-thin whisper, I ask, “What if he still tries to come after me?”
“Igor’s power is in Russia,” William replies. “But even if it wasn’t, he can’t come after you if he thinks you’re dead.”
I shake my head. “What do you mean?”
“Told you it was carefully planned, didn’t I?” he replies with a smirk. “In the aftermath of the fire, several ‘bodies’ will be found. One of those bodies will be yours, and one will be”—He jerks his head at Torin—“Marvin Marino.”
“Igor is justonelink in a long chain, Lyra. Traffic rings don’t just end when you rescue girls or take down a major player. Chop one head off and another one grows in it’s place. Get those girls out and another group will be herded in. It’s the world we live in.”
I nod, as if I understand, though I hardly do. “Will you be helping the authorities?”
“We—”
“Aren’t heroes,” comes a gruff, grumpy voice from across the aisle.
I glance over at The Bronze Man—um, Torin. Reclined, his arms folded across his chest, his eyes still closed. “If you wanna pick up the baton and play hero, then go right ahead—after we deliver you home safely, of course. But as Reuben has been pretty damn patient in telling you, that’snotwhat we do.Youare the job. Just you. This is the world we live in, princess. Some girls disappear and are never seen again. And some have billionaire families who’ll move heaven and earth to get them back. Be grateful for your privilege.”
“Allthe diamond girls are from rich families,” I point out.
“But none of those families hired me,” he rallies back. “Like I said, be grateful for your privilege.”
