Page 87 of Mouse Trapped

“I know. But they won’t be hurting anyone again. This will soon be over, Mariana. Tse’s with you now, and he won’t let anyone harm you.”

“What do we do, Devil?” Tse’s rich voice booms out, and this time, when his arms come around me, I lean back. His hands start smoothing up and down my biceps, such a gentle touch. It immediately soothes me.I trust him. He won’t let me die.

Devil purses his lips, then looks directly at me. “Can’t go back until those drugs are out.”

The stroking of Tse’s fingers is having a calming effect. “How long, how long will it take?”

“We need to find some laxatives, and then nature will just have to do its job.”

Again I shudder, but a reassuring voice speaks into my ear. “It will be alright, Mariana. I promise you. It will be alright, and soon you’ll be coming home with me. Back to Arizona. Back to Drew.”

Home. Arizona.My brother.

Without turning I ask, “Promise?”

When he does, the force in his voice makes me start to believe him. Another man enters, a bundle of keys being twirledin his hand, blood oozing down his other arm but it doesn’t seem to bother him. Devil turns toward him.

“Want us to start freeing the women, now?”

“You’re sure the upstairs is cleared?”

“We’ve gone over the dining room thoroughly. No routes in or out except the main door. I suggest we put them in there.” His face contorts as though in pain. “Got to be better than where they are now.”

I’m horrified that in my distress I’d forgotten the women who were locked up.

“See if you can get the kitchen staff to get them some decent food. Water too. I suspect they could do with both.”

“They’ll want baths, showers…”

Devil nods. “That will have to wait until we’re certain no one else is here. Don’t want anyone to be taken hostage and used for bargaining.” Then to his man, he says, “Thanks, Carter. Yeah, do that. I’ll come see what’s what. See if there’s medical attention they need which you can provide.”

“I’ll do what I can,” his man, Carter, agrees.

There’s been a group of men chatting in the corner, as Devil disappears after Carter, they now approach. Tse briefly squeezes me, as though giving me support.

The man in the lead holds out his hand. “Drummer. I’m the President of the Satan’s Devils.” I shake it. “Tse’s boss?”

He grins. “Suppose that I am. This here’s Viper.” He begins to introduce the men at his side. “Blade, Marvel and Dollar.”

There’re a few ‘pleased to meet you’s’ which seem incongruous given the circumstances.

“My brothers,” Tse whispers in my ear. “Your family too now, darlin’.” For the first time, I turn and face him, my head tilted in question. “Sweetheart, told you I was claimin’ you. Marryin’ you. That hasn’t changed. And doing that means youcome under the protection of the club. My brothers have come here for you.”

“That’s right, sweetheart,” the man introduced as Viper confirms. “You belong to Mouse, you’re one of us.”

“Mouse?”

The corners of Tse’s mouth turn up. “Road name,” he explains.

“Or Chief,” the man called Marvel mutters under his breath.

A man less like a mouse I couldn’t imagine. “Tse,Mouse… We need to talk.”

“Nah. Know what you’re thinking. But you’re mine, and Drew too.”

Christ. I’ve been so caught up in myself, I haven’t asked about Drew.“How is he, Tse? My father was going to bring him here…”

“Don’t you worry about your brother,” his president interrupts. “Kid’s fine. Yeah, your father tried, but we intercepted the fuckers he sent. That’s how we knew where to find you. Drew’s having a good time on the compound. He’s a good kid, Mariana. You’ve done well with him.”