Page 89 of Mouse Trapped

I take the chair I last sat in opposite my father. This time I’m watching Tse as he fires up the computer and starts doing stuff, his long lean fingers racing over the keys. His brow creases, then relaxes, a small smile forms, then he’s back to frowning again. I don’t need to see what’s on the screen, I can tell by his expressions if he’s having success or not.

One of the maids enters the room with a tray of coffees. She’s escorted by one of Devil’s men. He raises his chin toward us. “I watched her make it.”

They’re being so cautious, it’s reassuring.

Still Tse taps on. Again we’re interrupted with a plate full of sandwiches. Tse stops me with a shake of his head. “Wait until…”

I nod quickly. I don’t want to discuss my bowel movements, and neither have I any desire to chase the drug filled condoms with food. I’m not in the slightest bit hungry.There’s no room in my stomach.

As Tse takes a break to eat, I nod at the computer. “Are you getting anywhere?”

Tse grins widely. “Yeah. Fucker kept all his details on here. The computer’s not connected to the internet, so he thought he was secure to record all his shit. I’ve got his pipelines and everything. Devil will be able to destroy him.”

“Good.” The news makes me very happy. I watch Tse eat, licking mayonnaise off his fingers. Taking huge bites in a manner that reminds me of Drew. It strikes me there’s so much I don’t know about him. I’ve never seen him consume anything before. All I know is that he’s done everything he can to help me. To save me.

“Tse. What’s going to happen to me?”

He swallows his mouthful, washing it down with fresh coffee. “I told you. You’re coming home. Devil’s got a private plane, and transport to get there. We’ll land in Arizona and you’ll come back to the compound.”

“I’m still an illegal.”

His eyes narrow. “Forget about that for a moment. We’ll deal with it, okay? You’ll be safe with the Satan’s Devils, with your brother. And I’ll look after you.”

“I’m not your responsibility, Tse.” How could I be? This man with the striking good looks could have any woman. Why would he want me, and the baggage I’m carrying?

His hand snakes over the table and grabs mine. “What part of ‘you’re my woman’ did you not get? I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind since the first day I met you. Not going to let you get away.”

“That sounds creepy,” I warn him, my voice going low. “You don’t know me.”

“Then let’s get to know each other. Not going to pressure you, babe. But think about this. Being married means I can sponsor you for a green card.”

“I can’t force you into a relationship just for that.”

“Forceme?” He huffs a laugh. “Just then you were implying it was the other way around.”

“A marriage would have to be real.”

“You’re seriously saying it wouldn’t be?” His eyes become heated. They stare into mine, then move down, focusing on my breasts before moving back up. “Wouldn’t be any hardship for me, darlin’.” Where my thoughts go must be written on my face. Immediately he stands, comes around, and crouches in front of me, taking both my hands in his. “What’s up?”

My voice is little more than a whisper. “They raped the women. One in the cell next to me. She was hurting, screaming…”

My hands are shaking; he squeezes them gently. “I’d never force you, Mariana. Never do anything you didn’t want. You believe me, don’t you?”

Right now I don’t know what I believe. Worse, my stomach clenches. For a moment there our discussion had distracted me. I’d forgotten what was going to come next. A bout of gas has me wrapping my arms around me, then cramps have me doubled over.

Tse’s up off his chair, food forgotten, and around my side. “Is it time?”

“Yes. Hurry.”

There’s a bathroom next door, plastic has been set up ready. “I’ll be right outside.”

His words are probably meant to be reassuring, but I cringe with embarrassment.

Chapter 34

Mouse

If I could go through this for her, I would. The noises she’s making that she’s trying to suppress make it sound like she’s in terrible pain in there, but I can’t open the door. She’d die of mortification, I know that. The way her face reddened when she had to explain she was ready showed me how humiliating she found the situation. I don’t give a damn whether she thinks it’s disgusting or not. I just want her body rid of those fucking drugs. I won’t breathe easy until they’re all out.