His wife screamed for him to leave. When he hesitated, she begged that it would be okay … and said he needed to look after their baby.

“You go home and wait,” he was told by a bodyguard. “Maybe then you will see her again.”

Tears ran down her husband’s face and he got back in the car and slowly drove ahead, stopping momentarily when he got to the end of the block, only to continue on.

“This one is not a puta,” said Big Al, glowering at Jack.

El Pero gripped the woman by her arm and forced her through the doorway into the brothel, followed by Big Al. Jack felt both sickened and dazed as he stepped back inside.

“You take her now,” ordered Big Al. “Then my men will drive you back to El Paso.”

chapter thirty-one

Jack knew to embarrass Big Al in front of his men could have a deadly consequence, so he grabbed him by the arm, taking him aside before whispering, “This is bullshit!” The tone of his voice was venomous. “I can’t believe you did this!” he hissed.

“You be careful how you talk to me!” warned Big Al, jerking his arm from Jack’s grip as his face reddened in anger. “You no want puta … okay. I get you a woman who is not a puta. Why don’t you want her? I have heard many stories about Satans Wrath. Something does not seem right with you.”

Jack shook his head and tried to sound apologetic as he said, “There is something I need to explain to you.” He placed a hand on Big Al’s shoulder, drawing him closer as if he was telling him a secret. “I was ordered by Damien to keep a low profile and not to draw any attention. It’s not just the police we are worried about, but also the people we currently deal with. If they know we are coming to you, they might try to screw us on the final shipments. That’s why I came alone so as not to attract attention and why it is important you only deal with me. My mission here is supposed to be secret.”

“It is a secret. Only my men know who you are. These putas,” he said, with a wave of his arm toward the prostitutes, “that woman,” he added, with a nod toward the terrified woman being clutched by El Pero, “they only know you are a gringo. They do not know who you really are.”

Jack gestured to the street and said, “Perhaps, but for you to go out on a busy street when I am with you and snatch a woman …” Jack shook his head in admonishment and continued, “Let her go. Damien would be furious if he found out. This could jeopardize everything.”

Big Al paused for a moment to collect his thoughts. He did not want to risk blowing a multimillion dollar business relationship by angering Damien. His own bosses would not forgive him … a mistake he knew could cost him his life. Still, he was not ready to relent yet. He looked at Jack and said, “It is okay here. No problema. The police will do nothing.”

“You can’t be sure.”

“No, it is safe,” replied Big Al. He pointed to two bodyguards, including the men who had driven them to the brothel and said, “They are policia, but they work for me. Nobody will say anything. We do this all the time. If the husband or anyone complains, we will kill them.”

“Maybe you’re right,” replied Jack, “but I can’t risk it. If something was said, Damien would not understand and blame me for screwing up. Especially on the first night I meet you. I really like you, amigo. I think we have a lot in common and I want to make sure I get to keep coming back. I like your men, too. I’m looking forward to partying with them tomorrow night. I am sure we will do a lot of business together, but for now I must be extra careful.”

“Okay,” sighed Big Al. “If you are okay … then I am okay.”

“I’m okay. This has all been great. A night I won’t ever forget, but I am tired and need to get some rest.”

Big Al nodded and said, “I will tell one of my men to drive you back to your motel.”

“Thank you.”

Big Al spoke to El Pero and said, “It is okay. Señor Jack does not want the woman. He is tired and will be leaving.”

Jack was shaking Big Al’s hand as a gesture of goodwill when he noticed an evil grin cross El Pero’s face when he looked at the woman and said, “So, the gringo does not want you. Do not worry, I want you.”

The woman cried and pleaded as El Pero shoved her onto the staircase, before grabbing her by the wrist. It made Jack want to retch. He knew he had to try and do something.

Jack looked at Big Al and gestured to the woman and said, “I hadn’t realized how pretty she is. All dressed up for something … she really is a beauty.”

“Yes,” agreed Big Al, looking at her bare legs thrashing out from under her skirt as she was dragged up the stairs.

“You fight me,” yelled El Pero in Spanish, “and you will never see your family again!”

“I’m having second thoughts,” said Jack. “You have already gone to so much trouble to get a woman for me … it would be rude of me not to accept, yes?”

Big Al looked surprised, but then smiled and said, “Yes, it would be rude. Have you changed your mind?”

“Yes, but perhaps we do not ever need to mention it to Damien, okay?”

Big Al chuckled and put his finger to his lips and said, “It will be our secret, amigo.”

“Thank you. I am sure you and I will have a long friendship,” replied Jack.

El Pero was at a bedroom doorway at the back of the brothel when Big Al yelled to him that Señor Jack had changed his mind.

El Pero looked at the woman and spluttered something, while stomping his foot for emphasis. He was clearly upset, but turned to Big Al and nodded in compliance.

Jack hurried up the stairs and took the woman by the arm from El Pero.

“Call to me when you are finished,” said El Pero. “I will have her next.”

Jack nodded and roughly steered the woman into the room and closed the door.

“Please, señor,” begged the woman.

“You speak English?” asked Jack.

“Yes … a little,” she cried. “Please do not do this to me. Today my husband and I, we be married for two years. Tonight is the first time we go out … please, señor. I see this place has many beautiful women who want to please you. You don’t need me.”

“Listen,” said Jack quietly. “Do not speak until I am finished. I am not going to rape you.”

“Oh, señor! Thank —”

Jack slapped his hand over her mouth and tersely whispered, “Do not speak until I explain to you what will happen.” He waited until she nodded before taking his hand from her mouth. “Even though I won’t rape you, these other men downstairs will. I am going to try and help you escape. If you are caught, it will be very bad for the both of us. Do you understand?”

Her wide eyes stared back at him as her brain translated what he said. Finally she nodded and whispered, “Yes, I understand.”

Jack quickly checked out the room. It was sparse, with a ceiling fan twirling over a double brass bed covered with a white sheet. A small, dark bathroom was near the door. At the back of the room, curtains partially hid a window overlooking the back alley and parking lot.

Jack looked out the window and did not see anyone. He pushed the window up with the heels of his hands and was relieved to discover that it slid open easily. He looked down and tried to gauge the distance to the ground. If a person hung from the window edge and dropped, they might not injure themselves.

A tap on his shoulder caused him to step aside as the woman peered out.

“It is not too high,” whispered Jack.

She looked at him and said, “If it was ten rooms up it would not be too high. I would rather jump than have my husband see me every day and be reminded of the shame.”

“The shame?”

“Shame he will feel for not protecting me. My shame for sleeping with another man.”