Chapter 24 Dead End

Chapter 24 Dead End
Damien’s POV

Nigel’s friend, Glenn, flies me to Laredo. Mom doesn’t mind calling to hear from me, but Victoria? She has been calling and texting non-stop, begging me to return to her and promising to do anything I want.

I don’t have time for her.
And I am done with home.

I hire a ride to La Estancia. The place is still the same. I knock, and a woman answers. One-eyed. Her voice sounds familiar. She asks what I want, and I show her a picture.

“I will pay you a hundred thousand dollars in cash if you bring her to me,” I say, hoping she will respond positively.

“What’s her name?” she asks.

I look at my phone screen again just to be sure I’m showing the right picture.

It’s Seraphina. Of course it’s her. Why doesn’t she recognize her? I know they must have brought Seraphina here. The delays Glenn and I faced made me late.

“You mean you don’t know her?” I hold the phone closer.

She shakes her head. Denying it. “I don’t think we have such girl here. But there are other girls who are more satisfying than her. We are closed right now, but I can still get one of them for you at a reasonable price.”

She smiles, crooked and practiced.

So she thinks I came here for that. Or she’s pretending. Either way, my only chance of finding out if Seraphina is here is by getting inside or talking to someone from inside who is willing to speak for more than they earn in a year selling their body.

“I prefer Seraphina,” I say calmly. “But since she’s not here, I must have driven past her residence. I would like someone like her. Calm, beautiful, young…”

She cuts in. “Maybe not so young, but there’s Irene. She’s tight, and I am sure you will forget about Seraphina when you meet her.”

Forget about Seraphina?

That’s impossible.

“Okay,” I say, forcing a smile.

“Is that your car over there?” she asks, glancing toward it.

“I hired it from the motel I checked in, not far from the airfield.”

She huffs. “Alright. Wait here. I will call Irene for you.”

She goes inside and shuts the door.

I wait. Victoria’s messages continue coming in like her life depends on my reply.

Soon, the woman returns with a sleepy-looking girl. Irene. Dressed attractively. Her chest draws attention. I keep myself in control. She is beautiful, but I am here for answers.

I pay the required amount and drive her to the motel. She’s still half asleep. I only have the night with her. I will have to return her in the morning or let her go. They don't work during the day… their policy.

She falls onto the bed and spreads her legs lazily.

“Just get it over with. I am damn sleepy,” she yawns.

I don’t feel drawn to her, but resisting the physical urge is difficult. It’s been a while.

“Care to make more than you make on these gigs?” I ask.

She raises her head slightly, elbows lifting her body. “What do you mean?”

“I will pay you ten thousand dollars if you help me find this person.” I show her the picture. “Her name is Seraphina. She once lived in La Estancia.”

Her expression changes instantly. She lies back down. “I don’t know. Just do what you paid for, dude, or I will sleep.”

Dead end.

I lean closer, staring into her tired eyes.
“Do you know who I am? I can make you rich for life.”

She smiles faintly. “Really? What if I am already rich for life?”

“What?”

“My dad,” she gulps, then continues, “he’s a politician. I lost my mom during one of his campaigns. He remarried shortly after being elected. I was a princess in my home. I ran away to live this life not because I need money, but because I feel more comfortable. It helps me forget.”

She looks directly at me.

“So, handsome, are you going to fck me or not?”

Her story is painful. Many girls here probably have similar stories… loss, escape, numbness.

“If this is what helps you forget,” I whisper, “then I will help you forget.”

I kiss her.
It grows intense.
And soon, I am inside her.

But the entire time, I imagine Seraphina.
Every breath.
Every movement.
Every exhale.

When I’m done, I fall to the side and drift into sleep.

…

I wake to the sound of the shower. Irene isn’t on the bed, so it must be her. I sigh as last night’s events return to me. I imagine how perfect everything would be if it was Seraphina. I know she would feel sweeter.

Irene comes out, hair wet. She doesn’t greet me. She gets dressed while I watch. She really is attractive. No wonder she costs as much as she does.

“Why don’t you just return to your dad? Are you the only child?” I ask.

She turns. “Do I look like someone who needs a father figure? Of course I am the only child.”

“Okay,” I exhale. “But is this really how you want to spend your life? Satisfying men?”

Silence. Then softly, “At least I make them smile. My father never smiled at me.”

She picks up her bag, about to leave…

When the door bursts open.

“You!” a man yells, pointing at her. “You were given one job and you failed to do it!”

What?

She did her job.
And I was fully satisfied.

“I… I can’t do that,” Irene stammers. “If you want him dead, he’s here. But I don’t want to be part of it.”

She pushes past them and runs out.

Dead?

They want me dead?

Why?

I swallow hard as three men step inside, armed with machetes.

And the room suddenly feels much smaller.