ISABELLA
It’s after midnight when I walk out onto my bedroom’s balcony. I always keep the sliding door open so it won’t look suspicious on the nights I head out.
I wait a little longer before climbing over the balcony and dropping to the lawn below. Then, staying low, I hurry toward the wall, and without much effort, I hoist myself over.
I jog to the vacated house and first change into my leather outfit before shrugging my backpack with my tools and weapons onto my back. After pushing my motorcycle out of the shed, I throw my leg over the seat and get comfortable. When the engine roars to life, a smile forms around my lips.
I drive the distance to the safe house, enjoying the feel of the wind rushing past me. The streets are quiet as I leave the city, and another twenty minutes later, I pull up the gravel driveway of the safe house. I park my motorcycle, and when I get to the side entrance, the biometric scanner scans my face and unlocks the security door.
The front and back doors are only for show. Besides the security entrance, there’s a tunnel beneath the house that leads to a nearby field. I’ve spent a lot of money to make sure Ana’s safe.
Stepping inside the house, it’s dark and quiet. I walk through all the rooms, checking that everything’s okay before I go down to the basement. I find Ana behind the computer.
“Hi,” I say as I sit down in the chair next to her.
“I’ve looked at the photos you sent me last week,” she gets right to work.
Before I managed to free Ana, she was raped and tortured. The only way she’s able to cope is by losing herself in the work we do. I’ve tried talking to her about what she endured, but she made it clear the subject is off-limits.
“Are you okay coming with me?” I ask again.
Ana nods, and then she turns her face to look at me. She’s shorter and skinnier than me, but her features are striking and feminine. Ana’s so beautiful it still catches me by surprise at times.
“Yes. I’ll take the van down to Cali in case there’s a couple of girls who need help.”
I turn my attention to the photos and look at each one. “I think entering from the containers’ side will be best. It’ll give me the cover I need.”
Ana points to the warehouse section of the harbor. “Or here.”
“Both could work.”
“How many men is Sonia sending?”
“A lot. Usually, I’d only have a dozen or so to worry about, but she’s sending every available man. I’m prepared for a small army.”
“Let me be your backup,” Ana says for the hundredth time.
Even though I taught her how to handle a gun, I shake my head hard. “No. I’m not putting you in that kind of danger.”
Ana’s eyes narrow on me. “I can’t just sit and watch as you get killed, or worse… taken.”
A soft smile curves my lips up, and I gently place my hand on Ana’s forearm. She used to cringe whenever I touched her, but that stopped a year ago.
“I won’t let myself be taken,” I try to offer her some comfort. “I’d kill myself before I allow that to happen.”
Ana shrugs my hand off and scowls darkly at me. “Don’t say that.”
Tilting my head, I take in the worry in her eyes. I lean a little forward. “Ana?”
Her features tighten until it looks like she’s about to cry. With a quivering voice, she says, “I can’t lose you, Isabella. You’re my family.”
Slowly, I reach for her and pull her into a hug. At first, Ana stiffens, but then she relaxes in my embrace.
“Promise me you’ll get out of there if things become too dangerous,” she whispers.
I brush a palm over the back of her head, the short strands soft. “I promise.”
Ana pulls back, and she gives me a rare smile. “Let’s get back to work.”
We turn our attention to the photos, examining the harbor until I can walk blindfolded through the area. Ana goes to make us both a cup of coffee while I check the weapons I keep at the safe house.
The shipment is coming in next week. My mother and Hugo are under the impression that I’ll be in New York for a fashion show. Fooling them is the least of my problems right now. The harbor will be heavily guarded.
I glance to the stairs leading up to the first floor and let out a heavy breath.
There’s a good chance I won’t be able to keep my promise to Ana. I have a safety fund set up, which she has access to, so at least I know she’ll be taken care of should I die.