Ugly Valentine's Day
930 Words
Scott sat on the couch in Xavier’s living room looking smaller than Micah remembered. His leg was still bandaged from David’s earlier work but he moved carefully without complaint. Micah brought him a glass of water and a plate of sandwiches she had made earlier. She set them on the coffee table in front of him.
“Eat,” she said softly. “You look like you haven’t in days.”
Scott glanced up at her then at David standing near the doorway. David’s face was calm not angry like the last time. He had not even a clenched fist. Just steady eyes watching.
Scott picked up a sandwich and took a bite. “Thanks,” he muttered.
David stepped closer and sat in the chair across from him. “Tell us what you know about Miranda. Anything. Who had her after Ramirez?”
Scott swallowed. “After Ramirez sold her to Javier Cruz Javier moved her quick. I heard Elena Torres took her. Elena runs girls for the high-end trade. She’s got a compound near the port. She has heavy security. Rico Valdez is her right hand he handles the muscle. If Miranda’s still in play she’s with Elena.”
Micah sat beside her brother. “You sure?”
Scott nodded. “I’m sure. I asked around quiet. Word is Elena’s keeping her close. Like she’s special or something. No one knows why.”
David leaned forward. “You can get more. You’ve got contacts inside. Ask around. Find out where Elena’s moving her next. Who’s buying. Anything.”
Scott looked at his sister. Micah’s eyes were soft hopeful. For the first time in years she looked happy and not like she was just surviving. She looks really happy to him.
Scott’s throat tightened. “I’ll do it. For you Micah. I’ve been a shitty brother. Seeing you like this… with him… you’re smiling. I haven’t seen that since we were kids.”
Micah’s eyes filled. “Scott…”
He looked at David. “I’ll help. But I want protection after. Aragua will come for me when they find out I talked.”
David extended his hand. “You get us solid leads on Miranda and we protect you. Deal?”
Scott shook his hand. “Deal.”
The three girls Xavier had rescued sat nearby listening. One of them a quiet teenager with dark hair spoke up. “He’s right about Elena. She kept me for a week. Treated me okay at first. Then she sold me. If your daughter’s with her… she might be safe for now. Elena doesn’t hurt the ones she likes. But trust me when I say she is the most wicked woman to be in her hands if she doesn’t like you.”
Micah looked at her. “She likes Miranda?”
The girl shrugged. “If she’s keeping her close yeah. Elena’s weird like that. One minute she’s cold the next she acts like a mom.”
Scott stood slowly. “I’ll start asking tonight. I’ll call when I have something.”
Micah hugged him tight. “Be careful.”
Scott hugged her back. “I will. I promise.”
He left with a small bag of cash Micah had saved for him. The door closed behind him.
David turned to Micah. “It’s Valentine’s Day.”
She blinked. “It is?”
He smiled faint. “Let’s get out. There is a fast food by the beach and it’s not far from here. Nothing fancy. Just us.”
Xavier stepped into the room overhearing. “It is not safe David. They’re hunting you.”
David looked at him. “I’ll be careful. Besides my arm’s healing fast. I need this. It’s just one night.”
Xavier exhaled. “Fine. But keep your phone on. And stay sharp.”
David nodded. “I will.”
.
The beachfront fast food spot was quiet for Valentine’s. String lights hung above the outdoor tables ocean breeze carrying salt and fried food. David and Micah sat across from each other sharing fries and milkshakes. She laughed at his bad jokes. He watched her like she was the only thing in the world.
“You look beautiful,” he said quietly.
She blushed. “I’m in jeans and a T-shirt.”
“Still beautiful.”
She reached across the table and took his hand. “Thank you. For everything.”
He squeezed back. “I’ll be right back. Left something in the car.”
She smiled. “A surprise?”
“Maybe.”
He stood and walked toward the parking lot. *I hope she is going to like it* he thought. The lot was half-empty cars scattered under the lights. He pressed the remote to unlock his SUV.
The explosion from his car ripped the night apart. A fireball bloomed orange and the blast wave hit David like a fist throwing him backward. He slammed into the pavement back hitting against another car.
Everything went dark to David. Micah screamed from the table and ran out heart pounding. People fled the area shouting and running for cover. Sirens wailed in the distance growing louder.
She reached David lying still blood on his face arm twisted wrong.
“David!” she dropped beside him hands shaking as she touched his cheek. “No no no wake up please…”
Smoke rose from the burning car with flames that licked the sky. Police lights flashed closer within a minute as sirens grew louder.
Micah sobbed holding his face. “You promised… you promised you wouldn’t leave me…”
- Writer
