Read The Shoes Come First: A Jennifer Cloud Novel Page 31
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I was dreaming of Caiyan. Pancho Villa had a firing squad lined up, and Caiyan was one of the men he had positioned against a wall to be executed. Just as the order was given to fire, I threw myself in front of the bullet. I woke up with a start, a scream stuck in my throat and my hands clutching the blanket around my chest. Of all the stupid dreams, why would I risk my life to save a rat bastard rat who left me alone, again? Maybe he was trying to find me, my subconscious argued. Jeez, now I’m having an argument in my head. Maybe the longer you stayed in the past, the crazier you became.
Shaking off the conflict in my mind, I heard voices in the front parlor, which was directly below the bedroom I was resting in. The conversation floated up through the floorboards.
Pancho Villa was talking to someone. “I do not trust the gringos.”
“Johnny said they came highly recommended,” said Mr. Hawkins’s voice. “I assure you the cargo will be with the mules.”
“If anything goes wrong, I will kill your entire family.”
“But, Mr. Villa, we have done nothing but help you since you have traded with our Johnny,” Mr. Hawkins pleaded.
I had a sick feeling in my stomach. We needed to get my key and get out of here.
“After my mules and my weapons are safely loaded on the train, I will give them their precious package. It is not even gold; I do not see the value they place on it. However, your President Wilson has cut off all my other trade routes, so it leaves me no choice but to deal with the gringos. We will load the mules tonight after my men have been fed. I will deal only with the youngest male.”
“But, Mr. Villa, Mortas is the leader; I am sure he will want to get the payment himself,” explained Mr. Hawkins.
“No!” Pancho Villa insisted firmly. “Only the boy, or the deal is off.”
“They will be staying at the inn in town. I am sure Mortas will wait there for his payment.”
“See that he does,” Villa replied.
“What about the girls?” Mr. Hawkins asked. “My wife has taken a liking to them and is concerned for their safety.”
“I will take them to Mexico as a reward for my men. They have worked hard this trip, and although I do not prefer the white women, my men would enjoy them.”
“But, Mr. Villa—” Mr. Hawkins started but was cut off midsentence.
“That is all, Mr. Hawkins.”
Geesh, I am going to be some smelly Villista’s sex slave. I felt a pain in my stomach and wished Caiyan would appear and get us out of here. My knees were shaking, and a bead of sweat trickled down my back. I didn’t want to move for fear they would hear me.
“Tonight we will have good food and drink before you leave for Mexico,” Mr. Hawkins said, obviously trying to appease the outlaw.