The young man tried to struggle, but the fight he’d just been in had taken a toll on him.
Rick thought for a moment. In for a penny, in for a pound?
“Come on, I live not far from here. I’ll get your wound cleaned up and you can rest for a bit. Then, we can call your sister to come get you, ok?”
The young man was silent, considering his options.
“Look, we don’t have time to debate this. We’re going.”
He shifted the man’s weight so that he had a solid grip around his waist.
“Lean into me, I’ve got you.”
The young man nodded and complied.
“Bueno.” He gave him a friendly grin. “I’m Rick, by the way.”
“Luis,” he replied.
“Good to meet you, Luis. Let’s try to turn this crappy evening around, ok?”
Luis gave him a half-smile.
They hustled away as fast as they could. Luis’ jeans were torn and dirty and he was limping slightly.
Rick didn’t know why exactly, but he felt protective of him. Maybe because in the past he’d been the one outnumbered and taking a beating. He didn’t like that experience. Not one bit. And he really didn’t like seeing someone else at the receiving end of it, either.
Once at his apartment, Rick got Luis a glass of water, then gathered what first aid items he could find and set about cleaning his wound.
The young man had a bit of a pudgy build and big, soulful brown eyes. He had thick, dark hair, and looked like he hadn’t had a haircut in quite some time.
“Why were those guys after you?” Rick asked.
Luis looked at him, but then looked away, shaking his head.
“Ok,” Rick replied, “well then, do you think they’ll come back to try and find you again?”
The startled look on Luis’ face told Rick that he hadn’t thought that far ahead.
“Right, then. Do you think they know where you live?”
Luis pursed his lips. “Posiblemente.” He took a long sip of water.
“Look, I’m willing to help, you obviously need it. What did they want with you?”
Luis just stared into his water glass.
Rick didn’t press him. It was obvious he didn’t want to talk. He didn’t blame him. Rick was a complete stranger to him.
Luis had grown quiet, contemplative. Finally, he spoke up, “I need to call my sister.”
Rick nodded and gave him his address and the general directions to his apartment.
Luis pulled out his cell phone and made the call. He spoke quickly in Spanish, his tone urgent. He hung up.
“She will come and get me.”
Rick nodded. “And then what?”
Luis shrugged his shoulders. “I need to talk to her. She will know what to do.”
CHAPTER 4
Rick’s apartment buzzer went off less than half an hour later.
“That must be my sister,” Luis said, jumping up out of his chair.
Rick nodded and went to answer it. “Who is it?”
“My name is Sofia,” a woman’s voice answered, sounding tense. “I’m looking for Luis.”
“Come on up,” he replied, buzzing her in.
Moments later, there was an urgent knock at the door.
Rick opened the door.
Before he could introduce himself, she pushed right past him, spotting her brother.
She dropped her large bag on the floor. Speaking in Spanish, she said, “Luis, oh, my god, are you all right?”
He said yes, and she gave him a big hug, not letting go for a couple of minutes.
They spoke in hushed tones.
Rick moved to his kitchen to give them some privacy.
He stole a couple of glances. Sofia wore a dark brown jacket and jeans. She was a beautiful woman with a lovely Spanish accent. She was about 5’6” tall, about the same height as her brother, and had long, thick, dark wavy hair and big brown eyes. She had a more athletic build than her brother. She was older than Luis by a handful of years. Rick pegged her at maybe mid-twenties. He could tell at once how protective she was over her younger brother.
Finally, they came over to join Rick.
“Gracias,” she said, with a nod of her head. “I am grateful for what you did tonight for my brother.”
“I’m just glad I was there to help,” he replied. “We haven’t been properly introduced. I’m Rick.” He held out his hand.
She hesitated, but then took his hand, shaking it briefly. “Sofia.”
“Sofia,” he said with a warm smile, “a pleasure to meet you. Just wish it had been under better circumstances.”
She nodded, looking tense. She noted he was tall, with a rugged handsomeness about him. His brown hair was wavy and a bit mussed up, kind of like what she could see of his apartment. He seemed friendly, but she’d learned the hard way that people weren’t always what they seemed.
“May I offer you a drink?” Rick asked. “Would you like to sit down?”
Luis was about to say yes, when his sister shook her head. “We should go. We’ve bothered you enough tonight.” She grabbed her bag, slung it over her shoulder, and put her arm around Luis.
“Look,” Rick said, “it’s no bother. He’s just had a rough go, and from the little he told me, trouble might come back looking for him.”
Sofia didn’t reply. She glanced at Luis.
“Your brother said the men who attacked him might know where he lives.”
“Where we live,” Luis corrected him.
Rick frowned. “Then all the more reason to just hit pause for a moment.” He held out his hands. “Why don’t we just take a little time and figure out some safe next steps, ok? No one knows he’s here. You’re safe for the moment.”
Luis nudged her. “Buena idea.”
She thought about what Rick said, but still didn’t reply.
“I’m tired and sore,” Luis pressed her. “Let’s just rest here for a bit. I think we can trust him. He’s helped me a lot already.”
She sized Rick up.
Rick could tell she was not one to trust easily. He didn’t blame her, especially under the circumstances.
“Por favor?” Luis asked.
She sighed. “Bien.”
Luis looked relieved.
“But we won’t
