British Exchange Agent

Chapter 17

My head snapped up at the sound of a roaring engine, the squeal of rushed tires. The familiar taxi sped through the street, coming to a deafening halt beside me.

I heard a shout from behind me, and turned to see the angry bartender and his mates charging down the street. Their faces were set with grim determination and fury as they drew nearer, whipping out their guns.

My eyes widened, and I ripped the taxi door open, throwing myself inside. José Luis turned to look at me, his own eyes wide with fear and incredulousness.

I snapped on my seatbelt and whacked the back of his seat.

"What are you waiting for? Drive!" I yelled. He slammed his foot down on the accelerator, causing the breaks to scream. The car surged forwards, speeding past the furious mob left in the dust.

They tried a few shot at the car, one of which shattering the back windscreen, until we hurtled around the corner. José Luis drove silently for a while, tearing through the streets. When we hit the main road he turned to look at me.

"Explain."

"I...I got caught in a bad crowd." I offered vaguely. When he shot me a skeptical look, I shrugged. "I don't think they like tourists."

"Those were some of the most feared men in all of Mexico. Do you really think I'd believe it was a chance encounter?" He asked, his forehead creased with worry. "Be careful of who you mix with - you are too nice of a girl."

My breathing stopped. My heart thudded. My eyes widened slightly.

I should have known not to trust him.

"Turn off here." I ordered quietly, my hand already on the door handle. I could see him frown in the mirror.

"What?"

"This is my stop - turn right!" I stated a little louder, my voice forceful. He didn't reply, but pulled off of the main road and stopped the car near a petrol station.

"Be careful, Kayla - you are not in your own country anymore." José Luis murmured, making my blood run cold. His eyes connected with mine in the rear-view mirror. "We don't play by the same rules here."

Without a reply, I jerkily pushed the door open and stumbled out, my hands trembling. I slammed the door and took a few steps back, watching the taxi drive away slowly. My chest heaved up and down as I shakily tightened my ponytail, adjusting the backpack on my shoulder.

My hand skimmed down my side and over the gun on my hip, its shape reassuring. I turned on my heel and walked into the grubby petrol station, ignoring the man at the counter as I entered the grimy bathroom.

I turned on the tap and splashed my face with the cold water, my face screwing up as a bit went in my mouth. I spat it out in disgust, before drying my hands on my top. I stared at myself in the mirror for a few minutes, before breathing out slowly.

"I can do this." I muttered to myself. "I can do this."

Striding out of the bathroom, I once again ignored the man at the counter and exited the grotty station. My phone blared out it's annoying ringtone and I whipped it out.

"Hello?"

"Kayla, where are you?" Richard's voice grit out. I glanced around me, making my way down the street.

"Mexico."

"What?!" He bellowed, his voice thundering into my eardrums. I winced, holding the phone away from my ear slightly.

"I told you - I'm onto something." I told him impatiently, stepping out from the pavement and waving my hand around slightly. A car was making its way towards me, slowing as it neared.