Reaper: Devil's Mayhem MC Romance

by Mary Potter

  I find my tongue again.

  “I refuse,” I say, tossing my head. “You can’t make me sleep with someone.”

  “On the contrary,” the woman says with a dark smirk. “We have plenty of ways. You’re going to make us quite a bit of money, dear. You’d best get used to this life as soon as possible.”

  The two men let me go, dropping me to the ground since I wasn’t expecting to be released so suddenly. They leave the room, and the woman follows, snapping the door shut behind her. I’m too stunned by how quickly that happened to react in time. When it hits me, I scramble to my feet and throw myself at the door. But it’s too late. It’s already locked tight. There’s no way I can get out of here.

  “Fuck,” I say, kicking the door. Then I kick it again, just because it feels good to do so. “Fuck!”

  What the hell am I supposed to do? Of all the things to happen to me, I never expected to be kidnapped for a prostitution ring. I’m being prepped for clients who have apparently already requested me. I think of some of the regulars from Night Pleasures who would jump at the chance to buy me for a night and feel sick.

  Then again, if some of the regulars from Night Pleasures are here, doesn’t that mean we’re still close to Emerald Springs? Having been unconscious for the journey, I have no idea where I am, so even something so small could give me an indication of my current place in the world.

  I look out the window again. The sun is shining, and the brightly-colored flowers in the garden wave gently in the breeze. I can’t see Nancy anymore. Is there any chance that I can get to her at some point? How many girls are here, anyway?

  The more I think about it, the more daunting all of this feels. This wasn’t just some spur of the moment kidnapping. This is a full business, running behind the scenes, forcing girls to work here. They must have targeted those who they thought wouldn’t be missed. And every other time, they must have been right.

  They made a mistake with me. There are people who will miss me, people who, even now, are probably seeking help. Carla and Emma won’t allow me to stay here for very long. I just have to be patient and wait for my chance.

  One way or the other, I will get out of here.

  Chapter Five: Reaper

  As Viper and I are looking over our weapons, making sure they’re in good condition and that we have enough bullets in case it does come down to a fight, my phone finally rings with a call from Thor. It’s been several hours since I last heard from him, and waiting has been incredibly hard. The only thing that keeps me from going over there myself is the knowledge that hacking a system isn’t an easy job.

  “Yo, Reaper,” Thor says in his deep, steady voice. “I’ve managed to get enough information about their system to tell us where to go next. You good to hear it?”

  “Yeah,” I say, dropping the gun I’m handling. I grab the pen and notepad I’ve had sitting next to me for hours in anticipation of this call. “Shoot.”

  “You know the big mansion on the outskirts?” Thor asks.

  I know the one he’s talking about, of course. The mansion is closed to the public, but it always seems to be roaring with activity. My father and I have long suspected that it’s either home to a drug cartel or a brothel, but we’ve never bothered to confirm. As long as they left us alone, what others did with their time was not our concern.

  I’m starting to regret that now.

  “Yeah, I know the place,” I say slowly.

  “Turns out that it’s definitely a brothel like you suspected,” Thor says, and I hear him clicking on his computer. “But there’s more to it than that. Chains is involved in sex trafficking. He takes girls from the club, ones that won’t be missed, and takes them to this place. From there, they either remain at the brothel as stars, or they’re bought by private buyers and taken away.”

  The idea is so horrifying that, for a moment, I have no idea what to say. To think that all this has been going on behind our backs. How the fuck did Chains get so powerful that he had these kinds of connections?

  “Are you serious?” I finally demand. “How many girls has he taken there?”

  “I don’t have that information yet,” Thor says. “If I dig deeper, I can figure it out. What do you want me to do?”

  My mind races through the possibilities. Having the names of all the victims might be helpful when we eventually confront Chains. As big and tough as the man acts, he’s a coward at heart, and he’ll turn tail the moment we present him with evidence of his wrongdoings. But we’ll get that information eventually. I’m not planning on leaving Night Pleasures in Chains’s hands for much longer. We’ll create a solid plan and take it right from under his nose.

  Of course, going in now to rescue Kyra will put that back slightly. Chains will become suspicious, and he’ll be on guard for further attacks or rescue attempts. Yet, the thought of leaving her there when we have a chance at rescuing her leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I have no intention of leaving her behind. And, for that, I need everyone with me.

  “Leave it for now. We can get that data later,” I say. “Thor, I’m going to need you with me when we breach the mansion. Get back here, and we’ll get ready to go.”

  “Aye-aye, captain,” Thor says in gruff amusement before hanging up.

  Tex, Viper, Thor, Fury, and me—we’re not a large group, but I hope we’ll be enough to rescue just one woman and get her back to her daughter.

  “We almost ready to move?” Viper asks, looking up.

  “We’ll wait for Thor to join us,” I say with a nod. “Then we’ll head out. It’s getting late. Hopefully, we’ll be able to move in the shadows without much notice.”

  “Do you think it’ll be as easy as that?” Viper asks.

  I think of Chains and the type of people he would associate with. I grimace.

  “Probably not.”

  ********

  When Thor arrives, I gather everyone. Thor stands head and shoulders above everyone else, but even still, our small group looks almost pitiful, considering we’re about to infiltrate what could be the stronghold of one of our nastiest ex-members.

  It’s with no small amount of irony that I remember my promise to the club that we were going fully legit from now on. No more running from the cops, and no more breaking the law. Yet, here we are, planning a break and enter. It’s definitely for a good cause, but I’m not certain that excuse will fly if we get caught.

  The drive to the mansion is quiet as we all reflect on what we need to do. The mansion, when it comes into view, is even more beautiful and expansive up close, and it’s hard to believe that it hides such a vile poison behind its walls. I can see several cars parked out front, likely belonging to men or women who have come to be serviced.

  I know my father dabbled in prostitution as a side business when he first started, but he had, thankfully, let that go by the time I joined. I’ve always been uncomfortable at the thought of owning a club that offers that sort of service, though I have a high amount of respect for the women who choose to work in those places. They’re giving up a lot of themselves for many different reasons.

  But that’s the difference here, isn’t it? Some of the people inside this building did not choose this profession. Some of them, including the woman who we’ve come to find, have been forced here against their will. That’s no longer prostitution as a career. That’s when prostitution becomes slavery.

  “We want to be in and out as quickly as possible,” I say as I pull into a shadowed area and turn to look at the three guys squashed in the back. “But while we’re there, take note of the place. We’ll be back to close it down for good in the near future if it’s really what we think it is. Thor, can you get any connectivity from here?”

  “None,” Thor huffs, tucking his phone into his pocket and scowling. “I’d need to get closer.”

  “We’ll come back when it’s safer,” I promise. “For now, we need to get in, find Kyra, and get out. We need to try not to get caught. We’ll split up. Keep your phones on si
lent but stay alert for any messages. As soon as you find her, message the others, and we’ll all leave. Got it?”

  The four of them nod. It’s these guys who I trust to have my back, no matter what situation I might find myself in. But today isn’t about fighting. Today is recon only.

  “alright, let’s go,” I say.

  We parked beside a massive beech tree that has long branches hanging over the wall. Quickly, we scale it and drop down soundlessly on the other side. From there, we split up across the grounds, keeping to the shadows.

  On my own now, I reach the building and look up. There’s an open window beside me, but I don’t trust it. An open window means that someone might either be in there now or might plan to return. Unfortunately, there aren’t many options for getting into the building.

  I can hardly stroll in through the front door. I grit my teeth. If there wasn’t the chance, however minute, that Chains might be here to recognize me, I could have tried to go undercover, but there is that chance, so the window is my best option.

  Thankfully, the room beyond is empty for now, though the room is washed in dim, sultry light, immediately telling me what will be going on here soon. I heave myself through the window, sourly thinking that I’m better suited for punching things than gymnastics. I drop to the ground as soon as I’m free, trying to listen to the world around me over the pounding of my heart.

  There’s no movement behind the door just yet. Glancing around the room to make sure there aren’t any cameras, I hurry across to the door and slide it open a crack. The ornately decorated corridor beyond is completely empty, which is a stroke of extreme luck. Then I notice a camera, which is currently pointed away from me, and curse, pulling back just as it slowly turns back toward me, directing its beam at the door I’m hiding behind.

  It makes sense that there would be cameras. Cautiously, I peer out. It looks like there’s only one, which is scanning the entire corridor in a lazy back and forth oscillation. I quickly count beneath my breath as it swings back. It takes ten seconds to swing around, and then it holds its position for thirty seconds. So the moment it clears the door, I have thirty seconds to get out of here. There’s a door at the end of the corridor, beyond which I can hear movement. If I can get there, I can slip out and, hopefully, blend in with the crowd.

  I draw in a deep breath and wait as the camera jolts and slowly starts to move, counting the seconds as it faces away from me and the door at the end of the corridor. As soon as it stops, I slip out of the room and run, hoping that the camera doesn’t pick up sound.

  I reach the door just as the camera begins to swing around again. I open it as far as I dare and slip out, snapping it closed behind me.

  Step one complete, it seems. I sigh in relief and turn to face the room.

  “What the—” I can’t help saying, taken aback.

  It seems that I’ve stumbled into some sort of gathering. Groups and couples are sashaying around the floor. Many of the men are in suits and are fawning over young men and women in sheer outfits, apparently oblivious to the looks they are getting from others. Some of the girls in skimpy uniforms are serving drinks around the area.

  It makes me highly uncomfortable, but I blend in with the crowd, turning my eyes away. From here, it looks like everything is fine, but I honestly don’t know how many of these prostitutes have been forced to be here.

  “Nothing taking your fancy?”

  I pause in my trip around the room and turn my head. The man who has spoken to me is tall and lithe. His blonde hair is styled over his forehead, and he’s smiling in amusement, holding a glass of whiskey in his hand.

  “No,” I grunt, hoping he will take the hint, but he just smiles wider. “What?”

  “You’re not the usual type I see here,” he muses, and I stiffen. “You look incredibly uncomfortable.”

  “I’m not the only one ignoring the floor,” I snap, narrowing my eyes. I’m not going to let some fucking snob get me caught. “You’re not looking either.”

  “But that’s because I’ve already got my prize,” he says triumphantly. “A rare jewel among the dull, boring rocks. Unfortunately, she won’t start until tomorrow. They’re training her upstairs. I’ve already bought her first session, and if I’m happy with her, I’ll take her with me.”

  That catches my attention. A woman that won’t start until tomorrow? It could be anyone, but Kyra only went missing last night. It makes sense that they wouldn’t start her straight away.

  “Good for you,” I say, looking away.

  I don’t stay to talk anymore. I’m sickened by how casually the man talks about buying another human being. If I get the chance, this entire place is going to burn to the fucking ground, I swear.

  It’s easy to slip away from the hall, and I find the stairs, a grand and sweeping staircase, easily enough. There are a few people scurrying around with sheets and mops, but I stride forward as though I belong here, and no one bothers me.

  This is easier than I had expected. The hard part will be finding Kyra. I get an idea as a man makes to rush past me, broom in hand.

  “Excuse me, I’m looking for the new girl,” I say in a tone that brooks no arguments. “I’ve been sent to discuss things with her.”

  I see his expression momentarily twist in distaste before a resigned look comes over him.

  “Third floor, the locked door next to the study,” he says curtly and hurries away.

  A locked door will be no issue. I send a quick message off to my clubmates, telling them that I think I know where Kyra is and to stand by. I have no idea where any of them are, but I haven’t heard anyone raising the alarm yet.

  The third floor is just as lavish as the first, a beauty that covers the ugliness of its purpose. I hear a sound up ahead, and I look up to see a woman backing out of a room and locking it securely, looking satisfied. I wait until she’s gone before I hurry forward, noticing the open room next to it.

  A locked room next to a study? Check. Hopefully, this is it.

  A long time ago, my father taught me how to pick locks. While not the most honest skill, it has served me well over the years, getting me out of more than one pinch. Now I’ll use that skill to rescue someone.

  It doesn’t take me long to get it open and, when it’s unlocked, I slip inside. The room is empty and dim, lit only by a dull light overhead. The only thing in the room is a lump huddled in the corner, curled up so tightly that I almost mistake it for a bundle of clothes.

  Then it shifts, and I freeze.

  “Kyra?” I ask.

  The figure jolts and looks up. It’s definitely Kyra. I recognize her features from the brief looks we’ve exchanged in the hall, both of us too much in a hurry to do more than nod. This is the first time that I’ve really taken a look at her.

  It’s clear that she’s had better days. Her face is haggard and set in a scowl, and her hair, still full of glittery pins from work the night before, is a mess. On top of that, her makeup is starting to run.

  But her eyes are what catch my attention. Blue and piercing, they seem to look straight through me, deep with anger and determination. This is not a woman that has given up, and the ferocity of her expression momentarily takes my breath away.

  Then I shake myself. Now isn’t the time to stare.

  “Kyra, you need to come with me,” I say, striding forward.

  I should have expected her reaction. She bears her teeth, looking almost savage. But I’m taken off guard when she explodes into action, throwing herself at me in careless abandon. She has no form, and her attack is wild, but if I hadn’t already been tense and ready for anything, she might have taken me off guard.

  “Don’t think I’ll be going anywhere with you, asshole!” she snarls.

  Shit, she thinks I’m the man who has bought her. I try to fend off her attacks, wincing as her nails catch my cheek. I try to explain that I’m here to help her, but she isn’t listening. I have no idea what she’s gone through in the last twenty-four hours, but I can se
e the instinct to fight for her survival in her eyes. She’s fighting with every bit of free will she has.

  It’s awe-inspiring, yes, but not helpful right now, especially when I’m concerned about anyone passing by and hearing us fighting. The last thing I need is to get myself caught by the woman I’ve come to save.

  As such, sending her a silent apology, I wrap my arm around her and tighten my grip in a sleeper hold. She gasps and scrabbles at my arms, but it isn’t long before her struggles weaken. Then she slumps in my arms, unconscious.

  I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. That definitely could have gone better. Hopefully, she won’t be too angry at me when she wakes up.

  For now, though, I need to concentrate on getting out of here. I send a message to the other four and haul Kyra over my shoulder. Getting out of here is going to be the hardest part because I can’t exactly go unnoticed with her unconscious on my shoulder.

  Then my phone buzzes with a message from Viper.

  Where are you? Found a ladder. Any use?

  I grin. Looks like there’s a way down, after all.

  Chapter Six: Kyra

  It’s the second time I’ve woken up in an unfamiliar environment, but I can’t help but note that I’m lying on something soft this time. I slightly move my head. I’ve covered in a warm blanket, and the material under me feels a little rough, like the covering of a couch.

  Then my memory returns, and I panic. I remember the man who came into the room, trying to take somewhere with him. I hadn’t thought he was coming until the next day, so his presence caught me off guard. I tried to fight him, but he proved to be far too strong for me.

  I have no idea where I am now, and I fear what will happen when I open my eyes. Am I in another room in the building? I feel like I’m going to be sick.

  “Hey, are you okay?” a familiar voice asks quietly.