There’s more to her story, I thought. I wanted to know what it was. I wanted to know what led a woman to live a life like that, to have eyes that had hardened into stone. I wanted to know what her heart was like, if it was still alive, beating under that rough exterior.
I’d held her gaze for two seconds too long. Just long enough to let her know I saw her.
I couldn’t help but wonder if she saw me, too? If she saw that I wasn’t the kind of man that would actually traffic girls? What did my eyes reveal to her, I wondered? Did she see the glimmer that told her I was a real man?
I could hear Nate’s admonishment without him even being in the room with me — Why did I even care?, he’d ask.
He’d tell me to stop thinking about her. To let it go.
But for some reason, falling asleep to the sound of Fury snoring again, that proved to be impossible for the second night in a row.
Sophia walked around in my dreams all night long, shooting through the windows of my mind like a shot gun blast of darkness that blocked out the sun.
CHAPTER 17
GRACE
I waved goodbye to Ryder as Eli pulled the SUV from the parking space. With another suitcase full of money at my feet, this transaction was so far going as smoothly as the last. Snake was eager to take my money again and when I told him I wanted five more women, he seemed pleased.
But something felt different this time.
I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but maybe it was just me. Perhaps I was just off myself. I’d spent two days hanging out in the hotel room with Ryder and the other guys, waiting for Snake to get back to me. He’d taken his time to call back and I was beginning to think he wouldn’t call back at all, when the phone finally rang and he eagerly agreed to see me the next day.
In the meantime, I couldn’t get those women out of my head. Every hour that passed without me getting them out was one more hour of hell that they were forced to endure. Now that I was aware of them, they’d become my responsibility.
“Can I ask you a question?” Eli asked, as he drove to Snake’s clubhouse.
“Of course.”
“Maybe this is stupid, but why don’t you just call the cops? Turn Snake’s club in and get those girls out all at once?”
“Do you know what would happen if the cops bust in there?”
“No,” he replied.
“They’d take Snake and his club members to jail. If there were john’s there at the time, they’d let them go with a citation and a court date. Then they’d arrest all the women over eighteen for solicitation. If they’re younger than that, maybe they’ll get put in a foster home that they may or not continue being abused in. Or, if they have a home to return to, they’ll go back. That’s one scenario.”
“What’s the other?”
“The other is the cops will be real happy to be informed of the new amusement park that they can go play in.”
“Jesus.”
“Yeah.”
Silence fell over us and I glanced over at him.
“It’s bleak, Eli, I know it is. I started out as a cop. Wide-eyed, innocent, naive as hell — I believed in the justice system. But as time went on, as I saw the corruption and just how deep it goes, I began to see things clearly. The reality is that the victims get caught up in the system just as much, if not more, in cases of domestic violence and sex trafficking, than the criminals do. It’s not fair.”
“I know what you mean,” he said, his voice sad. “My dad killed a man. His brother. His twin brother. But he was trying to save his girlfriend. It should have been clear-cut self-defense, but instead, he’s serving life behind bars. Life isn’t fair.”
“Not, it’s not,” I said, looking out the window. It was another dark and rainy night, just another shiny wet evening in a string of endless identical nights in the Pacific Northwest. After a while, with rain like this, you just stop noticing it. Kind of like life. You can easily forget how horrible it is, even when it’s pouring down on you. I guess anyone can get used to anything.
“What do you think of Sophia?” Eli asked.
“Sophia? Snake’s old lady?”
“Yeah,” he replied. “Why do you think she’s there? She seems so out-of-place to me.”
I shrugged, thinking about the woman with the big hair and fake smile.
“I don’t know,” I said. “She looks like she has the freedom to come and go as she pleases, but you never know in a situation like that. I’d imagine Snake keeps her on a pretty short leash, for the most part. Men like that usually like to be in control.”
“So you think she’s a victim, too?”
“I didn’t say that,” I said. “But I guess she could be. She’s well aware of what’s going on, though. If she’s a victim of Snake’s, it doesn’t mean she’s not complicit, too.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Eli said. “I just wonder if maybe she needs help, too.”
“If Sophia asked me for help, I wouldn’t hesitate to help get her out of there.”
Eli nodded, his expression thoughtful and somber as we pulled up to the compound. The dogs ran to the gate, barking a vicious, familiar chorus that echoed off the tall concrete buildings behind them while we parked.
We stepped up to the fence, hit the button and waited for Snake to appear.
****
Picking the women was even harder this time. Some pleaded with me to take them. Others just stared me down, almost daring me to choose them. I hated that I had to go slow. I wasn’t sure how long I could keep up this charade or buying a only a few at a time, but I knew Snake wouldn’t give them all to me at once because that would wipe out his entire business. Sure, up front cash was easy money but a dependable, ongoing income stream was important, too.
If I took all of the girls, he would have nothing to offer his clients.
Which sounded fucking fantastic to me, and I couldn’t wait to shut him down completely. If I went too fast, however, anything could happen.
He could get suspicious and stop doing business with me.
He could relocate the girls…or worse. Eliminate them completely.
There were certainly enough guns in this place to do just that…
So, I was balancing a thin line here. I couldn’t move too slowly or too quickly. I had to make him think he was in charge, that he was the one benefiting the most from this scenario.
Tonight, I chose five girls who looked the youngest, hoping the other victims could survive a few more days. They’d come this far. It was the younger ones that were more vulnerable, the easier to break. I needed to save them first.
The five I chose stared me down defiantly, but I didn’t miss the hint of curiosity in their eyes, either. I couldn’t wait to get them alone in the car and tell them who I really was, to see the look of relief wash over their faces. But for now, I was just another monster in a long line of monsters looking to make a profit off of their bodies and pain.
Of course they looked at me like that.
“Let’s go,” I said, doing my best to retain my hard demeanor. This time, Sophia led the way out and Snake came with us. They walked us out as if it was the most natural thing in the world, as if we were leaving a party and they were the gracious hosts sending us off into the night.
I glanced over at Eli as we walked towards the exit gate together silently. His eyes were darting back and forth over to Sophia, who I noticed was watching him from the corner of her eye as she walked next to him. I had no idea what was going on there, but this was no time to think about it. These girls were literally steps away from freedom.
I’d already given the suitcase full of cash to Snake and there was nothing left to do but walk out of the gate. Rain poured down around us, falling in puddles at our feet.
A commotion to my right caught my eye and I watched as Sophia stumbled in her heels, landing painfully on her knees. Eli was right next to her and he leaned down immediately, his arms going around her to steady her.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his vo
ice thick with concern.
“Yes, these damned heels,” she murmured, struggling to get to her feet. Eli pulled her up by her hand and she stood on shaky feet, staring up into his eyes. A second passed. And then another. Eli’s eyes were glued to Sophia’s and her hand was still in his.
I cleared my throat just as Snake stepped in.
“What the fuck, dude?” Snake growled, as Eli took a step back, his hands falling to his sides. I cringed, holding my breath, waiting for Snake’s reaction.
“S-s-sorry,” Eli stuttered, shaking his head. His eyes were clouded in confusion.
“Keep your starry fucking eyes to yourself, boy! And if you lay another hand on my old lady, you’ll be picking your severed fingers off the ground, you hear me?”
“Sorry, Snake,” Eli muttered, looking away. “I didn’t mean…”
“It’s fine, Snake!” Sophia cried. “For fuck’s sake, he was just helping me up, don’t be such a fucking Neanderthal, babe.”
Snake grunted, his eyes flashing in anger that he was thankfully controlling.
“Eli, get the girls out of the rain and in the vehicle, please.”
“Of course,” he said, running out of the gate and opening the doors. The girls got in and I turned back to Snake.
“Great doing business with you, Snake,” I said. “So far, so good. I’ll be back for more in a few days, if that’s okay?”
He looked at me stoically, his eyes raking over me as he slowly began to shake his head.
“I don’t know, Grace,” he said. “I think we’re done here.”
“Done?” I asked, my heart sinking.
“Yeah,” he replied, turning and walking away.
“Why, Snake?”
He stopped and looked over his shoulder.
“I can’t afford to give up any more of my girls. I got what I wanted out of the deal. Nice to meet you, Grace. Thanks for the cash. See ya around sometime, maybe. Sophia? Come on.”
“Um, I just gotta get something out of my car, babe, I’ll be right there.” She turned to me and shrugged. “See ya, Grace. Take care.”
“You, too,” I said, turning back to watch Snake walk away with dread. I wasn’t ready yet. I needed so much more time. And it was so much easier this way. If Snake wouldn’t let me take the girls the easy way, then we’d have to do it the hard way and that only put everyone involved in danger.
I knew one thing.
I was going to get every single one of those girls out of there if it was the last thing I did.
I hopped in the front seat and turned to face five pairs of expectant eyes.
“My name’s Grace and I work for an organization called Solid Ground. You’re safe now…”
CHAPTER 18
SOPHIA
Snake was fucking crazy.
I hadn’t seen him go off on someone like that in a long time. He was crazy and he was also mistaken. Eli was just helping me up, that’s all. It was the right thing for him to have done, the gentlemanly thing, unlike what Snake did, which was nothing.
I was mortified. I’d be embarrassed if I had to face them again, but since Snake told them he was done with them, luckily I wouldn’t have to.
I hadn’t trusted them anyway, I thought, as I pulled my gym bag from the trunk of my car. I slung it over my shoulder and shut the trunk, before turning and heading back towards the gate.
Grace’s SUV was still parked in front of the gate. The girls were in the back and Grace and Eli were in the front. They didn’t see me approaching, as Grace was turned in her seat talking to the girls. The driver’s side window was open and I could hear them talking.
“Wait, who are you?” one of the girls asked.
“You’re safe, I promise. We’re going to take care of you. We’ll explain everything when we get to the safe house.”
My eyes widened as the SUV pulled away from the curb, leaving me standing with my mouth open in the rain. Quickly, I pulled my cell phone from my purse and ran back to my car. I started it up and called Snake.
“Babe, Ma just called. She fell in her bath tub and I’m going to run over to help her.” I put the car into gear and followed behind Eli and Grace.
“Do you need me to come with you?” Snake asked.
“No, I got it, no worries,” I said. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Okay, babe,” he said. “I’m headed to bed. See you soon. Take care of her.”
“I will.” I said, hanging up the phone, as I turned on my wipers. The rain was heavy tonight but at least the streets weren’t too crowded. I turned onto 82nd Avenue and spotted Eli’s SUV up ahead. Staying a few cars behind, I followed them to a hotel parking lot. I pulled in, staying out of sight as much as possible. I knew something was weird and hearing Grace’s words only enforced that.
I wasn’t sure what these two were up to, but I suspected they weren’t who they said they were.
Hidden in my car, I watched as they parked and got out of the car and headed into the hotel. After waiting a few minutes, a motorcycle roared past me. I watched as the rider parked it and jumped off, pulling off his helmet.
I gasped when I saw it was Nate, the man Grace had brought with her the first time, the one she said she had to fire. If he was fired, what was he doing at the same hotel as her?
He walked inside and disappeared.
I contemplated my next move. Should I go inside? I couldn’t risk them seeing me and the chances of that happening went up exponentially as soon as I got out of my car. It was an exercise in patience, but I didn’t have to wait too long.
Twenty minutes later, the women Grace had taken exited the hotel with her and two other women I’d not seen before. They’d changed clothes and were smiling. I watched as each of the five women gave Grace a hug and then boarded the van. The other two women hugged Grace before getting in and driving off.
She stood there a minute, looking after them before walking around the front of the hotel. She was alone now and headed towards the back parking lot.
I grabbed my purse and hopped out of my car, following her at a good distance, keeping a close eye on her to make sure she didn’t turn around and spot me.
I had no idea what I intended to do. I just wanted information.
And this was the only way I knew how to get it.
CHAPTER 19
GRACE
Guilt wrapped itself around my heart and wouldn’t let go. Despite the fact that I’d managed to get eight of the victims out, there were still so many left behind. As far as I was concerned, even one left behind is too many. I watched the van take off, knowing these women were in good hands with Frankie and Lacey. They were strong, capable women and I knew they’d take care of them and make sure they were safe back at the clubhouse.
The rain had finally let up, so I took advantage of the situation and walked around the hotel property, taking big, deep, cleansing breaths, doing my damnedest to shake these feelings that were gripping me.
I needed to think clearly now. There would be time for feelings and all of that stuff later. But now, I needed to figure out another way to get in there.
I was pretty sure my charm had lost its luster in Snake’s eyes at this point. If he wasn’t going to let me in the front door with a suitcase full of cash, then I was going to have to go in the back door with a little firepower.
Gazing up at the moon, I couldn’t help but draw strength from it. I’d gotten this far, accomplished this much, I couldn’t let anything stop me now. Somehow, some way, I’d get those girls out of there.
This is what I do, I thought. This is my job. This is our job.
I wasn’t alone. Together, Solid Ground would do what it does best: rescue those who needed it.
I walked over to a patch of trees that lined the property, running my hands along the trunks of the pines, inhaling their heavy perfume. It reminded me of home. I missed home. This job was taking a little longer than I’d thought it would, and I missed my own bed.
Who was I to complain, th
ough? My life was amazing.
I had no room for complaints.
I sighed heavily, my heart hurting for those women. What were they doing now? It was getting late. The party was probably just getting in full swing now at Snake’s compound. I cringed when I thought about the night that still lay ahead for them.
Enough wallowing in my own bullshit, I thought. I needed to get back upstairs and consult with the Gods, figure out how and when we were going to get back in there.
I turned away from the trees just as I saw a glint of metal reflecting off the street light overhead. The blow landed on the side of my head with a heavy thump and I fell to the ground, the shimmering lights swimming overhead disappearing until there was nothing left but darkness.
CHAPTER 20
SOPHIA
I didn’t mean to hurt her. Well, yeah, I pulled my gun out of my purse, but I certainly wasn’t going to shoot her. Like I said, I just wanted answers.
Now, instead of answers, I had a passed out blonde at my feet that I was sure was being missed by someone who would probably come looking for her any moment. Nate and Eli, to begin with. They hadn’t left with the girls. As far as I knew they were still in the hotel.
“Grace!” I called, nudging her with my stiletto. She didn’t budge.
“Shit…,” I muttered, looking around behind me. We were on the edge of the parking lot, out of sight for the most part. My car was pretty far away, and I certainly couldn’t drag her there. I was strong, but I wasn’t that strong.
I thought about calling an ambulance, but what would I say?
My hands were shaking as I looked down at her. I leaned down and called her name again.
“Grace!” I cried, pushing her shoulder. Her head rolled to the side and I pushed her hair out of her face. “Grace, come on, wake up!”
I heard a door open and close behind me and the sound of an engine starting up. I looked behind me and saw a car pulling out of a parking space. They drove by without pausing and I breathed a sigh of relief.
SAVING GRACE: GODS OF CHAOS MC (BOOK SIX) Page 10