"It doesn't matter baby because now he'll be staying with us."
The smile she gave me made me wish I could fight all her demons at once, fuck. How could one human being own another so completely without any effort at all? I stole a quick kiss before being addressed by Maurice.
"Intel coming in boss you want it now or when we're alone?"
"What is it?" He smiled wide and I knew. I walked off leaving the two of them whispering while she checked him over like a mother hen.
"First four houses cleared, working on the last now and transporting in about two hours after that; don't want to sit on it too long." Damn that was quick, it seems the men hadn’t waited much longer after they’d landed to get to work. It helped that the men already in place had pretty much set shit up, but the ex-mercenaries I’d sent in knew their shit so I shouldn’t be surprised. I’d chosen them specifically for their prowess in this area after all.
"Safe house set up and ready boss?"
"Yep everything's in place Gage."
Gage took over the briefing from there. "We have the contact info for the parents ready and now with this new info from the kid looks like our job was just made easier." Yeah everything was coming together nicely, it’s about fucking time something was going right for the good guys. This was only the beginning though, there was still a fuck load of shit to do.
"I guess the bastard gets to live after all then." I hadn't really been sure of what I was going to do but Gage was right. With the photos and diary Jason had given us it wouldn't be too hard to prove to the American public that the senator and his cohorts were guilty as sin.
"Can we authenticate the pics, make sure they can't cry foul?"
"Stefan just did that while you three were having your little family reunion." The fucker had the nerve to smirk at me.
"Cute." While we'd been chatting Ashley and Jason had been playing catch up. One of the guys came in with food, which was a good idea since the kid looked like he hadn't eaten in days.
I put Blossom in a chair and whispered in her ear. I'd guessed correctly that Jason was full of pride and wouldn't touch a morsel but I knew if she enticed him to he would. He started digging in as she picked at a croissant on her plate peppering the poor guy with questions. He seemed more interested in pissing me off though as his next words proved.
"I can't stay here, thanks for the offer but I'm no charity case."
"Don't be stupid kid; this isn't about charity, you did me a service and now I'm repaying you. Besides, I'm sure it would make my wife very happy if you stayed here with us and that's my only concern. Look at it as a favor to her if you'd like."
That's all I was going to say on the matter, I'd told him the truth Blossom wouldn't be happy now unless she knew where her friend was after finding him again after all this time. And even if she hasn't yet figured out that he's been living on the streets I have and I just couldn't let that shit go on. He was as much a victim of these twisted fucks as her and the others. If she wanted him here then here’s where the fuck he was going to stay. I’m pretty sure if he’d had a safe place to go in the first place he wouldn’t have been on the streets.
"What's this safe house Gideon?"
Shit, I was hoping she'd been too preoccupied to hear that little bypass, no such luck. "Nothing for you to worry about baby." She pouted my way but kept still. I've noticed that she never contradicted me in front of others, no she saved that shit for when we were alone so I was sure I hadn't heard the end of it.
I needed to go over all the stuff Jason had brought with him but I didn't want to do it with her in the room. I had shuffled everything back into the envelope before she came into the room, I didn’t want her hurting anymore than she already was over this shit. With things moving though we needed to get on the ball, I didn’t want her anywhere near it but I didn't want to send her away either, shit.
"Babe we're going to go into the inner office you and Jason stay out here and catch up okay." I kissed her once more before heading in the direction of the office not giving her a chance to answer. The office was just right through the door so I could still see and hear them.
My guys were right behind me. Gone were the easy smiles and laid back manner, in their place was disgust and anger.
"It must be said, these fuckers need to die." Maurice sneered at the evidence I pulled out once again.
The pictures laid out on the table were of the senator and the doctor. Some were in Ashley's bedroom when she was very young some were of the two men with other young children in pretty much the same positions. What was most incriminating though was the detailed diary of one Keith Starks. This coupled with the recordings my security team had made of Starks and Sanders after I'd taken Ashley was more than enough evidence to put the men away. I took the photos of my wife and locked them away. I don't know what if anything I'd do with them in the future but I knew I didn't want her involved in whatever was going to befall these fuckers, it might be a pipe dream but it's what I wanted.
Some of the pictures weren't too incriminating taken on their own, but couple them with the fact that all of the featured kids were now missing and that was a strong indication of wrongdoing. Not to mention the ones where the surgeon general had his hands in some very inappropriate places on these young girls' bodies while the senator was in attendance. Pretty hard to explain that shit away. I wonder how the fuck Starks had got his hands on this shit but at this point it really didn’t matter.
My gut burned with anger as I thought of the story those pictures told. She was so fucking young and innocent. In some of the earlier ones she’d looked terrified. Shake it off Gideon get the job done, the sooner you do that the sooner you can get to work on healing her.
"So we've decided on the press first?" The question drew me back from my musings.
"Yes Maurice, I have my contact ready all we need to do is forward the info. This is even better than what we had before; we'll call it trial by the public. When the public gets hold of this there wouldn't be a court anywhere that wouldn't throw the book at these monsters.
"They're gonna want to interview the victims and all that shit, you know these fucks are fucked up in their own way too." Gage had a point but I’d already put some stipulations in place. My contact at the station knew I was sitting on something hot that involved a high flying official but she didn’t know who or what. She took my word on it because she knew I wasn’t one to fuck around. I had to make sure that these kids who’d already been victimized weren’t going to be treated like commodities for some news channel so I’d done all that I could to safeguard them.
"I already told Carla that if she handles this the way I want she'd get first dibs whenever the kids are ready to talk. Her bosses are gonna have to cough up some dough too, I'm gonna see that these kids get paid. I've already got Whistler on the ball to sue the senator and the doctor. Their families are gonna be pissed because I mean to see that these kids are compensated heavily for all that they've been through. Not that money can make up for this shit, but it will go a long way to getting them settled in society when they get older. Some of them are adults already and will be coming back to nothing, having to start over from scratch. And you can bet these fucks haven't been keeping up with educating their little play toys, fucking monsters. Plus with doctor bills and who knows what, we're talking millions."
"Take all their shit so they can't even afford a damn lawyer at the end of the day."
"I'll do my best Stefan."
“I’m going on record as saying you can’t do it boss, we end up having to take those fuckers before the feds get them you’ll burn ‘em.” Gage didn’t even break a smile as he made that very accurate assessment. It was true; I kept waffling back and forth on my decisions where their punishments were concerned. In the end it comes down to what’s best for my girl, it’s always gonna come down to that shit for me.
“I won’t take that bet either boss, I mean it’s gonna be hard enough for us if we come face to face with these fuck
s not to pull the trigger. If you want this to go down the American way you better let us handle it from here on out because there’s no fucking way I see you letting them walk otherwise.” I looked at Maurice after Stefan’s little speech to see if he had anything to add to the other two’s statements. He simply shrugged his shoulders and grinned. “It is what it is boss.”
“Good to know you guys have such faith in my ability to keep a cool head.” I was saying that shit but I knew they were right on the money. There was no guarantee that I’d let these fuckers live if we ever came face to face. They’d fucking put hands on what’s mine a man doesn’t take that shit lightly. “Lets put this shit away until we take care of the other thing first. Looks like we might have this thing cleaned up in a few days or less, good work guys thanks.” They all brushed off my thanks but I’m sure they knew what this shit meant to me.
Within thirty minutes we got word that the first rescue mission had gone off without a hitch and the rescued were on a private jet with hand picked staff on their way here. The safe house was one of my properties in the country. I had a doctor on hand to look over them and there was a trained staff on hand whom I'd had to let in on what was going on. These were people I'd dealt with for years so I didn’t worry about shit going wrong, besides with dad overseeing everything I was guaranteed that things would go smoothly. I’d done all I could now it was time to end this shit.
"I think we’ll bring the senator and the doctor in after we’ve seen the rescued children. We might as well have a little reunion before I throw them to the jackals." Yes I wanted to look them in the face and let them know who it was that had fucked them and why. That was for her, I needed them to know that though the asshole had been willing to throw her away like garbage there was now someone in her life who valued her above all else.
"Please tell me we're gonna get to fuck them up before we hand them over."
I didn't answer just smirked at Gage and the others.
Chapter 31
I got Jason settled in a room upstairs while Blossom fussed around him making sure his every need was met.
"That's enough Blossom I don't think he needs four blankets and don't try lifting that chair again."
"Yeah about that, I meant to ask earlier Ash but got sidetracked; what the heck happened to you anyway?"
"It was an accident." She brushed it off with a slight wave of the hand, I'm sure she didn't want to get into it with him not on his first day back; smart and considerate.
"There's something else I didn't tell you." From the wide grin on her face I knew what was coming next.
"What's that?" He was testing the mattress and looking around the room; probably checking for an escape route.
She reached back and took my hand before answering him.
"We're having a baby." She looked at him expectantly almost as if expecting to be rebuffed. I saw the flash of surprise that was quickly covered before he smiled at us.
"Congratulations Ashley. Man time sure does fly huh you're married and about to become a mom, that's cool." I felt a little sorry for the kid; there was no doubt that he had a slight crush on my wife. I'm not sure if it was a good thing or not that she hadn't a clue.
"Come on baby, let's let Jason get settled in, you have everything you need kid?"
"Sure I'm cool, can I grab a shower?"
"You have your own private bath right through there kid you don't need to ask; you already know where the kitchen is if you get hungry."
"Just so you know I eat a lot." He said it jokingly but I'd already seen the truth in his words. The boy had eaten two omelets and toast with home fries for breakfast, not to mention the pint of juice he'd put away.
"We can afford to feed you not to worry." I led Blossom from the room without trying to be too obvious that I was in a hurry. The guys were waiting for me so that we could head to the safe house. I wasn't taking her with me, not this time anyway. Two members of my security team will be here to keep an eye on her, and now Jason was in the house as well. I must admit to feeling a little better knowing the kid was in the house. He’d be able to keep her out of my hair while I did what needed to be done.
"Baby I need to leave for a bit, I need you to stay here until I return okay."
"Where're you going?" I looked down at her; so innocent and openly trusting, how could I lie to that face?
"We're expecting some of the rescued children to be arriving in a few hours. I need to go make sure everything is in place."
"I want to go." I was expecting this and as much as I hated to disappoint her in anyway there was no help for it this time.
"No way babe, I have no idea what shape they're in and I don't want you exposed to anything until I'm sure it's safe. Some of these kids have been held captive for years so who knows what damage has been done psychologically. Maybe in a few days when I'm sure it's safe for you and the baby I'll take you there but for now I want to keep you as far away from all of this as possible."
"You can't protect me from what I already know Gideon. Don't you think I've imagined the worst after finding out about the others? I have; I'm just glad you were able to save some of them and hope you get to them all." Her little face had gone sad.
"We're working on it baby." I pulled her in for a hug. There's no way I'm telling her that some of them hadn't made it. We’d traced one little girl that had been brutalized by a monster who had paid top dollar for the privilege of deflowering a five year old. She'd suffered internal damages and bled to death as a result of his attentions. I'm trying to track this particular specimen down as we speak. Two of the others had been used in underground snuff films. We’d already found and dealt with the sick fucks involved in that debacle. It wasn't easy linking these people to their crimes since out of necessity they were very secretive, but sometimes we got lucky and once we pulled a string the whole ball of wax unraveled.
We had to move fast because we weren't sure how connected the network was and we didn't want anyone tipping off anyone else. My men on the ground have been working tirelessly trying to get done in a matter of days what it usually took weeks or sometimes months to accomplish. That’s what happens when you paid top dollar, though I was sure money wasn’t their only motivation. Even hardened criminals find it hard to stomach injustice against a child. I’ve been lucky enough to have the best working on this, men who knew what to look for and how to proceed. The deeper we dug the more horrifying it became. I would never expose her to those horrors. I'll take that shit to the grave. None of it will ever touch her not now not ever.
"So are you going to be my good girl and stay here while I go make sure everything is okay for them?"
"I guess so, I'll play around on the computer a bit, give poor Jason some time to rest. I don't think he had too much of that while on the streets; that's one more victim huh Gideon?" She had tears in her eyes my poor baby. I wasn’t too surprised that she'd figured it out after all but fuck, too damn smart.
"Just take it easy for me alright and I'll bring you back a treat."
It was times like this that I was reminded once more of her age because her eyes lit up and she hunched her shoulders as she grinned at me. So fucking cute.
"What are you gonna bring me?"
"Not sure yet but I'll think of something." Just then I remembered something else that I'd been working on before all this shit started. It could be considered more than a treat but as long as it puts a smile on her face what the fuck did I care?
Chapter 32
It wasn't easy leaving her back there. The way things were escalating so rapidly I wasn't sure what would happen next. The senator seems to be acting erratically according to the men I had following him. His little house of cards was tumbling down around him and as a businessman I know that makes for a very tense situation. He had more to worry about than a business deal gone sour however. He was facing a lifetime in jail if nothing else not to mention the public fallout, the embarrassment. A man in his position would go to very drastic measures to see
that that doesn't happen.
I couldn't help picking up the phone and calling her though we'd barely been gone ten minutes.
"What're you doing baby?" Her tinkling laugh helped sooth some of the rough edges.
"Gideon, you just left, I'm not doing anything I promise. Besides I'm feeling lazy I think I'll go back to sleep all this excitement has worn me out."
"You feeling okay, the baby's not making you sick is he?" I couldn’t make up my mind if we were having a boy or girl so instead of calling my kid ‘it’ I went back and forth on the sex. I hope that didn’t fuck the poor kid up when he or she finally got here. The fuck I know.
"Nope we're fine I'll just lay here and watch something until I go back to sleep then I'll go get Jason and we'll do something."
"Okay just make sure you both stay inside okay sweetheart?"
"Will do, um Gideon?"
"What is it sweetheart?"
I wasn't sure what the hesitance in her voice meant, or the way her voice had gone soft and sad.
"My dad."
I closed my eyes as I felt her pain; after all he'd done this precious girl still had the capacity to love him.
"I know Blossom I'm already on it; anything specific you needed me to do?"
"Blue, make sure he has a blue shirt it was his favorite color."
Fuck baby don't cry don't cry don't cry. I really needed to go make sure things are set for the rescued kids but if she started crying there was no way I'd leave her like that. She must've pulled herself together my brave girl because when next she spoke her voice was stronger.
"I'll see you when you get back I love you."
The Billionaire Page 18