Hunted

by Lourdes Skye

  Jace shook his head. “No, Cobra you can’t think like that. I’m sure your parents didn’t blame you. Hell, from what you told me, you did all you could do. You went above what a brother could do. You could’ve been killed.”

  Cobra nodded. “It was then that I went to the police academy and became a cop. I asked to be put in this division. I knew I had to try and put a stop to this trafficking shit, or at least bring as many down as my lifetime would allow.”

  Jace moved up and kissed Cobra’s lips. His arms tightened around him as he nestled his head down on his chest and closed his eyes.

  “It’s late babe, go to sleep,” Cobra whispered.

  Bright and early the next morning found Magee and McBride at the Vanderhuff residence. It seems, someone was slow getting the faxed documents to them. As they stood at the door Magee sighed, “I told you something wasn’t right with Vanderhuff. Fucking prick. I never even heard of no shit like this, Divorce on the grounds of Life Threatening Circumstances by Spouse. And get this, a Supreme Judge issued it. That Vanderhuff must be a pretty sick puppy for that to happen.”

  “I concede, you were right. I can’t wait to shove these papers in his face.”

  The door was finally opened by a guy they’d never encountered before. This guy was gorgeous. About 6’2,225 pounds warm brown hair and emerald green eyes. He looked to be in his early twenties. And sported his hair in that of a military cut.

  “Is Mr. Vanderhuff available?” Magee asked.

  The man gave him a once over before his gaze settled on McBride. He slowly undressed him with his eyes. Magee was a bit shocked that the man was so blatantly observing McBride in such a way.

  McBride swallowed nervously.

  “No, Mr. Vanderhuff isn’t available. As a matter of fact, he isn’t home at the present.”

  “And you are?”

  “Who’s asking?”

  Both cops flipped their badges.

  “As I said, he’s not here.”

  “When are you expecting him back? This is a matter of grave importance.”

  The guy shrugged. “I don’t keep tabs on him. I work security around here and that’s all.”

  “Do you know if he’s still in the state of Georgia?” McBride spoke up.

  “All I know is that he was tore up over his husband’s disappearance.”

  Magee smirked.

  “Do you find that humorous Detective? Or are you a homophobe?”

  That wiped the smirk off of his face fast. “First off Mr.—.”

  “Romanov, Ruslan Romanov.”

  “Mr. Romanov, I am not, now nor have I ever been homophobic. My partner here is gay and I love him to death. I was smiling because your boss is an asshole. I don’t know what he did to his husband to make the man leave, but from what I saw, I’m rooting for the husband. Now you claim to not know where he is. Fine but what we have here, are court ordered documents restraining him from any and all contact with Jace Reynolds. And yeah… and by the way, your boss is a single man. The court has granted Mr. Reynolds an immediate divorce.”

  Romanov’s brow went up at that bit of information.

  “Get the memo. Tell your boss to stay away from Mr. Reynolds or face jail time.” With those words, Magee strode back to the car. McBride lingered a moment more, then he too turned and left.

  Ruslan was left standing in the doorway with the package in his hand. Yes, he’d been aware of the abuse handed down by Vanderhuff to his husband. However his hands were literally tied. Octorian was his cousin on his mother’s side, and in charge of him since his parents had been in the plane and met the same fate as Octorian’s parents. He never really liked Octorian but his parents left him in charge of his welfare and his trust fund. He felt so bad for Jace when his cousin showed the crueler side of his nature. He’d witnessed countless times when Jace wasn’t home, that dear ole cousin would sneak in the pool boy. It was he, who helped Jace fake the spa treatments and instead go to the bank and withdraw money. His assistance had its limits due to Vince and the others, watchful eyes. He was glad to hear that the plan to leave had succeeded. Ruslan had warned Jace, “Don’t tell me where you’re going. Just in case Octorian should ever find out and torture me into revealing all I know.” Ruslan opened the door to Octorian’s office and laid the package on his desk. Man, he couldn’t wait till he turned 25, in a few months and received his inheritance. He was so outta here. As is, Octorian made him work security for every little morsel he received. Just three more months and he’d be free.

  They woke up to sunny skies. After another vigorous bout of loving, Cobra fixed breakfast and they ate on the balcony.

  “So, what time are you going to meet this Spike guy?”

  “Noon.” Cobra cocked his head to the side and stared at Jace.

  “What?”

  “Come here.” They stepped back into the house, into the living room. “I want to show you a few things. Just in case you ever find yourself in a tough spot.”

  “O-kay.”

  Cobra moved the furniture around. “Now come at me.”

  Clearing his throat, Jace put his hands up in a fighting stance as if he were going to punch Cobra. However when he attempted the move, Cobra ducked and spun him around in a head lock. They practiced several fighting techniques for the next two hours. Jace watched as Cobra toweled dry. Knowing that he was treading into dangerous grounds, Jace wanted to give him something to carry with him. Grabbing the end of the towel, Jace pulled him closer to the bed.

  The towel dropped onto the carpeted floor as Cobra’s erection stood out straight and thick. Jace rubbed his face on the hardened member before opening his mouth and taking him in. His big grey eyes stared up at Cobra as he milked him. Slowly his mouth explored his cock as he’d release with a pop, wildly licked the mushroom head, then savagely suck it back down. He took it as far as he could go, gagging on the head and covering him with throat cum. Oh god, Cobra loved that. Jace’s cheeks hallowed as his suction increased. His pretty lips looked so hot wrapped around his cock. Grabbing a handful of blond hair, Cobra thrust forward, fucking his face.

  “You want my load baby?”

  Jace’s head bobbed up and down.

  “Keep sucking it. Yeah, just like that. Oh fuck—your throat. Shit, here it comes cutie. Swallow it all!”

  Jace’s throat worked hard as it sucked and swallowed every single drop of bittersweet cum. And when he was done, he kissed the head gently. “Shit Jace, he managed as he tried to regulate his breathing; that blowjob almost knocked me unconscious.”

  Jace smiled. “Well that should hold you until tonight.”

  “That’ll certainly have me hurrying home.”

  Jace sat back watching Cobra finish dressing.

  “So, is Jonah and Travis trailing me to work?”

  “Uh, actually yes. Depending on what time I can get away from Spike, Barney and I may bring you home. You do have Barney’s number stored in your phone, right?”

  “Yes.”

  Cobra grabbed Jace off the bed and pulled him up to his chest. Brown eyes stared into grey ones. The kiss was slow and deep. Finally pulling away, he whispered, “I’ll see you later.”

  Jace didn’t trust his voice to speak, he simply nodded.

  By the time of Cobra’s arrival, Spike and Tyrone were already at said meeting place. “I was wondering if you’d make it,” Spike thrust his hand out. Cobra shook it and then repeated the gesture with the black man.

  “Nah, I told you my pockets are feeling the pressure of the streets. I need a gig right about now.”

  “Come, take a walk with me.” The three men walked and talked. “I know you said that you dealt in Push. What we do is a little different. As I told you, I’m looking for a security man. But in my business you‘ll need an iron stomach and the ability to keep your mouth shut. Trust is a must.”

  “Look, I need this job. You guys seem pretty straight up. I’ve got no love for the law. People gotta eat whichever way they can. You need my muscle,
I need your cash. It’s a perfect situation.”

  Spike smiled, “See, that’s why I like this guy. Real recognize real. He’s good peoples,” Spike punched his arm. They changed course and began walking towards the white Dodge.

  “What’s up?” Cobra asked.

  “Just going for a little ride.”

  Cobra wasn’t in the least bit nervous, he had his piece on him and Barney was in the car following two cars behind. They drove for all of twenty five minutes before parking in front of a three story brick brownstone. The pit of his stomach began to fill with bile. It was a known factor that traffickers picked areas such as this to set up shop. The last place that people would look for criminal activity to take place at, is in a multi-million dollar residential community. One thing he noticed right off was that the décor spoke volumes of what kind of profit their business was overturning.

  “Axl, come meet Cobra,” Spike called. Cobra turned just in time to see a hulk of a man coming down the hallway. Geez, he had to be almost seven feet tall. And the scar on his face definitely screamed, badass.

  Cobra put his hand out. Axl looked at it then at him. Slowly he reached out and grasped his hand in a firm handshake.

  “Axl, tell the cook to prepare dinner, a feast.” Turning to Cobra, he said, “Follow me.”

  They went into his office where Spike sat behind the big oak desk.

  “You got family here in the city?” Spike suddenly asked.

  Shaking his head, Cobra replied, “No. All my people are dead. I may have an uncle down south. I’m not really sure.”

  “My mother use to work Broadway, back in the day. More than half of what she made she had to give to her pimp. I swore I wouldn’t ever see that side of poverty again. I started out pretty much like you, hustling on the street. I got into this game about seven years ago. The head guy Ivan Nanchas had opened a house in the Bronx. He was importing and exporting merchandise internationally and across seas. I came in, pretty much like you as security. But I worked my way up and now, I’m running a house.”

  Cobra nodded but on the inside, he was dying to learn more about this house in the Bronx. Seven years ago, would be around the time of Ashley’s kidnapping and death. If he learned that these motherfuckers had a hand in his sister’s death, he just prayed he could remain professional and get the job done.

  “I’ve got no problem moving merchandise. As I told you, I’m not new to hustling,” Cobra spoke up.

  Spike nodded.

  Just then Tyrone broke out the glasses and cognac. “So, shall we have a toast to the new guy?”

  “I’m your man,” Cobra smiled.

  13

  Ah, someone is beaming,” Lydia teased.

  Jace smiled as he wiped down the bar.

  “Mm, that kind of look only comes from two things. Either you hit the lotto or you’ve had your back blown out.”

  Jace broke into a fit of laughter at her outrageousness. “Girl, you are so silly.”

  “Mm, silly but right. I don’t think you’ve won the lotto or you wouldn’t have come in to work. So—that leaves the back blown out.”

  Jace blushed.

  “Ohmygod, was it the sexy cop?”

  He nodded.

  “Damn, you gay guys get all the luck. The hot ones are always gay. I’m going to end up married to some bald pop-belly geezer, cause that’s all that’s available.”

  This time they both laughed.

  The bar began to fill up. It was a good hour and a half before they got a break.

  “Hey, isn’t that the guy that was with Hard Up, yesterday?” Lydia leaned against the bar and whispered to Jace.

  The man’s brown locks stood out. “Yeah, I think that is him.”

  “Hopefully the guy he’s with won’t order the entire kitchen like Hard Up did,” Lydia complained before heading over to the table to take their orders.

  “Good evening, I’m Lydia your waitress. What can I get you today?”

  “Two beers and two menus,” Octorian spoke up.

  “Coming right up.”

  Well, what do you think?” Octorian asked Rock.

  “It’ll be a shame to kill one so pretty but hey, it’s what I do.”

  “I know you said that you have close range techniques but I don’t want it done here. I’ll need a little time with him first.”

  Rock made a quick recon sweep of the bar. “There’s the bathroom and that side door over there.”

  “Yes, the side door is where Prynce reported Jace accessing to take his break.

  “That may be our best chance to grab him. It’ll have to be me. He may spot you right away and run. We don’t need that.”

  “True.”

  “Are we in agreement. When he breaks, I’ll follow. You go out the front entrance and meet me around the side. I’ll knock him out and we’ll get him to the car from there.”

  Octorian smiled. “Sounds like a plan.”

  Cobra drank with Spike and Tyrone, though he watched his amount of alcohol intake. He had to keep his wits about him. They could be setting him up to catch a bad one. Getting him drunk so he’ll spill his guts and reveal everything he knows. It’s an old trick in the streets. He also noticed that Spike was stalling. Yes, he’s hinted around about his business but at no point did he reveal what it is that they actually do. And although he’s been here a few hours and seen a few people come and go, he has yet to see any type of shady deals go down. Axl kept one eye on him. Good, because he was watching his ass too. The announcement from the kitchen came and dinner was served. He had no way of testing the food to ensure that it wasn’t drugged. The conversation around the table was light until Tyrone asked about a certain deal that was to take place in the next few days.

  “Have you heard from Maconochie?”

  “Yes. I had to email him a picture of the boy.”

  Cobra’s brow went up at that. This was good. It was the first mention of any kids.

  “What was his reply? Is he Harry Potter enough for his likings?” Tyrone and Axl laughed.

  “Actually, he said that he couldn’t have done better himself. He said he was hard just looking at the picture.”

  “Ew, TMI man,” Tyrone screwed up his face.

  “Hey, like I said, with what he’s paying. I won’t be complaining if he said he wanted us to watch.”

  “Nah, that’s where I draw my line,” Tyrone shook his head. “I had enough of that shit when I was in jail.”

  Ok so Tyrone is a homophobe, Cobra stored that for future information.

  “When is he planning to take possession of the kid?” Axl asked.

  “Since the boy was just taken, the police have pictures and shit at the airports, bus and train stations. Maconochie won’t be able to get him out of the country. He’ll have to wait for the heat to die down.”

  “I’m surprised he didn’t say that he wanted to come here and sample the goods.”

  “I would’ve agreed for another million.”

  Cobra’s guts twisted at the callous manner in which they were discussing this kid. This Maconochie character was a rich pervert who needed his ass kicked daily. And Spike, Tyrone and Axl were none better. How could anyone deal in selling human flesh, especially kids? He wanted to choke the fuck out of everyone at this table.

  Spike suddenly looked at Cobra. “I guess you’re wondering what we’re talking about. Come, it’s time you saw what makes all of this possible.”

  Cobra took a healthy swallow of his drink. Something told him that he was going to need it. They traveled down a flight of stairs that led into a cool basement. This place looked like something from that movie Dungeon & Dragons. Seeing as how they were selling them, they could’ve given the children better accommodations than these. The first door they came upon, Spike unlocked it and threw it open. Five young girls were huddled inside. Their state of dress was deplorable. There were cots on the cold dirt floor. No windows were present. And he saw no means of a bathroom. This was worse than a prison cell. Cobra felt
his stomach churning. He so wanted to knock the smug look off of Spike’s face.

  “This is the merchandise we move. Our buyers are men and women with extreme amounts of money. They give us a description of what they want and we deliver. Depending on age, the price starts at one hundred thousand a head. That’s a lot of cheddar.”

  Cobra nodded.

  “The older they are, the more the price goes up. They try to fight back and that can be tedious at times. So now you’ve seen the jest of our operation. Do you think you have the guts to survive in this business?”

  “Like I said, I’m not new to hustling. Drugs, people, it’s all a hustle.”

  Spike laughed, “I like your style.”

  They returned to the dining room where they resumed their meal. It took everything inside Cobra to not pick up a knife and start cutting some throats. How could they even refer to themselves as humans? This had to be one of the lowest things a human being could do to another. One thing was for sure, they’d better hope he never finds out that they have any connections to Ashley’s death. None of them would get out of this alive, for he would be judge, jury and executioner.

  Barney sat in the car parked five houses down from the brownstone. His gun sat on the passenger’s seat next to him. Thankfully the car sported tinted windows, so anyone passing by couldn’t see the goings on inside. He listened closely to everything that was being said in the house. Also he had a notepad where he was taking down names, and what positions they played as to the case. So far, he had Tyrone, the black guy that was at the bar. He was more of an associate than a security guy. Then there was Axl. He was security. From the conversation they had at the table, he learned that the kids are being held in the basement. Damn, he knew this had to be hard on his partner. To have to see those kids and walk away—.