by S. M. Shade
“Fine. I have to bring him the money at five o’clock tomorrow. Alone. I swear to fuck if anyone makes you or your agents…”
“They won’t. There’s no need for a big show of force just for him and the bodyguard he usually travels with.”
“We’ll be at the bank at nine in the morning to mark the money. When you come in to withdraw it, the manager will know which bills to give you. We need to be able to trace the transaction, just in case the women won’t testify.”
“I’ll be there by ten, then.”
“Crowe…hang in there. It’s almost over. Don’t do anything stupid.”
“Got it,” I bark, punching the end button on my phone. Sometimes I wish we still used phones that actually hung up. It must’ve been much more satisfying to slam down the receiver when someone pissed you off.
My footsteps thump across the floor as I drag my hands through my hair again. I’m surprised the people in the apartment under me aren’t complaining. As much as I hate it here, I’m grateful the FBI set it up for me. I don’t want any of these chunks of human garbage to follow me home. I just want to get this over with, rescue my sister, and go home. Back to Sadie.
Sadie. I haven’t spoken to her in weeks. I’ve been tempted to, it’s unlikely they could track my burner phone, but I won’t take the chance of someone learning about her. If they looked into me, and figured out I’m really out to bring down their operation, they wouldn’t hesitate to use her against me.
I miss the hell out of her though. Her smile, her laugh, her infuriating stubborn streak. Dare assured me they would let her know I was working and couldn’t be reached for a while, but none of us expected it to be this long.
I’ve been so torn, flipping back and forth on whether to try to make a relationship with her work. I know I shouldn’t. Even before I fucked another woman, there was just too much working against us, but the longer I’m away from her, the more I know I can’t let her go. I’m a selfish bastard.
The next twenty-four hours drag by, and I only manage a few hours of sleep, constantly interrupted by stress dreams where I’m grasping for something just out of reach. It isn’t hard to decipher the meaning of that. After all these years, this is the closest I’ve come to getting Hannah back.
Finally, it’s time to go to the bank. Everything runs smoothly, just as the agent promised it would, and I leave the bank with seventy-five thousand in cash. The money feels like an anchor in my hand, so I head straight back to the apartment to wait.
And wait.
And wait.
My stress level builds with every second. What if it all goes wrong? What if he doesn’t bring Hannah? What if the FBI interferes too early and she gets caught in the crossfire?
The timer on my phone beeps, alerting me it’s time to go. It’s a miracle I don’t get pulled over on my way to the hotel, since I barely remember the drive. Did I stop at that last red light? I must have.
Glancing around as I get out of my car, I don’t see any sign of the feds, so hopefully, they’re keeping their word and hanging back until I get her clear. The giant waits for me in the lobby and again escorts me up to the same room. Once again, he swipes over me with a metal detector wand before leading me inside.
Bishop sits in a chair in the corner, his foot resting on his knee, appearing as if he’s just here on a vacation. I guess when you do this sort of shit all the time, it’s no big deal. Sweat trickles down my sides, and I have to steel myself so he won’t hear a shake in my voice. I’m not afraid. I’m aware that he could just shoot me and take the money, but I knew not coming out of this alive was a risk when I went in. It’s the anticipation that’s tearing me up. So many years all culminating at this point.
“Mr. Bishop.” I address him with a nod, my eyes wandering around the room. We’re the only two here. That doesn’t bode well.
“Mr. Crowe. Good to see you. You have my money?” His knees crack as he gets to his feet.
“Yes. You have my girl?”
“She’s nearby. Money first.”
There’s not much I can do but hand over the green bank bag and watch him count the bills. My heart thumps against my ribs. The feds marked the money and they assured me no one would be able to tell, but it isn’t their asses on the line.
“It’s all there,” I tell him.
Looking up, he grins at me. “So it seems.” He takes out his phone and makes a call, giving an order to the person on the other end. “Bring her up.”
I take a seat on the edge of the bed, trying to look at ease while we wait. “She has all the necessary ID, passports, et cetera, if you plan to take her out of the country.”
“I have no immediate plans, but that’ll make things easier in the future.”
The door beeps as the lock disengages and a man I recognize as the driver from yesterday pulls her inside. My stomach knots and I fight not to show any emotion. If they figure out I know her, it’s all over. I can only hope she realizes that too.
Her eyes widen at the sight of me, and Bishop barks, “Eyes on the floor!” Turning to me, he shrugs with a wicked grin. “Sorry, she’s better trained than that.”
“I can handle her,” I reply, my voice strained. Stalking over to her, I grab her chin and pull her head up until we’re eye to eye. “I’m not going to have any problems out of you, am I?” I demand, my voice gruff.
“No sir,” she whispers, her hands twisting together in front of her.
“We will discuss the rules when I get you home. Is that all she has?” I ask Bishop, gesturing to the small suitcase in her hand. It doesn’t matter, I’m just playing a role.
“All she’s allowed to take, yes.”
“Are we done here?”
“Yes, just remember what I told you. We never met.”
Nodding, I reach to shake the assholes hand, swallowing the need to smash my fist into his face. “Nice doing business with you.”
“Come with me. Don’t look at or talk to anyone, understand?” I order, grabbing Hannah’s arm.
“Yes, sir.”
Relief floods through me when we make it out of the room, down the hall and into the elevator. “Justus,” she whispers, her voice filled with sorrow.
“It’s okay, Han. Just stay right with me, no matter what.”
Every second I’m waiting for them to figure out I’m a fraud. Now that the moment has come, this is just too easy. My little sister is holding my hand. She’s here. Exhausted, skinny, and moving like a zombie, but here. That’s all that matters.
She slips into the passenger seat of my car and I waste no time getting us the hell away from there. Grabbing my phone, I call the Agent Michaels. “We’re clear. I’ve got her.”
“My guys are inside now. Bishop is dead and two others are in custody. The raids on the houses are in progress.”
Damn, we must’ve gotten clear just in time. “Let me know what happens.”
“We’ll need to speak with her.”
“Not today. I’m taking her home.” I disconnect the call before he can argue with me.
Hannah stares at me like I may not be real. “Justus, I don’t understand. What’s happening? How did you find me?”
It’s then I notice her glazed eyes. She’s stoned off her ass. Her little hand is soft in mine. “Don’t worry, Han. Everything is going to be okay. I’m going to take care of you. You’ll never go back to that…life again.”
Appearing disinterested, she shrugs and turns to stare out her window. “Bishop will find me. No one escapes.”
I pull into my driveway and shut off the engine. “Han, look at me. Bishop is dead. The FBI helped me set all this up. They’re raiding the houses the women are kept in. It’s over.”
It takes a few seconds for the information to sink in. Her body begins to tremble and the most heartrending cry fills the car. Sobs rack her body, and I pull her into my lap, murmuring in her ear. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry it took me so long to find you, Han. I swear I never stopped looking.”
* * * *
<
br /> Hannah is curled up on my couch, watching the breaking news as the feds take down the largest human trafficking ring in our area. After her breakdown in the car, she seems a little withdrawn, but hell, that’s to be expected. I know there’s so much I need to do. She’ll need therapy—a lot of it. And she needs to go to the doctor, get tested for STD’s. Just the thought has my hands curling into fists again.
But right now, I just want her to rest. We’ll worry about all that in the morning. I ordered a pizza and she ate like she was never going to get another chance. A slight snore makes me look in her direction and a grin lifts my lips at the sight of her asleep. She always did snore when we were kids. I put a blanket over her and kick back in my recliner to catch a few hours of sleep. I’m exhausted, but right now, I don’t want her too far away from me.
The sound of her whimpers wake me just as the sun is rising. Twisting and turning, she kicks the blanket off and a sheen of sweat covers her body.
“Han?”
“Don’t feel good,” she mumbles. “Sasha, get me a pill.”
Fuck. It’s withdrawal. I should’ve expected this. Traffickers are known to keep the women heavily drugged to keep them docile and obedient. They turned my sister into an addict. Tamping down my anger, I brush her sweaty hair from her forehead. “Han, it’s Justus. You’re at my house, remember?”
Her eyes pop open and I move out of the way just in time as she vomits on the floor. Shaking, she sobs, “I feel like I’m dying.”
“It’s okay. I’m going to take care of you. I promise.”
Quickly tossing a towel on the floor to cover the mess, I grab a wastebasket and a bottle of water. While she’s rinsing her mouth, I make a quick call to Dare. “She’s in withdrawal from god knows what drugs they’ve been giving her. Call your guy at the hospital and let them know we’re coming. I don’t want them treating her like some street junky.”
Dare promises to take care of it, and ten minutes later, she’s bundled in a blanket in my car as we rush to the hospital.
I recognize the doctor. He’s the same one who treated Landon when we first brought him in over a year ago. “Mr. Alexander,” he greets me, after examining Hannah. “We’re waiting on the test results, but judging by her symptoms, she’s experiencing withdrawal from opiates, and some heavy ones at that. There aren’t any track marks on her arms, nor in any of the other areas heroin users tend to inject, so that’s a good sign.”
“You know her situation?”
“Yes, Derek informed me, and I’ve seen the news. I’m sorry for what your family is going through.”
“Will she be okay?”
“Things will be rough for her, especially the first few weeks, but we can keep her symptoms to a minimum and make it easier. I want to keep her overnight and run some more tests, check her for STD’s and secondary infections. She’s underweight and her immune system is probably weakened from the drugs and lack of food and medical care. With adequate nutrition and care, there’s no reason she can’t make a full recovery.
“My concern is that you get her into a rehab and counseling facility as soon as possible. I know a place that specializes in treating victims of sex crimes.” His serious gaze meets mine. “This isn’t something you can treat on your own. Long term abuse coupled with drug dependence requires extensive therapy.”
My chest aches at the thought of being separated from her for even a second, but I know I have to do what’s best. “Thank you. If you can give me the number to the facility, I’ll make sure she gets help.”
“I’ll call ahead and make sure they reserve her a spot. I’ve given her a sedative. It’s better if she sleeps through this stage of withdrawal, so she won’t be conscious until tomorrow.”
My mind is spinning with the things I need to get done as I step back into her hospital room. As the doctor said, she’s asleep, her small chest rising and falling beneath the white sheet. I can’t bear to think about what she’s been through and I’ve resisted the urge to ask her the barrage of questions that are tearing me apart.
What did they do to her? How long did they have her? How many guys was she sold to? Why did she run away? And the one that’s really haunting me. How much of this is my fault? My fault for not looking hard enough, for not finding her sooner. What was she going through while I was putting down other predators? While I was hanging with the guys or spending my time chasing Sadie.
I won’t fail her again. Fuck everything else, she is my main focus, and I won’t rest until she’s well again.
Chapter Nine
Sadie
“Ow! That’s too far!”
Rolling my eyes, I release the man’s leg. “You aren’t going to get your flexibility and range of motion back without a little pain. Did you take a painkiller before your appointment?”
“I took two! You’re trying to kill me.”
“You’d be the first to die of a stretched tendon. We’re done for the day.”
I know I should have more patience, but I swear I’ve had it with men today. Whiny, lying little bitches. It could have something to do with the fact I haven’t heard a peep from Justus in almost two weeks.
Rubbing my aching forehead, I approach the reception desk and ask Molly, “He was the last one today, right?”
“Yeah, that’s it.” She gathers up her stuff and we leave the office. “Are you okay? You haven’t been yourself lately.”
Molly is a seventy year old lady with gray hair and a bright smile. She’s probably one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.
“That obvious, huh?”
“Guy trouble?”
“Aren’t they always trouble? I was seeing someone and it was getting serious, at least I thought so. Now, I think I’ve been dumped.”
Our cars are parked side by side and Molly looks over the top of hers as she unlocks her door. “Try not to let it get you down, hun. There are a lot of fish in the sea, and you have plenty of bait.”
Laughing for the first time that day, I reply, “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Letting myself into my house, a sadness drapes over me. For years, I never dated anyone seriously. I wasn’t whoring around or anything, I just hadn’t met anyone who made me feel the things Justus did. I was happy spending my evenings alone, but now the apartment seems too empty. There’s no goofy over-the-top man making me laugh and constantly trying to get me in bed.
I try to shake off the gloom and jump in the shower, washing the day away. At least I’m meeting Ayda at the dance studio tonight. We haven’t spent much time together lately. I’ve been catching up at work and hanging out with Lisa.
Ayda rushes into the studio right after I arrive, making a beeline for the dressing room. It’s after hours, so we have the place to ourselves. “Sorry I’m late, I only have an hour or so. I promised I’d make chili for the guys tonight. They’re all getting together to play some stupid video game.”
A year ago, I practically had to pry this woman out of her apartment. She had no friends apart from me, and hadn’t dated in years. The scars on her face and body were her prison. She thought no one would ever want her. To see her rushing about, busy, with friends and an active life makes me so happy.
Her weird through-the-wall romance with Dare turned out to be just what she needed. What they both needed. Now they’re so in love it’s kind of nauseating. Still, I like to think there’s someone out there who will love me like she’s loved. For a moment, I allowed myself to think I could have that with Justus, but apparently my prince isn’t a smirky stripper.
“An hour is plenty. I just want to burn off some energy.” And sexual frustration. It’s amazing how fast you get used to multiple orgasms per day.
“Come over and hang out when we’re done. Leah is coming, and Zoe is bringing Frannie. I figured we could hang out and drink wine while the guys geek out.”
A snort of laughter makes her stare at me. “What?”
“Just thinking how ass backwards this is. I used to be the one draggin
g you out of the house to socialize.”
Ayda stands at the barre, running through her warm up exercises. “Hey, you’re the one who encouraged me to talk to Dare, remember? Not my fault he came with a whole crew of hot guys.”
“Yeah, no offense, but hot guys are on my shit list at the moment.”
I get to my feet and head to the stereo, but I can feel her gaze on me. “I wish I could tell you what’s going on with Justus, Sade. I’ve pestered the hell out of Dare and Jeremy, but all they’ll say is he’s away on ISH business.”
“Yeah, something tells me that business probably has big tits and goes down like a fat kid on a see saw.”
Biting her lip, her expression turns pensive. “I really don’t think so, Sade. I mean, I don’t know what he’s up to, but I saw how he was with you. He’s never been like that with a woman before.”
My lips purse with doubt. “Have any of the other guys just disappeared for two weeks for work?”
“No,” she sighs.
“It’s okay. He’s done with me. I’ll get over it. I am pissed he didn’t have the balls to at least call and let me know. Even a text is better than going silent. Now, I don’t want to talk about him anymore. I want to shake my ass and try to sweat some of it off.” I press play on the stereo and Ayda laughs as an upbeat pop song fills the room. It’s way too fast for her ballet, but perfect at the moment.
“Say you’ll come and hang out tonight.”
“Fine, but I’m drinking too much wine.”
“Then you’ll fit right in.”
* * * *
“Sadie! Good to see you!” Dare’s sister, Leah rushes up and hugs me when I enter. Leah is going to college to be a psychologist, but she spends most of her holidays with Dare and Ayda.
“You, too! You have a few days off school?”
“Something like that,” she replies with a grin.
Dare grunts as he enters the room. “Something like dropping out.”
She shoots daggers at him. “I’m not dropping out! I’m…finding myself.”