by Brooke Page
“You can’t hurt me, Vance Everret,” she murmured. Turning her head, she placed her ear against my heart. It pounded wildly, wanting to jump out of my chest and claim her.
My other hand wrapped around her waist, holding her close. Resting my cheek against her head, I sighed, giving in to the moment of bliss she provided for me.
Opening my eyes, I found my other solitude. The sunset was meeting the ocean, painting shades of purples and pinks across the vast skyline. No sailboats were in sight, just calm ripples of ocean waves filling the wide and unknown ocean. The wind had disappeared, only the slight breeze filling my nose with the fresh smell of seaweed and sand, mixing with her intoxicating scent of citrus.
Lauren gently rubbed her hand up and down my back, unknowingly soothing away my apprehensions and fears from my past. I could forget about my position with the FBI, Marcus, the death of my mother, and how fucked up my past was when she held me. I felt contentment with her in my arms, like I could blend in with the beauty of the unknown ocean, floating between the ripples and the reflection of the sunset.
My brain told me to let her go, but my heart pounded to be close to hers.
I had to protect her from Marcus, and if that meant jumping full force into being with Lauren and embracing the rush of life she was reviving inside of me, then I was willing to take the risk. I’d find a way around this, I had too.
I couldn’t lose this feeling of good seeping into my darkness.
“Vance?”
“Hmm?” I replied, refusing to move my arms from holding her.
“Thanks for watching the sunset with me.”
I smiled against her forehead, pressing my lips to her temple. “Get used to it.”
Chapter Twelve
Vance
“Hand over your cell phone,” Percy, my father’s main bodyguard, demanded the moment I hit the top step of the surf shop.
Handing over my phone, I offered Percy a nod. “Nice to see you. Is Marcus going to be on time?”
His voice was deep. “He’ll be here.” The man was three times my size, gold chains around his neck with matching rings and bracelets.
It was Tuesday night, the big meeting to discuss the next opening of the Cage.
I sent Lauren and Marcy into town with Colt while Tucker roamed the bars in the next town over. He bitched that I sent him without Colt. I made up an excuse that he needed to hunt elsewhere, when really, I needed Colt to keep an eye on Lauren. Colt was thrilled to spend time with Marcy and didn’t even ask why Tucker wasn’t coming along with him. I stopped trying to divert Colt from seeing Marcy, because it was good for him. He would realize he needed to get out of this mess and go be with her instead of screwing random girls to convince prostituting is the only future they had.
“We gettin’ that crawfish for tonight?” Mikey, the main hunter for the west side of town, asked. “I had to rush over here, damn trollers putting their cocks in the wrong pussy were holding me up. Had to wait for them to finish with their whores before I could knock some sense into ‘em.”
The few others around the table smoking cigars and sipping on liquor hackled at his comment, all of them agreeing that their trollers were sex hungry morons that would do anything to get a girl underneath them.
“Your boys get any worms?” Mikey asked me as he lit his cigar.
“Nah, hard to sort through the compost this time of year,” I answered, disgusted with using the rotten nicknames for the women we convinced to join Marcus’s operation.
Mikey shot me a grin. “You find any Doves?”
My face remained to appear as stone. “I have a few prospects.” Abby was still in the game. I didn’t have her contact information, but I’d bet I could get Ms. Tits from the bar she worked at to tell me some type of information about her. I needed to mask my relationship with Lauren and lead them on that I had other girls. If I didn’t, I’d be fucked and kicked out of this meeting, losing my chance to get Marcus. It killed me knowing I needed to find another girl and bait her in so I could keep my spot.
Mikey smirked. “It’s hard to not keep them for myself. They submit so well.”
The rest of the men chuckled, and I only offered a fake grin. These fucks made me sick with what they did to women.
“Good evening, gentlemen,” my father announced. The floors creaked when he entered the wooden walled room, his presence silencing us while he rolled up his sleeves. His suit coat was being held by his other bodyguard who followed closely behind him. The black button-up shirt was expensive no doubt, and happened to match the color of his soul.
“I presume Percy has received all of your electronic devices?” We all nodded. “Good. Let’s get to it. I’ve got places to be tonight.”
I swallowed, watching him take his seat with authority at the head of the table. The single light casted his shadow across the table, making his presence more intimidating than it already was. “We’ll start with you, Mikey. You get me a Dove?”
“Yeah boss, brought her in this mornin’. She took well to the eight ball I fed her.” He laughed, then sucked in a big puff of his cigar.
Marcus stared at him with his evil smile, his hard, sea green eyes boring into him. “You do your background check?”
Mikey blew smoke out of his nose. “Didn’t need to. She pissed and moaned about how her parents didn’t give a shit about her, that she was running away to become some ballet dancer or some shit like that. I figured it was a done deal.”
Marcus grinned, his eyes still holding a burning intensity as he leaned slightly back in his chair. The insanity in his eyes kept us all from laughing at Mikey’s snide comments. Marcus crossed his leg over one knee, becoming more comfortable.
“Where is she from? She in school?”
Mikey shrugged his shoulders. “Didn’t think that mattered.”
“She have siblings?”
Mikey puffed another hit of his cigar. “How the fuck should I know?”
Marcus sighed, standing from his seat to pace slowly around the room, fiddling with his watch.
“See, it does matter.” He trailed to Mikey, standing behind him. “Let’s say the little miss you brought in, who woos about her terrible life, is from the suburbs. Mommy and Daddy are busy with their lives. They have friends, social events, work meetings, a life that requires their attention, taking it away from their darling daughter. She feels neglected, hurt, has low self-esteem, her character traits are exactly what we are looking for,” Marcus leaned down to Mikey’s eye level, placing his hands on either side of his chair, “Right?”
Mikey’s cigar was hanging on the bottom of his lip. “Well, yeah, boss. That’s exactly what I thought.”
Marcus stared at Mikey, his eyes dilating with each passing second. Finally, he stood tall, continuing to talk. “So, we ‘save’ darling daughter who appears to hate the world and wants to disappear, but in reality, she’s not so alone.” Marcus’s eyes became darker, his pace quickening around the rectangle table filled with smoke and Hunters.
“It’s important to mom and dad that their darling daughter is their exact prodigal, that she follows in their footsteps, goes to ivy league school, meets a rich and handsome man that will take over her father’s business. They don’t give a shit if he actually loves her and is faithful to her, they just want their image to be upheld. Jimmy?”
Marcus’s second in command stepped forward, acknowledging he was being spoken too.
“Can you tell me what might happen if their darling daughter refuses to follow their rules?”
Jimmy pulled on his collar. “They’re gonna look for her.”
Marcus’s sharky smile widened as he threw his hands toward Jimmy. “Yes! They’re going to follow her to the ends of the earth, spend as much money as they can, because God forbid their name gets jeopardized because their daughter went rogue against the family tradition.”
Marcus found his way back to Mikey, who was looking paler by the second.
Leaning so he was in Mikey’s fac
e, he harshly whispered, “Mikey, can you tell me, why this might be a problem?”
His mouth was hanging open, frightened to answer the maniac who was barely inches from him.
This pissed Marcus off, causing him to grab Mikey by the back of his neck and blast his head into the table. Mikey screamed, his nose crunching loudly for all our ears to hear, blood splattering across the wood, nearly hitting my hands in the process.
“You don’t have an answer for me?” Marcus asked smoothly, pulling his head back up, just so he could smash it back into the table again.
“Fuck!” Mikey roared, reaching for his broken face. “They’ll fucking find her!”
“Ding ding ding!” Marcus yelled, rotating his wrist to simulate ringing a real bell. “Mommy and daddy don’t give a shit about their daughter, they only care what society thinks. If she leaves, they’re shitty parents. If she’s kidnapped, they become idols who will do anything to find the piece of shit little brat they created who’s trying to find her way. They want the publicity, but you know what’s going to happen to the poor fucks who took her?”
Mikey shook his head, his eyes squinting in pain. Marcus yanked Mikey from his seat, throwing him to one of his bodyguards. “Go get that bitch and send her home to her dad. You don’t do it, your ass is going to the Cage for the real fucked up Vultures who like pretty boys with virgin assholes.”
Mikey was dragged by the bodyguard down the stairs.
Marcus paced quietly for a moment, then found his spot at the head of the table again. “Now. Who wants to go next?”
My eyes searched the table of young hunters, curious who would have the balls to jump into conversation after Mikey had just gotten his head bashed into the table.
“I’ve got a few background checks to run,” I said evenly, never blinking an eye.
Marcus’s lip quirked slightly in approval. “I bet you do. I look forward to seeing your face when you sell your first girl. Who’s next?”
My stomach dropped. When I sell her?
Marcus moved around the table, quietly listening, not giving off whether or not he approved of the others takes or finds. Only three quality girls total were caught, and Marcus seemed satisfied.
“I need twenty total,” he lit his own cigar. “I’ve got twelve Vultures wanting Doves.”
“When you need them by?” I asked.
Marcus took a long drag then blew the smoke through his nose. “Three weeks. I want to sell next month.”
Keeping a somber face, I was somewhat satisfied. Although the idea of Lauren going back to Michigan sucked, I had her best interest at heart. I could get her home before then. She wouldn’t even know what was happening, and I could destroy Marcus while she was somewhat safe with her crack-head mother.
My jaw clenched at the thought. Maybe I should find a better place for her to hide.
The south side hunter asked a question. “Where are you holding them until then? The girl I brought in wasn’t at the Nest this morning.”
Marcus blew out more smoke. “She’s safe. Don’t worry about her. She’ll be there in time for the sale, and if they want her, you’ll get your cut.”
The hunter nodded with approval.
“This meeting is adjourned. I want you all to have at least three prospects and one catch by next week’s meeting. If you want to stay and dabble in some extracurricular activities tonight, please feel free.” Marcus stood, flicking his eyes to Jimmy, who then threw down bags of cocaine on the table. The remaining hunters’ eyes lit up as they reached for the eight balls.
I stood to leave, but Marcus stopped me. “Vancy, meet me downstairs, will you?”
Taking a deep breath, I nodded, pushing in my chair to follow him, grabbing my phone from Percy on the way.
Marcus stepped outside onto the deck, lighting another cigar. “You want one?” He asked, holding out the case that held an extra stick.
I only shook my head. Crossing my arms, I leaned against the railing, waiting to hear what he had to say.
“I did a background check on Lauren Owens.”
My stomach churned. I tried to forget he got her full name. Keeping my best poker face, I listened intently.
“Nineteen, from the small town of Harris, Michigan. No college, only works at a run-down arcade. Guess the owner puts up with her poor attendance, since she’s been here for two weeks.”
I swallowed. “She’s good friends with Marcy Contreras.”
He watched me. “She’s not their blood.”
“YaYa Contreras begs to differ.”
Marcus smirked. “Don’t worry about YaYa, but watch your troller with Marcy, he can’t get attached to her and be a part of this operation.”
“He doesn’t know about the Cage. Neither of them know more than finding prostitutes and delivering narcotics.”
“As it should be.” Marcus breathed in the salty air, his eyes hooded. “Back to Lauren Owens. She trusts you. I can tell by her body language.”
“I don’t really know her that well,” I lied, putting my hands in my pockets. Little did Marcus know I’d been watching the sunset with her every night I could during the past few weeks. “She’s lost interest in me. It’s for the best. She doesn’t have enough baggage.”
Marcus laughed his I-know-you’re-full-of-shit, laugh. “She doesn’t have a family, money, and she’s as timid as they come. I want her.”
My eyes darted to his while my insides burned. This wasn’t supposed to happen.
“My highest paying Vulture would take her without a test ride. It’s your job to get her. I’m giving you two weeks. Then we can prep her for the sale.”
Standing tall from the railing, I pulled my hands from my pockets and crossed my arms, staring at him intently. “I’ve got a better one for you. I’ll bring her to the Nest before the weekend is over.”
His snake-like smile appeared. “Then get me both.”
Sauntering toward me, he sized me up with his eyes, making his presence known. “This is important. This will prove to me that you can handle our empire. Once you bring me the girls, I’ll promote you.” He smirked, inhaling his cigar. “No more dealing with trollers, you’ll be head of the hunters. Whichever division you want. Guns, drugs, or women.”
I nodded, the only signal I was willing to give the fucker.
After sending me a grin, he moseyed toward his Mercedes where his body guard started the engine. Once he reached the bottom step of the wooden stairs, he turned to me. “Don’t let me down, son.” His smile was gone, and his eyes that matched mine held a deadly promise. “If you don’t bring in Lauren Owens, I will.”
Chapter Thirteen
Vance
His last words replayed in my mind over and over as I stormed down the street. I needed the fresh Gulf air to help my racing heart gain its steady rhythm again.
What did he want with her anyway? There were tons of girls with no self-esteem and no family or friends to fight for them. Abby. I had to find her. I’d make sure she stayed as safe as possible, letting Riley know he needed to jump as soon as he could if we were going to use this girl. Hell, maybe we could even bring her into the sting, then she would know what she was getting into and be prepared.
I couldn’t let anything happen to Lauren. She needed to learn to love life, and that there was more to her than what her fucked-up mother lead her to believe. My pace quickened, my heart racing with worry and anxiety.
Then my phone rang, burning in my back pocket. Pulling it out, the number running across the screen was unknown. I answered immediately, thinking the worst. What if Marcus had already gotten to Lauren?
“Hello?” I answered nearly out of breath.
“Fill me in.”
I let out a huge breath. It was Riley. I forgot I told him I would call as soon as the meeting was done and I was a safe distance away.
“He’s plotting to sell the girls within the next three weeks.”
“You get a location?”
My feet crunched on the stones a
s I trekked across the street and to the beach. “No. I need to bring a girl in before he tells me more.”
Riley sighed. “I know you don’t want to do it, but we are going to have to sacrifice.”
“Isn’t there a way we can hire someone? Can’t we send in an undercover girl?”
“Won’t work. We’ll get whoever she is out of there before she gets hurt.”
I ground my teeth. “He’ll drug her before the sale. Probably test her out. It’s not a safe process. Riley… I’m not sure if I can-”
“Suck it up, Everret. You signed a contract. If you bail, your ass will be a felon. You don’t exactly have a clean record. Between selling narcotics and paying prostitutes, you can say goodbye to having a semi-normal life. This is your only saving grace. Do you want to avenge your mother or not?” His tone was harsh and stern.
The last part hit a nerve. “I’ll get it done,” I snapped, wanting to get the fuck off the phone and go find Lauren.
“Good. Don’t puss out on me. It’ll be the last decision you ever make. You won’t even be able to decide when to take a dump sitting in a jail cell with your record. You got that?”
“I got it,” I muttered, hanging up the phone before he could say anything else. He didn’t call me back right away, so I assumed he was done threatening me.
Riley was right. I didn’t have the option to fall off the grid and start a new life. They’d hunt me down, especially if I fucked them over for the shot at stopping Marcus. He’d controlled the drug scene under the radar for decades, and his prostitution numbers were growing and infiltrating the bigger surrounding cities. It would take him no time to become a successful underground human trafficking shop. He had the resources and the man power, but I had the power to put an end to it.
Taking a deep breath, I tossed my sandals to the side and began to jog, needing to clear my head. The beach would help. If only kite surfing were a safe nighttime activity. I’d done it before when the moon was full and the sky was clear, but the stars were hidden by the clouds and the tide was high, so unless I wanted to be drifted into the sea, I’d need to stay on the shore.