Out of the Storm

by Jillian Elizabeth

  “How is it that I have to come out of prison to come and clean up the messes you pieces of shit are making? Hmmm? There's cops sniffing all over those dead girls you so stupidly disposed of. And how could you let Avery on this case, of all people? Who the hell is this Italian dude he has working with him? Someone better start talking or I swear to God I'm gonna start tying up the loose ends by taking out all of you!” I hear Trent yelling. He's not changed a bit, the bipolar shining through just as quickly as he arrived.

  “I..I've tried blocking him any way I can. He's too fucking good. He's sidled up with Nick Farzo, his new partner, and they've become a hell of a power team. A lot has changed and happened since you've been gone, Zito. You're lucky we've still been able to operate all this trafficking of girls at all and keep your bankroll padded for you,” I hear Ed yell back getting clearly just as agitated.

  “Oh yes, and that's another thing I had to take care of this morning. Ramirez. You know how hard it was hoping I didn't get caught for that one when I was hours away from being released?! No you don't! He would have talked to Avery and this whole thing would have been blown. I don't know why you thought he was so goddamn tough. He went down in one fell swoop.”

  I can feel the darkness clawing its way back in. I'm fighting against it all I can. I hear my phone start ringing, Trent has my purse here. It rings a few times and I hear footsteps get closer to me. My purse must be close.

  “Why is Amy calling Andrea I wonder,” I hear Trent muse out loud.

  He must click on answer because it's no longer ringing, but it's on speaker.

  “Andrea...Andrea? It's Amy. I know you don't want to talk to me and I understand. Just please listen to me before you hang up. I hear my brother was released today and I want you to be careful. I don't know what he's planning, but he told my uncle that he needs to talk to you. I pray he's changed on the inside like they say he has, but I'm not so sure if he's right back to you when he's finally out. Just watch yourself and be careful. I don't think you understand.” I hear her voice loud and around the room. Suddenly I hear Trent laugh loud and long.

  “Hi, my sweet sister dear. So sweet of you to call and check up on me.”

  “Trent? What the hell are you doing with Andrea's phone?”

  “Well clearly Uncle Henry has a big mouth. But yes, he was right. I did need to speak to Andrea. She isn't available right now but I'll make sure she knows you called to warn her from me.”

  “Trent...that's not what it was.”

  “Oh yes, clearly I'm mistaken, sister of mine. Tsk tsk, what am I gonna do with you?”

  “Why can't I talk to her? Where are you and why haven't you come by to see the kids?”

  “I have some unfinished business to tie up here and then I will be seeing you tomorrow.”

  “Ummmm...okay. I'll talk to you then.” Her voice is suddenly sweet and chipper.

  “Yes, yes you will. Love you,” he says as he hangs up the phone.

  “That cunt sister of mine has clearly gone out of the bond of family while I was away. I'm going to have to show her just how important it is to have your family on your side,” he muses out loud with short snort.

  My heart just jumped further in my throat. I'm worried for Amy now, she was once my friend and her brother is clearly not well.

  The darkness is closing in and I can't fight it any more. The last thing I hear is Trent speak. “Let's see if we can get the princess here to wake up and play, boys.”

  Chapter 17

  Carter

  My battery on my phone is dying. I look up to Scott and he pulls me over to his cruiser where he has a charger plugged into the console. I sit down in the passenger seat, and the FaceTime call cuts off.

  “No...fuck. I need to keep hearing what's happening!” I shout.

  “It's okay, I've got the SWAT guys on their way and waiting on standby for our word of where to go. We're gonna get her, Carter,” Scott says as he sits down in the driver's seat.

  My phone starts ringing, it's a 313 exchange I don't know. “Avery,” I bark out gruffly as I answer.

  “Is this Carter?” comes a small female voice.

  “Yes, this is Carter Avery. Who's this?”

  “This is Amy, I'm Trent Zito’s sister.”

  “What can I do for you Amy?” I ask out tersely.

  “I think Andrea is in danger. I'm sure you know she's missing by now and my brother has her. I don't know what he's doing or planning, Carter, but I'm afraid for her.”

  “Yes, I've gathered as much at this point but don't know where to search or where he has her. It's a priority, I assure you.”

  “He isn't stable, Carter. I don't know how he was even released but for a stellar academy worthy performance. He sounds crazy on the phone. I tried calling Andrea to warn her he was out and ...he answered.”

  I just sit back on a sigh, I'm losing more and more patience with the situation the longer I sit here.

  “Thank you, Amy. I will be getting her back. But Amy? I can't guarantee your brother will live through this by the time I'm finished.”

  I hang up without another word. Dropping my phone onto the seat, I jump out of the cruiser and start pacing back and forth the length of the vehicle. Passing the front of the car, I start slamming my fists down on the hood in frustration.

  Scott comes out and meets me at the front. My eyes must be wild when I look up because he backs up a space.

  “Sam showed you he was there, man. He used manning that phone to his advantage to make himself known. He will blow cover before shit goes down, I promise you that. Now I just have to wait for his smarts to kick in and hope he still has my drone with him,” he says as he settles his ass on the side of the hood next to me. I have my hands and arms stretched out on it just staring down at it like it's going to magically give me the answers I need.

  The area around us is quiet now. Holly left with her husband and it's just a small crew in the median of I-94, standing here with our thumbs in our asses until we get the break we need. Obviously he knows we will use whatever resources are necessary.

  Scott jumps up from the hood while looking at his phone. “This smart motherfucker is doing exactly what I hoped he would!” he yells.

  “What? Doing what?”

  He turns his phone to show me his screen. There is a video or something on there. “This is the camera from my drone. He's just walked outside to fly it. I don't know what he told them to be able to….but this is the in we need, Carter.”

  I stand over his shoulder and look down at the video waiting with him. He starts waving over a few of the guys waiting, some smoking a cigarette and others just checking their weapons. We see as the drone starts to get some flight, trying to figure out the area. There's a top of a big building and bushes. He starts to sweep the drone around a parking lot of black top.

  That's when it finally comes into view. A sign with ‘VACANCY’ written in big letters. Below that is the magical other words, Twin Pines Motel. They aren't far, they’re on Michigan Ave. in Inkster. I know exactly where that seedy fucking place is. Busted enough prostitution going on there in my career.

  Now he has my girl and I'm going to get her.

  “Let's go!” I yell as I start to run over to my Explorer.

  “Avery! Let these guys handle this shit!” Scott yells in my direction.

  I just turn and flip him off, he knows me better than that. I'm her white knight and always will be. My shining armor is going to make sure this guy never touches her again. Jumping in my car, I fly through the median skidding my car around to jump on the expressway toward the closest exit. Mud and dirt from the most recent rain spray around me as I get back on the pavement.

  Scott is hot on my tail in his cruiser and the big ass SWAT truck is behind him, but racing to get ahead. I could kiss that Sam Spencer motherfucker for the information sooner than I thought we would get it.

  I'm flying the few miles to the exit for Inkster and just praying she's okay. That she can recover from t
his.

  Trent Zito is a fucking dead man.

  **********

  Crawling up the backside of the swanky motel, I don't want to alert Zito or anyone else here to my presence just yet. Andrea’s safety is key and I don't want him doing anything stupid just because I'm here before he expected.

  Scott is pulling in and the SWAT goes a few down to stay undetected until given the order to go.

  I park and pull my gun from my glove box. Didn't leave the house expecting to be on duty, but I always keep a backup in the car.

  I slowly open the door and check my surroundings, stepping down onto the gravel. Shutting the door as quietly as I can I step around the car with my back to it.

  Scott comes up on my 9 o’clock and he silently steps in next to me. He got clearance from his captain to cross city lines for this, and radioed into Inkster for backup. Five Inkster patrol cars roll into the parking lot slowly, lights off. A few emerge slowly, leaving the door open and standing behind with their guns drawn.

  We don't know how many people are inside now, and the least amount of victims in this the better. I don't know if there are any of the trafficked girls in here either. There's a whole lot of questions coming in on this, and we don't have a room number.

  Scott motions forward and pushes me behind him. He's wearing a vest and has his pistol drawn and ready as we slowly creep one foot after the other, backs to the dirty ass white brick. He peeks the corner first and turns back to mouth at me “Sam”. He must be outside, knowing we would be coming soon.

  I pull Scott back and motion with my hand for him to stay. I'm in plain clothes and can go better undetected by those that don't know who I am. The look he gives me from the corner of his eye and the shake of his head tells me he clearly doesn't like my new plan.

  I slowly round the corner. He's taking a drag of a cigarette, with another guy in front of him. He turns his head and his undercover facade still sticks. I walk up as if I was expected.

  “Hey, is this where I was told I could find the pussy?” I ask motioning to the hotel.

  He just gives me a chin jut, he knows who I am from the FaceTime call.

  “Can I bum a smoke off you before I go shoot my cockload off, boys? I hear this shit is tight,” I remark as Sam opens a pack from his jeans pocket and faces the opening toward me offering.

  I pull one out and he lights it up, cupping his hand around the end of my cigarette. He looks me in the eyes as the other guy’s back is turned, and I just pull my eyes to the door to my right side in question.

  He blinks as a subtle nod. I see the number out of my peripheral and it’s room 3.

  Knowing Scott is hanging around the corner, I hold my hand behind my back with three fingers up. I do it quickly and as nonchalantly as I can.

  “Thanks man,” I say as I blow smoke up toward the dark sky.

  “You guys the bodyguards or something?” I ask looking toward the other guy. He's sort of a big guy, beefed up like a typical meathead. He's got both ears pierced and tattoos along his neck. His arms are covered but I can see a few tattoos on his hand he's bringing to his mouth for another hit of his cigarette.

  He doesn't answer me, just looks to Sam. He's clearly climbed the chain of command while being stashed with these pieces of shit.

  “You come to us, you pay us, and we’ll let you in as we sit fit. We’ve got a special today in there. Three girls and all primed and ready to go,” Sam says as he relays how many girls are inside. There are two girls besides Andrea in there.

  “Mmmhmmm, very nice. What's the cost for one?” I ask as I throw my smoke to the ground and snuff it out with my shoe.

  “These girls are young and beautiful, premium pussy like that will cost you a pretty penny. $500 and you're in. One girl for one hour.”

  I nod and pull my wallet out to show them I'm counting my money.

  The room door opens and out steps Ed. He walks forward to come out and looks up to see me standing there. His mouth opens and closes like the slimy bottom feeder he is, and backs back into the room.

  I take this as my opening, because clearly Trent will know now that I am here. I advance and follow him, pulling my gun out and pointing it at him as I do. Sam and the other guy outside catch on quickly and follow me. Sam puts his pistol to my temple and kicks the door closed.

  “Don't fucking move,” he yells for the room to hear.

  “These are my heads to blow off,” he whispers to me as I put my hands up and nod. I'm just thankful Sam jumped before the other guy, or this situation could be dire for Andrea and me, both.

  He begins to walk me forward toward the bed. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a guy in the corner of the room getting sucked off, a young blonde on her knees in front of him. Another is bent over the sink vanity outside of what looks to be a bathroom. She's getting fucked from behind. Her face shown in the mirror has no emotion, and I would bet my life she's drugged out of her mind right now. That's better than having to endure and remember what's happening to her.

  “Well, look who's joined the party, sweetness.” I hear Trent shout on a triumphant laugh seeing a gun pointed to my head.

  I see Andrea still tied to the bed, her legs are being held open by two men on each side and she's still in her underwear thankfully. Her face is red and blotchy, her head is just hanging to the side resting against her arm that's strung up.

  Another guy is perched close to the other side of the bed, his pencil dick is in his hand as he strokes it while looking at Andrea. He's looking at my Starfish like she's his next meal. I see red.

  “Well, since you joined us, let's give you a show with your sweet little Starfish as the star. I see Samson here has strung you up nicely and if you move, a pretty little bullet will blow that handsome face right off. We don't want that, now do we?” he says shaking his head and wagging his finger at me like a scolded child.

  I lunge forward as Trent bends down and rubs his nose up the cotton patch of her underwear covering her pussy. Sam tugs me back and whispers for me to cool it. He's got this and won't let them do anything.

  This is enough. Seeing her like this, them all wanting to touch and taste her...it's enough to send me over the edge. But he's right, I need to give it until the right moment. My gun is tucked into the waistband of the back of my pants, and I'm itching to grab for it.

  “Mmmmm, she smells ready,” Trent says, bringing his head up to turn and look at me.

  “Who wants to take the first ride? I'll take the last one...once she's good and broken,” he says as all three guys standing at the bed jump and look at the ready. The two at her feet continue to hold her legs apart, while the guy that was standing up closer to her moves to stand between her legs.

  “You better put a stop to this,” I say through my clenched teeth to Sam.

  Trent turns then, and looks at me with a wink.

  “I hope you enjoy your show, Avery. I mean every bitch needs to be taught. These guys are doing you a favor really, it's like riding a horse until you break its spirit and make it obey. She'll be just the woman you need when we're done. You'll see,” the sick fuck says on a wide toothy Cheshire Cat grin.

  Ed comes over then, and stands in front of me.

  “She really was warned to have her boyfriend behave and let the investigation go or people would get hurt. This is your fault,” he says stepping up to my face and going toe to toe. “But I think while she's all laid out like a sweet little buffet, I might see what that strong looking jaw feels like.” He walks up and grabs Andrea by her hair. She's still limp and I don't like it. What did they give her? I can see her chest rise and fall with her breaths, otherwise I would think she was dead.

  He gets up on the bed and kneels next to where her head lays. He starts to unbutton his pants.

  I'm done, I can't do this anymore. My arm reaches behind me and pulls my gun from my pants.

  “Don't be stupid Avery, you'll get us both killed,” Sam grits out through his teeth into my ear.

  “Then get the g
un off my head and fucking help me. I think it's time to break cover,” I whisper yell through my gritted teeth. My hand is still behind my back, but my gun is in my hand. I pull it out and point it to Ed just as he's got his dick in his hand.

  “You fucking piece of shit, back the fuck away from her. All of you,” I say pointing my gun toward each of them.

  Sam is still holding his to my head, and Trent just laughs thinking I'm still in a compromised position.

  “Samson, for Christ’s sake, do your job!” he yells toward Sam.

  Sam pulls my head back to his shoulder, and pushes it to the right. He aims his gun away from my head right to Ed and fires.

  I turn my head to see Ed stumbling back. He was shot in the chest. A good shot.