Hidden Sins

by Bolton, Karice

  I stared at the table as I tried to absorb that Rikki was gone, just like my best friend and my sister. Everyone my life touched was doomed.

  “We have documents that will link everything to—“ Luke began, squeezing my hand under the table.

  “You have them with you?” Sam interrupted.

  “No,” I replied.

  “Then what good are they?” Sam asked.

  “As good as your promise to speed things along, I suppose.” Luke leaned back in his chair. “I’ve dealt with the agency long enough to know that I’ve always gotta provide some incentive. If you can focus on the men that are after Hannah and take at least two into custody within seven days, then we’ll hand over the documents.”

  “How can we be sure the documents are worth that?” Sam asked.

  “Have I ever screwed you before?” Luke questioned.

  “I’ll need to run this through our division. I don’t know how this is going to be interpreted,” Sam muttered.

  “Interpretation is always subjective. Cover your tracks and all will be fine with the black suits,” Luke laughed. “But there are copies of everything. Past shipments, deposit amounts, names and ages of the kidnapped, names of all the NLC who were involved, along with government officials and law enforcement, it’s all there to not only build the case on everything going forward but everything going backward as well.”

  “You’ve got a deal,” Sam said. “But Hannah we need you to continue to live your life as open and normal as possible. Go to your job, keep up appearances…” Sam’s voice trailed off.

  “I will.” I nodded.

  Luke stood up, which signaled to Sam the meeting was over. Rather than experience relief, I just felt like the end might never be in sight.

  “It was nice meeting you, Hannah. If there are any other developments you can call me directly.” He handed me his card and shook Luke’s hand once more before heading out of the room.

  “Well, that went well,” Luke replied.

  “How do you figure?” I asked.

  Luke pointed at the folder on the table that Sam left behind.

  “I thought you said he was your friend? That didn’t seem very pleasant.”

  “I don’t think I ever called him that. But open the folder. It was his gift to us,” Luke said, sitting back down.

  I grabbed the folder and opened it up.

  “I can’t believe Rikki was murdered,” I whispered, as my eyes fell to the first page.

  “These people will stop at nothing,” Luke agreed. “But this will come to an end. Soon.”

  “I wonder who the NLC works for,” I muttered as I began scanning the pages.

  “I think Sam just gave us the answer.” Luke brought the pages closer to us and read aloud,“997F Cartel.”

  “Who is that?” I asked, reading over the legal jargon.

  Luke flipped the page. “997F has been around since the 1970’s. Started as a drug running operation and expanded into over nineteen countries through the last several decades. They also began their luck with human trafficking beginning in the 90’s.”

  “Boy, this is way bigger than I ever imagined,” I sighed.

  My blood turned icy. They’d been doing this since then? How had the NLC been getting away with these things for so long?

  “I say we get out of here,” Luke said, his eyes searching mine.

  “Sounds good to me. I need some time to digest things.”

  “We’ll continue looking everything over tonight when you get back from Buttons,” Luke replied. “I’m not happy with the idea of you there.”

  “It’s safer working there than at a grocery store or somewhere where just anyone can get in,” I reminded him, trying to calm my own fears at the same time.

  “You can bet it’s going to get a hell of a lot safer too.”

  “I can only imagine,” I laughed, but truthfully, I was relieved. “So do you believe that Sam will keep us informed and try to speed things along?”

  We walked to the car, and I held the folder tightly. Everyone had become suspect to me now, including my own family.

  “He’ll do what he can, but he won’t do anything that’ll jeopardize his career,” Luke said.

  “Can you fault him?” I asked, climbing in the car.

  “I guess I can’t,” Luke acknowledged, before shutting the door and walking around to the other side. “But it never stopped me. Maybe that’s why I’m not still there.”

  I turned in my seat and stared at him, realizing how little I knew about the man I was falling in love with.

  Luke

  I dropped off Hannah and drove back to my house. I sighed as I turned on the stereo. Knowing she worked there was bad enough. I didn’t need to watch her engage with customers to prove that I didn’t like it, but one thing at a time. That’s why I had two guys stationed in the parking lot, keeping an eye on things.

  I spread the papers from Sam out on the dining room table as I tried to bridge any connections I could find. There was something that didn’t sit well with me. I dangled the bait and he accepted. Asked him to bring in two guys in exchange for the papers that Hannah had to offer. He wouldn’t accept that offer unless they were getting very close to a bust. Sam had a lot he didn’t want to tell me and that was worrisome, especially as Hannah was still out and about. I rubbed my hands over my face and tried to shake off the exhaustion. I didn’t know how Hannah did it. I was here barely functioning and she was at work carrying a tremendous load.

  “Everything okay, sir?” Mitch asked.

  I’d forgotten he was in the far corner.

  “Yeah. Just a long day.”

  “Long day?” Mitch smiled. “Try a few long weeks.”

  I laughed. “True. You know, something’s just really bothering me with how they always manage to find Hannah.”

  Mitch stood up and walked to the table, taking a seat across from me. “You said they tapped into her cell records and pinged her location.”

  I scratched the whiskers along my chin. I didn’t even remember when I’d last shaved. “They did. They obviously have people with the same access to technology as we have.”

  “Or connections within an organization that does.”

  Mitch nodded. “The NLC seems to enjoy psychological warfare. Maybe they wanted to continue to weaken her mind before capture so they can get what they want easier.”

  “There’s no weakening her mind,” I laughed. “She’s tougher than most men, but it’s a definite possibility.”

  “Mia was talking about going back to her house.”

  “Not a chance in hell. Mia’s…” I muttered.

  “Mia what?” Mia asked, taking a seat next to me.

  “Going home until it’s over,” I sighed, preparing for a fight.

  “Everything’s always up for negotiation,” she laughed. “So where’s Hannah?”

  “Sam thought it best to keep up the same routine so she’s at Buttons. I tend to agree, even though I hate that place. Hannah wanted to continue.”

  “Can you blame her? I’d want to keep occupied as well.”

  Mitch excused himself and wandered toward the kitchen.

  “I guess I don’t blame her. I just wish she’d let me help her,” I said, taking a sip of water.

  “You’re helping her. But she doesn’t want to be taken care of. You’ve got to respect that. She’s not ready to give up control.”

  “I’d never want her to give up control. I’d just like to make her life easier.”

  “I see something developing between you two. I think anyone who has eyes sees it, but I don’t want you to forget that this girl hasn’t had a chance to really live. She might not be ready for what you want to give.”

  I laughed. “You think I haven’t thought about that?”

  “I’m just saying…”

  “Believe me. I’m quite aware of where she’s situated in life, and I don’t want to do anything that will have her regretting her choices. No matter what they are. I don�
��t want to make promises that I can’t keep.”

  “Don’t let her make promises that she can’t keep either,” Mia said softly.

  I nodded.

  “On the other side of it, if you let her get away and lose your soul mate, I don’t want to be blamed,” Mia laughed.

  “You’re pure evil,” I joked. “Thanks for that.”

  “I’m just glad it’s not me,” Mia said, glancing in the mirror over the buffet. “But if it were, I’d forget everything I just said and would go for her.”

  “Thanks for the advice. And might I add, if either of us ever took relationship advice from one another, the world would have to be ending.”

  “Maybe it is,” Mia teased. “So what’s got you in here all tense besides the usual?”

  I let out a deep breath and closed the folder in front of me. “I feel like there’s a missing piece here that I’m overlooking, and I’m worried it’s an important one.”

  “Like what?”

  “I’m in the business of tracking and protecting. I’ve seen what lengths criminals will go to in order to get what they want. But I feel like they’re putting extra effort into Hannah’s whereabouts. Only not.”

  “How so? She’s got a lot to offer,” Mia replied.

  “She does.” I nodded. “But I feel like some of the information they’re getting is being handed to them on a platter. I think information is coming to them far too easily.”

  “How would that be possible?” Mia’s expression hardened.

  “I don’t know, but I think once I figure it out, the rest will fall into place.” I glanced at my phone and saw the time. I needed to leave now to get Hannah. “I’m sure it’ll come to me.”

  “It always does.” Mia stood up. “I’m gonna check out and head to bed. Tell Hannah sweet dreams.”

  “Will do,” I said, grabbing the keys off the table.

  The thought of getting to see Hannah soon made my worries slip away. I didn’t have a choice about Hannah Walker. She’d gotten into me and there was no turning back. I felt like there was so much more about her than she revealed. Wanting her had become as constant as my heart beat. I couldn’t wait to explore who she really was and who she wanted to become. I only hoped I would be a part of it.

  Hannah

  The night had gone well, but I was exhausted. The only thing that kept me perky was the thought of getting to see Luke soon. I had one more table left before I could close out for the night. They were on their umpteenth bottle serving, and I’d already arranged for a cab ride home for them. It was a table of four and the bill was already at three thousand dollars. I hoped to see at least a twenty percent tip for all of us to share. That was pretty standard and a pretty great chunk of change to stash away. Fifteen was the minimum and often the members chose to show off by paying more.

  “You’ve had your hands full,” Liv whispered, as I passed by the bar and grabbed two Maraschino cherries to snack on.

  “Why was it that I wanted to work here?” I teased.

  “Uh. The money. Duh,” Liv laughed.

  “Oh yeah. Do you mind covering for a few? I want to go freshen up in the back.”

  “Not at all, doll. Take your time.” She winked.

  “Thanks.”

  I walked through the restaurant to the back hall that led to the offices and our dressing room. I heard a heated discussion coming from Emily’s office and slowed down to listen. Obviously I hadn’t learned my lesson about sticking my nose where it didn’t belong.

  As I got closer, I recognized the male’s voice as Sean’s. I pretended to adjust my silk boxers and camisole in case someone came out of the office.

  “You can’t just expect me to ignore deposits this large,” Emily said angrily. “The first time I was willing to look the other way. But this is the third one, Sean.”

  “What does it matter if it’s going in the account to help the business,” Sean replied. “It shouldn’t matter. Say it came from my personal savings.”

  “I’m not going to say it if it’s not true. If we ever get audited, they would love to know why a part owner was busy dumping money into a business that was plugging along just fine.”

  “Exactly. We’re plugging along.”

  “What are you expecting out of this place, Sean? You pay the servers miraculously well.”

  “I don’t pay them miraculously well. The tippers pay them miraculously well.”

  “Whatever the case. You’re not in the red,” she continued.

  “I’m not in the red, but let’s rehash. As you pointed out the servers do amazingly well. How well? Many of them make more than I do,” I heard anger at the revelation.

  “You just proved my point. Why would you, the owner, dump such a large sum of money into a place that might not offer the return? That is a question the auditors would ask. They’d also want to know where the money came from.”

  “You’re basing everything on something that might not even happen,” Sean replied. His breathing sounded exasperated and I heard footsteps, but they were leading away from the door.

  “I’m trying to look out for the business and what’s best for you,” Emily said.

  “If you’re worried about what’s best for me then look the other way, and I promise there will be no more large deposits,” Sean’s voice softened.

  “You promise?” Emily’s voice got far too breathy.

  I took that as my cue and continued walking to the dressing room. I really hoped Mia was done with Sean, fling or not. It grossed me out. Granted, since I’d never gone down that path, maybe I was making too much of a big deal out of it. But I doubted it. The thought of sharing Luke was out of the question. Not that I actually had him to share but still. It wouldn’t happen. I opened the door and walked over to my little area. Grabbing a fresh bottle of water, I sipped it as I wondered if Luke knew anything about Sean’s feelings about the place. Something told me no. It seemed like Sean was far too prideful to talk about where he was financially compared to where he wanted to be, especially if comparing to anything Fletcher related. I took another sip and got my bearings as I thought about the possibilities. Was it true we made more than Sean?

  Liv stuck her head in the dressing room. “Table’s on the move.” She grinned.

  “Thanks.” I tossed the water on the chair and wondered if Liv knew about Sean and Emily. Maybe it was common knowledge, but I wanted this job enough to stay quiet regardless.

  I followed Liv into the main area where the four men were wallowing in their sorrows over having to leave and go back into work the next day. In this instance, I actually felt sorry for them too. There wasn’t one of them that took it easy tonight. They’d be feeling it in the morning for sure.

  “Thanks aahhso much, my beauty,” one of the men slurred. He slinked his arm around my waist and gave me a slight squeeze. He smelled so strongly of alcohol I had to turn away and just as I did, Luke walked in.

  Perfect! Just my luck.

  I never allowed men to get this close and the one time…

  As quickly as he slipped his arm around me he let go, as his group hobbled out of the restaurant to the waiting cab.

  Luke caught my gaze across the restaurant, and I felt a wave of heat roll through me as his eyes darkened. His stride quickened, and he didn’t look away as he walked across the room. My pulse accelerated as I watched his unchanged expression. There was something beyond appealing about his reaction. The idea that I could make him respond to me in this way was enticing, like I was his to be claimed. His green eyes held an intensity that I’d seen before, but this time, I felt like he wanted to do something about it, and I wanted him to.

  I flashed him a smile and a smirk appeared on his lips as he shook his head.

  “Let me guess. That’s never happened before,” his voice low as he reached me and slipped his hands around my waist.

  “It seriously hasn’t. Not like that,” I laughed, as he pressed his forehead to mine, looking into my eyes.

  His finger
s circled the base of my spine, sending a bolt of desire through me and I felt my heart flutter.

  “Let me close up the tab, and I’ll be ready to leave,” I whispered.

  “The sooner the better.” He released me, and I immediately wanted back in his arms, but instead I walked over to the terminal. I felt his eyes on me, which only made a wave of heat travel through my body. I closed out the bill and waved at Luke before heading to the dressing room to grab my bag.

  “You and Luke pretty serious?” Liv asked, as she followed behind.

  “I’d say so. If that’s possible with him.”

  “Lucky you,” she laughed, as we walked into the dressing room.

  I grabbed my bag and strapped it over my shoulder. I didn’t feel like changing out my outfit. We were headed straight to his house so it didn’t matter. I said a quick goodbye to the girls and walked out. Luke was leaning against the wall, waiting. He looked absolutely delicious. He grinned and I shook my head and laughed. The feelings this man evoked were sensational, and I had to do something about it before I exploded. Slipping my hand into his, I pulled him along through the building.

  “In a hurry for something?” he teased.

  “Possibly.”

  We walked to the car, and I slid into my seat, hoping that my exhaustion wouldn’t take over the other ideas that were beginning to form. Luke climbed into the driver’s seat and flashed me a smile. Exhaustion definitely wouldn’t win tonight.

  “You look beautiful,” Luke replied, slowly backing out of the stall.

  “Thanks. You’re not looking so bad yourself,” I teased. “So I still haven’t seen the music room.”

  “You haven’t found the entrance.”

  I started laughing, and found it almost impossible not to reveal that I knew where the entrance was the entire time. I just wanted to lose the bet.

  “We’ll see,” I said, resting my hand on his knee.

  “I guess we will.”

  We continued the drive in almost silence, but it wasn’t awkward. It was peaceful, content. Neither of us felt an overwhelming need to fill the air with small talk and I liked it. Whenever I’d been around my fiancé, I felt completely uncomfortable and like I needed to fill every second with babble about something inconsequential so that we never spoke about anything too personal. I didn’t want him to get to know me, and I had no desire to know him. With Luke, everything had changed. I wanted to know every single detail about him. Where he grew up. What schools he went to. What his favorite subjects were. Everything.