“You’ll be able to hear us through this. As long as you have the girl with you, we’ll be able to track your movements,” Bruce said, putting something in Bennett’s ear. “No matter what happens tonight, we’ll only be a few steps away.”
“Sounds good,” Bennett said with a sigh and cracked his neck. “Let’s get moving then. I want to get this shit over with as soon as possible.”
“Got enough ammo?” another guy asked.
“It’s in the car. I’ll clip a couple magazines to my belt,” Bennett said and looked at me. “Let’s go.”
All of us walked out of the room and down the hall, heading toward the bunker's exit. The night air was slightly cool as it hit my skin, and I couldn’t help the sigh of relief that left my lips.
I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d been outside. The last time I could remember was when I was brought here kicking and screaming, praying that it was all just a dream and I’d soon wake up.
With no windows in my bedroom, I hadn’t seen the sky, stars, or the sun since I’d arrived. Goosebumps rose on my skin as the wind danced along my nerve endings, and I fought back tears because I knew soon, I’d be locked up again. It would be back to business as usual once the meeting was over, and I’d once again be his prisoner.
No sooner than I walked outside and took a few deep breaths of fresh air, I was put into a car and shut in again. Disappointment coursed through me as I focused my gaze on the blacked-out windows while Bennett slid into the car next to me.
I hated this life, and I hated him. I hated not having freedom and being treated less than human. It wasn’t fair that I was forced to pay my father’s debt. What was even the point anymore?
Even though Bennett said my life would be fine as long as I behaved, we both knew that wasn’t true. I couldn’t go anywhere without him or one of his stupid men following me around, and I’d never truly be free. He would never set me free, and as that thought settled in, despair filled me.
I hoped there would be a gunfight.
And I hoped it killed me.
BENNETT
The entire car ride to the business meeting was tense. I covered my nose and mouth because I didn't want to smell Aurora or be plagued by memories of Stephanie when I needed to be on high alert. I specifically told those idiotic bitches not to use that scent anymore, and they did it anyway. Maybe it was an innocent error or maybe they were purposely fucking with me, but I planned to deal with them later.
“If I smell that bad, wouldn’t it have been better for me to stay home?” Aurora finally asked, her voice slicing through the silence.
“You don’t,” I muttered, my voice muffled.
“Then why are you acting as if I’ve been rolling in a dumpster and smell like rotting trash?”
I shook my head. Stephanie wasn’t a topic I wanted to talk about with her. She wouldn’t understand that her light peach scent caved in my chest with grief. I refused to tell her that it reminded me of all the times my baby girl would get dolled up for me just because she wanted to look pretty and smell good. She didn’t need to know that her scent was a constant reminder of what I didn’t have anymore.
“It doesn’t matter. You’re fine,” I said instead, swallowing the rest of the words sitting on the tip on my tongue.
Every time I thought I was fine, thought I had finally gotten over her, something always happened to remind me I wasn’t. Stephanie had been gone for three years, but time hadn't made it any easier. It still felt like it was yesterday when I held her cold, limp body in my arms, begging her to wake up. I could still smell her blood. I could still see her blank eyes.
It tormented me every day that my carelessness was why I lost her, and I didn’t think I could ever forgive myself.
Aurora sighed and leaned back into the leather seat, folding her arms across her chest. I glanced over at her. She looked stunning. Carrie picked the perfect dress that molded itself over her delicious curves and pushed her breasts up a little, tempting me to take her in the back of the car. But I had to keep my head on straight. There was something about the meeting that didn’t sit right in my gut.
My father had been on my radar ever since Aurora stepped into my life, and the fact he specified that I should bring Aurora—despite her not being for sale—meant he expected me to lose my head. With the way he’d acted lately, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was trying to set me up.
After another twenty minutes of silence, Joseph stopped and lowered the partition. “We’re here, sir,” he announced before getting out the car.
I looked over at Aurora. “Don’t speak unless spoken to, and if I sit, you bow next to me. Clear?”
She sighed. “Crystal,” she murmured.
I stepped out of the car and extended my hand toward her to help her out. Other cars and limos lined the circular driveway as people got out in all black attire. With so many people here, I needed to hurry inside to be able to case the place before actually heading into the meeting.
Aurora stepped out of the car, and my entire body tightened as everyone’s eyes fell on her. A sliver of me was proud that she was mine, but the logical part of me knew that her presence would kick up a lot of dust I didn’t feel like dealing with. The wind picked up the scent of her lotion, and I ground my teeth.
Her brows furrowed as she frowned at me. “You’re doing it again,” she said under her breath as she looped her arm through mine.
“Doing what exactly?”
We walked up the stairs, following behind the many couples entering the venue.
“Making a face when I get close to you. What’s wrong with peach?”
“I didn’t want you fucking wearing it; that’s what’s wrong with it,” I ground out. “Now shut up and walk.”
I kept my head on a swivel, trying to look out for my father and clock where everything was. Exits. Vents. Closets. Anything that would be useful in the event that I had to get Aurora out of here in a timely manner.
Aurora cringed next to me and cast her eyes down. I scanned the room, frowning when I laid eyes on Wilson as he shook hands with a man a few yards away.
“Just keep moving. I don’t feel like engaging with him right now,” I said under my breath, my grip tightening on her arm.
“Testing; one, two. Can you hear me?” Bruce said in my earpiece.
“I hear you. Can you guys hear me? It’s loud as hell in here,” I murmured, hoping my earpiece could pick up my voice through all the noise in the conference hall.
“Loud and clear,” KC replied.
“Are you guys in position?”
“We are. I’m already in the building with Kyler and Nyxin. Saint is waiting in the car with KC. We’re ready whenever you give the word.”
“Good,” I stated, my shoulders loosening a little.
My eyes wandered around at the people inside who stood around drinking and eating appetizers served from trays carried by well-dressed wait staff. A large crystal chandelier hung in the middle of the room, an odd contrast to the black and gold floor runners, tablecloths, balloons, and banners. Naked women were walked like dogs on chains, a full leather mask on their face.
I glanced over at Aurora, a slight smirk pulling at my lips as she looked at the scene before her in slight horror and disbelief. Some of the men slapped the naked women on their asses, some fondled their breasts, and one older man had a woman stand before him so he could touch her pussy.
I was sure Aurora knew her life could be so much worse than it was. She could be one of those girls. Her friend was one of those girls.
“You look a bit green around the gills,” I teased as she pursed her lips. “Do you believe me now when I tell you that things could be so much worse for you?” I murmured to her.
“What in the hell kind of place is this? And why are they naked?” she asked, still looking around.
“They’re going up for auction,” I replied.
“People are going to buy them?” she asked, horrified.
I looked at he
r with a raised brow. “No shit, Sherlock. What else does auction mean?”
Her mouth opened and closed for a few moments before she finally spoke again. “So, this is how you get your girls? From an auction?”
I shook my head. “No. People usually auction off the ones they have no use for. Some people have different needs than I do,” I said with a shrug.
“How in the hell do you guys get away with this?” she asked, mostly to herself.
She’d be surprised at the answer. Human traffickers weren’t always the creepy weirdos sitting on the street in unmarked vans. Traffickers came from all walks of life, all with a single goal in mind: more money. They were doctors, lawyers, businessmen, police officers, and government officials. They were powerful men and women who knew how to keep their hands clean while doing the filthiest of work, and it all went under the radar.
“When money is involved, anyone’s moral compass can be swayed,” I said.
She scoffed and shook her head. “You people are unbelievable,” she mumbled.
“I have eyes on Wilson,” Bruce said in my ear.
“Where is he?” I asked, scanning the room.
“He’s talking with someone from the Romello Family. I don’t think he’s seen you yet because he’s still looking around the room like he's searching for you.”
“Good,” I mumbled, just as Senator Jackson walked up to me.
“Ah, Bennett Moreno. Always a pleasure to see you,” he said in his usual gravelly voice.
His campaigns were funded with trafficking money, despite the shiny reputation he had within the community. But the type of trafficking he did wasn’t something I’d ever get on board with. I’d never be involved in anything that involved children, and there was no telling what he did to the children he got his hands on. His presence made my skin crawl and my fingers itched to put a bullet in him. Instead, I nodded and kept my face neutral.
“Senator Jackson. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you here,” I replied, tightening my grip on Aurora.
“It has been. Are you buying some merchandise tonight?” he asked, his hungry eyes sliding along Aurora’s body.
“I’m not. Just here for a meeting,” I said.
“And…who’s this lovely lady here?” he asked, taking Aurora’s hand in his and kissing it. “You are one beautiful young lady.”
Aurora smiled nervously and pulled her hand from him. “Thank you, Senator,” she said.
“This is Aurora. She’s my pet,” I said as I narrowed my eyes at him. “And with all due respect, I’d appreciate it if you didn't touch her or put your lips on her.”
He raised his hands and smiled. “My apologies, Moreno,” he said and looked at Aurora. “You’re a lucky young lady to have the protection of a skilled assassin. He’s not someone you want as your enemy.”
“We have to get to the meeting, Senator,” I said, wrapping an arm around Aurora’s waist and pulling her away before he could utter another word.
My heart beat a little faster as anxiety wormed its way through me. I needed to hurry and get the meeting over with so I could get the fuck out of here.
I guided Aurora through the sea of people, nodding in acknowledgement to anyone who spoke to me, now on a mission to just get to the meeting. The last thing I needed was to be agitated before it. That was a sure-fire way to ensure it wouldn’t go well.
“That guy was a fucking creep,” Aurora muttered when we finally reached the quiet hall.
“Yeah, well, there’s plenty of men here who are like him,” I mentioned idly.
“We’ve lost sight of you, boss,” Nyxin said in my ear.
“I’m in the hall. I’m heading toward the meeting. Everyone else should get in position. KC can you track us?”
The line was silent for a minute, but I could hear the faint clicking of his keys.
“Baby girl’s chip is in the hall. Is that where you are?” he asked.
“Yeah. We’re heading to the meeting now. Be on standby.”
“You got it. KC out for now.”
“We’re moving into position. We’ll move at the first gunshot,” Bruce said.
“Is something bad supposed to happen tonight?” Aurora asked.
“The rules you need to follow should be the only thing you are worried about. Don’t fucking embarrass me, or I promise you’ll pay.”
She rolled her eyes. “If my life is in danger, I’d assume I have the right to know. Maybe I want to pray to God before I’m shot to death.”
“If you don’t shut up, not even God will be able to save you,” I ground out.
She sighed. “You’re such an asshole,” she mumbled under her breath.
“Just remember what I said and be quiet,” I hissed as we approached the red door leading into the conference room.
“I do,” she said with a nod.
I opened the door and led her inside. Only a few men sat around the large oak table, many seats still empty. My father hadn’t made it in yet, which was perfectly fine with me. If we could get the meeting over with without him, that would be even better.
“I always love when potential business partners are early,” a man with a thick, Russian accent said from his seat at the head of the table. “Have a seat, Benny.”
I ground my teeth. I always hated when people fucking called me that. The last person who called me that was my mother, and I didn’t tolerate it from anyone else.
“Bennett,” I corrected him. “I assume you’re Sergio?”
“That would be my younger brother. I am Solomon,” he said. “Please, have a seat.”
Solomon wore a black silk shirt that practically burst at the seams to contain all his fat. His jaws jiggled every time he spoke, and his bald head shined with sweat. His dark eyes looked at Aurora with a menacing, hungry glare, his thin lips stuck in a sadistic grin.
When I sat at the end of the table, Aurora slowly lowered herself to the floor, which was a task in itself in her tight dress with such a high slit.
“No, no, no,” Solomon said. “I’d like her to stand.”
I raised an eyebrow and frowned. “She knows her place,” I countered.
“I assume you brought her here as an example of the merchandise you have, correct?” Solomon asked.
Aurora looked between the two of us before looking at me for an answer. I reluctantly nodded in agreement. Just keep your cool and get this bullshit over with.
“You can remain standing,” I said.
Disappointment flashed across her face, and I couldn’t say I blamed her. The last thing I wanted was for her to stand in a room full of men and for them to drool over her. Some men didn’t know how to keep their hands to themselves, and I was ready to defend my property at all costs. I didn’t know what kind of tricks my father had up his sleeve, but I was ready for whatever he planned to throw my way. Solomon cocked his head and pointed to Aurora.
“You, come here,” he ordered.
She looked at me, and I only nodded, grinding my teeth as I narrowed my eyes at Solomon. She hesitated a bit before she slowly walked over to him.
“I’ll only say this once. Look, but don’t touch,” I stated just as Solomon raised his hand.
Solomon only smiled. “How do I know if I want the product if I can’t touch it?”
“You’re just going to have to trust me,” I said as other men started to file into the room.
My father walked in, and his eyes lit up when he saw me. “Good, you’re already here. I didn’t see you on the way in. I was afraid you’d be a no-show.” He looked at Aurora and frowned. “Why isn’t your slut naked for display?”
Aurora glared at him. “I’m getting really sick of your—”
“Aurora,” I warned, my voice tight.
She released a deep breath before plastering a fake grin on her lips. “Sorry,” she stated.
I turned my attention back to my father. “She’s not for sale, so there’s no reason for her to be on display,” I gritted through my teeth. “Auror
a, come.”
She moved back over to me without a word, practically glaring a hole into Wilson. Another heavy man came over to sit next to Solomon. They looked similar aside from the fact the newcomer wasn’t bald. Everyone sat and turned their attention to the fat bastards at the head of the table.
“For those who don’t know me, I’m Sergio and this is my brother, Solomon,” he started, gesturing to the man. “We’re looking for American connections for more girls, as our clients love to break pathetic American women.” His eyes fell on Aurora as he sneered at her, revealing an ugly gold cap on his tooth. My hand moved to my hip and rested on my gun. This meeting was about to go to hell in a hand basket; I could feel it. “I was told that Bennett was the man to speak to about this.”
“I am,” I stated confidently.
“Very good,” Sergio said. “I assume this beautiful young lady here is the example of women we can get from you, yes?”
“If that’s the type you want, then sure.”
“Good, good.” He stroked his thick chin for a moment. “How much for her?”
“As I just said a few minutes ago, she’s not for sale,” I answered with no hesitation.
Sergio shook his head as Solomon scoffed. “That’s no good. She’s worth millions. You’d be a stupid man to pass that up,” he said, which made my father grunt.
I swept my eyes over to him to find him frowning at me, his brown eyes a storm of restrained irritation and impeding anger.
I didn’t back down though. “She’s not for fucking sale. And you’d be a stupid man to continue pressing the issue.”
“He even said we couldn’t touch her,” Solomon mocked.
“Oh, really?” Sergio looked at me. “Then why bring her?”
“For you to look,” I replied, unable to hide the irritation in my voice. “You Russian fucks ever heard of window shopping?”
Wilson stood. “You’ll have to excuse him; he’s lost his manners,” he said, grabbing Aurora by the arm. “Of course, you can touch her.”
She snatched herself away from him. “You don’t have permission to touch me,” she snapped.
Rules of Bennett: The Complete Collection Page 12