Page 52 of Risking it All

He chuckled. “I had to check your temperature. Your response was enough of an answer for me. You talked to Reed yet?”

“She asked me not to. I figured I needed to holler at you first anyway.”

“What you need?”

“First, I need to know how serious this shit is.”

“For you?”

“For her,” I clarified.

He shook his head. “So you fucked around and fell for her.”

“I care about her,” I confessed.

“You don’t have to tell me. I know a man in love when I see one.”

“I didn’t say all that.”

“You didn’t have to. There’s nothing wrong with my eyes.”

“Either way, I’m not letting anyone get to her. I just need to know what I’m up against.”

Nicholas sighed as he moved around and sat in the chair on the other side of his desk.

“It’s The Force, Saw. What more do I need to say? There are some powerful and dangerous people looking for her.”

“I expected as much.”

“Not only do they have power, but they have limitless resources.”

“So do I.”

The signs of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he leaned back in his seat.

“I was actually hoping you would say that. You know you need to go see your dad, Saw.”

“Why the hell would I do that?”

He slid a few documents across his desk.

“I figured you would show up, so I did a little digging.”

“And what did you find?” I asked, picking up the papers before he could expound.

“My resources say she ran right after she was auctioned to the St. Thomas family. They are running a nine-figure sex trafficking ring. They marry and buy women who are virgins from their families and sell their virginity to the highest bidder.”

“Even their wives?”

“They don’t discriminate when it comes to that almighty dollar. Some of these women have even disappeared after the deals went down.”

“Disappeared into thin air, or were they killed?”

“At least two of them turned up in the morgue somewhere under suspicious circumstances, but who can really say once the deals go down?”

“She said her dad made sure they stayed virgins for when it was time to get married. When Reed decided he didn’t want her, she was considered damaged goods and went into the auction pool.”

“Damn,” Nicholas mumbled.