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I’m about to make a joke at his expense to try to lighten things up when X’s voice comes through my earpiece. “Blake, need you to send someone down to the basement.”
“You got him?” I ask, recalling hearing him order someone to reveal themselves and wonder if I somehow missed an altercation.
“Nope. The fucker got out a door we didn’t know about.”
“The fuck?” I shout, stomping back toward the SUV and my computers. How in the hell did I not know there was a cellar door in the place? I didn’t notice one when I was there, but I didn’t get a chance to scope out the entire perimeter since I was outnumbered by Dominic’s guys at the time. Figures that something like this would happen! Fuck! Now what?
“No one saw him outside; they would have stopped him.” Even if they couldn’t get their hands on him, if he’d been seen we would’ve heard about it.
“Gonna need bolt cutters too. There’s another girl down here,” He snaps, not paying attention to my words. He sounds pissed off. Something else too, worried maybe. Dashing to the SUV I grab bolt cutters from the supply box in the back and run toward the house. I’m getting ready to go inside when my phone rings, it’s Mike and I really should take the call to see what’s going on back at the casino. I see Travis, I hand the tool to him.
“Basement.” I direct him, already turning away and answering my phone.
“Yeah?” I growl into the phone.
“Hey boss,” Mike grumbles, “Just wanted to let you know that we’re here at Luminoso. Do you need me to head back over there?”
“Nah, I think we are good. The other car just got here, and there’s room in my ride for anyone else who needs a lift. Why don’t you wait for us in the parking garage and we will all go up together.” I tell him.
“Copy,” he tells me.
Of all the guys who we have working for K&S, Mike is the one who remains a mystery. He never volunteers information about himself and prefers to work alone. For a guy who was part of a S.E.A.L. team I’m always surprised by how much he doesn’t want to be part of a team with us. I know there’s a story there, but despite that he’s always willing to go wherever we need him, and he doesn’t balk when the going gets tough. I’m glad he’s in my corner.
He disconnects the call without another word. Typical Mike. I shake my head and walk back toward my vehicle and place a quick call to Ana letting her know we are on the way, while watching the Suburban that I requested fill up with the remaining victims and the remainder of our team.
“Go ahead and let Weaver know about this place. We are on our way out.” Xavier gives the word and I hit send on the text I had prepared for her earlier that includes the address. Dominic’s guys are secured inside, and I have no doubt that she will have a team here within minutes. I expect she’ll be knocking on Xavier’s door not long after that. She’s an intimidating woman. Cold as ice from what little interaction I’ve had with her and determined to bring X down with Dominic if she can find a way to do it. Someone needs to tell her that, oddly, he’s one of the good guys in this whole situation.
Knowing we need to leave, now, I get behind the wheel of my vehicle and start the engine. Trav comes out of the house first and directs Geno to get in the passenger seat. He’s always like that. Doesn’t want to ride when he can be behind the wheel. The back door opens and closes on the passenger side of my SUV and I look in the rearview mirror to see who it is. It's Grayson. He’s holding a slight figure wrapped in something red in his arms, but I can’t get a clear look at who it is. His jaw is rigid, the hard lines of his face grim, but his eyes when they briefly meet mine in the mirror are soft and tormented.
This. This is what’s been going on with him. I’m sure of it.
The passenger door opens and Xavier climbs in. “Called for another ride when I saw how many were being brought out,” I tell him when he frowns at the oversized vehicle pulling away from the curb. My phone vibrates with a message. As I expected. “Weaver is going to come by after she gets this under control.” I gesture to the now brightly lit house. He nods with a sigh, leaning tiredly back against the headrest, as we roll forward and head back through the always bustling city.
While I drive, I can’t help but to split my attention between the road and the couple in the backseat. Grayson’s voice is nothing more than a low murmur of sound, talking to the girl in his arms soothingly. It’s the most emotion I have seen from the giant man since I have been here. Watching him, every question I had about him is answered. His girl was missing, and he was looking for her. But why didn't he say anything to anyone about it? It’s not as if there weren’t people who would have helped him.
“I think she needs to see a doctor, X.” His rough, anxious voice is quiet, but still easily heard in the silent vehicle.
“Dr. Halvorson is coming to the hotel,” I volunteer, hoping to allay some of his fear. X is the one who passed along the number for his physician in preparation for this evening. Now that I’m thinking about it, I had better call Halvorson and let him know what to expect when we get there. Ignoring cell phone laws, I reach for my phone on the console and place a quick call letting the doc know the few details I have and our ETA. The call only takes a few seconds.
“Halvorson will be waiting,” I reassure Grayson, “Ellie will be there too, and she will help take care of your girl if she needs anything.” I’m not sure what made me say that last part, but I know that it’s true. Ellie isn’t the sort to not be there to lend a hand, and I’m glad she’ll be there when this night finally ends. This whole operation has left a bitter taste in my mouth and I’m craving her sweetness to remind me that the world isn’t all evil and hatred and people hurting each other. Just part of it.
“Dominic is mine now, X.” Grayson’s words growl through the darkness. I feel more than see Xavier tense in his seat beside me.
“We can figure that part out once we know where the sick fuck is.” His voice is tight, like he’s holding back from saying more, but we pull into the stuffy parking garage next to the other vehicles and he doesn’t continue.
When they see us, Geno and Travis begin opening the doors to let everyone out and begin ushering them toward the large service elevator. There is a lot of rustling and murmuring as everyone climbs inside. Grayson carries the girl in his arms to the smaller, private elevator. I get on with them and Xavier follows, pushing the solitary silver button. The doors slide closed soundlessly, taking me back to my angel.
Chapter 27
Ellie
Ana’s home descends into complete chaos the moment the door swings open and Travis walks in, leading a group of shell-shocked looking people. Some of them have wool blankets wrapped around their shoulders while others huddle together in varying states of undress. A young girl with long brown hair dressed in a dirty tank top and underwear steps out from behind Travis looking around anxiously with large frightened eyes that dominate her round cheeked face.
“Gracie!” Margot’s shrill cry breaks the tense silence as she jumps up in a flurry of tears and rushing limbs to gather her granddaughter into her arms. The petite teen bursts into loud sobbing wails and Margot sinks to the floor rocking her back and forth while crooning into her dirty, matted hair.
There are eight people in total, plus Travis and several other men that I don’t know. I look for Blake and Xavier, but don’t see them anywhere yet. I know that they must be coming.
Ana slips past me to hurry down the hall, her hand clamped over her mouth, her face ashen. Everyone is milling around the large living room and I glance around, looking for Blake again. I busy myself in the kitchen to keep my mind from wandering. I know that I shouldn’t be worried. I’m positive that Travis would have said some
