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Kristi catches on and winces. “Charlene was upset?”
“That’s one word for it. She hated Lydia, but she loves Ethan. She’s thrilled that Rand and Soph are having a baby so soon after their wedding. So all we have to do to make my mom really happy is get married and tell her we’re already expecting.”
She blinks at me like I’m certifiably insane. “I don’t even know what to say to that.”
Right. “I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me get us the fuck out of here. I’m going to have to take some chances and pull some strings, but…I think I might have an idea.”
“Sammie—”
“She’s next on my list. Now, listen to me. I keep a Glock in my suit coat pocket. I’m going to come in here and shut the door. Pee, wash my hands, loiter long enough for you to rifle around and find it. Hide it under your pillow—carefully. There’s no safety. Act nervous for the camera. Then I’ll come out, get dressed, behave like a dismissive asshole, and leave. While I’m gone, keep the gun there, but stay close to it. The first person who comes through that door who isn’t me? Blow them away. Got it?”
I shut the bathroom door between us and take care of business, in no rush. Finally, I emerge, look Kristi up and down again because she really is fucking beautiful, and I have to thank Mother Nature for making her fertile at the right moment and the condom manufacturer for failing spectacularly.
The thought makes me smile as I shrug back into my dress shirt.
“Ridge, I don’t know how to use a gun.”
“Point in the general direction and pull the trigger a few times. You’re bound to hit someone. And bonus: that has an extended mag so you have more chances.”
Kristi shivers. Yeah, violence probably isn’t for her. That will certainly make our life together interesting.
“Don’t be afraid, Red.”
“Why can’t you just leave me my phone and let me call 9-1-1?” she asks.
As ideas go, it’s cute…if naive. “Do you really think something like this operates under law enforcement’s nose if they aren’t turning a blind eye to it?”
“They’re in on this?” She’s clearly horrified by that notion.
I hate to burst her bubble. “Absolutely, and they aren’t the only ones. I’ve been gathering evidence for a while now.”
And I shouldn’t say any more, in case Sal or Rudy decide to pay her a visit. If they do, I’ll kill them. Hell, I probably will anyway, but I don’t want them to torture her for anything she might know.
“Oh, my god.” Her voice trembles.
I finish with my dress shirt and lift my coat, which feels substantially lighter. At least she followed orders. “Try not to panic.”
“I wasn’t really scared until now. You’re really the only one keeping me and Sammie from sex slavery?”
“Yep. But I’ll get you two out, I promise.” I slide into my coat and shoes, caressing her with a tender voice—something I don’t dare do with my eyes. “We’ve got a wedding to plan and a baby to raise, so let me get to it.”
“I didn’t say I would marry you,” Kristi calls after me.
“You will.” I toss over my shoulder. “You know I have ways of persuading you. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
I fucking hate to leave Kristi here alone, but I’ve done what I can so she can protect herself. I’ve got to do the rest of the heavy lifting ASAP. The question is, how the fuck can I end Donzelli and his organization tonight? I didn’t exactly plan for this.
First things first, find Sammie. Then I’ll get to Paulie’s “command center.”
In the hall, I see that Jimmy and the rest of his crew have vacated the floor. In their place are the two guards I saw in the third-level basement. They have to be a lot happier up here, not sweltering in air that smells like laundry and unwashed bodies.
I saunter up with a cocky grin. “Gentlemen.”
They snap to attention. The big one on the right with gleaming skin and incredibly white teeth nods. “Sir?”
“Did Donzelli tell you boys who’s in charge now?”
“Yes. You’re responsible for this operation.”
“I am. And I’m looking for a specific…piece of merchandise.” I lean in with a whisper. “Antsy customer. She’s barely legal, five feet tall, pretty brunette? Came in last night.”
The puny one nods like he’s eager to be helpful. “832.”
“Key?” I hold out my hand.
The bigger one slaps a sharp bit of metal in my palm. “This is the universal. It will open any of the doors. Ingram and I are here until six a.m. After that—”
“Got it.” If I need to know more then, I’ll find out. “I’m preparing to take 832 to the client. In the meantime, avoid 810.” I pull my shirt aside to show them a long, red scratch Kristi left on my shoulder in the heat of passion. “She needs to be taught some manners. Leave that to me.”
