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She shook her head. “To keep this business running.” She splayed her hands toward their surroundings. “I’d never do it. They can have me before I stoop to their level.”
Yasmina crackled a laugh, then broke into a coughing fit, the sound dangerously close to pneumonia. “You are dumb, but I understand. I would not do what they want either. It’s why they took me.”
Nikita gathered the woman against her, cleanliness be damned. “Whatever happens, I’ll protect as many of you as I can.”
The woman didn’t reply. Within moments, the ragged, shallow breathing returned, and Nikita prayed it wasn’t a sign that Yasmina was waning toward death. She wasn’t sure she could handle it.
Come on. I’m not asking for much. Just a teeny tiny opening to kick all their asses.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Kevlar
They followedthe discarded route maps to Arizona. The vast difference in temperature should’ve comforted him. It didn’t. All he could think about was Kita trapped in the back of a semi, most likely freezing from the cold, then sweltering from the heat in a twelve-hour span.
He pulled the truck into a fast-food parking lot and shut off the engine. Hawk and Rubble were passed out after driving through the night. According to Rubble’s contact, the auction was going down that night. He glanced at the digital clock on the dash. They had enough time to clean up before picking up the fake IDs and meeting Rubble’s government friend.
The scent of fries drifted from the crack in the window. His body had been jonesing for a smoke for the last five miles. Hopping out, he grabbed a cigarette and lighter. Inhaling the nicotine, Kevlar closed his eyes. Kita was all he saw. Her cheery face and captivating eyes. He licked his bottom lip, desperately hoping to find a remnant of her there. No such luck.
Police sirens caught his attention. He couldn’t focus on the speeder chase. Kita’s smile swam in his mind and stole him back to every time she graced him with one.
He could only imagine the conditions she was exposed to. Cursing, he blew out the smoke and watched the bustling traffic. It was busier here than in Colorado. He immediately missed the quiet town, friendly residents, and lazy traffic signals. Stomach grumbling, he left the keys in the ignition and, within ten minutes, returned to the truck, burgers and fries in hand. They’d survived off nothing but takeout, and he was already sick of it. What he wouldn’t give for homemade lasagna and blueberry pie for dessert.
Climbing in the truck, he was pleased to see his brothers awake. Rubble had his phone to his ear, speaking swiftly. Kevlar handed Hawk a bag of food.
“Who’s he talking to?”
Hawk unwrapped the burger and bit into it. “The Homeland guy,” he said, stuffing a handful of fries in his mouth.
Kevlar opened his bag and dug out the double patty burger. It tasted nothing like the ones Reaper made on the grill at the clubhouse, but it’d do.I wonder what Kita’s eating.He swallowed and suddenly didn’t feel very hungry. Judging from the near skeleton they found in the snow, none of the women were fed much.
“All right, later.” Rubble ended the call and faced him. “Jones has everything we need. Just need to stop by and pick it up.” He grabbed some fries and chomped them. “The auction is at a hotel downtown. He said it’s in the basement and well-guarded. We’ll need to spruce up.”
“Then the semi made it there?”
“Yep.” He took a giant bite of the burger. “Aerial surveillance caught women exiting a semitruck and moving to the hotel an hour ago.”
“How many?” Hawk chimed in around his mouthful.
“At least fifty. Could be more or less. The drone was repositioned shortly after.”
Kevlar’s heart pounded against his ribcage. She was close. “What will they do in the meantime?”
Rubble slid his gaze to him, an uncomfortable expression on his face. “Prep them.”
“As in….” He couldn’t say the words.
“It’s a human trafficking ring.” Rubble shifted in his seat. “They’ll make them presentable for auction.” His eyes turned toward the street. “I can’t imagine what she’s going through, and for what? Her dad is Muerte, president of the Diablos MC. Couldn’t he spring her?”
“Not if his conditions of release are worse.” Kevlar finished the food, which was tasteless on his tongue. None of it mattered until Kita was safe. Even if she never wanted to see him again, knowing she was out of harm’s way would be enough for him.Hopefully.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Nikita
Hosesof cold water doused the line of women in the dark, dank room. The concrete floor told her they were on a sublevel. Probably a lower level beneath the basement. She covered her body best she could, but it was no use. She couldn’t conceal her nakedness.
Zane seemed to take a deeper interest in her specifically, shooting the water at her nonstop. She gritted her teeth to keep them from chattering, eyes sending daggers in his direction. He laughed and watched her intently before he moved to the next woman.
