Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 83970 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83970 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“Senator’s daughter. Mixed up with the wrong crowd being rebellious.”
“Oh great. Another rich girl who needs to be reminded who her daddy is.” I can’t believe this is what I have to deal with right now.
“It’s a little more complicated than that. FBI is involved because they’re pretty certain she’s been sold.”
“Fuck,” I say. We seem to be getting more and more sex trafficking cases, and each one has been worse than the last.
“Yeah,” he says sadly. “The FBI has utilized all of the resources they have.”
Translation, the only options they have left are ones that either border on or are illegal, and the government agency can’t be linked to them, even though it is the FBI who’s hiring us. We don’t take private jobs; the contracts we get are from government agencies. We help them; they protect us.
“So we’re looking at an extended assignment.” I just got Em to the clubhouse, and now I’m going to be gone from her for weeks. My luck would be she’d be gone before I get back.
“We have some pretty good intel, but it looks like you guys will be headed to South Africa.”
“Fucking World Cup,” I mutter. When the World Cup is held, sex traffickers and thousands of slaves invade the area.
“Exactly,” he replies. “I’m going to email you all the specs. You leave out at midnight so you’ll need to be at the airfield by ten to go over the details.”
“Thanks, Blade. Tell Rachel and the boys I said hi.” I end the call and remind myself that someone’s daughter is missing, and I’ve been tasked with bringing her home; that’s if she’s still alive. My anger over not wanting to leave Emmalyn alone is petty and selfish, and clearly something I need to get over.
The unpleasant thoughts of returning from this mission to find her room empty are bouncing around my aching skull when my phone rings again. Looking at the screen this time though makes me smile.
“Brother,” I say with a smile.
“Hey, man.” Kaleb’s accented voice is much happier than the last time I answered one of his calls.
“How’s Josie?” I hear him laugh.
“She woke up a few hours ago. The doctors are happy with her progress.” He pauses, and concern begins to swim in my gut. “We’re having a baby, man. She’s pregnant.”
I can tell by the tone of his voice that he’s ecstatic over the news. “That’s awesome, Kaleb. Have you told your mom yet?”
I hear him sigh and know the answer before it even makes it past his lips. “I’m heading there now. I asked her to marry me, Diego. We’re getting married!”
I thought just getting her back home to her family was incredible, but now a baby and an engagement; she’s got to be overwhelmed.
“Keep her close, Kaleb. That woman is precious.”
“I know. Hey, I’ll talk to you later; I just pulled up outside of ma’s house.” I can hear the fear in his voice. Angelica Perez is no pushover, but news of a grandbaby and a soon-to-be daughter-in-law will be music to her Puerto Rican ears. My smile is a sad one as I make my way back into the clubhouse. My Uncle Gustavo would’ve spoiled a grandbaby rotten, so this is bittersweet news for all involved.
I sent out a mass text to the guys earlier to let them know they need to gear up to head out this evening and Kid, unsurprisingly, is waiting for me by the pool table with his arms crossed over his chest. I knew the adrenaline junkie wouldn’t be happy with being left out of this one.
“Don’t give me that look, Kid. I need you here.” I head to the fridge for a cold bottle of water; he follows me like I’ll change my mind if he annoys me enough.
“You know how much I like the international jobs, Kincaid.”
“Yes, I’m well aware of your ‘fuck a woman in every country’ plan.” I smile at him before tilting the water to my mouth.
“I’ve never been to South Africa, Kincaid,” he says it as if the news will have me changing my plans.
“I’m well aware you haven’t been to South Africa. You’ll have to wait until the next time to mark it off your list.” He huffs and grabs a beer out of the fridge, a show of defiance since he’s being forced to stay behind. I grin at his passive-aggressiveness.
“Do I even have to guess why I’m being left here?” He gives me a knowing look, but I feel the need to tell him anyway.
“Emmalyn,” I say. “I need you here. She’s more important than this mission, and I’m trusting you with her.”
He straightens, his chest filling with pride at what I just told him. “Not Shadow?”
He’s fishing for more compliments, and I have to smile even bigger. “I don’t trust Shadow not to try to fuck her while I’m gone.” I raise my eyebrows up at him, and he understands my warning immediately.