Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
I consider his words carefully, weighing the risk. This could be the break we’ve been waiting for—the opportunity to take down both Christopher and the Russians in one swoop. But it also means getting in deeper with Lazarus, playing his game.
“We’ll find Enzo,” I say finally, meeting Lazarus’s gaze. “But you’re going to tell us everything you know about Christopher’s operation. Every safe house, every contact with the Russians. We’re not leaving here without the full picture.”
Lazarus smirks, as if he’s been expecting this. “You’ll have everything. I want Christopher taken down just as badly as you do. He’s gone too far.”
Vin stands, nodding toward me. “We’ll need those details now. We don’t have time to waste.”
Lazarus motions to one of his men, who steps forward with a folder. “This has everything I know about Christopher’s dealings. The addresses, the contacts—everything you’ll need to stop him.” He hands it over, and I grab it, flipping through the documents quickly. It’s all there.
“We’ll handle Christopher,” I say, standing up. “But remember, Lazarus, if you’re holding anything back, we’ll find out. And when we do, it won’t be pretty.”
Lazarus grins, leaning back in his chair, a satisfied look on his face. “You’ll find I’m a man of my word. Now go find Enzo. And when you do, make sure he’s brought back alive.”
Vin and I exchange one last glance before heading toward the door. We’ve got what we came for—more than we expected, really—but now the real work begins. Taking down Christopher, finding Enzo, and getting Eva and Nate out of this mess.
As we step outside, the weight of what’s ahead hits me like a ton of bricks. This isn’t just about taking down one man anymore, it’s about dismantling an entire operation. And if we fail, more lives will be at stake than just Eva and her son’s.
Chapter 36
Evangelina
I try to open my eyes, but they feel heavy, swollen. The taste in my mouth is warm, metallic. Blood. It coats my tongue, thick and nauseating. Every inch of my body aches, my head throbbing with a dull, persistent pain that makes it hard to think.
I hear muffled sounds… sobs, whispers, the clinking of metal. My heart skips a beat as I try to focus, forcing my eyes to crack open against the pain. The dim light burns, but I manage to see shadows shifting around me. It takes a moment for everything to come into focus, but when it does, a wave of dread crashes over me.
There are women all around me. Dozens of them, some huddled together, others slumped against the walls. Their faces are pale, streaked with tears, and they’re all cuffed to the same metal railing that’s digging into my wrists. I glance down, feeling the plastic bite into my skin, and my stomach churns. I’m trapped. We’re all trapped.
A movement in the distance catches my attention, and I force myself to look up. That’s when I see them, a group of men, dressed in dark clothes, rifles slung over their shoulders. They move with a deadly purpose, barking orders at each other in low voices. Is that Russian? Leading them is Christopher.
My breath hitches in my throat, and a wave of nausea rises within me. Christopher. The man I once trusted, the man I married. Now he’s leading this nightmare. His face is calm, his steps deliberate as he surveys the room, his eyes cold and calculating. It’s like he’s a completely different person. Or maybe I’m finally seeing him for who he really is.
I struggle against the zip ties, the plastic biting into my wrists as I twist, but it’s useless. The more I pull, the tighter they feel. Panic sets in, and I can’t stop the tears from welling up in my eyes. I have to get out of here. Where’s Nate? Did Christopher do something to him?
I glance around, my eyes darting from face to face, hoping—praying—that Nate isn’t here, that maybe he’s safe, somewhere far from this hell. But all I see are terrified women, huddled together in despair.
Christopher approaches, his gaze sweeping over us as if we’re nothing more than cargo. His voice cuts through the air, cold and emotionless. “Keep them quiet. We’ve got a schedule to keep.”
The men around him grunt in acknowledgment, moving to stand near the exits, guns at the ready. I can’t believe this is happening. I can’t believe Christopher is the monster behind it all. My mind races, desperate to understand, to figure out how I ended up here. He was always controlling, always cruel, but this? Trafficking women? Selling us like we’re nothing?
The other women around me begin to cry harder, the realization sinking in for all of us. There’s no way out. No one is coming to save us. And Christopher, he’s not just selling us off; he’s destroying every last shred of humanity we have left.