Chapter Three
CHAPTER THREE
T rees killed the engine, but neither he nor Nash moved to exit the truck. Through the wall of bulletproof glass at the back of EM Security Management’s office, Nash saw light spilling into the foyer from the conference room. The motley collection of trucks, jeeps, and motorcycles told him the whole team had come. His family by choice, united to help him save the woman he loved.
His brother squeezed his shoulder. “We’re going to find her.”
Nash nodded tightly, unable to speak past the knot in his throat. He had to believe that or go fucking insane…but after twelve brutal hours of searching, everything felt grim. At least they had something—a lead of sorts. But showing the team what Trees had discovered on that website… Nash’s hands curled into fists.
Wordlessly, he and his brother entered, locking the door behind them. Logan Edgington stuck his head out of the conference room, then motioned them across the shadowy office, past the hodgepodge of desks, and into the chilly room dominated by a big conference table and a bunch of Alpha warriors he called friends. The usually boisterous crew sat in grim silence.
Matt Montgomery sat in his usual seat, but Nash’s step faltered when he spotted the man’s wife, Madison. She shouldn’t be here—spouses weren’t typically involved in operational briefings. But then, this wasn’t typical. This was Haisley. And Madison being Haisley’s best friend had apparently earned her an exception.
The woman looked gutted, and her tear-streaked face told Nash she’d been crying since she’d heard about her best friend’s abduction. The sight twisted his gut. If he was barely holding it together, how must Madison feel? Especially now, when her early pregnancy had her emotions running high.
Hunter and Logan Edgington, along with their stepbrother and business partner, Joaquin Munoz, stood at the head of the table, their faces carved from stone. One-Mile Walker, their resident sniper, cleaned his rifle with methodical precision while demolitions expert Zy Garrett and fellow operative Preston Kane studied a map. Ethan’s laptop was open, but he wasn’t typing—just staring at the screen with laser focus.
“Tell us everything you found,” Hunter demanded the moment Nash and Trees entered.
As Nash slid into his seat, Trees connected his laptop to the wall monitor.
Logan cut in. “I’ve been working the phones for hours. We have resources lined up. Xander and Javier Santiago are in with some serious hardware—not just cash and their private jet, but military-grade tactical gear and satellite access. Their defense contracts give them toys most people don’t know exist. We’re working with our sister organization, Oracle, too. Their tech expert, Stone Sutter?—”
“The ex-con?” Zy frowned.
“Yeah. Did time for hacking, with a side of identity theft and digital fraud before going straight. Now he’s the best in the business at creating untraceable covers because he knows exactly what other criminals look for. He’s working with Trees. They’re drafting you a cover based out of DC, using the Jasper King name you requested. High-dollar contracts, import licenses, the works. Enough of a paper trail to withstand scrutiny. Since Callie Thorpe-Mackenzie inherited something north of a hundred million dollars, she’s agreed to pony up more cash as we need it.”
Matt pulled Madison closer, wrapping his jacket around his wife’s shoulders. She sniffed as she wiped her eyes. “My friend Genie Westbrook is good for whatever else we require—money, contacts, help in the administration. She’s got connections everywhere in DC. And I’m liquidating everything I inherited from Todd. Might as well put that bastard’s dirty money to good use. Matt and I both want to help get Haisley back.”
Nash’s throat tightened. These people—this family—were moving heaven and earth to help him save Haisley.
He turned to his brother. “Show them.”
Trees hesitated, sending Nash a worried glance. While he appreciated his older brother’s protectiveness, they didn’t have time for anyone to coddle him. The team had to understand what they were facing.
“Please,” he implored his older brother. “I’m good. I swear.”
Sighing, Trees pulled up the Rugs Direct website, projecting the image on the big screen. “They listed her three hours ago.”
The photo filled the screen. Haisley, stripped of everything but her dignity. Madison choked back a sob, turning her face into Matt’s chest. He whispered something in her ear, his own face tight with rage.
“Jesus Christ,” One-Mile breathed.
“Those sons of bitches,” Zy snarled while Kane’s face went deadly cold.
Even Joaquin, usually unflappable, swore violently in Spanish.
“I traced the IP address,” Trees continued, redirecting everyone’s focus to action rather than emotion. The usual jokes and banter that marked their team meetings were conspicuously absent, replaced by a tension that crackled with the electricity of a lightning storm. “They’re bouncing it through servers all over the world. Took me a while, but I finally found a pattern. Everything routes through the Caribbean eventually. I’ve narrowed it to a cluster of private islands somewhere between Cuba and the Caymans.”
“Show me,” Kane demanded, already on his feet.
While Trees pulled up a topographical map of the area, Hunter turned to Nash. “The background Stone and I are creating for Jasper is solid. Import-export business, specializing in Middle Eastern textiles. You’ve got the capital and connections to be believable. The kind of man who could afford their ‘merchandise.’ To shore up your background, Stone even included a past with a shady flesh peddler from Turkey the CIA took out a few years back.”
Nash’s stomach turned.
“I’m going with you,” Ethan announced. “As your business partner and a fellow participant. If we can rescue more women, we should.”
“I’m coming along.” Kane’s eyes never left the map. “A man with your cover persona would have personal security.”
Matt stepped forward. “I’m signing on, too. I’ll?—”
“No.” Nash’s voice was firm. “Stay here. Take care of Madison. Take care of…” He gestured vaguely at her still-flat stomach. “Your family.”
Understanding crossed Matt’s face. He didn’t like it, but he nodded.
“We’ve got a short window to get Nash’s cover established before they start vetting participants and auction opens,” Trees said. “Can we get it done?”
“Stone is creating a digital footprint that goes back five years. High-end purchases, exclusive clubs, private air travel. The kind of man who’d shop on this site. It’ll be tight.”
“I’ll help him finish the job with enough real details to give your story a ring of authenticity and help you maintain cover.”
“Money is being wired now,” Logan added. “Untraceable. More than enough to make you a serious player.”
“What’s our timeline?” One-Mile asked.
“The auction closes at midnight on Friday. That’s six days away.” Trees’s jaw clenched. “The money has to be wired within twenty-four hours. If the ‘winners’ didn’t attend in person, they have another forty-eight hours to get to the island and claim their ‘prize.’”
Nash gripped the arms of his chair until his knuckles went white. The thought of anyone else “winning” Haisley…
“This operation… It’s one of the biggest we’ve ever undertaken. More sophisticated than the Tierra Caliente cartel we took down a few years back. These people have serious resources and connections to the highest echelons. But we’re getting her back,” Hunter vowed quietly. “All of you, work your contacts. Anyone who might have heard anything about these islands. Nash, you and Trees need to memorize every detail of Jasper’s background. Kane, Ethan—same for the covers Stone and Trees will create for you. One mistake and they’ll kill you all.”
Nash barely heard whatever else the bosses said. His eyes were locked on Haisley’s photo. On the fear she was trying so hard to hide.
Hold on, baby. I’m coming for you.
And God help anyone who tried to stop him.
At exactly nine p.m. six days after Trees discovered Haisley online, Nash stared at his laptop screen, struggling to tamp down anxiety. The auction site’s interface looked deceptively ordinary—clean lines, professional design. Like any high-end retail website. Except these sick bastards were selling women.
Six days of preparation, of memorizing his cover, of worrying that something horrific could—or had—befallen Haisley in captivity, of watching that countdown timer tick away…and knowing a million things could go wrong. That he might lose her forever.
And if that happened, he knew precisely what would become of her. His throat tightened.
“You ready?” Trees asked, clapping him on the shoulder in a silent show of support.
No. He’d never be ready to watch Haisley be paraded and sold like property. But he managed a tight nod, jaw clenched so hard his teeth ached.
In the conference room in the EM Security building, the team had positioned themselves strategically. Kane and Ethan sat on one side of him, their own laptops ready. They would each log in separately to avoid suspicious patterns. Trees sat on the other, a spread of computers at his disposal to monitor any threat to their online covers. Matt sat across from him, tense as hell, with phone in hand, no doubt ready to text Madison with their progress. One-Mile catalogued weapons and other equipment while Zy, their demolitions guy, devised a potential explosive strategy in case everything went FUBAR. Hunter paced as he watched over the op, while Logan and Joaquin continued working their contacts.
The screen flickered. A camera focused on a luxurious but empty stage that filled the frame, draped in rich fabrics.
The auctioneer, wearing an expensive suit and an unsettling smile, emerged. “Welcome to our in-person and virtual bidders to an exciting night of prime product. Each is impeccable. There’s something for every taste and desire. You’ve all received your credentials, along with the procedures, rules, and terms of service. So let the bidding of your general inventory commence!”
The first woman stumbled onto the stage, wearing practically nothing. Her body was stiff with terror. Tears streaked her face as she was forced to turn, to pose, while the auctioneer rattled off her measurements, a clinical description of her “attributes,” and her sexual history. Rage gripped Nash, making his hands shake so badly, he nearly knocked over his water.
“General inventory,” Trees murmured, his voice rough with disgust. “They save the ‘premium merchandise’ for last.”
Nash’s stomach turned. Premium merchandise. Breeders.
Haisley.
The bidding moved quickly. Women sold for obscene amounts to faceless buyers with usernames like ShadowMarket42 and ChaosMaker.
Then a familiar face appeared onstage. Kaylee Wright. The girl whose disappearance sparked the investigation at the Oakfield Mall. She looked scared out of her mind, but thankfully alive.
The auctioneer’s voice grew silky as he presented her. “A rare offering. Barely legal. Certified virgin. Completely untouched. Buy her, break her in…and train her to be whatever you want.”
“That’s my cue,” Ethan said quietly, fingers flying over his keyboard. Their plan required him to secure Kaylee while Nash focused on Haisley. Two rescues. Two chances to right these wrongs.
He wished like hell they could save every one of these women stolen and enslaved against their will, but he would do his fucking best to break this ring up and free all these enslaved women.
The bidding for Kaylee was fierce. Nash’s throat closed up watching Ethan compete for her life with these monsters. But finally, StrikeForce—Ethan’s online cover identity—won for a price just north of two million dollars.
The moment she disappeared offstage, Ethan sagged with relief. “Now we wait for instructions from these fuckers. In the meantime, I’ll contact Kaylee’s mother and fill her in on this development.”
“Make sure she understands this is just the first step in her daughter’s rescue,” Hunter said grimly. “We’ll do everything in our power, but until Kaylee is off that island and safely at home, nothing is guaranteed.”
Ethan acknowledged the boss with a nod, then grabbed his cell phone before ducking out of the conference room.
Three more women sold. Nash’s rage built with each transaction, each dehumanizing description, each moment these bastards treated people like products.
Ethan returned as the auctioneer’s voice changed, becoming almost reverent. “And now, gentlemen…the moment you’ve been waiting for. Our premium offerings. Our breeding stock.”
Nash gripped his laptop so tightly, he feared it might break.
“Easy,” Kane whispered. “Keep calm. We’re almost there.”
The auctioneer held up a finger. “And as usual, house rules for acquiring breeders apply, so do bear that in mind.”
House rules? “What the fuck does that mean?”
Across the table, Kane cursed and pounced on his keyboard. The collective mood in the conference room grew increasingly tense as he scanned his screen. “We just got access to this part of the site. I’m reading as fast as I can, but…”
“But?” Logan demanded.
Kane shook his head, clearly disturbed by whatever he was seeing.
The bidding commenced. The first breeder sold for a few million—nearly triple the previous prices. The second for even more. The buyers wanted youth, beauty, and fertility. Women who could be forced to bear children for fun, for profit, for bragging rights.
“Found anything yet?” Nash demanded of Kane.
His fellow operative never raised his head, just kept sweeping his stare across the screen. “There are nearly a hundred fucking pages of policies, rules, and bullshit. I’m reading as fast as I can.”
“Lot twenty-three,” the auctioneer announced. “Our final lot. A special acquisition.”
Haisley stumbled onto the stage, clearly pushed by someone behind the curtain.
Nash stopped breathing.
She wore a slip of silk that left little to the imagination, but it was her eyes that gutted him. Fierce. Defiant. Terrified. She held herself rigid as the auctioneer forced her to turn, to demonstrate her “attributes.”
“Read faster,” Nash growled. They couldn’t afford to fuck themselves out of ignorance.
“The bidding for this one will be fierce, gentlemen. Twenty-eight years old. Absolutely stunning—and a natural redhead. Excellent health. One previous pregnancy, so she’s proven fertile.”
The words were a blow to Nash’s solar plexus. His world tilted sideways. Haisley had been pregnant at one point? When? During her wild teenage years? During their two years apart? How had he not known? His mind raced. Haisley pregnant? Carrying a baby she’d never mentioned? Something that monumental, that life-changing… His chest constricted with a mixture of shock and an emotion he couldn’t name. What had happened? Where was that child? And why hadn’t she told him anything?
Now wasn’t the time to speculate. As soon as he got her back, he’d get answers.
For now, Nash tried to calm his trembling hands as he swiped at the sweat beading on his forehead. Matt shot Trees a worried look across the table. His brother gave a subtle nod in return.
Kane shifted closer, his shoulder brushing Nash’s, ready to take over the bidding if needed. Ethan kept his eyes firmly fixed on his own screen, offering Nash privacy to deal with his emotional struggle. Hunter stopped his pacing to stand behind Nash’s chair, a silent pillar of support he was oddly grateful for.
The auctioneer continued his grotesque sales pitch. “Not only is she a natural beauty, she has a spirited temperament for those who enjoy…taming their acquisitions.”
Nash’s vision went red.
Hunter dropped a stabilizing hand on his shoulder. “Focus. The goal now is to get her back. We’ll right the rest of the wrongs as soon as we can.”
“We’ll kill all these sick bastards,” Trees snarled.
Logan nodded. “Every last one.”
“Get ready, gentlemen,” the auctioneer said with a lewd smile. “Bidding begins at one million dollars.”
Nash—logged in as JasperTheDick—entered his first bid. Another user, EmirVIP, immediately countered. Then someone who called himself Sultan_479 joined in.
Two million. Three million. Then four.
Nash had to exhale and steady his hands as he typed each new bid. This wasn’t about money. This was Haisley’s life. Her freedom. Their future.
EmirVIP dropped out at five million. But Sultan_479 kept pushing.
Six million. Seven. Eight.
On stage, Haisley’s eyes darted like a cornered animal, likely searching the in-person audience, wondering which disgusting asshole would win her. The terror on her face threatened to squeeze his heart until it crumbled.
“Sultan_479’s profile suggests his bidding will top out at ten million,” Trees murmured.
“What if it doesn’t?” Nash demanded.
The bidding slowed. He bid nine million. Sultan_479 hesitated, then bid nine point five.
His stomach a knot of anxiety, Nash typed in the staggering bid of ten million dollars and held his breath.
Seconds crawled by like years.
“Ten million going once…” the auctioneer crooned, then turned to someone in the shadowy audience, probably Sultan_479. “Are you going to let your competition beat you for this prime breeding specimen? She would look so pretty with your others…”
Others? Disgusting.
The bidder said something Nash couldn’t see or hear. The not knowing upped his tension. He struggled to breathe, but he had to keep his shit together for her.
“Going twice…”
The fucking bastard spoke so slowly, clearly giving his challenger plenty of time to bid.
The room went dead silent. The team collectively holding their breath. Matt’s knuckles whitened on the edge of the table. Hunter’s hand remained steady on Nash’s shoulder. Trees’s jaw clenched so tight the muscle jumped. Kane’s finger hovered over his keyboard, ready to jump in if Nash faltered. For thirty endless seconds, no one moved. No one breathed.
It felt like thirty decades.
Finally, Sultan_479 shook his head.
The auctioneer shrugged, then banged his gavel on the podium. “Lot twenty-three is sold for ten million dollars to remote bidder JasperTheDick! Congratulations to all. You’ll soon be contacted with details about when and how to collect your prizes.”
Fuck. That was more money than he’d ever seen in his life. How would he ever repay the Santiago brothers, Callie Thorpe-Mackenzie, and Genie Westbrook? Another problem for another time…
Haisley was hauled off stage, but not before Nash caught the fresh tears on her cheeks as her wild eyes lifted to the camera. His chest tightened until he swore it would explode.
Then she was gone. His only assurance that she would be safe until he came for her was the ten million in borrowed cash he’d just forked over and his prayers to God to keep her safe.
Cursing, he slammed his laptop closed and bolted for the bathroom. He barely made it before he threw up what little dinner Laila had managed to coax him into choking down.
After rinsing his mouth, he emerged, pale but composed, and found the team still in the conference room, waiting in taut silence, except Matt, doing his best to quietly calm his wife over the phone.
“Get through the house rules?” he asked Kane. “What are we up against?”
“Sorry. Still reading the terms and conditions. They’ve left themselves a lot of loopholes and latitude to enforce their directives.”
“I don’t like it.” Hunter resumed pacing.
“Reading all this shit, I like it even less. Everything is sketchy as fuck. The weasel words and obfuscation…” Kane finally lifted his head. “You won her, but this isn’t a done deal, man. We’ll have to tread carefully.”
“We’ll know more soon,” Trees cut in. “Jasper just received an email, confirming your purchase and including the payment wiring instructions. Further information will come within the hour.”
Nash nodded. Phase one complete. It was a step in the right direction. But now came the hard part.
“I’ve just received Kaylee’s coordinates,” Ethan added. “Same island. I have forty-eight hours to retrieve her in person.”
“We’re going.” Nash’s voice was raw. “And I’m going to burn their whole fucking operation to the ground.”
No one argued. They’d all seen the auction. All witnessed the horror.
And they’d all sworn to end it.
“As soon as you receive your instructions, I’ll arrange Kaylee’s release so we can rescue both women.”
Nash hated to leave the girl in there a second longer than necessary, but better to have strength in numbers…just in case. “I’ll let you know as soon as I’ve got the info.”
“Madison is so relieved her bestie is one step closer to home. Haisley sure held it together up there,” Matt praised her quietly. “She stayed strong.”
“Yeah.” Pride mixed with fury, roiling in Nash’s chest. “She did.”
Now he just had to get to her before those bastards harmed her any further.
Because he’d die before he let them break her.