Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
Paige
“Let’s take position,” I said, opening the car door, my hand wrapped tightly around my Glock. “You do not get out of this car.” I turned and looked at Parker. “I mean it, Hamilton.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere. You two be careful.”
“Northeast corner,” I said, nodding toward the shadows where four of Elias’s men stood smoking a cigarette.
“That can’t be all of them,” Simon said.
“Trust me. There’s more. Over there.” I pointed, counting at least six more men.
“Shit. We should have brought back up, Paige. Ten against two isn’t good.”
“We’ll be fine, detective. I have your back, and you have mine. Let’s go.” We crouched down between the cargo units and slowly headed in the men’s direction.
We stopped as the cargo ship pulled up.
“Let’s go.” One of the men shouted, waving a few others along.
I grabbed the knife from my boot and stepped behind one of the burly men who stood guard.
Grabbing his hair, I pulled his head back and slit his throat, sending him to the ground.
The loud thump caught the other men's attention.
The war started as I grabbed my other Glock from my back and headed toward them, firing both guns, while Simon took out a couple of the others. There was no sign of Elias.
“Drop your weapon. Where’s Elias?” I pressed one of my guns into the back of one of the men.
His gun slowly fell out of his hand and onto the ground as he raised his arms up.
“Fuck you, bitch. I ain’t telling you shit.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a gun pointed at Simon. Turning my other gun, I shot him before he could pull the trigger.
“Thanks.” Simon smiled.
The man before me spun around, knocking one of my guns against my forehead and tackling me to the ground.
His strong hand wrapped around my neck. Both guns went flying across the concrete.
I could feel the blood trickling down the side of my face where he hit me.
My knee jammed into his midsection with such force that it sent him backward, his hand releasing from my throat.
I scooted back, trying to stand as he lunged for my ankle.
I kicked him again, this time in the face.
He fell on his back, arms spread wide. Grabbing my gun, I fired two shots into his thighs. His screams echoed, and Simon ran over.
“I’ll ask you one last time,” I said, pressing my boot against the wound in his thigh. “Where is Elias?”
“Go to hell.”
Sighing, I crouched beside him, jamming my gun into his chest.
“Listen. The bullets in your leg? That was me being nice. The next one goes somewhere much less pleasant.”
“You think I’m scared of you, bitch. Elias will kill me himself if I talk.”
“Well, maybe I’ll let him be the one to kill you then. You aren’t going anywhere with bullets in both legs.” I smirked.
“Good idea.” Simon looked at me and smiled. “I think knowing Elias is coming after him is punishment enough. Let’s go see what’s in that cargo unit.”
“Paige. Simon.” We heard Parker from behind.
“Didn’t I tell you to stay in the car?” I shouted.
“I see everyone is dead. So there’s no danger.”
He followed us to the cargo unit. Simon shot off the lock and opened the doors. Nothing prepared me for what we saw inside.
“Jesus Christ,” Simon sighed, running his hand through his hair. “I’m calling this in.”
“What the fuck, Paige. They’re children.”
I swallowed hard as twenty children, boys and girls, ranging from ages eight to twelve, were huddled together, scared for their lives.
“Don’t be afraid. We’re here to help you.” I extended my hand to them.
Parker helped me get them out one by one. I could hear multiple sirens in the distance. It was my cue to leave.
“Simon, I can’t be here when the cops arrive. Parker and I are taking off.”
“Go. I got this,” he said. As I began to walk away, he called my name. “Paige.”
“Yeah?” I turned around.
“Excellent work. I’ll be in touch tomorrow.”
I nodded, and Parker and I climbed into the car. Pulling my phone from my purse, I called Gabriel.
“Paige, did you find the shipment?”
“Yes. It was children, Gabriel. He’s trafficking children.”
“Was Elias there?” he asked.
“No. But I have a feeling he’ll surface after this. I’ll be in touch.” I ended the call.
“You’re bleeding,” Parker reached over and wiped the blood from my head. “You need stitches, Paige.”
“No hospitals. I can’t risk it.”
He pulled out his phone and dialed someone. When they answered, it sounded like a party was going on in the background.
“Parker, is everything okay?”
“Grayson, a friend of mine, needs stitches, and she can’t go to the hospital.”
“Bring her to the house.”
“It sounds like you’re having a party.”
“Just our usual Saturday night get together. No big deal. Bring her over, and I’ll stitch her up.”
“Thanks. We’re on our way.”
“Is that the doctor who helped your father?” I asked.
“Yes.” He put the car in drive and took off.
We stepped onto the porch and Parker lightly knocked on the door. A woman answered.
“Parker, come in.”
“Ava, this is Paige. Paige, Ava. She’s Grayson’s wife.”
“There you are. Come sit down.” Grayson gestured.
“Sweetheart, go get my suture kit,” he told Ava.
“What happened?” Grayson asked, examining my forehead.
“Some asshole clocked me with my own gun.”
“You’re going to need about four stitches. Want a drink?”
“Yeah, definitely.”
Ava walked over to the bar and poured me a glass of scotch. After handing it to me, I chugged it like it was water.
“Okay. Ready,” I said.
I didn’t wince once, for I was used to being stitched up.
“How did this happen?” Grayson asked.
“It’s best if you don’t know,” I said.
“Does this have anything to do with Simon taking off earlier?” he asked.
“She can’t answer that,” Parker said.
“Ah, I get it. Secret police business. All done.”
“Thanks, Grayson. I owe you,” Parker said.
“Don’t mention it. You know we’re always here for you guys when an emergency arises.”
“Thank you.” I stood from my chair. “I can trust you won’t say a word about this to anyone?” My brow arched.
“Your secret is safe with me.” He winked.
Parker and I climbed into the car, and he drove us back to his house.
“You’re sleeping in my bed,” he said.
“I am?” I glanced at him.
“Yes. You have a head wound, and I need to make sure you’re okay.” He smiled.
“I’m fine, Parker. These aren’t the first stitches I’ve had.”
“I know, but I’m not taking no for an answer.”
“If you say so.”
A warm feeling swept over me. I didn’t need anyone to care for or look after me. Nobody ever had since the accident, especially my “fake” parents.
When we arrived home, we went upstairs. As I was changing into my nightshirt, Parker walked over and wrapped his arms around me.
“Tonight was very dangerous, and I was worried.”
“I wasn’t.” I smiled.
“Come on, Paige. Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Pretend like you’re never afraid of anyone or anything.”
“I’m not.” My brows furrowed. “I’m an assassin, Parker. I was thoroughly trained for situations like tonight and worse. I don’t get scared or nervous. It’s not who I am.”
“I’m sure you were before the accident.”
“Who knows. Maybe.”
We climbed into bed, and I snuggled against him, my head resting on his muscular chest. There was one thing I was afraid of—my feelings.