Chapter 22
Twenty-Two
Kayden
This ring bust is probably one of the hardest ones we’ve had yet.
They are catching on to us and haven’t settled into a set routine which makes organizing our plans that much more difficult.
Not only that, but a lot of them no longer have security cameras for us to hack into.
Luckily, with my connections and money, I was able to get a through-wall radar system with the help of Franklin.
The radar sends pulses which can pass through even the thickest cement, showing us exactly where the men and women are.
These handheld devices are connected to Franklin’s system so he sees exactly what we see at any given time.
The one thing that has benefited us throughout all of this is that these groups choose secluded houses to traffic these women.
The less eyes they have on their operations, the less likely they are to be caught.
As we wait in the woods surrounding the house, we hold tight for the perfect timing to make our move.
“Axel, what does your device show? My damn screen is lagging. I need an update.”
“Ten-four, Boss. As of right now, the men are all in the central room, probably watching TV,” Axel says, his voice coming through my headset.
“Let’s give it a bit. I want to make our move very shortly. Quick in and out mission, men.”
“Ten-four.”
As we wait in silence, I can’t help but think back to my conversation with Dani.
Just when I thought we were making headway, I had to go and fuck it up.
She got me so fucking worked up when she voiced the possibility of walking away—like it was even a fucking option.
I understand more than most the situation Dani found herself in years ago with Anthony Romani, and maybe that makes me a damn bastard for telling her I’d chain her up before losing her, but I was fucking desperate in that moment.
The thought of losing her had me spiraling.
It took everything in my willpower to get up and leave her in that room.
I shake my head, frustrated all over again.
My head pounds from the force I’m clenching my teeth with.
Taking off my gloves, I pull out my phone, which I keep on silent during missions, and notice a dozen missed calls from Donovan.
My stomach plummets as my thoughts spiral.
I left Donovan at Eden… for him to be calling when he knows I’m on a mission, it has to be bad news.
Before I can hit the call button I notice my text message app shows twenty new alerts.
Donovan
Kayden, we have a real issue here.
Kayden, 10-65. I repeat 10-65.
Dani ran out of here and escaped in a vehicle.
Looking up license plate now.
The texts continue, each getting more and more fervent the longer I don’t answer. The last text message eases my racing heart by a millisecond but leaves me all the more confused.
Donovan
The plate belongs to your brother.
“Fucking hell,” I mutter as I place the call to Donovan. I knew Dani was furious and needed time to think, but I didn’t actually think she would leave Eden. I didn’t think she’d be so hasty to escape me.
“Holy fuck, Kayden,” Donovan answers on the third ring.
“What’s going on, Donovan? What do you mean the license plate tracks back to my brother?”
“It’s registered to Jaxon Stonewell, Sir. I could barely make out a female driving.”
Melody—had to be. But where the fuck was she taking her?
“What the fuck exactly happened?”
“She said she was throwing some things away in the dumpster, which I believed her… Before you know it, she’s hightailing it to the vehicle. She got away before I could even reach her.”
“FUCK! Let me call you back. I have a call to make.”
When Melody doesn’t answer my numerous calls, I call Jaxon. He answers on the first ring.
“Where the fuck is she?”
“Well, hello to you too, Brother. Who exactly are you referring to?” Jaxon asks, a hint of annoyance in his tone.
“Melody. Where is she?”
“Be careful the tone you choose when it comes to my wife, Kayden,” Jaxon seethes.
“I don’t have time to deal with your over-the-top bullshit, Jaxon. Where is Melody? She has a lot of explaining to do.”
I hear murmuring before Jaxon responds, “She’s right here with me. Mind telling me what this is about?”
“Dani ran away, with the help of your fucking wife.”
“I’ll fucking feed you your fucking tongue, Kayden. I said watch it.”
“Fine, may I please speak with Melody?” I ask through clenched teeth in the nicest possible way I can manage right now.
“Yeah, I’ll pass her the phone, but it’s going on speaker. Watch your fucking tone, or I swear it won’t matter that you’re my damn brother.”
“Melody?”
“Yeah, I’m here,” she responds with a strain to her voice.
“Do you mind explaining to me where Dani is?”
“Ummm… I really can’t do that, Kayden. I promised I wouldn’t say anything.”
“Melody, you don’t understand. I need to know where she is.”
“Why don’t you tell us why she wanted to leave so badly in the first place? Huh?”
“I really can’t explain right now. I just need to know where she is… please.”
“I’m sorry, Kayden. She’s not even in town anymore. And I’m not telling you another word.”
Melody must hand the phone off to Jaxon. “What the hell is going on, man?”
“It’s a long story.” I sigh. “But if Melody is involved, she has to be going somewhere Melody is familiar with.”
“I’ll see what I can do, Brother. But without you actually telling us what’s going on, I’m not sure Melody’s willing to break Dani’s trust. You know how fiercely stubborn she can be.”
I scrub a hand over my eyes in frustration. “I’m in the middle of something right now, I really can’t explain.”
Everything is screaming at me to go and hunt her down, drag her back kicking and screaming if I have to. But another part of me is torn between staying to save these women in the house.
“Boss, we need to make our move now. If you need to go, we can handle the mission to rescue the women on our own,” comes Axel’s voice over my radio.
Fuck. It’s clear my men heard that little exchange.
For a split second, I consider taking his offer.
I consider leaving and doing everything in my power to bring her back to me.
But I also consider these women—if anything happened to them or my men if I left, I’d never be able to live with myself.
Dani would be furious, too. If she ever learned that I chose her over this mission and people died for it, she’d never forgive me.
“What the hell is he talking about a mission? What women? Where are you, Kayden? What is going on?” Jaxon fires off question after question.
“I’ll call you later, Jax.” Before he can get another word out, I hang up the phone.
“I’m not going anywhere, Axel,” I say, even though it kills me. “But let’s get this mission done and over with so I can deal with this situation afterwards. Let’s move out, boys.”
The team and I make our way through the woods, dodging branches and watching our steps as we go. We move like ghosts thanks to our camouflage blending in perfectly with the surroundings.
I hold up my fist as we reach the edge of the clearing, all my men stop and drop to one knee, rifles at the ready. I check my handheld device one more time, confirming the men have now moved into the room just beyond the back door, sitting at a table playing cards.
“Axel. Take Bravo team and be ready at the door. On my command, I want that door busted down.”
We move quietly and take positions at the back of the house, making sure to avoid the windows.
My mind races with thoughts of Dani. Wondering where she is and if she’s in any danger.
Andrei is still a wild card. We are so close to finding his location, but who’s to say he isn’t five steps ahead of us?
After all, he did get Dani’s picture, and if he has anyone that’s even close to Franklin’s talent, they may have already figured out all there is to know about her.
Which is why I wanted her at Eden, surrounded by my men where she would be safe and protected.
Shaking myself from my thoughts, I give the command. “Now.”
Axel kicks open the door, focusing on the spot above the handle.
The men inside are slow to respond and two are dead before they can even stand, cards flying as they’re knocked back in their chairs.
Two men make it to their feet but my team lays a double-tap shot in each of their heads before they draw their weapons.
And just like that, it’s over—quick and efficient. I double check my device and confirm the only people left in the house are the women that are being kept upstairs.
“Axel, let’s head upstairs to secure the women,” I say, already heading through the room to the stairs on the right.
I take the stairs two at a time, eager to get this done and over with so I can track down Dani. The sooner I find her, the safer she’ll be.
Axel follows close behind along with two other members of the team.
Doing a quick check on the radar, we double confirm there are no surprises.
Most of the women appear to be huddled on a cot, probably terrified of the commotion happening downstairs.
I’m sure they’re thinking of the possibility that a worse fate awaits them.
One woman stands in the room at the end, just on the other side of the door.
I head to that room while the men take the others, my steps quick and sure.
Opening the door, the woman stands as far from the cot as the chain around her ankle will allow.
Her hair is a wild mess and the clothes she wears hang off her thin frame.
Her hands are behind her back as she stands, nervousness coming off her in waves.
She looks up at me and her bottom lip quivers as tears run down her face.
“Are you here to kill us?” she asks, her voice shaky.
“We’re here to rescue you. We’re not with those men. You’ll be taken somewhere safe, I assure you.”