Chapter 2
Sloan headed toward his office, hoping Becky was the only one inside. They’d walked out together that morning, but Damon’s call stopped him halfway to the door, pulling him into something that couldn’t wait. A vacant warehouse down by the river filled with empty cages. Another trafficking site.
It never fucking stopped.
He pushed the door open, his gaze going straight to Becky’s desk before he even registered anyone else in the room. It was empty. He felt the hit of disappointment in his chest, but he hid it behind the same controlled expression he always wore.
She’d told him she needed to finish payroll today. She had looked tired this morning. Her skin paler than usual. He’d tried to get her to stay home, told her he’d handle it and that she needed to rest, but Becky being Becky had shut that down fast.
“You talk to Damon yet?” Sloan asked Duncan as he sat down behind his desk, not bothering to acknowledge anyone else in the room.
“Yeah. He called me right after you,” Duncan said, looking about as pissed as Sloan felt.
“I want to know who owns that warehouse,” Sloan said, then glanced around at the Warriors scattered through his office.
“Already got Lacey on it,” Duncan replied, checking his phone.
Sloan nodded. Lacey was damn good at what she did. Viktor’s mate didn’t miss much, and when it came to digging up information, she was one of their best. They got damn lucky with her and Jinx.
“I’m guessing you all heard about the warehouse?” Sloan said, shifting his attention to the rest of them.
“Yeah, we got the memo,” Jared answered from his usual seat in front of Sloan’s desk. At least the asshole didn’t have his feet on it this time.
“That’s the fifth one this week,” Ryker said with a frown. “How many empty warehouses are there around here?”
“Too fucking many,” Sloan muttered, dragging a hand over his eyes. “Have Lacey pull a list. All of them. Locations, owners, anything she can find. If she needs help, bring Jinx in.”
Duncan nodded, then headed out.
Sloan leaned back slightly, his gaze moving over the room again. “What in the fuck are you all doing in here? Am I not giving you enough to do?”
“Actually, we’re here to see Becky,” Jared said, glancing up from his phone.
Sloan’s frown deepened. “Why?”
“We haven’t gotten paid yet. Figured we’d see what was going on.” Jared dropped his gaze back to his phone like that was the end of it.
Something inside Sloan snapped. His hand tightened into a fist on the desk as that image from this morning hit him again of Becky standing in their kitchen, looking exhausted and pale.
Now these assholes were in his office worrying about their paychecks.
As if they needed it right now. He paid them enough that they’d be fine without a paycheck for a month or even more.
Sloan stood slowly, his eyes already darkening. “Get the fuck out of my office.” His voice dropped, low and controlled, which made him even more formidable. “You’ll get your fucking paycheck when I say so. And you do not question Becky on anything. You got me?”
“We’re not upset or anything at Becky,” Sid tried to explain. “It’s just some of us got paid and others didn’t. We just wanted to know if there was a problem.”
“There is going to be a big fucking problem if every single one of you don’t walk out of my office.” Sloan growled, his eyes narrowed dangerously. “You will get your paycheck by the end of the day. Now get out and get your asses to work.”
As everyone filed out, Sloan sat back down, his glare following every last one of them until they cleared the room.
And then Steve stopped in front of his desk.
Fuck.
“What?” Sloan snapped.
“I—ah… well… I’m good on my check,” Steve said, talking fast like that might save him from Sloan’s fury. “I mean, I didn’t get it yet either, but that’s not why I’m here.”
Sloan just looked at him, one brow lifting, waiting for him to get to the damn point.
“This is probably a really bad time to ask this,” Steve added, grimacing just as Viktor walked in.
“Steve,” Sloan said, already losing patience as he glanced at Viktor, then back at him. “Get to the fucking point.”
“Right. Okay.” Steve nodded like he was psyching himself up even rolled his shoulders like he was getting ready to defend his title in a fight.
“Drew’s starting school soon, and I wanted to take her and Mira to King’s Island for the weekend.
Like… a normal family thing. Kent said he’d cover my shifts.
I’m not just ditching out or anything. I like my job. I need my job. Big fan of the job.”
“When?” Sloan asked, cutting him off.
“Friday. I’ll be back for my Sunday shift,” Steve said quickly. “And I’ll stay close. If something goes down, I can be back fast. I just… wanted to do something with Drew before she starts school. I mean, once she starts, before we know it she will be leaving for college and—”
Sloan studied him for a second before cutting him off again. “Fine.”
“Then she’s married to some dumb fuck I want to kill on the daily and having....huh?” Steve stopped his rambling with a confused look on his face.
When Steve just stared at him with a confused look on his face, Sloan rolled his eyes.
“Be back for your shift Sunday, Steve.” Sloan glared at him knowing this conversation wasn’t over because, it was Steve.
“Really?” Steve finally asked still looking a little shocked, which made Sloan wonder if he was that big of an asshole. Sloan knew the answer to that. Yes, he was that big of an asshole.
“No, I’m fucking lying.” Sloan sighed, rubbing his forehead. “Get the fuck out of here Steve and don’t be late for your shift on Sunday.”
“Ah, you’re fucking with me.” Steve let out a breath and snorted. “Not used to you joking especially with me. Usually feels like you’re one bad day away from killing me.”
“What makes you think I’m not?” Sloan said, his eyes narrowing. “Get the fuck out.”
“Going!” Steve jumped, already moving for the door, then stopped like he forgot something. “Oh—uh, Mira wanted me to tell you if Becky needs help, she’s more than willing to jump in.”
“I appreciate that,” Sloan said after a second of hesitation, and meant it.
Steve also hesitated, then added, a little more serious now, “I know Jared can be a dick about his check, but Mira handles our stuff. We’re good. Becky doesn’t need to be killing herself over it.” He shrugged. “She looks really tired. And thanks Sloan. See ya Viktor.”
“Have fun on your trip, Steve,” Viktor grinned watching Steve hurry out the door. “That fucking kid is a mess, but a good dad to Drew.”
Sloan didn’t say anything. He couldn’t. His throat had tightened, the words just sitting there as it hit him that it wasn’t just him seeing it—everyone else was noticing something was off with Becky. And if he was being honest that messed with him in a bad way.
Something cold settled in his chest, sharp and unfamiliar, and he didn’t fucking like it.
Sloan felt Viktor watching him, he glanced his way. “What’s up?”
“I just left Becky with Katrina and Mira.” Viktor said, and Sloan didn’t miss the concerned tone in the Warrior’s voice.
“And?” Sloan stood slowly.
“Listen, I told her I wouldn’t tell you, but I came in a little bit ago. She overpaid me. When I showed her, she got really upset, then took off.” Viktor explained. “Katrina and Mira followed her. Once I caught up to them, they were outside with Becky throwing up.”
“Where is she?” Sloan was already heading toward the door.
“South exit.” Viktor called out.
It didn’t even take Sloan a minute before he hit the south exit door, shoving it open hard enough it slammed against the wall.
He stepped outside, his eyes already searching.
Spotting Becky sitting on the ground surrounded by Katrina and Mira who were all three now looking at him, he rushed that way.
“Becky?” Sloan’s eyes assessed her as he made his way toward them.
“I’m fine, Sloan,” Becky said, and he knew she was lying. Why she was lying to him was still a mystery, but not for long. He was done standing back and watching...wondering. She was going to give him answers today.
“The hell you are,” Sloan said, keeping tight control over the anger in his tone.
Taking the hint, Katrina and Mira stood. “Let us know if you need anything, Becky,” Katrina said as they turned to leave.
“Thank you,” Becky mumbled, avoiding eye contact.
Once they were gone, Sloan sat down in front of her and reached out, gripping her chin and lifting her gaze to his. “I’ve been patient, Becky, and I’m not a patient man,” he said, his voice even. “I know something is wrong. It’s time you tell me exactly what’s going on.”
Her gaze searched his, and what he saw there had him close to losing control.
She was afraid. It was right there in her eyes, clear as day, and it hit him like a sledge hammer to the chest.
And then he saw it coming—the lie—right before her gaze shifted away from his.
Becky didn’t lie to him. Not like this. She wasn’t okay.
That much he knew. But whatever was going on with her, he was completely in the dark.
The only thing she had ever told him was she had some female issues, but it was nothing to worry about and yet, deep down he knew it was much more than that.
Sloan watched her closely, the battle inside her written all over her face. She looked lost.
His jaw tightened.
His mate should never feel that way. It was his job to protect her, to make sure she was okay, had everything she needed and somehow… he felt like he’d failed her.
“I’m scared, Sloan,” she whispered, then moved so fast it caught him off guard, her arms wrapping around him, her face buried against his neck as she held on tight.
Sloan pulled her in, his arms tightening around her. “I’ve got you,” he said quietly. Losing her wasn’t an option. He held her tight as he stood and headed for the compound. Becky kept her face pressed against his neck, trusting him, not questioning a thing.
Inside, he didn’t slow. He wanted to take her home, but not yet. Not until he had answers.
He passed Jax and Caroline without a word, turning down the hallway toward his office. Slade was there with Daniel, both of them looking up as Sloan came straight for them.
“Don’t leave,” Sloan told Slade as he went past, already moving into his office toward the private room in the back. Slade was the main reason he was staying here and not taking her home.
He sat Becky on the bed, then reached out, lifting her face to his. “What are you afraid of, Becky?”
“I don’t know,” she whispered, a tear slipping down her cheek.
Sloan caught it with his thumb, his gaze locked on hers. “Then we’ll figure it out. Together.”
Her fingers tightened in his shirt, her breath catching. “Sloan… I think they did something to me.”
Sloan went still. For one second, everything inside him went tight as rage tore through him. His eyes darkened, something cold and deadly settling in.
“Who?” he asked in a deadly voice that didn’t sound like his own.