12. Chapter Twelve
Chapter Twelve
Joshua “Loki” Ledet
I hadn’t worn a fucking suit in years, and I hated it. It was too constricting. Too stuffy for me. The last time I’d even come close to dressing up was to attend soldiers’ funerals in my military uniform. However, tonight, I was playing the role of guard to Christian Rizzo, mafioso royalty. So, where the rich and powerful gathered, we all had to look the part.
New York was a Rizzo by blood. An influential family in the underworld on this continent and across seas. He would definitely fit in. He learned how to maneuver through this world before he became a Sinner. I had no fucking clue how to do that shit. I was from a middle-class family from Louisiana who owned the local funeral home. A military man. None of the other brothers had a fucking clue how to either. However, even though this wasn’t our world, it was the best way to find out what was happening on the inside.
“New York, once you get her, get out as fast as you can. Don’t wait around for us.”
He nodded. “Clubhouse?”
“Yeah. The rest of us will work on getting the other girls and Decker.”
He nodded.
Our blacked-out SUV came to a stop behind the long procession of SUVs and limousines in line along the driveway flanked by weeping willows, standing tall and solemn, leading to the entrance of Samantha and Owen Decker’s antebellum home.
“Son of a bitch,” Black mumbled as we watched vehicle after vehicle drop off people dressed in tuxedos and gowns like they were headed to a goddamn gala or Hollywood premier and not an auction for fucking women. “These motherfuckers are a sick bunch.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more, Black,” I said.
Some of the people were familiar faces, while others were complete strangers, but I made a mental note of every single one of them. No one was getting away with this shit, not on our watch.
Fucking disgusting.
I wasn’t an angel and had been involved in some pretty fucked up shit during my time in the military as well as some shady shit as a Sinner. However, nothing compared to this bullshit. Women being held captive and sold to the highest bidder was despicable. Unforgivable. It warranted every one of these bastards’ deaths.
“I want pictures of all these motherfuckers. I don’t care how we do it but get it done. Nobody gets away with this shit.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Irish said.
“No. I need you inside with me. Rock, get as many of these motherfuckers on camera as possible. I want video and photographs.”
He nodded. Getting Nikki was the priority. So, if we didn’t get all of these bastards tonight, we’d get them later. I had every intention of tracking each one of them down one by one and dealing with them personally.
The SUV inched forward. Now we were only two cars back and the tension in the car was thick. We all knew what was at stake. Decker could take down the club if we failed or we could end this shit. I wasn’t a betting man, but if I were, I’d bet everything I fucking had on my brothers. We weren’t perfect, but we didn’t deal with this kind of fucked up shit. And we weren’t going to let it continue knowing we could do something to stop it.
When we reached the front of the line, we noticed the red carpet this motherfucker had laid out which led from the drop off point, up the walkway which was illuminated by lanterns onto the grand porch.
Disgust moved through me as I watched the smiles on people’s faces as they walked up to this plantation home knowing its disgusting history and willingly participating in some of the same shit. They had this shit set up like we were at some movie premiere. The only thing missing was the paparazzi.
“What the fuck is this shit?” New York muttered from the backseat.
No one answered, but this was some shit none of us had dealt with before. We were wading in waters we had no experience in, but none of the Sinners had no problem risking it all as long as we got these women out of here.
We owned the Conjure strip club, and we had club whores, but every single woman had a choice to strip or hang out at the clubhouse. We never took their choice away from them and they were always free to leave.
I tapped on the earpiece that Wires had provided us with. “Can everyone hear me?” I asked, ensuring we all remained in constant communication with each other. Everyone’s voices echoed through the earpiece.
All together eleven of us came in three SUV’s as a part of New York’s security detail, twelve including him. There were four of us in each vehicle. The plan was for us to retrieve the other girls, then hop in two SUVs, while New York would be responsible for rescuing Nikki, then leaving in the other vehicle. While eleven guards might seem a bit extreme, the Rizzo’s were high-ranking members of the criminal underworld. No one would question why New York needed so much security.
When Rock pulled to a stop, I looked over my shoulder. “Everyone ready?”
Yeah, Prez echoed within the vehicle.
“Remember after New York bids on Nikki, Irish will cause a distraction, then when all hell breaks loose, we’ll try to get as many of the other women out as possible. Got it?”
Everyone nodded in agreement, and as I pushed open the passenger side door, the warm humid breeze of Louisiana greeted me as I stepped out of the SUV. The brother from the back all followed suit, except for New York.
We all stood outside of the SUV and did a quick glance around, like we were surveying the area for any potential threats. Then, I walked to the back door on the passenger side, where New York stepped out, straightening his suit blazer.
I’d never seen him in anything other than black jeans, t-shirts, combat boots, and his cut. However, tonight in his all-black bespoke suit and designer Italian loafers, he looked every bit the part.
With me on his left, Irish on his right, and the two other brothers trailing behind, he confidently strode up the walkway, and onto the porch.
This house dated back to the late seventeen hundreds and has remained in the Breaux family for generations with its current owner being Samantha Breaux Decker.
Its white clapboard exterior and renovated twenty-two room interior couldn’t erase the lingering stench of its history, especially since the land itself was stained with the blood of so many innocents. The trees bore witness to their deaths. No amount of renovating could wipe away the evils that had been done in the past or what was being done now on its grounds for the sake of entertainment.
We walked through the lavish entrance behind New York, and classical music filtered through the air. From where we stood you could see people milling around, laughing, and drinking champagne. If I wasn’t here for an auction for human beings, I’d think this was just a party for rich people.
As we approached, we noticed an older man with salt and pepper hair, donning a nondescript black suit. His crisp white dress shirt and sleek black tie added an air of formality to his appearance. He stood just outside of a room where a large fountain stood at the center. Although very lanky, he towered a few inches above both New York and me.
“Invitation?” the man asked.
New York handed him a black envelope. The man opened it and pulled out a black card, with red foil script on it. We had no idea what it said because the instructions from New York’s cousin were for it to remain closed.
The man looked at the card, then looked back at New York for a few minutes, then stuffed the card back into the envelope.
“Welcome to a Night of Débauche , Mr. Rizzo. If you participate in a closed bid, please place it in this envelope. It holds a mark that’s specifically for you.” He handed the envelope back to New York. “Enjoy your evening, Sir.”
A night of debauchery.
The attendant stepped aside to let us enter. New York didn’t reply, just walked forward. We all looked around at the number of people that had shown up. It was well over a hundred. All were drinking and laughing like this was some normal shit.
“I can’t wait to take each one of these motherfuckers out,” New York mumbled.
We’d get the chance very soon.
A clinking noise sounded from in front of us, and everyone started walking towards that area. I tapped my earpiece. “Here goes nothing brothers. No matter what you see, keep to the plan.”
We followed New York as he walked towards the crowd. We stood towards the back but could see Owen Decker arm in arm with his wife as they stood in front of everyone on a dais. If you didn’t know what this shit was about, you’d think we were at some kind of political function.
“This is some fucked up shit,” one of the guys mumbled.
And I couldn’t agree more.
“Welcome to the Night of Débauche !” Owen Decker shouted holding up his champagne flute up in the air along with his wife.
As cheers erupted around the room, Decker looked down at his wife as she gazed up at him like this was their wedding day or they were at a campaign stop. This entire setup was fucking weird to me and unbelievable.
They gave a small smile towards each other then turned their attention back to the enormous crowd. Both of their faces were covered in a repulsive display of pride that was impossible to ignore.
“When bidding is complete, all merchandise may be picked up in that room,” Decker said, motioning to a side room off to our right. “Once again Samantha and I want to express our gratitude to all of you for coming tonight. And happy bidding. Let the Night of Débacuche begin.”
The crowd erupted into loud cheers, before the room went dark, then a spotlight illuminated the dais. As the cheers silenced a line of women scantily dressed in what appeared to be see through black dresses adorned with crystals stumbled out on stage, but my eyes zeroed in on the only woman dressed in red.
Nikki.
It was clear that at least twenty women, including Nikki, had been drugged, their wobbling steps and vacant expressions revealed the state they were in. They could barely walk in the heels they had on and the vacant dazed look in their eyes definitely screamed drugged or either they had completely checked out of situation they were in.
Nikki stumbled side to side, and it took everything in me not to rush to the stage. She looked so lost. So helpless. With my hands clenched at my sides I had to remember the plan. Bid on her, then get them out when they are escorted to the other room.
I tapped Irish on the arm and jutted my head towards the room where the women would be held until the person who won their bid picked them up.
As he nodded, he subtly shifted his position towards that side of the room, leaving me to refocus my attention on the auction. The overzealous crowd, both men, and women, eagerly bidded on the women, their voices echoing through the room. Sickness filled my gut as I watched each one of those women barely able to hold themselves up as they were ushered off the stage into that room.
When they reached Nikki, Owen Decker walked back onstage and once again the crowd waited for him to speak. One of his men pushed Nikki up front so she was standing beside Decker. “This beauty right here will only be purchased with a closed bid. Bidding must start at ten million dollars.” He ran his finger down her cheek, and she visibly flinched. “She’s feisty and I can personally guarantee that her cunt is wet and tight.”
The words sent a burst of rage surging through me but the grip on my arm kept me from rushing the stage. “Calm down, Prez,” Black whispered. “He’ll get his, but now isn’t the time. Stick to the plan.”
Fuck!
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, then released it. When I opened my eyes and nodded, Black released my arm. I focused back on Nikki while New York placed his bid in the envelope. I didn’t give a fuck if it was enough. She wouldn’t leave with anybody else but the Sinners.
After the bidding for Nikki ended, she was ushered off the stage just like the other women. The last two remaining women were purchased quickly and ushered off the stage. Once they were securely in the room, I nodded at Irish because I didn’t want to wait. I was ready to get her out of here. He winked, pulled out his gun, and raised it in the air then started shooting.
Fuck! I didn’t know what kind of diversion he was going to do, but he was a crazy motherfucker, so it didn’t surprise me he chose loud and up front.
As chaos ensued around us, I pushed New York towards the room with Black on the other side, like we were shielding him from a gunman. Irish shoved open the door, and we pushed New York inside.
The women were huddled on one side of the room and the guards inside rushed towards us. We each pulled the trigger without hesitation. When the last one was eliminated, New York rushed towards Nikki, and wrapped her in his arms. She tried to fight him, until he whispered something in her ear, that made her immediately stop.
“Get them out of here!” I shouted, and her eyes immediately landed on mine.
“Joshua,” she whispered, her eyes filling with tears. She started to move towards me, but New York stopped her. We needed to stick to the plan. I didn’t have time for a reunion.
“I’m going after Decker,” I said.
Giving her one last look, I slipped out of the room. I wanted to pull her into my arms and apologize for not living up to my promise, but once Decker was dealt with, I’d have plenty of time to make it up to her.