“It’s Matt, right? Well, Matt, this can be quick and easy and you can be on your way, or…painful. All I need is a few answers from you. You see, I’m looking for a young girl, barely eighteen. Her name’s Darcy, and I have it on good authority that she was last seen with you Wednesday night leaving a party out on Fifth West.”
He loosened his grip, and the guy gasped for air, his breath reeking of tobacco and alcohol. His eyes darted to the door. “Sorry. I don’t know what you’re talking about. Don’t know a Darcy.”
Travis had given him his chance. Time to cut to the chase. He grabbed the kid’s wrist and twisted it. He heard the snap before the sharp cry of pain.
He tried again. “I need some information from you, Matt, and I want to make sure I have your full attention. Are you listening?”
The kid’s eyes were wide with shock and pain, but he managed to nod. Travis released the kid’s now limp wrist and slipped his hand in his front pocket to pull out a photo. “Good. You see, there’s a young girl who I’ve been paid to track down. She may look familiar? Yes? I need you to tell me where she is.”
Matt tried to speak, but the grip on his throat seemed to make speech difficult.
Travis released his hold. “I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch that.”
“Go to hell.”
Travis stepped back just enough to get the leverage needed to kick him in the knee. A satisfying crack sounded. “Now, I only have to do that one more time before the kneecap shatters. That’ll put you out of commission for a while. Make this easy on yourself and tell me where she is.”
The kid whimpered. That was better.
…
Meredith had watched Travis cross the room, tamping down her irrational jealousy when every girl he passed tactlessly rubbed against him, until he’d finally disappeared into the restroom. But she had continued to dance as if she hadn’t a care in the world, careful to keep her attention from the loft, where Matt had been just before he ducked into the restroom.
The next song started before she permitted herself a quick glance up toward the loft, hoping to see the guy Matt had been speaking with. She was certain he was the person Travis had been preoccupied with since they first arrived.
She didn’t have to look very long. He was the staring straight at her, not trying to be subtle. She sucked in her breath.
He was actually pretty hot in a scary run-and-hide sort of way, and she could see why the women around him were vying for his attention. He was clearly in charge and enjoyed that power.
But he creeped her out.
She turned around, scanning the area for the women’s restroom, wanting and needing a break from the heat, the noise, and the lustful stares. Without Travis at her side pushing his way through, it took her longer to reach her destination.
Inside, she stood in front of a mirror, trying to catch her breath. She almost didn’t recognize the image looking back at her. Her face glistened with sweat and heat and the color on her cheeks was bright, casting an unusual shine in her eyes. Where was the calm, elegant socialite from yesterday with hair perfectly in place and clothes tastefully tailored to impress?
She turned the cold water on and patted her fingers to her cheeks, hoping to lessen the flush that had probably started the moment Travis’s lips touched hers.
What had come over her earlier? Feeling the music pulsating around her, Travis’s appreciative gaze as he watched her, his hands touching her like he knew her better than she knew herself…it had been intoxicating. So much so that in an uncharacteristic moment, she’d gone with the flow of emotions simmering inside and kissed him.
And damn. It had felt good. Acting on her instincts instead of fighting them.
A girl almost fell out of a stall and stumbled to the sink, jostling Meredith. She had better get out there. She didn’t want to run the risk of missing Travis.
There were a couple of guys standing outside the men’s restroom, pushing on the door to no avail. They swore under their breath and tried again before leaving.
Had to be Travis’s doing.
The door swung open suddenly, and Matt walked out, his face tense and twisted. Beads of sweat driveled down his face. Travis appeared behind him, whispering something in his ear. At seeing Meredith, Travis said, “Matt here is going to take us to the place where he escorted Darcy.”
He didn’t venture more, and Meredith’s head screamed with a thousand questions. Matt knew where she was? He’d taken her somewhere? Was she…alive?
Travis had warned her about interfering with his investigation, but right then she didn’t care. She stepped directly in front of the kid, leaning forward to ensure he heard her. “You had better pray to God that my daughter is unharmed. If anything has happened to her, I swear on my life, I will bury you so far and so deep, you’ll be a fossil before anyone ever finds you.” Turning her attention to Travis, she asked, “How do you know we can trust that he’s not sending us on a wild goose chase?”
Travis smiled, slow and leisurely, but his eyes were cold. “Because he’s taking us there himself. And if I find that he’s holding back on us, I’ll happily break his other wrist, too.”
Meredith glanced down and saw Matt was holding his arm close to his body, his wrist at an odd angle.
Travis continued. “Oh, and then there’s that fact that, as I showed our friend a moment ago, I’m armed and not bound by any code of police ethics on what level of force I’m prepared to use. The only rules I follow are the ones that help my client. You understand that, don’t you, Matt?”
Travis nudged him with his leg, and Matt flinched.
“Now, I need you to relax, Matt. Think about getting yourself along the side of the dance floor over to the exit without arousing suspicion. If you race through the door or limp or whimper, you’re gonna catch the wrong sort of attention. And that will really piss me off and I’m bound to shoot you. My friend and I will follow close behind you, so don’t think of doing something stupid like making a run for it.” He paused. “You understand everything, Matt?” At his nod, Travis looked at her again. “Ready? Let’s get outta here.”
Matt darted through the crowd, and Travis swept his arm around her waist again. He leaned over and, for all appearances, looked like he was nuzzling her neck. He whispered, “You’re gonna need to pretend that you can’t wait to get me alone and have your way with me.”
Then he did it again. He kissed her. But this time she was able to keep her head when he pressed into her, because she couldn’t risk losing sight of Matt. She sensed the same with Travis, even as his hands traveled down her side. “Okay. Let’s go.”
They followed Matt, catching sight of him pushing the door open before it shut and he disappeared from view. Their pace picked up, and a few second later they were at the door.
What if Matt hadn’t believed Travis and his threats? What if he’d warned the guys at the door and they were about to walk into a trap? Her heart beat to a near crescendo as they pushed open the doors, and she waited for arms to restrain them.
But the guys barely bothered to look their way. Only…she couldn’t see Matt anymore.
“Shit,” Travis said and loosened his hold on her waist and grabbed her hand. They raced down the stairs, a feat made more difficult by the number of people still crowding them. The music, if possible, was even louder downstairs, and this time Travis used a little less finesse as he pushed their way through and out to the front door. They stood at the top of the stairs outside the club, their eyes scanning both sides of the sidewalk for any sign of their guy.
Travis bolted down the stairs, evidently seeing something that caught his attention, and raced across the street. He arrived at the SUV just as the headlights turned on. But Travis was fast, and he had the door ripped open before Matt could put the car in gear.
He pulled Matt not so gently from the car and held the back of his shirt as he pushed him ahead of them until they reached their car. Matt took one look at Bonnie and had the temerity to laugh. Until Tr
avis delivered an extra punch to his kidney that had him hunching over. With ease, Travis pulled Matt’s cell phone from a back pocket and powered it off, then slipped it into his own pocket.
“Wouldn’t want you to get any ideas about notifying anyone of our arrival,” Travis said over Matt’s objections. He opened the door and pushed the passenger seat down to allow Meredith to climb in the back. “Sorry, Meredith, but there’s no chance I’m turning my back on this guy.”
A sentiment she shared.
She climbed in and waited for Matt to take a seat on the passenger side. Travis grabbed the seat belt and not too gently crossed Matt’s body with it. With satisfaction, she watched Matt lean forward, clutching his wrist. She doubted he could release the seat belt latch if his life depended on it.
Travis climbed in and buckled up before starting the car. “Now that I have your full attention,” he said, pulling out of the parking space, “maybe you can tell me a little more about your operation. What’s your role, who’s your boss, what happens to all these girls you reel in.”
Matt stayed stubbornly silent as he looked out the window.
Meredith balled her hand into fists, trying to exert patience and not go flying over the seat to gouge out Matt’s eyes. But she’d promised to hang back, and she had to trust that Travis could get it out of him.
Or kill him for her, at the very least.
“I’m your best bet, Matt. You see, I’m not a cop,” Travis drawled. “I’m just a hired investigator. My priority isn’t the number of laws you’ve broken or the number of charges I could file and hope they stick. My priority is seeing that this lady’s daughter comes home safe and sound. And to do that, I’m going to need a few more details about where we’re going.”
“Nothing you do could be worse than what they’ll do to me if they think I told you a thing.”
“They who?”
Matt stayed silent. In one quick motion, Travis pulled the gun from his waist and pressed it against Matt’s thigh.
She gasped. Was he really going to shoot him?
“I’ll count to three, and then I’m going to shoot. Who is ‘they’? One—”
“Shit. Don’t shoot. Look, all I know is I get a grand for every girl I deliver. Sometimes they’re girls I’ve met and thought would be a fit. Other times I’m asked to bring in someone who’s been identified as…promising.”
Meredith’s heart tightened and nausea roiled in her belly.
She lifted her gaze to the rearview mirror, where Travis was watching her. He barely shook his head, but she knew what he was telling her. Be patient. Let him do the talking. She pressed her nails into her palms and prayed for patience.
“Who tells you who to take?”
“Usually one of the bouncers you saw back there. The big bald white guy, Lance, is normally my point. That’s the only person I know for sure.”
“Not true.” Travis fired a deafening shot into the kid’s leg, and she jumped. Matt’s scream was nearly as deafening. It temporarily assuaged her desire to wreak violence on the kid.
“What the hell? I’m telling you everything!”
“Who was the guy you were speaking with earlier? Don’t try and lie to me. I saw you.”
This time the kid sobbed, no longer the tough guy. “His name’s Ayman. That’s it. I think he owns the club. I’ve seen him a few times. I’ve probably only talked to him three times total. Ever. Tonight he wanted to know if I had any more leads on—on Vs.”
“Vs?”
“Virgins. They earn me an extra grand.”
Death would be too good for this punk.
If Travis was disturbed by this new revelation, he didn’t show it. “So you’re paid to deliver girls. Where?”
“To this safe house. I told you.”
“Why? What are they doing with the girls?”
The question hung in the air, and Meredith strained to hear the response.
“I don’t usually ask.” He sounded sullen. Travis pressed the gun against the bleeding flesh wound on Matt’s thigh, and he howled again.
“You probably could venture a guess. Try.”
“Sex. Okay? I think they’re used as prostitutes. All I know is I deliver the girls to the place and I get my money. Anything beyond that I’m not usually given details.”
“Nor would you want them, huh?” Meredith said, no longer able to stay silent. “Then you might feel some guilt for selling these girls into human bondage. There’s a special place in hell for people like you, and I for one hope that you find that place sooner rather than later.”
“Is that what you did with the girl in the photo?” Travis asked, not skipping a beat. “Tell me about her.”
“I’d seen her a couple of times. At some of the other parties. It was Lance who pointed her out again last weekend. Said to bring her in, but she and that guy took off before I had the chance. Then she came alone on Wednesday, and I did what I was told.”
“You drugged her, didn’t you?”
“It’s harmless. Just makes it easier for everyone.”
Travis smacked the kid in the head with the gun. “Easier for you, you mean. Not the girls you’re kidnapping. That you’re selling. Did you take her to the same place we’re heading?”
Matt nodded. “Shit,” he whined. “I’m bleeding out here.”
“You would only be so lucky,” she said.
Neither she nor Travis spoke again, each lost in their thoughts as Matt gave the directions. He’d at least confirmed for her that Darcy had been taken. That she was possibly even at the place they were heading to now, alive. Waiting for Meredith to save her.
She wouldn’t disappoint her.
The neighborhood Travis pulled into wasn’t what Meredith had expected. The two-story white-sided house with black shutters and a sign out front that advertised psychic readings didn’t look like the crack house she’d envisioned. It was so…middle-class. In an unassuming neighborhood in the middle of the freaking suburbs.
“How do you make the drop?” Travis asked.
“Pull up into the driveway, flash the headlights. The garage door opens, pull in. Once the door shuts, someone comes out and accepts the pack—girl. Then I leave.”
Travis pulled up to the curb, stopping short of the house’s driveway. They studied the place in silence. “Why don’t we just call the police?” Meredith finally asked. “Tell them what he explained.”
“Not without proof,” Travis said. “Right now we only have his word. And from all appearances, the house looks completely legit. Quiet. For all we know, the house is clean. Cleared days ago of any evidence. Bring the police in right now without proof and we’ve shot any credibility we have. We just need to get inside. See what’s going on.”
Meredith realized the truth of what he said. She could just envision the look on the officer’s face who’d initially taken her police report, certain she was a crazy overprotective mother. If she called them with this story, they’d laugh her off the line.
“So what are we going to do?”
“I’ve got a plan. You up for it, Mer?”
Chapter Eleven
Meredith tried to imagine the vacant look in the eyes of the girls she’d seen at the club. Stoned, almost. Confused. She hoped she could pull this off.
“Don’t forget, Matt, that I’ll have my gun trained on the center of your spinal cord. I’m a very good aim. Don’t try anything funny,” Travis said from behind the driver’s seat, crouched low and flat on the floor with a blanket they found in the back thrown over him. “Go.”
Matt pulled up into the driveway and flashed the beams. As he’d said, a minute later the garage door opened. Meredith tried to still the rapid beat of her heart, the breathing that was becoming more and more shallow in her panic.
Think of your daughter. She’s inside. Waiting for you. You can’t blow this.
When the door was high enough to clear the car, Matt pulled in and put the car in park. They waited as the garage door shut behind. Trapping th
em inside.
Meredith heard a door open and then close again before the car door was thrust open by a guy in jeans and cowboy boots. “Where did you get this pile-of-shit car?” the guy asked.
“Had to borrow it for the night. My car was out of commission.”
Meredith kept her attention on the guy with squinty eyes and dark reddish-brown hair who wasn’t disguising the fact he was checking out every inch of her exposed body. She willed herself to stay slack, to not let her body tighten in disgust or humiliation. “I wasn’t expecting you tonight. What do we have here? She’s a little older than your usual delivery. Not that I wouldn’t pay to tap that ass.”
“Lance selected her. That’s all I know.”
“Fine. I’ll get her upstairs and then we’ll figure out what they want done with her.” His fingers crept under her ass as he settled her weight in his arms, and she forced a lazy smile as she looked up at him. “If she’s rated B class, then I’m going to have to have a little taste of her myself.”
Matt didn’t say anything and allowed her to be swept into the guy’s arms. They entered the house, pausing as he shoved his elbow against the garage door opener to let Matt out. They were in a kitchen with a large eat-in area where three men were sitting¸ playing cards.
The car could be heard practically screeching out of the driveway. Matt was about to make a break for it. And hopefully Travis was already out, hiding somewhere in the dark.
He’d be there. She had to hold onto that.
One of the guys at the table set his cards down and walked back to the door. He opened it long enough to push the button, closing the garage door again. He didn’t bother to even glance inside the garage, instead returning to his seat. “Room two is available.”
Squinty eyes grunted his acknowledgment and carried her through the kitchen and past a set of stairs that led down to the basement, then down a long hallway until he reached the bottom of another flight of stairs that led to the second floor.
His breath was getting heavier as the weight of her body seemed to be taking its toll at each step he took. At the top of the flight, he settled her against him and plodded his way to a doorway. He didn’t bother to turn on the light, just took a few steps inside and stopped, lowering her down.
Love You Madly Page 11
