Copping an Attitude

by Morticia Knight

  * * * *

  Lonnie shivered, naked. He’d been stripped, hosed off in some large warehouse area then tossed into what appeared to have been someone’s office at some point in the past. The room was small and had a thin carpet that was worn in spots. There was an old swivel chair, but he hadn’t wanted to sit on it wet and nude. Windows surrounded the cubicle from halfway up the walls and he felt too exposed perched there. So instead, he huddled on the floor where he could wrap his arms around himself. He felt less vulnerable and could stay a bit warmer.

  He tried to push the images of the large room he’d passed on his way in, the one with a big camera and lights with umbrellas.

  Like a movie studio.

  It was obvious he was going to be displayed like a piece of meat to whoever was watching. He’d already figured that the whole fucking thing would be done over the Internet. How else?

  The door slammed open and, to his horror, Valeena was shoved inside by a brutish man he’d never seen before. She landed face down with a loud grunt. She was also naked and appeared absolutely terrified. As soon as the door was banged shut again, Lonnie crawled over to her. He wanted to put an arm around her, reassure her, but she had the look of a trapped animal, eyes wide with fear as she curled into a fetal position. He wasn’t entirely sure she’d even recognize him and wondered if they’d drugged her.

  “Valeena, it’s me, Lonnie.”

  Shit.

  “I mean Slade.” It made him sick to his stomach to say the name out loud. “It’s Slade. Remember?”

  Finally, that seemed to get her attention. Her eyes traveled to his and there was the light of recognition in them.

  “Slade?”

  “Yeah. It’s me.”

  He attempted to smile. It felt unnatural under the circumstances and he abandoned his efforts. He had a genuine concern that his expression might end up looking more like that of a circus clown and he didn’t want to scare her any more than she already was.

  “Where are we, Slade? I can’t… I don’t remember…”

  She put her hand to her forehead and cast her gaze down. She seemed so lost and Lonnie wanted to pound into the cement whoever the asshole was who’d fucked with her.

  Samson. It had to be that piece of slime.

  It had seemed too good to be true and like everything else in his life, he’d been right.

  No. Not everything. Parker was the real thing.

  He couldn’t go there, couldn’t think of Parker in the past tense. Truthfully, he couldn’t think of Parker at all without losing his shit.

  “Valeena, listen to me. Was it Samson? Did he do this to you?”

  Her face crumpled and Lonnie immediately regretted bringing up her would-be lover.

  “I thought he loved me. We were going to… Going to go away.” She shook her head, frowning as if she were trying to make sense of things. “He told me to trust him right before he handed me over to the Russians.” She locked eyes with Lonnie. “Why would he say that? Why did he do that?”

  Lonnie shook his head also, not sure if she had enough control of her senses to really remember what had happened.

  “I don’t know, sweetie. I’m sorry.” He was unsure what else to say. It wasn’t as if he could promise her anything. He couldn’t even help himself.

  The door flew open again and Lonnie cringed. Julio’s goon who’d tossed him in there earlier appeared to retrieve him. He yanked him to his feet then dragged him out into the main area. Julio approached them with a repulsive grin on his face. The man had never appeared so deranged. He was surrounded by his henchmen and Lonnie knew he was fucked. There was nothing he could do to save either of them.

  “Usually, it’s ladies first, but my new European esès said they want to begin with cock. Come on, puta.”

  Even his rampant abuse of drugs hadn’t impeded Julio’s ability to call Lonnie a ‘bitch’ in multiple languages. He tentatively took a step forward, and made a feeble attempt to cover his genitals. Julio laughed in the way he did that always threatened to make Lonnie sick to his stomach—it was all phlegmy and low.

  Julio grabbed Lonnie’s wrist, squeezing so hard that Lonnie winced from the pain.

  “Oh no, no, no. Gotta show off the goods, maybe fluff it up a bit?”

  Using his free hand, Julio reached for Lonnie’s cock, grabbing it roughly then stroking. Lonnie kicked and screamed, struggling against the abhorrent touch of the crazed monster selling him off as if he were nothing but a toy to be played with then left to an unknown fate.

  “Hold him!”

  Both of his arms were grabbed, his legs restrained. Lonnie gritted his teeth and screwed his eyes shut. That was worse. Once he couldn’t see, his mind went to the harsh tugs on his soft flesh. He thought he really would be ill.

  Parker. I need you. Oh God, I’m so sorry.

  He would’ve given his soul in that moment to go back in time and change his course. He would’ve stayed in the apartment.

  “Let’s go! The buyers are waiting for the boy!”

  Julio let go and Lonnie audibly sighed with relief even as he shuddered in revulsion. Whoever had called out was at the far end of the warehouse in the direction of where he’d seen the studio. Dragged forward roughly, he tripped over his own feet as the muscular brutes marched on, their stride much longer than Lonnie’s. Frantically eyeing his surroundings, he sought something, anything that might give him hope. Some small indicator that he still had a chance.

  They reached the room where the camera was, the lights burning so brightly they hurt Lonnie’s eyes. The space he’d been kept in had been very dim. As his vision adjusted, he realized that there were several men in the would-be studio. Some were busy fiddling with the various pieces of equipment placed about, but most of them were dressed in nice suits and standing off to the side—staring at him.

  His natural instinct was to cover his nakedness again and Julio back-handed him across the face. An enraged yell from one of the men in a suit caused everyone to freeze. Whoever he was his face turned beet red and he continued to spout off to the other men surrounding him. Lonnie couldn’t place the language, but it was definitely Eastern European. He didn’t think it was Russian, but figured he was hardly an expert.

  “Hey, esès! What the fuck? I’m supposed to be understanding that babble?”

  Oh, boy.

  Lonnie stepped to the side as the man who’d originally yelled advanced on Julio. His movements reminded Lonnie of a bull and he didn’t want to be anywhere near him when he went after Julio. His ex pimp opened his mouth as if he was about to speak when the European man back-handed Julio easily twice as hard as had been done to Lonnie. Julio stumbled back, almost losing his balance.

  The expression on Julio’s face when he turned back to regard his assailant was nothing less than murderous. Lonnie quickly scanned the room. Everyone was transfixed by what was occurring between the two men.

  Maybe this is my chance.

  He edged away, a little at a time, each small movement bringing him closer to the exit.

  “You fucking culo! I’ll fucking kill you!”

  Julio spat at the man and all hell broke loose. Fists flew, lighting rigs smashed to the ground, men tangled together amidst yelling and cursing. Lonnie took off like a rocket, the one skill he knew he could always count on. He had no idea where his clothing was but he didn’t give a shit. His first stop was to get back to the office and grab Valeena. He was almost there when he caught movement out of the corner of his eye, someone in the shadows.

  Samson.

  Lonnie halted, clenching his fists. He was nothing in size, especially compared to the large bear of a man, but he wanted to tear him to shreds for betraying Valeena. As he stomped toward him, his race to freedom temporarily pushed aside, he was stunned when Samson put a finger to his lips as if asking Lonnie to be quiet.

  The fuck?

  “Go to Valeena. Keep her safe, shy Slade.” He’d whispered so low that Lonnie thought he must be hearing things. “T
rust me.”

  Lonnie allowed his gaze to travel around the large open warehouse area. As he glanced up, his breath caught in his throat. Men in dark uniforms were scattered like insects, almost invisible in their hiding places. Some crouched behind cartons, others were in the rafters, more were at the windows.

  He nodded in Samson’s direction then booked it to where he’d last left Valeena.

  “Go after him, he’s getting away!”

  Lonnie almost tripped and fell over at the words he knew were directed at him. A cacophony of gunfire erupted, the thundering echo terrifying, spurring him on. The smell of spent shells filled the open area as glass shattered and men flew past him with weapons drawn. Lonnie knew he had to get to the office immediately. He dove into the room where Valeena lay curled in a ball, her hands covering her ears as she screamed. All he could do was shield her with his body and pray that the gun battle didn’t come any closer to them.

  He kept a picture of Parker in his mind as the fight raged on. If he was only seconds from dying, he wanted the man he loved to be his last thought.

  Gradually, the shots lessened and were replaced by shouts and commands in English. From the few phrases he could discern, the authorities had clearly taken out the savages who’d tried to sell him. In a dark place inside his soul, he hoped that Julio was dead, wanted it to be true. Valeena cried hysterically underneath him and he eased off her, but didn’t let her go.

  “Mllaya moya, angel.”

  Samson reached for Valeena and Lonnie kicked and punched at him, keeping his body between her and the Russian.

  “Don’t you fucking touch her, you lying, betraying asshole!”

  Samson sat on his haunches in front of them and for the first time, Lonnie noticed that he had a Kevlar vest on.

  “I know. I deserve that.”

  There was no more Russian accent. Lonnie narrowed his eyes at the man. The pain in Samson’s gaze seemed real, but Lonnie was very confused. Valeena had gone quiet, and Lonnie thought she might have fainted. Samson yelled for someone and a young FBI agent dressed in a similar vest entered the room, his gun holstered at his side. Lonnie took that as a good indicator that the battle really was over.

  “I need blankets, right now. Grab some from the kit in my trunk. And make sure a medic is directed here immediately.” Samson tossed his keys at the startled agent who caught them, then left. Samson turned back to face Lonnie.

  “Both of you will probably hate me for what I had to do, but I honestly had no choice.”

  Lonnie grunted. “Who the fuck are you anyway? I mean, like, for real?”

  “I’m an undercover agent. I infiltrated Alexei Gromov’s ring almost three years ago. He had already begun to get involved in human trafficking and had planned to take over the Las Vegas territory from Julio. He wanted to have the best pickings and Sin City is a Mecca to those wanting to sell their bodies.”

  “Mecca. Right.” Lonnie sneered. “Thought you’d might as well get a little pussy on the side while you were at it? Break a girl’s heart by letting her think she was loved, making her think she could finally be free then watch as she crumbled?”

  Lonnie choked on a sob, but refused to give the asshole the satisfaction of seeing his tears. He was startled when he saw Samson also tear up.

  “It seems that way, doesn’t it? But it’s not true. Alexei wanted me to patronize Julio’s sex workers, keep an eye on things, report back to him about what Julio was up to, who might be good to sell.” Samson swiped at a lone tear that escaped his eye. “Before I fell in love, I’d given him her name. Up until then, all of this was just another case I was working on. Then it changed.” He lowered his head before raising it again to look into Lonnie’s eyes. “I know she’ll never forgive me, but I do love her.”

  “What was all that bullshit about saving both of us? Huh? That was fucking cruel, man.”

  “It wasn’t bullshit, Slade—”

  “Lonnie, ass wipe.”

  Samson pressed his lips together. “Of course. My apologies. Not that you probably care, but my real name is Mike.”

  Lonnie snorted. “Whatever, dude. You still haven’t answered my question.”

  The young agent who’d been sent to fetch the blankets appeared. He handed Samson—Mike—his keys as he gave him the blankets. Valeena seemed to be passed out, so Lonnie wrapped the covering around her, still refusing to let Mike anywhere near her. He took the other one and wrapped it around himself. The three of them were left alone once more.

  “Well? No good answer?”

  “Sla— Lonnie, I almost lost my job trying to help you both. As it is, I’ll be written up at the very least. But they couldn’t afford to pull me out so far into the investigation. It would’ve been disastrous.”

  Lonnie didn’t like the fact that he was leaning toward believing the man. “Go on.”

  “The money, the ten grand for each of you came from my own personal savings, but everything went wrong. I’d intended to get both of you far away until I could finish the investigation. But Alexei’s men caught me. I had to lie and say that I’d kidnapped her for Alexei to sell by filling her head with promises of freedom.” Mike covered his mouth with the back of his hand, his skin paling. He took a deep breath before continuing. “They believed me, but took her. She cried, begged me.” He shook his head as if to dislodge the awful memories. “I… They wanted… They were going to kill her in retribution against Julio instead of selling her.” Mike fixed his stare on Lonnie. “I talked them out of it by assuring them that Julio had more important workers. Ones that would impact him more. They could sell her and still get revenge.”

  Lonnie gulped. “You mean…?”

  “Not intentionally, Lonnie, I swear. Things were getting too dicey, I was being watched more carefully so I didn’t dare get my friend involved by meeting you the way he was supposed to. I planned to meet you myself and tell you to lay low until the operation was over. Two of Gromov’s men followed me to verify that I was doing my job. They saw you and thanked me for bringing you to them to be disposed of.”

  It was all so sickening. Both he and Valeena had been nothing but pawns in a much larger game neither of them had even been aware of. Mike’s expression was pained. It was obvious to Lonnie that he was deeply affected by what he’d been forced to do. It didn’t make Lonnie any less angry or feel any more charitable toward him, but if he took him and Valeena out of the equation, he could step back enough to understand. Sort of.

  “I’m so very sorry for all you’ve both been through. It was my intention to help you, but I was limited by my oath as an agent.” He chuckled darkly. “I even fucked that up.”

  He reached out his hand and Lonnie tensed. Mike gazed at Lonnie, pleading with his eyes.

  “Please.”

  Lonnie bit his lip then nodded. He didn’t relinquish his hold on her, though. Mike softly stroked her hair and whispered words in Russian to her. Lonnie figured it was the only way he could keep his sentiments private, even if she wouldn’t understand what he said. Lonnie still couldn’t tell if she was actually unconscious or had simply retreated into herself.

  He startled when he heard a familiar voice.

  “Where is he? Goddammit, Beau, you promised me I could see him as soon as the area was cleared!”

  Chapter Twelve

  There had been more than one questioning glance in their direction when Beau had arrived with him at the initial meeting point before the operation that was due to go down at the warehouse. Despite the overpowering urge to run to Lonnie’s aid, he knew from his experience as an officer that charging in where he wasn’t needed could be more dangerous to his lover. It didn’t make it any easier to behave.

  Beau’s car was parked nearby the target location with some of the top agents who’d worked the sex ring case along with members of Beau’s team. The other agents, including SWAT, had already moved in earlier and taken their places. All that was left to do was to wait. The men around him chatted quietly or appeared lost in t
heir own thoughts. The suspense was painful.

  Beau’s radio crackled to life and Parker tensed. The message was simple.

  “Target’s been taken out.”

  Everyone immediately jumped into action, scurrying to their vehicles then peeling out. Dirt and gravel flew under tires as they all fled their desert waiting area. Beau remained tight-lipped and Parker knew there was no way his friend could have any additional info other than what Parker had heard for himself.

  Just a few minutes more.

  As soon as they reached the warehouse, Parker had to force himself not to freak out. Numerous emergency vehicles were everywhere, more than he’d ever witnessed in one location before. Stretchers with sheet-covered bodies were being loaded onto ambulances as SWAT team members and other law enforcement officers milled about. It was like a war zone. The car had barely slowed when Parker unlatched the door then raced toward the closest medical van. He was vaguely aware of Beau calling after him.

  Before Parker was able to reach the first body, he was physically stopped by an investigating officer.

  “Sir, you can’t go there. Please step back.”

  Beau had caught up to him. He grabbed Parker’s arm, pulling him away.

  He growled in his ear. “Remember what I said about not making me regret this?”

  Parker nodded, but grief tugged at him. He prayed he wouldn’t have cause to give in to it.

  “Sorry. But we’re so close. I have to know.”

  Beau regarded him. “Okay. Come with me. You can see him as soon as we have an all clear to go in. But don’t cause any more scenes. Got it?”

  “Got it.”

  Parker hesitated, not wanting to piss Beau off any further. In the end, his need to know won out again.

  “Is there any way to find out if he’s okay before we go in?”

  Beau pinched the bridge of his nose then raised his head. “I get it, Parker. I really do. But there’s nothing more we can do right now. We’ll find out more soon.” Beau laid a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry. I know this must be very hard.”