Page 32 of The Fighter

“No, not at all. I wouldn’t have you ask around for something that could put you in danger. I’m just looking for him. I want to make sure he’s… okay. And safe.”

Shane seemed appeased by that. “Okay, I can start making calls.”

“That’d be great.”

He leaned forward a little bit. “Is that all?”

I gazed around his apartment, at the small figures he displayed on the mantel—action figures. Shane loved his superhero comics. A shelf full of worn paperbacks stood in one corner, a flat-screen TV in another. “When will you come and tell me you’re leaving Soto’s employment, Shane?”

Silence. No movement, not even breathing. I turned to him. He stared at me, his lips parted, face drained of color. “H-Have there been complaints? Or?—”

“No, nothing like that. But you’ve done well. You could get out if you want.”

Shane shrugged, some of the color returning to his cheeks. “I don’t know. I’m not sure what else I’d do. I guess, I don’t have a reason to get out right now.” He grinned quickly. “Soto’s a good boss. He changed my life. You did too.”

Despite Shane’s praise, my gut still twisted. I wasn’t a hero to these men. Some of them were still stuck in sex work they didn’t love. All I did was work hard to make it as safe as possible for them, unlike when they’d been under the employment of Devlin. But for every man I saved from him, three more rose up to take their places. There was no end to this.

I wasn’t proud of peddling skin, but I at least I could sleep at night knowing the men in my care were treated well. I’d get out, one day, when I could hand over the reins to someone with the same values as me but until then, Soto was in business.

“He tries,” I muttered.

Shane’s grin spread.

I patted his bare foot and rose. “I need to get going. You know how to get in touch with me if you find out anything, all right?” Shane rose with me as we walked toward the door. I pulled on my coat. “No information is too small.”

Shane was always eager to please. It was one reason he was so good at his job. He seemed almost excited to start his mission. “I understand. I’ll start making calls right away.”

I placed a hand on his shoulder. “Safely, okay? I’m not looking for heroics. Keep this quiet. Don’t let anyone know what you’re really asking for. And do it safely, yeah?”

He mock saluted. “Yes, sir.”

I shook my head with a sigh. “Brat.”

When I closed his apartment door behind me, Nik was there, leaning against the wall with his booted feet crossed at the ankles. I walked past him, and he followed me out to the car without a word. He snatched the keys from me before I could get in the driver’s side, so I sighed sat like a good passenger while he fixed his mirrors with a huff and a glare at me.

Once we were on the road, he spoke, “So what was all that about?”

My head swirled with memories of Tav, my conversation with Shane. I had to tell Nik. Nik’s job was to keep me safe. And if everything went my way, soon his job would include security on Tav too. With a clenched jaw, I told him everything I knew about Tav. I left out anything too personal—he didn’t get to know about Tav’s panic attack over being bound against his will.

I propped my elbow on the door frame and ran my fingers over my lips, still able to taste him. “He’s in trouble. Whether it’s his own making or not, I’m going to fix it. You didn’t see how well he lets go when he’s with me and feels safe. That man you saw holding the knife in my kitchen… that’s someone I think he’s forced to be. But the real Tav makes me eggs and has dimples.”

I glanced over at Nik. His expression no longer held the judgement and contempt he’d had about Tav earlier, so that was something. He glanced at me before focusing on the road. “So what’s that got to do with visiting Shane?”

“Tav won’t tell me what’s going on with his life. He’s less secretive about it and more…” I ran my tongue over my teeth as I tried to think of the word. “…embarrassed. Ashamed.” I sighed. “Shane knows a lot of people, so I told him to ask aroundabout someone with two-toned eyes. He thinks he might know someone who knows Tav.”

“You could have at least snooped through his wallet and found his ID. What are you, an amateur?”

I narrowed my eyes. “When I’m with Tav, the last thing I’m thinking about doing is sifting through his wallet.”

“Well next time, before you fall into a dick coma, how about you do some digging?”

“You know, most bosses would fire their employees for talking to them like that.” I could hear a slight pout in my voice that I wasn’t proud of.

Nik snorted a laugh. He didn’t speak again we were almost at my office. “Want me to ask the guys?”

I shook my head. “Not yet. I think Shane will pull through.” At least, I hoped. Either that or I might start to tear this city apart.

Three days later, Shane did in fact pull through, the pretty little genius. He began chattering excitedly as soon as I answered his call. I stared out the window of my office as he spoke in rushed words. “I knew it was Anthony who mentioned it. I left him a message, but he was on some cruise with Howard Beaumont so he couldn’t call me back right away. Did you know that Howard took him on a cruise? Why can’t one of my clients take me on a cruise?”