Page 71 of Trapped Truth
Just like I did.
Like Gracie.
Like all the women and girls caught in this web of sin.
I don’t just want to dismantle that web—I want it burned, eviscerated, scattered in ash and destroyed beyond recognition. No more exploitation. No more missing persons left to rot in cells across the globe. No more.
Arms folded, Joe scans Hyland from head-to-toe in an unpleasant manner. I watch Hyland tense, his shoulders stiffening into great mountainous planes. Our enforcer’s not one to be physically intimidated, but this creep’s bad energy is off the charts.
“You didn’t want to invite your associates to join us?”
“I’m sorry?” Hyland cooly inclines his head.
“The more the merrier in this little charade.”
“I don’t know what you’re insinuating, but I’d suggest you tread carefully, Joe.”
“I was sceptical, I’ll admit,” he continues without a care. “Perhaps I was too generous in my estimation of your intelligence. It’s not a mistake I make often in this industry.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” My feet automatically shift apart, preparing for an attack.
“Well, Sabre Security has a truly excellent reputation.” Joe shrugs like he isn’t bringing the ceiling down on top of us. “I honestly thought you’d be smarter than this.”
With a click of his fingers, the doors to the room slam open, admitting our gun-toting welcoming committee. Only this time, they have company. The bloodied, writhing variety.
I drag in a startled breath. “You motherfucker.”
“Now, now, Miss Price. No need to make things hostile. Though that isn’t your real name. Is it, 768?”
In one set of burly arms, Blaine lashes his body like a whip, attempting to break free. A thick trickle of crimson pours from his nostrils while his hair stands in all directions, like he had to be kicked into subordination.
The other masked guard drags a limp form. I recognise Warner’s salt-and-pepper locks from here, though his head lolls forward in a lifeless way. As he’s tugged along, fresh blood drips onto the pool house floor.
“Get your fucking hands off me!” Blaine bellows, bucking and thrashing.
“Come along now.” Joe tuts. “No need for bad language.”
“You’re going to regret this!”
“The infamous Phantom is a little uncooperative.” Joe’s pitch is light, almost teasing. “According to my employer, that’s nothing new.”
Both men are wrestled to centre stage at the back of the pool house, guns aimed straight for their heads. I flinch when the butt of one crashes into Blaine’s temple, causing his entire body to judder unnaturally.
My heart thrashes uncontrollably as Warner is dropped to the floor like a sack of discarded potatoes. Not a twitch. They must’ve hit him damn hard. From this angle, I can spot an uneven slash across his forehead, staining half his face bright-red.
“Now.” Clapping his hands together, Joe’s gaze pans between us. “Let’s have an honest conversation, shall we? I have permission to strike a deal in order to avoid more bloodshed.”
“What kind of deal?” I shake out my hands, my palms hurting from my nails digging into them.
“My employer is only interested in regaining possession of his poor lost son. As for the rest of you, he doesn’t care if you live or die. So now is your opportunity to plead for salvation.”
If he thinks I’m going to plead for anything, he’s in for a shock. “You really think we’d sacrifice one of our own?”
“Is this turncoat one of you?” He sneers towards Blaine unpleasantly. “All I see is a stray dog far from home. Not worth losing your life over, believe me.”
“Em.” Blaine hawks up a mouthful of blood. “Don’t f-fight—”
Another smash from the dickhead’s semi-automatic and Blaine hits the floor in a crumpled heap of bones. When I cry out, Hyland moves in a flash to brace his arms around me, ensuring I can’t run to our fallen teammates.
