Chapter 14

That evening, they were snuggled together on a blanket on the couch, watching the news when his phone buzzed.

He picked it up, glanced at the caller ID, and seeing it was Joe, he answered. After a few minutes, he ended the call.

“Joe just called. The website responded to him. Everything’s set. I just need to transfer the money to his account,” he said, standing up and moving to his computer. He quickly typed in the necessary information.

“All done,” he announced, shutting the computer and returning to her side.

“I feel awful that you’re spending so much money because of me.”

He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. “It’s just money. But they did double the price, the greedy jerks. Do they even give any of the money to the women?”

“No. They just keep them caged like animals when they’re not working.”

“I called Roy. He’s coming over later.”

“Already? I thought you were going to wait to tell him.”

“The sooner he starts working on the case, the faster it’ll be over. I know you’re scared, but we can trust Roy.”

An hour later, Roy arrived, greeting her with a warm smile and a quick hug. “Okay, you didn’t give me much to go on over the phone, so let’s hear everything.”

He sat down, accepting the drink Kyle handed him. He listened quietly, jotting down notes on his pad. Only after they had shared every detail did he start to speak.

“There are many websites like this. Most are legitimate dating sites. The ones involved in human trafficking are hard to find and prove.

“These people are clever. They know as long as they don’t explicitly state that the women are for sex, they can get away with it.”

“But they do advertise that the women will do anything you want,” Kyle interjected, frustration creeping into his voice.

“I know, but they can argue they’re referring to companionship, acting as a girlfriend, and so on. I’ll assemble my team, and we’ll start investigating.

“Taking these people down will take time. It could be weeks, months, even years.”

“Damn it, Roy. We don’t have that kind of time. I had Joe hire her for the month, thinking that would be enough. I can’t let them take her when the time is up. I won’t.

“She told you what she saw. The murders. The beatings. What more do you need?”

“Kyle, I promise I’ll make this my priority. If it comes to it, we’ll put her in the witness protection program.”

“What?” she asked, staring at Roy.

“Kiera, you’re a witness and will have to testify in court.

“Once this is exposed and there’s a chance they’ll know you’re the one who tipped us off, they will come after you. Your life will be in danger. It’s the only way to keep you safe.

“But don’t worry. Nothing will happen until I learn more about the website and the people who run it.”

She felt Kyle’s hand on her knee and turned to him. “I didn’t know I’d have to face them in court. I’m really scared.”

She had hoped that once the women they had imprisoned were freed, they would tell the police everything, and that would be the end of it.

“Kiera, try not to worry. Let me handle this, and when I know more, we’ll decide what to do next. I should get going now. Judy’s waiting for me.”

“You’re not going to tell her about this, are you?” Kyle asked, standing up. The last thing he needed was for his sister to find out.

“I never discuss my cases until they’re resolved. Then I’ll have to tell her. She’s going to be furious. I’ll contact you as soon as I learn anything.

“You did well by having Joe hire her for the month. At least we know she’s safe here.”

“I’ll walk you out,” he said, following Roy to the door and into the hallway. He wanted to talk to him privately.

“So, what you told me and Judy that night at dinner was all a lie. I’m surprised you used a dating site to find a girl.”

“Roy, it was a spur-of-the-moment decision, but I’m glad I did.”

“Yes, it seems so. Kyle, are you in love with her?”

“I am. I initially wanted her as a companion for my trip to Italy, and yes, sex was part of it. But something happened. I fell for her without even realizing it.

“Kiera is beautiful and sweet. I didn’t know she was only nineteen, but that doesn’t matter.”

“I thought so. Keep her close, and if there are any problems, call me.

“One more thing. It might come to a point where she has to go into hiding, which means you won’t be able to see her. How do you feel about that?”

“I hope it doesn’t come to that, but if it does, I’ll go with her.”

“What about your business?”

“I have people who can handle it. There’s no way I’m letting her go alone. I can help keep her safe.”

“From what she’s told us, these people are dangerous. They won’t hesitate to kill anyone who tries to stop them.

“Be careful, and don’t do anything reckless. Let those of us who are trained handle them.”

He smiled. “You know me. What could I possibly do?”

“I do know you. Just don’t try to play the hero. See you later, bro.”

He returned inside to find her sipping scotch and coughing. He took the glass from her and replaced it with a glass of wine.

“Here, sip on this instead. You know you can’t handle the strong stuff.” He gently brushed a loose strand of hair from her face.

“I know you’re frightened, but I promise, I won’t let anything harm you. If things get dicey and they put you in protective custody, I’ll be right there with you.”

She looked up at him, her eyes wide. “You will?”

“I love you. Do you really think I’d let you face this alone?”

“But we could be away for a long time. What about your business?”

“Screw the business. My job from now on is to ensure your safety. I’ve never felt this way about anyone else.”

He gently lifted her chin. “For the first time in my life, I’m thinking of someone else before myself. I finally understand what Judy has been saying about love all these years. She was right.

“She told me when the right woman came along, I’d know it. And sweetheart, you are that woman. I love you.” He leaned in, his kiss tender and full of love.

The next few days flew by too quickly, and it was almost time for them to pick her up and take her to the next client, Joe.

She was packed, her bags waiting by the door. She ran into his arms, letting him envelop her.

“It’s going to be okay. I’ll come and get you by three in the morning.”

“Why so late?” she asked, her voice shaky.

“I just want to make sure they aren’t watching Joe’s place.” He lifted her face, his fingers gently under her chin.

“They’re going to be here any minute. Stay strong, and keep your head down. I hate letting you leave with them. It’s tearing me apart.”

Just then, there was a loud knock at the door.

“I need you to listen to me. Don’t be upset with what I might say in front of them. Just know I don’t mean any of it. I love you.”

He pulled her into his arms, kissing her passionately, pouring all his love into that kiss before letting her go.

“I love you,” she whispered just before he opened the door.

He opened the door and stared at the two men standing there. One was the same guy who had brought her to him. The other was a stranger.

He shoved his hands in his pockets to hide the fact they were clenched into fists.

“We’re here for the girl,” one of them said, removing his dark sunglasses. “Did she give you any trouble?”

“No, she was a good girl. The bitch did everything I told her to do.” He felt like crap using that term for her and hoped she wouldn’t hate him. “In fact, I’d like to hire her again.”

“We have plenty of other girls, even better than this one. Try one of them next time.” The man cleared his throat, and neither man moved.

“Did you want something?” Kyle asked.

“Most clients give the girls a small tip for their, um, services.”

Kyle pulled out his wallet and took out five crisp one-hundred-dollar bills. He walked over to her, folded the money, and slipped his hand down her top, tucking the money into her bra.

He felt her heart pounding against his hand. “Here you go, dollface. You were the best lay I’ve had in a long time.”

“Thank the man,” the bigger one said, grabbing her by the arm and giving her a shake.

Seeing the man grab her, he wanted to kill him and thought maybe someday he might get the chance.

She looked up at him and could see the regret in his eyes. “Thank you, sir,” she said, lowering her head again.

Kyle wanted to yank her away from the man and beat the hell out of them. Instead, he bit his tongue and stayed silent. It ripped him apart when they walked away with her, and he closed the door.

He immediately called Joe, letting him know they had picked her up and would be bringing her to him. He also told him to call back as soon as they left his place.

He started pacing back and forth, keeping an eye on his watch. He estimated that she should be at Joe’s place within an hour.

As soon as the three of them were in the elevator and the door closed, the bigger one wrapped his hands around her throat and pinned her against the wall.

He then reached down her top and took out the money. Holding it up, he turned to the other guy.

“That guy was a good tipper,” he said, releasing her and pocketing the money.

She clutched the top of her blouse, holding it shut and feeling sick from his touch.

She didn’t like the way they were looking at her, and their crude comments about her made her feel sick. She kept her eyes down, wishing she was with Kyle.

“The whore must be really good for that guy to dish out so much money for her.

“We could each take a turn with her before we deliver her to the next guy,” the smaller of the two suggested, eyeing her up and down.

The bigger one stared at her. “As much as I’d like to fuck the bitch, we have strict orders to take her straight to the other client.”

He then laughed. “But I promise you, when we go back for her, we’ll take her to my place and have some fun with her before we put her back in her cage.”

“She must be good if all these guys are booking her for a month each time. We’re going to make a fortune off her.”

“Yeah, I know. This last one paid double what the other one did. We might even get quite a bit for her when she gets older and is no longer popular with the clients.”

“She has a few years left in her before we have to sell her.”

The bigger one looked at her. “You didn’t tell that guy anything, did you?”

“No,” she answered, shaking her head.

“Keep it that way if you want to live and want the client to live too.”

When they got to the van they shoved her inside and the smaller one opened up her suitcase and searched through it.

“There’s nothing here. All clean,” he announced, lifting a pair of her underwear to his nose. “Smells good. I bet your pussy does too.”

She averted her gaze, unable to bear the sight of his repulsive smirk. She silently thanked God that they were required to deliver her directly to Joe’s. If not, she was certain they would have violated her.

She’d heard whispers from the other girls, chilling tales of how these men took turns with them, then forced them to clean up before delivering them to a client.

The smaller man took the wheel while the larger one sat in the back with her. They drove for nearly an hour before the van came to a halt and she was yanked out.

The two men flanked her as they walked. One had a firm grip on her arm, while the other carried her suitcase.