Page 1 of Golden Knight

Prologue

4 years ago

Jake: 24 years old Amber: 22 years old

“All clear,” I hear through the speaker on my radio.

Keeping my guard and gun up, I continue to search the last room of this dilapidated warehouse building. When it's clear that no one is still hiding, my shoulders slump. Disappointment fills me to the brim as I answer back, “All clear.”

I’ve been searching for years. My hopes were high when we arrived, and now they’ve plummeted back to nothing. She’s not here. I should’ve known that I wouldn’t be that lucky. I examine the room more closely, trying to see if any clues could lead me to her.

Papers are thrown every which way, making it hard to tell what's what. The furniture is knocked over, lying on its side. The Wolves guarding this warehouse were the last of the ones loyal to Old Lady Marelle and it’s obvious they wanted to make it hard to figure out what they’ve been up to.

Thankfully, Zeev and his wife Blanche took over the Wolves from her grandmother and have been cleaning house. It's about time we finally got rid of the human trafficking ring. They took the only light from my life and I’ve been searching for her ever since.

So far, we haven’t found anything. My jaw tightens at the thought. I know they have her. I’ve seen the proof. She should be in one of these warehouses. Why the fuck have I not been able to find her? I’m still no closer than I was four years ago.

I need to focus on my mission. Squatting down, I grab the papers from the floor. They seem to be some type of invoices. Why would they need invoices? What dumbasses need to keep records of this sick shit? I guess they never thought their deeds would catch up with them.

Shuffling through the papers, I don’t see anything that stands out, but I gather them anyway. Hopefully, Blanche will be able to make headway with these. If they are what I think they are, she can send compensation to the women and families who have been impacted by all this shit. That’s when one name catches my eye. Looking closer, I clench my hands. If these fucking papers are right, she was here.

But where is she now?

Quickly jumping to my feet, papers still in hand, I start running over to Zeev.

I need to find her.

“Zeev,” I shout across the room.

He doesn’t look up. Ignoring me, he continues to interrogate the men who we left alive. I pick up the pace, shouting again, “Zeev!”

He finally looks up, his brows knit in confusion. “What the fuck, Jake?” he snaps.

I stop and shove the papers into his chest.He looks at the papers for several moments. “What is this?”

“I’m not one hundred percent sure, but it shows she was here.”

Turning away from Zeev, I scan the large room. I know she’s not here, but I can’t help but search for signs of her. We’ve already taken the women who were here to the hospital. With all the evidence in front of me, my heart drops. Worst-case scenarios flood my mind.

She’s gone.

I turn my gaze back to the man with his hands tied behind his back. I get in his face and all but growl, “Where is she?”

He knits his brows together. I can tell that he doesn’t know who I’m asking about. And the fact that he doesn’t know just pisses me off even more. Has he taken so many women that he doesn’t have any idea who I’m talking about?

My blood boils even more at that thought, Fuck!

Getting nose to nose with him, I ask again, “Where. Is. Amber?”

His lips thin as he refuses to speak.

“Don’t want to talk?” I don’t give him any time to think and I don’t hold back. I pull my arm back, punching him square in the nose.

“Ugh,” he screams.

Blood sprays onto me, running down his face. I get closer to him grabbing the collar of his shirt, “Tell me where is she?”

My words must start to seep in because when I pull my arm back again, his body trembles with fear. He sputters out, “I…I don’t know, man.”

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