Page 35 of Apple Martinis

“They’re not affiliated with any of the bigger players. They’re small timers that collect women and children maybe one or two times a year just to make some money.” Baratta answers.

“They can still lead us to whoever is buying from them.” Gio says.

“Did you see any women in there with them?” I nod towards the door where I can still hear music and men’s voices.

“No. They’re in the middle of a much larger room where they used to print paper. There’s a big truck on the far side close to some docking doors.”

“They’re in the truck and it’s already hot ass hell in here. I can only imagine how they are feeling inside that fucking truck.” Baratta says through clenched teeth.

“Are we ready?” Gio asks, checking his weapon.

“Fuck yeah, I’m always ready.” Baratta answers with a smile that’s so sinister that I hope it’s never directed at me.

“Let’s go.” Gio says and they make their way to the door with me right behind them.

We stay in the darkness of the room, just out of reach of the light the men are using to play cards at a table in the middle of the room. With my eyes adjusted to the lack of light, I see Skeeter and his men as they close in from behind them.

We have them surrounded and they have no idea because they continue to play their game on the table in front of them. Baratta gives a nod to Skeeter and everyone steps into the light.

“Move and you’ll all die.” Skeeter says, walking right up to one of them and placing his gun to his temple.

“Who the fuck are you?” One of the others demands.

“The ones that are going to make sure you never see the light of day again except behind steel bars. Of course a few of the men here would much prefer if you fight and save the taxpayers a shit ton of money.” Skeeter grins at him.

“Where’s the girls?” Baratta demands.

“Well if that’s why you’re here, you should have just said so and we’d have gotten down to business.” The idiot at the table says with a chuckle.

“See? Small timers.” Gio looks over at me and shakes his head. “Go check the truck Rome.”

Sticking my gun into my pants, I hurry over to the back of the trailer, opening it easily. Looking inside all I see are crates.

“Do you see them?” Skeeter asks.

“All I see are crates.” I yell back, I’m about to shut the door again when a familiar voice calls my name.

“Rome!”

“Fuck! They’re all in little crates!” I yell, jumping up into the back of the truck. “Piper, keep talking to me so I can find you.” I say out loud.

A couple of Skeeter’s men jump up into the truck with me and start opening the first crates they come to.

“I’m over here, Rome.” She cries out, beating on the sides of the box she’s in.

Finding it quickly, I unhook all the latches, throwing the top open. Hunkered down inside is the woman I’ve been looking for completely naked.

“Piper?” I say softly, hoping like hell she’s not seriously hurt.

“Rome. It’s really you!” A huge sob passes her lips as she jumps up, wrapping her arms around my neck.

Lifting her from the box, I make my way out of the truck, not letting her go. She wraps even her legs around my waist, hiding her crying eyes into the crook of my neck. Her sobbing with relief just about breaks my heart into a million pieces.

I’m looking around for something to cover her with when Gio walks up, wrapping a blanket around her back.

“Take her to the car and go straight to your house. Skeeter’s contact with the FBI should be here soon. If he has any questions for her, he can come over there later.” Giovanni hands me the keys.

“How will you and Baratta get back?” I ask.

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