Page 29 of De Luca: The Saint

My gaze lands on the one in the middle, she’s not even a woman, more than likely a teenager. Her eyes stay focused on the floor like she’s imagining she’s anywhere else. A large cage sits to the side with several more girls and women. They huddle together, crying, the soundtrack to this room is whimpers, cries of despair, and it’s disgusting. Instantly it makes me think of my mother and sister. My natural instinct is to work immediately on setting all of these innocent victims free but, I can’t. First, we have to neutralize the threat. All three men stand huddled with their backs to the door and us, big fucking mistake.

Max glances at me and nods, letting me know I can go after my target.

I zero in on John, while Max is on Theo and Hunter on Robert. According to Benji’s intel, they’ve been at this for years, so I’m sure they weren’t expecting us today.

These rings tend to be very cautious initially but relax as time goes on, figuring they're flying under the radar. After enough time passes without interference, they begin to think they’re invincible. They worry most about the cops, but that should really be the least of their worries. No doubt they’ll be praying for a jail cell by the time we finish with them.

I take in a deep breath and charge at John, grabbing the back of his neck and slamming his head into the wall in front of him. He grunts and attempts to turn around, but I don’t give him the chance. I do it again. And again. The sound of his skull hitting the wall is satisfying but it’ll never be enough.

John is short for a man, maybe five-foot-eight, whereas I’m six-foot-five, so I’ve got a bit of height on him. He’s lanky, and I’m bulky. He never had a chance. I smile when I hear the commotion behind me. All these buyers, trying to get away from the rest of the team. Their fear is palpable. They will do anything to get free but it’s too late for them.

Jade walks over to me with zip ties and makes the rounds, securing all their hands behind their backs.

Max glances at me and shakes his head, and I shrug my shoulders.

I knew damn well he didn’t want me to spill blood here. I don’t take orders from anyone. I’m an asshole that way. As we begin to walk the fuckers out to the multiple vans, I hear him talk to Trevor, “Get the blood cleaned up and meet us back at the safe house.”

Mia and her team found a total of twenty-five trafficked women and twelve little girls, so they are transporting them to the safe house as well, where they will be cared for in the main part of the house.

John, Theo, Hunter, and their customers will be taken to the basement.

We have a total of fifty-three men to eliminate, so it’s going to be time-consuming. I expect we will quickly end most of them, saving the pain for the three that orchestrated this shit.

Max scratches his head before glancing at me, “I don’t have space for this number of bodies at the safe house. I’m trying to decide how I want to handle this,” he says as we stand beside the vehicles.

“I suggest we get them inside the vans before someone spots us.”

He nods, “Yeah.”

I start by throwing John in the back of the van.

Max speaks on the walkie-talkie to the other team, “Get them in the vans. Take them to the basement on Maple Street. Mia is in charge. Take care of them all.”

I help Hunter get Theo into the van because he’s struggling, “Don’t be such a bitch. You’re getting in regardless, there’s no point in fighting,” Theo doesn’t agree. He turns his head and bites Hunter’s bicep. Hunter gives him an uppercut to the jaw with his free hand and tosses him inside the vehicle. He closes the door and groans, “Motherfucker.”

“You alright?” I ask.

He pulls up his shirt sleeve, and the skin is broken. He’s bleeding, but it’s not deep enough to require stitches, so I imagine he’ll be okay.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Asshole.”

Once we all pile into the van, we head to the main safe house while team two travels to the larger one. The entire drive is filled with whimpers, moans, and pleas to let them go. I shake my head and chuckle, “You raped, beat, tortured, and sold innocent girls and women. There is zero chance of survival for you. Fucking zero.”

Once we get to the safe house, we literally have to drag them out of the van, which isn’t really surprising. Most people don’t go willingly to their place of death.

As we ride the elevator down to the basement, I spot John trying to escape his zip ties.

I chuckle, “You’re not going to get out of the restraints, Johnny. If you did, you still wouldn’t get free.”

Max lifts his chin to me, “Want to do the honors with John?”

I grin at the trembling man, “I’d love to. I have special plans for you, Johnny boy.”

Once we are in the basement, I drag him to the metal table, undo his hands, and toss him up there before preparing to secure his hands to the metal cuffs on the table. He pulls his fist back and tries to sucker punch me, but I’m too quick and strong for him. I fasten his legs to the other end of the table before ripping his shirt open.

“Scalpel,” I say to no one in particular.

Max brings it over to me with a chuckle, “Doctor.”

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