Page 124 of Bad Enough

Waters considered. “Agreed. Nemo and Steel will follow. Demon, TB, and I will bring up the rear.”

“On my mark. Go.” Loki and Gilgamesh took off at a brisk pace until they hit the turn. Once they reached it, one took the high, the other took the low, and they made a swift turn around the wall. “Looks like it’s a continuation of switchbacks,” Loki said over the earbuds.

“Sending Nemo and Steel down.”

“Copy.”

Waters waved the two men down to provide cover fire as the two men made the turn in the switchbacks. After a few moments, Nemo gave Waters the “approach” signal, and the three remaining men came down to them. From that point on, they proceeded to move down the ramps like a snake undulating along its course until they reached the bottom, emptying out into a cavernous warehouse.

“Who would have thought there’d be this much room down here?” Gilgamesh whispered.

Loki grunted. “This must be one of the new satellite locations.” His sarcasm was clear. Everything in the warehouse was new. The air was permeated with the smell of fresh concrete and construction. Lighting was sparse yet, but in the distance they could see a series of coffin-sized boxes lined up to be loaded onto a mechanized conveyor headed up to the surface.

“You’ve seen this before?” Waters asked.

Loki nodded. “Looks like several others we’ve run across. Welcome to the future of sex trafficking, my new friends. Think of it like a distribution center. Central order hub takes the clients’ orders. Those are distributed out to satellite locations who fill the orders, then ship the product.”

TB was vibrating with a need to find Flame. “Can we discuss the details later? If we don’t move quickly, Flame, Medusa, and those other girls are going to disappear, and we’ll never find them.”

Loki and Gilgamesh shared a look, then turned their eyes back to the action in the distance. “Your girl will likely be the last box. You take care of the girls you can get to. Loki and I will handle the two goons.”

As the men did a weapons check, TB growled, “Gendry is mine.”

Nemo responded, “Focus on Flame, TB. I’ll make sure the asshole is secured and ready for playtime back at Tribe.”

TB had never seen such a serious expression on the playboy’s face nor heard such a murderous tone in his voice. TB gave him a nod, and they went back to work.

On Waters’ signal, they quickly fanned out to reach the action in front of them. Because they were quiet, they got closer than they should have. However, because there was next to nothing in the facility, they didn’t get close enough before they were noticed.

Tabitha stood with Gendry behind a bank of computers and monitors. He wore an expensive gray suit, a lighter gray button-down shirt, and a thin burgundy tie. In his late thirties, he had a distinctly European air about him. Hawk-like features, naturally tan skin, and shoulder-length curly hair brushed straight back from his face. He was clearly talking to someone on the other side of his computer screen, which was why they were able to sneak in as close as they did. Between the noise of the conveyors, the focus of his two goons on ensuring the boxes were neatly loaded, and his focus on the conversation that was happening, the men made it to within twenty-five feet before weapons were needed.

When they were finally noticed, it was by one of the goons supervising the box loading. In a flash, his weapon was drawn from inside his suit coat, but it was too late. TB, his teammates, and Medusa’s men were already in shooting mode. Goon number one went down in a heap before he could take aim.

Goon number two whirled around at the sound of bullets. He barely had a chance to register what he was seeing before he went down to the ground in a heap.

Loki and Gilgamesh sprinted toward the conveyors, slamming the emergency off switch.

Gendry had pulled a gun from inside his jacket, as well, and managed to squeeze off a couple of shots. TB felt a burning sensation along his bicep, but he kept moving forward to the last box that was at the foot of the conveyor. Behind him, his teammates were securing Gendry and Tabitha.

Loki and Gilgamesh had reversed the conveyor and were systematically unloading the boxes, readying them to be opened to free the girls inside.

“Flame, can you hear me?”

“TB?”

“Can you squeeze yourself into the left corner of the box? I need to shoot off the lock. Close your eyes, princess. Turn your head to the side.”

Hoping that she’d followed his directions, he aimed his gun at the lock, and took his shot. As soon as the door splintered, he was ripping it open. Inside, Flame was shuddering in the corner, tears streaming down her face. Instantly he was half inside with her, gathering her close. Squeezing her tight, he took a giant inhale of her scent, the sweet smell of roses clinging to her skin and hair. “Are you hurt?”

“No,” came her muffled voice from where her face was buried in his chest. “I knew you’d come for me, but I was still afraid?—”

“I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I’m gonna get you out of here.”

He knew he needed to get her out of the shackles overhead, but he was afraid to let go of her. Afraid she’d disappear if he did.

Someone tapped him on the shoulder. He ignored them. Just kept squeezing Flame to him, taking in her scent and reassuring himself she was alive and unhurt.

“TB, I pulled the key for the shackles off of Gendry. We’ve got him and Tabitha secure. The other girls are all unlocked and ready to leave. Free your woman and let’s go.”

---