Page 69 of Love's Hot

When I exit the car, I get a buzz through my body which I’m guessing is for the danger we’re about to face. It’s a strange feeling, not the normal. I don’t like things not being normal at a crucial time. We’re about to enter the most important part of the case. Getting into the club again and setting wheels in motion. There has to be an element of surprise for everyone in there, otherwise we don’t get the main offenders. The team we have assembled will ensure that no one gets out of here before they put it on lockdown. Including Jessie and I who will be treated just like the rest of the people in here. That way our cover isn’t blown, risking our safety after the raid as we will be prime witnesses. We will be discreetly taken away as one of the first bunch of people who are interviewed and released.

Standing in front of the big wooden door again, I pull Jessie closer to me and she wraps her arms around me. Partly playing the part but we both know we’re hanging on to each other to find the calm place we need to get this shit done. I lean down to place a pretend kiss on her neck and whisper in her ear.

“We’ve got this. We are the only chance they’ve got. Stay strong.”

She lets a big breath out and then stands a little taller. Looking up at me with fire in her eyes, I can see the determined policewoman is in the house now.

“Let’s go kick ass!” she says just as the wood door opens and we’re ushered inside.

Same process as last night, we’re talked to and phones taken, and body searched. Same stupid bodyguard on the door. I knew after last night that he would be no problem to get past. Just by being smart, Jessie distracted him right at the time he was getting near my ankles, so he totally missed my knife again. She’s not carrying anything, but once we get inside, I’m not letting her go, so will be able to get her the weapon if we need. I pray to god we don’t, but I don’t want to be left exposed.

Just as we’re ushered through the second door to the club, it starts closing and I hear a voice that makes me turn instantly. The door is almost closed, but I see the corner of a blonde head and voice that is imprinted in my brain.

I freeze and tense, which makes Jessie look up at me wondering what’s going on.

It can’t possibly be Lilly. What the hell would she be doing in a club like this? I must have it wrong. Shaking my head trying to get clarity, my rational brain is kicking in. She is constantly on my mind and because I’m stressed, I’ve imagined her voice. There’s no other explanation.

Get your shit together, Kane! Everyone needs you.

“Are we good?” Jessie looks at me, trying not to look worried but I can tell wanting to make sure everything is okay.

“We’re more than good, AJ. Look, our favorite room is opening up now. Let’s go get you all hot and sweaty watching. I’m just in the mood for an extra special show tonight. Maybe we can bring on a show of our own.” She gets the picture that I’m back with her. Part of me is still spinning at thinking I heard Lilly, but I need to clamp that down.

We walk arm in arm to the room, bypassing the bar because we’ve arrived late enough, we can just go straight to where we need to be. There’s a curtain they’re starting to pull back that exposes the four women again. They’re the same ones as last night. You can see the scars on the ones with their backs facing us. It’s hard to tell how old some of the scars are to work out how long they’ve been here suffering. I spot Sheree tied to the cross tonight. Her back facing out for the demons to attack. They have broken her spirit. Her body is just hanging limp.

The sad part is, I’m finally here to rescue her like she has been calling to me, but nothing will rescue her from the mental hell she’ll live with for the rest of her life.

We stand to the side of the room so we can take it all in. Assess who’s in here, the faces of the ones who are carrying out the pain to the women. We wait for the show to start, then we can give the call to set off the raid. I’m trying to memorize as many faces as I can. I want them all to pay for being involved. Every single one of them.

The show starts. There are screams from the women and the crowd just laps it up as more excitement. Jessie is in front of me making the noises and the movements to make her look like this show is turning her on. I’m not letting this go any further; I push the panic button transmitter in my pocket. The doors will be busting open in the next two minutes. If we’re in danger, then I just need to press it again and they’ll break down the doors without waiting.

“That’s it, AJ, I’m going to set it all off for you, by pushing that button.” She nods her head to acknowledge she understands that I have signaled the raid.

The noise in this room is loud and distracting. Above it all, though, I hear that same voice that caught my attention before. Hearing her start her rant, it reminds me of the night in New York when she shouts the word pig. This time it’s getting closer. My head snaps around looking for her. My heart starts thumping that this plan could all go to shit in seconds if I can’t shut her up. She could say things that will spook them.

I lean and whisper in Jessie’s ear the only thing that I know will really make her stop and listen.

“Jessie, trust me and follow my lead quickly. Lilly is here.” Her head snaps up to look at me instantly. The use of her real name signals that we have real trouble, worse than if I’d called her Alison Jane. I turn her and we head towards a blonde firecracker storming across the club towards me, ready to explode.

“Come on, blondie, let’s go. I love a woman who plays hard to get.” One of the filthy guys I had met in the hallway the night before has grabbed hold of her arm and is trying to convince her roughly that she should join him in one of the private rooms.

“Don’t touch me, you disgusting pig. What makes you think you have the right to touch me?” Standing her ground, she is trying to go toe to toe with this guy and it’s drawing quite the crowd. “What kind of bar is this, anyway?” she’s yelling at him.

“Oh, blondie, this is far from a bar. Look around you. Welcome to your sexual kingdom and I’m your new master.” The slime ball is standing over top of her now. I can’t get through the people quick enough. I can see her bravery starting to wane.

Just as I get to her, he grabs her by the arms and is about to plant a kiss on her. Rage that has been simmering under the surface for days lets loose.

Grabbing him by the shoulder, I turn him as my fist collides with his face and his whole body flies backwards, hitting the floor.

“Never touch her again. Nobody touches her except me,” I growl losing all control. His nose is now flattened and blood steaming everywhere. I can see guards moving towards me.

“Oh my god. How could you! Who is she and where the fuck am I, K—” I can’t let her say my name and the only quick way to shut her up is slam my lips on hers and kiss her with all the power I have. I need her to soften, not that I think I have half a chance of that. I keep kissing her as Jessie steps in behind her and wraps her arms around her making it look like we’re all together.

Quickly, Jessie whispers quietly in Lilly’s ear, “Lilly, we’re working undercover, you need to just shut up and follow what we tell you. We’re in danger. Now listen to Kane and do not use his name.” I feel Lilly go weak in my arms as the bouncers arrive on the scene.

“I fucking love it when you pretend to be attacked, my blonde bombshell. That was some hot role play. I need to get you two girls back home so I can fuck you both and then watch while you fuck each other. Now let’s move.” The look in her eyes is of sheer terror. I can’t pay attention to that now. I need to get her and Jessie out of here. I can’t protect them both at once. Letting either of them be hurt is not an option for me.

“You need to leave.” The big dopey bouncer stands with his arms crossed, trying to exude authority.

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