Page 32 of Kept By The Agents

"He never gave up."

We all looked up the stairs to where Cat was coming down them. She gave us a sad smile. Brando got up and made up a new plate, dropping it on the table in front of where Cat took a seat.

"He searched for Yura all these years."

"I'm surprised he wasn't able to find her with how much he knows about the Raleka," Weaver said.

Sadness remained etched on Cat's expression. "He started learning about the Raleka because of Yura. Before that he didn't barter with information the way he does now. His daughter's disappearance made him who he is today."

"And with all the time that's passed he's never heard what happened to Yura?" Brando asked.

Cat shook her head. "The Raleka keep meticulous records, according to one of his sources, but he was never able to access them."

"Is it on a database?" Weaver asked, perking up.

"I don't know. That was all that his source told him. He was found dead the next day. Boris waited weeks for the Raleka to attack him. They never came. His only conclusion was that the man managed to keep his secret while they killed him."

"If we can find those records we should be able to find the girls," I mused. "Hell, if they really are that detailed, we could find every woman they've ever sold."

"That would be incredible," Cat said, excitement sparking in her eyes. "To be able to find them and reunite them with their families? I hope we can."

"First we have to find the Raleka," Brando cautioned. "That isn't going to be easy."

We all nodded in understanding. This was all hinging on a lot of variables. We ate in silence while mulling over what this could mean for the families and women the Raleka had harmed.

"I'll take care of the dishes again," Cat announced as we finished up. She watched as Brando and I checked the weapons we'd chosen and then donned our jackets. She wrung her fingers together and I bit back a smile. She was worried for us. She proved it with her next words. "Be careful out there."

"We will," I reassured her as we left the safehouse.

We walked in silence for a few blocks, each of us zeroed in on our surroundings. We had to be sure we weren't followed. Weaver was an amazing agent, and the best at what he did, but the Raleka had what seemed like a limitless amount of men working for them.

It disgusted me to think of how many of those men were fine with working for an organization who profited off the sale of unwilling women. What kind of person could do that day in and day out and still sleep at night? My lip curled up in a sneer. I was looking forward to finding these pieces of shit and setting up an operation that would take them all down. They'd fight. Dumbasses like them always fought, and died, so that their leader could hopefully escape with his money. They deserved what they got and I couldn't wait to give it to them. They all needed to take a dirt nap.

"What's your problem?"

Glancing over, I wiped the disgust off my face. "Just thinking about the men who work for the Raleka."

"And women."

"Huh?"

"They have women who work for them, too. They're often the ones who lure other young women into captivity."

"You're not serious. Why didn't I know that?"

He chuckled. "Don't get me wrong, because you're amazing at your job, but this time, you're our muscle, Suave."

I gave him an irritated look, wishing he'd get to the point.

"How many times has Weaver tried to fill you in on the details of a case only to have you ask where to point Betsy?"

He had me there. "Okay, that's true." I did a visual sweep of the rooftops above us again as I mulled over what he'd told me. "How could a woman do that to other women?"

"A lot of them don't have a choice. Not the way the men have chosen. They're working for the enemy to keep themselves and their families safe. Hell, even some of the men are doing the same. Working for the Raleka disqualifies their wives and daughters for trafficking."

"Well, fuck me. How am I supposed to know which one I'm shooting at when the time comes? I don't want to kill innocent people who were only scared for their kids."

"Don't worry. When the shit hits the fan, they'll run. They have something to live for."

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