Page 110 of Destined to Fight

As she approached the warehouse, Kelly noticed there weren’t any lights on. There was no sign that anyone had been there in ages. Police tape still hung loosely from the doorway. People had entered after the raid, but no one had paid it any mind since then.

Kelly walked up the three steps to the entrance and lifted the crime scene tape up to duck underneath it. The handle to the door turned with little effort, and it creaked as she pushed it open.

She straightened as she stepped inside. The air was thick with dust. The musty smell of old boxes and mold assaulted her now sensitive nose. The Dallas humidity had wreaked havoc on whatever had been left in the building.

The door groaned as it closed, then latched shut with what seemed like the loudest click Kelly had ever heard in her life.

She took two steps in, then stopped as something scurried on front of her with a tiny squeak. Rats, eww. Shivers crawled up her arms, and she shook involuntarily. She would never be okay with rodents in a dark and gloomy place. Just no.

“Hello?” she called out.

Something seemed off. She knew this was the place they meant for her to go—the warehouse where those girls had been found.

No answer came, and she called out again, this time feeling stupid for it.

“Hello?”

A dark chuckle sounded from the back of the open room. “Don’t stress, Kelly, we’re here. So nice of you to join the party.”

She’d know that snide voice anywhere.

“Eric. I should have known.”

“Come now, don’t say it like that. We’ve had some great times over the past few weeks, if you ask me.”

“I’m not asking you.” She straightened her back and continued walking into the warehouse. “Where is Ginna?”

“Your mentor is around. She’s just fine, although she’s much too feisty for my taste. You sure know how to pick ’em.”

She ignored the last part of his statement. “Let her go then, and I’ll come with you.”

“Let her go? Where would the fun be in that? I’ve come to like her in a way.”

“Stop with the fucking games, Eric. I know you want me to come with you and leave Kade’s crew behind. If you want me to do that willingly, then let her go.”

“She could come with us and continue to train you.”

“No. Just me, or nothing.”

She couldn’t see him completely, even with her improved vision, but he seemed to be pouting.

“Fine, then. Camille will not be pleased.”

“Fuck Camille.”

“Enough, enough. Your mentor will go free, and you will come with us. We have a deal?”

“Maybe. I’m not performing any sexual favors or crazy acts, and I won’t kill anyone.”

As he stepped forward, the moonlight from a window shone on his face. He raised his eyebrows in invitation. “You may change your mind later, but fine.”

If he said “fine” one more time, she might run up and slap him. “Great, deal. Where is Ginna? Let her go.”

“She’s in a car just down the street from the house. I’ll have her returned now.” He pulled a phone from his pocket and started a call.

Mother. Fucker.

Kelly immediately reached into that bucket of shame her “mother” had created for her and pulled out a handful of stupidity. How could she be so naive?

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