Page 6 of The Merciless King

“Ask that loser boyfriend of hers. Riccardo.” She pushed me away.

Who the hell is Riccardo?

“Was she going to classes still? I thought she was studying interior decorating?” I asked, wondering why I bothered. Her mother was high as a kite.

“She used the money you gave her to buy drugs. I told you, she’s a little bitch.”

I stood and walked out of her mother's house, knowing she wasn’t going to be any more help.

It took me another twenty-four hours and bruised knuckles, breaking a handful of laws, to find out Riccardo worked as a low-level soldier for the Baldassare crime family.

His primary role was to recruit women...and no one knew what for.

Bullshit.

I knew exactly what they were doing with them. Sex trafficking.

That’s when I knew I needed help.

“Just get me inside and I’ll do the rest,” I say to the Dark Kings, widening my stance as I cross my arms.

Mia glances at Connor.

“Can you reach out to Gianna Baldassare?” he asks. “If there is any risk to your safety, we won’t proceed.”

Mia’s turns to me. “They have your cousin?”

I nod. “She’s twenty-one. Been gone almost two months, I guess.”

“Oh god, that’s horrible,” Isabella says.

I know who they all are. Connor fully briefed me.

I need to hit the ground running and get undercover as soon as I can, so if the rest of his team is on board, we won’t waste any time with pleasantries. As Marines, they’ll know the drill.

If they agree.

“She could be anywhere in the world, Braxton.” Mack shakes his head.

Or dead.

But he didn’t say that.

I nod my head, my eyes dipping to the floor as my imagination kicks off the nightmares again. I’m well aware of what happens to the young women and children taken off the street. It’s terrifying knowing someone you care about is living it right now.

“I know. I’ll do whatever it takes to get her back. Just like any of you would,” I say, emotion rich in my voice.

“He’s right,” Summer says, glancing at Mack.

The Marine holds my gaze for a long moment, as Connor stands beside me waiting for his team to have their say.

They work as a unit.

Just as we did in the Marine Corps.

“You’ll need support,” Mack finally says.

It feels like a question and one I don’t know the answer to. I watch him, thinking, wondering if he’s offering or telling me I’m a fucking idiot.

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