Page 34 of His Other Half

His body hardened. "Tarkio has suspected the National Indian Gaming Commission has had their fingers in the rash of missing girls over the years or at least ignored the problem, which meant those in charge of the Blackfoot Casino and Resort were responsible. It was the only explanation on how women could disappear from Missoula without a trace."

"Women on the Rez disappear all the time." She sat up on the bed and faced him. "Most people believe drugs and alcohol are involved, or they left the reservation on their own."

"Do your people search for them?"

She shook her head. "Not once they're off the land."

"They're going to keep doing it," he whispered. "But they're taking a bigger risk of getting caught if they keep stealing white women."

"What about those from the Rez?"

His brows lowered. "The FBI doesn't have any record of those born and living on the reservation. To them, they don't exist. It would be up to the tribal police to coordinate a search."

A shiver ran up her spine. "They don't. Not really. The most I've seen is when they interview the family."

She wasn't confident Askook would forget about her dad's payment. She would have to look over her shoulder until she grew old enough that Askook lost interest in her, and she became useless for his intentions.

She was lucky that Paco had rescued her, even if Askook wasn't the one who was killed during Cami's rescue.

"Lie down." He pulled her back against his chest.

She cuddled, wrapping her arm around his waist. A sigh escaped her. There were many whispers on the reservation when someone went missing. She had believed most of the stories held little truth, and the women had gone away to live on the outside.

To think others were kidnapped and sold for sex in Montana or Mexico sickened her.

She tried to relax. The more answers she received, the more truths floated to the surface.

Tilting her head, she looked at Paco. He stared at the ceiling.

He hadn't answered her question. How had he known she was missing?

---