Page 103 of Shadow Redemption

The interior guard, a blond Adonis, shifted out of the doorway and motioned for Ben to enter. As he passed, Adonis warned, “If you make a move on the prophet, I’ll kill you and gladly take the prophet’s punishment.”

Ben ignored him as his gaze locked on Davidson. The prophet looked much as he had twenty years ago except he now sported a fine head of silver hair and a neatly trimmed beard. If you didn’t look into his eyes, you might think he was someone’s grandfather instead of a rapist and human trafficker.

Davidson rose from his chair. “Twenty years I’ve hunted for you to make you pay for killing my beloved son,” he said, voice low and rough. “Now, you’re finally in my possession and retribution is at hand, Cameron Barrett. Don’t waste your breath begging for mercy because you won’t receive any.”

Ben remained silent, knowing the old man would fill the silence with his own rhetoric. Every minute that he spoke gave his teammates and Durango time to prepare for the next phase of the mission. The prophet waxed eloquent about the methods he planned to use to punish Ben before allowing him to die.

When Davidson wound down, he placed his hands palms down on the desk and leaned toward Ben. “Have you nothing to say for yourself, Barrett? Are you such a coward that you tremble in fear before me?”

“Where is she?” The prophet already knew Ben was involved with Ruth. If he didn’t care about her, he wouldn’t have shown up and allowed himself to be captured to save her.

Satisfaction gleamed in the prophet’s eyes. “Where all sinners go to be punished.”

Rage tightened his gut. Had he miscalculated? If Davidson had hurt Ruth, Ben would kill him.

“Ice in your veins,” Nico whispered. “Don’t let him destroy your focus.”

Voice even, Ben said, “You took her to the Den?”

“She’s beautiful. Silky skin and honey-sweet kisses. Once she’s properly trained, she’ll be a worthy wife.” Davidson straightened away from the desk. “You took my son. I will take your woman. Once I tire of her, I’ll give her to the inner circle.”

“Ben, hold.” This order came from Josh.

He held tight to his temper through sheer grit and military discipline.

“If your friends come, we’ll kill them.”

“You don’t have to worry about the worthless cowards. They refused to help because the odds weren’t in our favor.”

“Another example of your poor character and judgment. You chose disloyal friends.” A frown. “How did you know where we brought Roxanne?”

He smiled. “I followed the money flowing from perverts like you who profit from the pain and suffering of women and children.”

Adonis slugged Ben in the gut. He rocked back a step. Whew! Adonis packed a punch. Good thing Ben had been prepared for the blow.

The prophet flicked a glance at the guard. “Take him to the Den. Use the center manacles and chains to restrain him. I will begin his punishment soon. Make sure Roxanne has a clear view of Barrett. Chain her to the wall in front of him. She needs to learn what happens if she disobeys me.”

“Yes, Prophet.”

“If Barrett resists or tries to escape, Roxanne and her attendant will be punished.”

“Yes, sir.”

Ben’s hands fisted but he didn’t fight back when the guard slugged him again and shoved him toward the brutes who had escorted Ben to the office. Thug One and Thug Two took up position on either side of him and clamped a hand on his upper arms. The trio led him outside and toward the building with light glowing in the windows.

“I guess the prophet doesn’t worry about the light bill. The Den is lit up like a beacon.”

“Copy that,” Nico whispered.

“Shut up,” snapped Adonis. “You should pray for mercy instead of smarting off.”

Mercy wasn’t in the cards for him or from him on this night.

“As soon as you confirm the package is there, we move,” Nico murmured.

“How long before the prophet arrives?” Ben asked Thug One.

“Are you that anxious to die, Barrett?”

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