Page 46 of Lexi, Property of Rhyder

When everyone has left, Tracker shuts the door, and they step further into the room.

I stand and place the gun along with my blade into my duffel bag then lift it over my shoulder.

“Brother, you don’t want to do this.”

I look from Prez to Tracker then back to Prez again and say, “Like fuck I don’t. I’m goin’ with or without you, Prez,” I threaten while stepping closer, ready to take my leave.

He places his hand on my shoulder forcing me to stop. I stand there trying to rein in my anger. I know he’s my president, but right now, if anyone is going to stand between me and getting my girl out of wherever the fuck she is, is going to get a beating, and that includes prez.

“Rhyder… brother. You don’t want to do this. Put your bag down, now.”

I glare at him and move my head from side to side causing a loud clicking sound. “Prez, don’t mean no disrespect, but you better get out my fuckin’ way, or else—”

“Or else what?” He growls. “You better think twice about the next words to come out of your fuckin’ mouth.”

I blow out a breath, one I’ve been holding onto and drop my bag to the floor. “You have to let me go. I need to go get her. Don’t you understand that the Cartel could have her and are fuckin’ traffickin’ her?”

Prez nods, once. “Yeah, I know, and that’s why we need to do this the right way. What do you think you’re gonna do on your own? Go to Mexico and get your woman back just like that?” he says clicking his fingers. Tate steps in.

“If it’s what I’m thinking, the Clementes will have her, and if they do, you’re gonna need fuckin’ backup. They’re the largest human and drug trafficking business in the damn world. You going in there on your own is not only gonna get you killed, but will also dash all hopes of Lexi getting home in one piece. Is that something you want? Have you got a death wish?”

I know they’re right, and I also know I should think about this and be smart, but goddammit, I need to get her back and safe.

“Rhyder, come on… let the club’s help with this one.”

Tracker steps in. “Rhyder, they’re right. Let’s do this once, and make sure we get her home safe.”

I look between Tracker, Prez and then at Tate, and with great annoyance, I surrender. “Okay, let’s do this… together.”

LEXI

“Are these all the girls?”

I stand in line once again, but this time we’re standing behind a black curtain. We are ushered to another room and are warned not to ask any questions. I tried to get something out of Christopher, but he won’t budge, he just keeps a straight face while holding my arm and walking me through the house, following the other girls to another room.

We wait patiently as whispers and voices sound behind the curtain.

I’m nervous and scared for my life.

I can see Paige ahead of me and wonder if she’s as scared as me. She turns and looks at me, but her male escort whispers something in her ear causing her not to look back again. Her escort looks back at me with a hard stare, then turns back to face the curtain.

I look at the man dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and a red bowtie looking at us girls individually while holding a notepad in his hand. “I’ll take her, please,” he says to Christopher, who grabs my arm and hands me to this stranger.

“No, I don’t want to go,” I cry.

Christopher gives me a stern look, saying, “I told you to behave. Do as I say, or you will be punished.”

Not doubting he means every word, I fall behind the stranger with the red bowtie as he grips hold of my arm handing me to another stranger who looks like a soldier and has muscles of steel.

We continue to walk down the line of women, and he calls out another girl and then another. We are separated from the others and taken to the right-hand side of the curtain. I frantically look at Paige, but she simply stares forward.

The sounds behind the curtain become louder, and I hear men laughing and speaking to each other. My heart’s racing a thousand times a minute wondering what awaits me behind those ominous dark curtains.

In a flash, the lights are dimmed, and music begins. Slow, sensual music—music I have never heard before sounds loudly throughout the room.

An MC on a microphone says, “Welcome, gentlemen. Tonight we have a show full of beautiful girls from all around the world. We have all kinds of tastes to quench your thirst. Our youngest this evening is twelve years old, so don’t hold back your bids because you’re going to want to take this one home. So, with that said, let’s get this show on the road. First off tonight, we have Delight…”

I look to my left noticing that the man in the red bowtie is walking the first girl up the wooden stairs toward the curtain.

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