Page 68 of Lexi, Property of Rhyder

Tracker nods.

“Fuck!” I spit out and start to pace the floor.

I can hear Tracker typing something as I kick the chair with my foot, angry that I’m getting no-fucking-where.

“Bingo.”

I whip my head around to his, and quickly walk back to the bed. “What is it.”

“Here, look at this. I did a search on a Lawrence in the USA, and we have ten. However, this one right here owns a winery in California. According to the FBI website, he’s been charged with smuggling drugs from Mexico in the past. However, he’s gotten off. He’s too rich, too powerful, and far too smart to go to jail.

With hope filling me, I look at the image of him. He’s not what I was expecting. Lawrence is young, well built—not some old, fat, arrogant, ugly bastard like I’d imagined. His eyes show dominance and control. Images come to view of his home as Tracker goes to work getting the information we need.

“Zoom in on the address, brother.”

Tracker does, and there’s an image of a huge plantation home.

“Bingo,” I say with a wide smile. “We have her.”

“Listen, brother, it may not be that simple. We don’t know for sure she’s there.”

“Oh, she’s there, all right, I can feel it. He fits the profile for stealin’ young women.”

Prez walks over to the computer and looks for himself. “Mmm… a handsome-looking man, isn’t he?”

I grind my jaw, and Prez laughs. “Didn’t mean anything by it, just trying to understand why he would need to pay for a girl to sleep with him.”

“Maybe he has adifferenttype of appetite,” Tracker adds, and without thinking, I grab the nearby coffee mug and smash it against the wall.”

“Fuck!” Tracker yells. “Get your shit together, man. This temper ain’t gonna do you no good, and it sure as shit ain’t gonna get her back.”

Prez walks over. “Reel it in, brother. You need to be prepared that the Lexi you knew might not be the same girl.”

“What the fuck do you mean?” I growl.

Prez places his palms up. “Nothing. Just saying he probably has ways to make her do his bidding, that’s all.”

“Like what?” I growl.

Prez shrugs and turns around walking to where he has a beer sitting on the counter. “These rich fucking men have sick appetites and know exactly how to manipulate. Believe me, I’ve seen my share.”

I nod, remembering the stories I’ve heard about Prez’s old man, and how he had his hands in all kinds of illegal shit, including women.

Trying to control my temper, I inhale deeply. Then I remember what Paige asked me to do. “I gotta take Paige home. Her parents are expectin’ her tomorrow, and she made me promise I would be the one to deliver her.”

“What brought this on all of a sudden?” Tracker asks

“Lexi’s spoken about me and said I can be trusted. Right now, she’s terrified and been manhandled by a lot of men. She needs someone she can trust. I told her I’d do it.”

“I get that,” Prez adds. “When you flyin’ out?”

“Tonight, that way I’ll be back the followin’ day to go to California. I’m not takin’ any chances. I need to move fast.”

“We’ll wait here and look into Lawrence’s lifestyle. Maybe we can think of a way to get inside that fucking house.”

I look at Tracker then at Prez. “Thanks… this means a lot to me.”

“We’ve always got your back. Remember that.”

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