Page 60 of Anything But Convenient

A few minutes later, she declared us done, then she watched the men move about in a routine manner. It was obvious they’d done this a time or two. I was sick to my stomach thinking of all the people who had to go through this not knowing if they’d be rescued.

Unlike them, I knew my time here was short. I might not have been married long, but I knew what I had with Takeshi was real. He was going to move heaven and earth to get to me. All the NightShade men would.

“Are you hungry, dear? I’d like to keep that color in your cheeks for whichever buyer comes through. They typically like a full video after to ensure the product is indeed good to deliver. You understand, of course.”

I didn’t, yet I gave her a confident nod anyway. It’s not like I wanted her to regale me with her reasoning any further anyway.

Mordecai led me and four of the men to a doorway that connected to a long hall. At the end was a spiral staircase. As we moved up, I became sandwiched between the guards, the position effectively cutting me off from my captor. I guess they thought I’d try to attack her or something if given the chance. I couldn’t say the thought hadn’t crossed my mind.

When we got to the next level, I was shocked to find it was a house. An extravagant one at that. There was expensive looking furniture everywhere and the ceiling was painted like we were in some ancient ruin in another country. I took it all in with wide eyes as Mordecai led us to a dining room.

I was instructed to sit down, then a group of young men in collars came out carrying serving trays. The sight of them stole what little appetite I had.

How was I supposed to eat freely when these men were obviously enslaved by this mad woman? How was it fair?

“There’s no need to pout. I’d have put you in a collar, too, but I don’t want to dissuade any buys. Speaking of which, we should take a look at the bids. I’m sure they’re probably growing as we speak.”

As soon as she waved her hand, an open laptop appeared. On the screen sat one of the photos she took downstairs. I could see the fear in my face plain as day. Somehow that didn’t stop anyone from placing their bid. It was already well into the six-figure mark.

“Oh goody! They are enamored, just as I thought they might be.”

I swallowed the bile creeping up my throat. Vomiting would not be a good move. She’d either make me clean it or she’d lash out in a rage.

“Don’t be rude to the cook. Eat your food, Archie. Then we can figure out who the winner is and close out your sale,” she said, as if we were discussing something mundane like our weekend plans instead of human trafficking.

Raising the spoon to my lips, I sipped at the soup to see if it tasted ok. I didn’t know how drugs would taste, nor did I want to know, but I had to be cautious of any of her tricks. When it seemed fine, I decided to eat with more vigor. Who knew if I’d be given another meal anytime soon?

Once we finished the soup, the same servers appeared to take our bowls, then they brought out even more food. As I went to take a bite of the food, a loud explosion rang out. The table shook from the force of it.

“What the fuck was that?” Mordecai screeched. Gone was the polished woman she’d attempted to portray earlier.

The men looked at one another, then took off down the hall. Two remained with us, both of them eyeing where my handswere near the silverware. I only had a spoon and fork, neither of which I felt like using as a weapon.

She motioned for me to continue eating, though she didn’t herself. I figured she wanted to be ready to give orders rather than stuffing her mouth full like I was.

I’d only just finished with my chicken when one of the guards came running back covered in blood. He gave her a fearful look and opened his mouth to speak. Only, he didn’t get to. His face exploded before us, then his body fell to the ground.

Guards one and two who’d remained in the room struggled to pull their weapons free. The lack of preparation had them with two bullet wounds in their foreheads before I could blink to register what was happening.

“Well this is highly inconvenient,” Mordecai grumbled, pulling a gun from under the table and aiming at the shadow in the hall. “State your name and who sent you.”

A smoky chuckle sounded from the figure. “Name’s Carver. Tank sends his regards, doll face.”

I watched her finger move over the trigger of her weapon, but again, it was too slow. She wound up with a bullet in her head to match her dead guards.

Everything I’d just eaten came back up so fast I couldn’t do anything but let it pour out of me. It covered the table and ran down the other side.

I felt a hand on my back, the palm firm as a low voice said, “It’s ok. Get it all out. Bitch probably laced it anyway.”

The part of me that was exhausted from this entire endeavor wanted to cackle at the man’s tone. He didn’t appear to be bothered at all that he’d just swept into the room and killed the person responsible for so many bad things. He’d taken her out without even flinching. Stormed her compound and everything like it was nothing.

“Who are you?” I asked once I wiped my mouth with the napkin he handed me.

“My name is Carver. I know Tank. He traded me a couple of favors to come out here to help you. Can’t say it makes me upset to do his dirty work. His favors are always a good time. Plus, killing psycho bitches and her pups is all in a day’s work.”

I leaned back to look at him. “Who are you really? What kind of work has you killing people and calling it a good time?”

He shrugged. “I’m not sure how much you want to know. My job is… varied. There’s a lot to it. Just know I’m on the edge of good guy, with a touch of not so good mixed in. Now what do you say about calling your husband and those other numbskulls to come get us?

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