Page 87 of His Reluctant Savior

“She was either taken or lied to about promises of a successful life in the U.S.,” Layla said.

Dalton continued to read the file and nodded. “The FBI works cases such as these. They can track down some and put a stop to them, but human trafficking is so lucrative across the globe it’s nearly impossible to stop.”

“And that’s where The District comes in. We can go places law enforcement can’t, completely bypassing the legal system where most of these criminals get off with nothing more than a slap on the wrist.”

Dalton looked at me and nodded. “Our prisons are so overcrowded, so anyone with enough money has a better chance of going free or having the case dropped than someone without. Prisons are also lucrative.”

He looked at Layla and smiled. “You did good work, Layla, you and Veil both. While it doesn’t fix the trafficking problem for asylum seekers or migrants, at least Rubi can finally get some justice.”

I leaned back in my chair and nodded. “Now we need to decide who we hit first and how.”

“We can’t take them all out, even if they appear to be accidents or suicides. It’s too suspicious,” Dalton said.

“As I’ve said before, there are worse things than death. I say our first step should be to ruin Devon Mercer from Oilvo and Justin Patel from CloutFox. Take their money out of the game. They will no longer be able to protect Rush and Mardsen, and they will no longer be able to fund the hits on you, Boy Scout, which will also take The Brotherhood out of the game. Although, it’s been intentionally hinted that you’re under our protection.”

“The only ones I truly want to see gone from this planet are Rush and Mardsen. The DOJ Deputy Chief must have been there that night. We don’t have proof or information on where this ‘party’ was held that resulted in Rubi being killed, but to risk everything to hunt me down? Hehadto have been there.”

I smiled sadly, part of me hating that he was coming into my world, but I didn’t put him here. They did. My only reassurance was that he was in my life and was protected by my family. “Oh, I’m sure the rich assholes were there, too. Besides, we don’t need evidence of him being there. All we need is to show his involvement in the cover-up, which we have.”

A knock on my door sounded.

“Come in,” I called out.

Malik opened the door, stepped in, and stood behind Layla, patting her shoulders. “Nice work, Layla.”

“You meanPookybear,” I quipped.

She scowled at me, shoving her big glasses up her nose with a finger. “One day, you’re not going to wake up, Sid.”

I smiled and spread my hands. “Oh, come on. You love me.”

“That’s the only reason you still breathe.”

I stifled my laugh. Layla wouldn’t hurt a fly, despite being involved with assassins. She was a numbers girl, not a murderer.

“We should take out Rush and Mardsen and destroy everyone else,” Malik suggested.

I nodded. “That’s my line of thinking. We’re going to target the money first, then we can convince Rush and Mardsen that they will be better off dead.”

“Please tell me we can send all this evidence off to a journalist,” Dalton said. “Rubi needs some sort of justice where the world will see what these politicians are capable of.”

Malik sat on the edge of my desk and looked at Dalton. “I understand why you want this, but is it wise to show the country to trust their government even less? I have no love for these men or politicians. But people will not choose more wisely the next time they vote. Humans tend to vote poorly when they are afraid, or they vote with their wallets. Someone worse could be voted in.”

Dalton shook his head. “That’s possible, but the American people deserve to know who their leaders truly are. This case could very well get them to look deeper into who they’re voting for. Hiding this won’t change a thing. Showing the truth has more possibilities to incite some change.”

I agreed with Malik. “Always the Boy Scout,” I said affectionately. “I love your idealism, but the reality just isn’t that. Yes, it could incite change, but it won’t necessarily go in the direction you want it to. Not to mention other politicians… bad politicians could use it to their advantage. And not only that, but if we share with the world what went down, you’ll be involved. They will drag you into this, perhaps make you the fall guy, and Owen will be collateral damage. I hate to use your son against you, but I know this from experience with what I do.”

“But we have all the evidence to show why I was on the run and that I’d been a mark,” Dalton said.

“As the main leader here, I have the final say and decide how much this family is put at risk,” Malik said, looking at Dalton. “I understand how you feel. But there are many forms of justice. The fact is, there is a trail of bodies behind you, which means there is a trail of bodies behind us. Exposure puts us all at risk. We have agreed to do things your way, Dalton Reed, but this family comes first. We are the shadow, not the light. These men will suffer. Rubi may not get the justice you would like, but she will have her revenge.”

Dalton opened his mouth to argue, but Malik held up his hand. “Putting this out in the open will also put your son at risk, as Sid said. Keeping you and Owen out of this will allow the boy to live a relatively normal life. Is your son not a priority?”

Dalton shut his mouth and sagged before nodding. “You’re right.”

“I agree with Malik, Dalt,” I said. “You and Owen come first, but so does my family… and you are a part of that family now.”

“Okay. You’re right. But still… it’s fucking frustrating.”

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