Page 36 of Masked Darling

“So, I know why he’s not at the parties all that much,” Jagger began, still trying to figure out how to explain this the right way. “And it’s because he does the selling of the girls in Montana.”

“Montana?”

“Yep. That’s why he uses it as his alias. It’s not his real name–it’s where the bastard is from. He owns a luxury car dealership down there. That’s what he’s been doing most of his life until recently when he realized that he had the same tastes as some of his high-end clients. This gang of his just does his dirty work—kidnap the girls, keep them in line, bring them to Montanawhen someone’s interested in them. The parties are his way of thanking them and letting them play with the merchandise.”

Kade blanched. “Jesus…”

“It gets worse,” Jagger sighed and straightened up so he could deliver this next bit of information. “I didn’t understand why there was this need to bring them back to Montana but he said it’s because that’s how they transport the girls.”

Still not understanding, Kade gestured for him to continue. “And?”

“And,” Jagger grimaced. “The clients purchase a car and the girl they want, and then that girl is then stuffed in the trunk. That’s how he does it.”

“They just drive off with a new car and a stolen girl?”

Jaded just nodded.

“In the trunk?”

Another nod.

You’ve gotta be fucking kidding.

“He thinks I’m interested in purchasing one, that’s the only way I got him to talk about it. That’s how I got them to come here at all.”

“Youwhat?”

Kade didn’t know why that upset him so much because it made sense. He’d asked himself that very question several times since the party. God, this was such a mess. They were never supposed to be involved in this kind of life—they were too fucking stupid.

Thanks, Dad.

“Yeah. So, there’s that. Now, what did your note say?”

Oh, right.

This conversation was about to get messy again.

“They’ve given me instructions to meet here for the party this weekend. They won’t let me near the girls unless I bring one with me to show that I’m invested. They want to see meshareawoman. It’s part of their initiation. And you know what? I’ll do it. I’ll bring someone with me to show them I’m serious.”

Jagger’s eyes narrowed. “And you think you’ll just skip out with Madison after that? It doesn’t work that way. We can’t put our plan into action until Midnight to make sure they’re all there and accounted for. It took almost til then the last time for all the guys to show up and we want to trap all of them. That means you will have to stall for at least an hour, depending on when you show up. Their game seemed to start before 11:00 pm, though, so you might want to get there by then if you’re trying to intercept anything happening to your girl.”

Kade’s gaze flickered to the floor at Jagger’s acceptance. He wasn’t so sure it was going to work either, but he didn’t have a better plan. “I know it sounds messed up. But it’s the only shot I’ve got. The only shot Madison’s got. If something goes wrong and Dad doesn’t pull through, then at least I’ll be able to stick with Green Light until I can get Mads out.”

Jagger was silent for a moment, his brow furrowing in thought. “Alright,” he said at last, the words leaving his mouth slowly. “You need someone to help you. Someone who knows the ins and outs of the bar. Someone who knows how to handle the men in that world. Someone who can play the part.”

Kade frowned. “You can’t join, too. You’re a neutral party here which gives us an advantage. You need to keep it that way.”

But Jagger was already shaking his head. “That’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about the girl you need to bring. You can’t do this alone. And there’s only one person I trust to do it.”

Kade’s stomach churned as he realized where this conversation was headed. He already knew who Jagger was talking about, and he didn’t like it one bit.

“No. I’m not using Sadie. You can’t be serious.”

Jagger’s eyes hardened. “It’s the only way any of us will have a chance in hell of getting through that night. She’s the only one who knows how to handle herself in a situation like this. She’s been around this kind of crap for years now. You remember what she did with the Dregs, right? That fight she broke up with nothing but a pole and her charm? She knows how to get men to do exactly what she wants—women, too. And she’ll help you get through this. She’ll make sure you don’t screw this up.”

Kade ran a hand through his hair, still looking at Jagger incredulously. “I can’t ask her to do that.Wecan’t. Have you lost it? She’syourfiancé, Jagger. Do you really want her involved in this? You’ve done everything in your power to keep her away from them. What about Camille?”

Jagger’s expression softened for a moment, but his tone remained firm. “Camille couldn’t fake attraction to a man if her life depended on it, let alone yours. Sorry, kid.” Jagger moved to sit at his desk and started putting paperwork away in a drawer. “You don’t get it, do you? Sadie is the only way you’re going to pull this off.”

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