Page 72 of Ignacio

“We found videos of other women. Dozens of them.”

Ignacio’s stomach lurched with disgust and shock. “Dozens?” he repeated.

“Leo Hargrove is a real scumbag, and apparently, he’s been that way for a very long time. Based on metadata in the videos, some of them are older than your partner’s video, but there was one filmed as recently as two months ago.”

Ignacio muttered a curse. “So he’s been violating women all these years, with no intention of stopping.”

The three men nodded before Raheem continued. “Like your partner, it’s obvious none of these women had any idea they were being filmed. That’s part of the thrill for a man like him. Then he can review the tapes whenever he wants and experience the assault all over again.”

Nausea climbed up Ignacio’s throat as he thought about Leo reviewing the videos of all those women—of Delta—and getting sick pleasure from doing so. He clenched his fists, wanting to tear the man apart piece by piece with his bare hands.

“We’re not going to give you the videos of the other women, of course,” Raheem continued.

“Of course,” Ignacio said. He hadn’t expected them to.

“However, before we turn over the video of Miss James, we need to explain something to you. We’d love to see this man get punished for what he’s done, but the problem is, if we turn over the evidence we have, these women will have to relive their trauma with no guarantee that Leo will do prison time.”

“Mainly because of how the videos were obtained,” Tyrone interjected.

“How were they obtained?” Ignacio asked.

“No probable cause, no search warrant, no official law enforcement,” Tyrone answered. “Leo is a very powerful man and could walk away from a trial practically unscathed, with no jail time and just a tarnished reputation. Meanwhile, the victims would be re-victimized.”

“So we have a request,” Raheem said. “We’re going to turn over the video of Miss James, and you’re going to forget you ever met us or asked for our help.”

Ignacio’s eyes searched their faces in confusion. Their expressions were blank and emotionless. “I don’t understand.”

A faint smile curved Raheem’s mouth. “We’re going to handle the situation from here. Leo Hargrove is filth, and we clean up filth. He won’t be allowed to hurt anyone else. We need you to forget you ever asked us to obtain the video for you, and no matter what comes out in the news in the coming days, you keep your mouth shut.”

They spoke in calm, low-level voices. Tyrone had his ankle crossed over his knee and his arms stretched across the back of the sofa. Raheem sat calmly, looking at Ignacio with the flash drive resting on his thigh. Cruz remained standing, his large hands gripping the back of the armchair, propping up the weight of the top half of his body.

All three men regarded him with impassive faces—cool and calm, as if there wasn’t an undercurrent of violence in Raheem’s words. While there was nothing overtly threatening about the men, Ignacio had the distinct impression that he didn’t have a choice in the proposed agreement.

“I don’t have any problem adhering to those guidelines,” he said.

All he cared about was getting the video for Delta. Whatever happened to Leo as a result of his vile actions was none of his concern. Additionally, he was pleased that because he hadcontacted the agency, the videos of the other women would be destroyed, they’d never have to know the videos existed, and future women would be safe from Leo.

Cruz straightened and shot a glance at the men he worked with. “Bueno, that’s what we wanted to hear.”

Raheem handed the flash drive to Ignacio. “If you like, we can take you to a room where you can review the video in private.”

“No, that’s not necessary.” He wasn’t remotely curious to see a crime being committed, but he also didn’t want to violate Delta by watching what that monster had done to her when she was little more than a child. “I do have one question. You’re confident it’s Delta in the video?”

“We have no doubt. We’re also certain it’s Leo. For a brief moment, his profile is captured on camera, and he talks in the video. We used voice recognition software to help confirm his identity.”

Ignacio breathed easier. “Thank you.”

Slipping the drive into the inside pocket of his jacket, he left the office. Randall was waiting in the lobby and stood when he stepped off the elevator.

They left the building and walked to the waiting sedan.

Now all he had to do was prepare for Delta’s arrival on Thursday.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Ignacio waited in the doorway as Delta walked slowly toward the front door. She wore her purple coat cinched at the waist, oversized dark sunglasses, and her hair twisted into a loose bun on top of her head.

Behind her, the driver removed her bags from the trunk of the car.

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