Page 6 of Jaded Red

I take the card with trembling fingers and thank him before hurrying to my car and taking off like my ass was on fire.

Holy shit, that was close.

The lock rattles and the door swings open with a hard slam, making me jump and bringing me out of my memories of almost meeting my brother. My old boss from the strip club, Mr. Lattimer, comes strolling in. With his slick black hair, a tailored three-piece suit, and eyes as black as the devil himself comes waltzing into the room without a care in the world. Behind him is his henchman, Josiah. I don’t miss the way Josiah’s eyes linger on me a little too long. He has always given me the creeps and still does.

Lattimer’s deadly black eyes survey the room until they land on Syvannah crouched next to me with her trembling arm wrapped around mine. Her bruises and cuts are fading and she’s finally getting some mobility in her left wrist. I shake my head, my muscles coiled, ready to protect these women.

“No, Nadia,” Syvannah whispers in my ear, not breaking eye contact with Lattimer. A wicked grin splits his face, accentuating the scar above his lip.

A groan breaks the quietness surrounding us, followed by a high pitch scream. All of our attention moves to the opposite corner of the dirty room where two women are huddled together. One is screaming at the top of her lungs and the other is thrashing around on the carpet, foaming at the mouth before she stills. Her eyes grow blank, staring at the wall.

Shit. This isn’t the first time one of the women has died in my care, but it still hurts when there is nothing I can do to help.

“Get those two bitches out of here, Josiah.” Lattimer motions to the two women, like her death is more of an inconvenience than a tragedy.

“Yes, boss.” Josiah hesitates.

“What?” Lattimer barks.

“We need to replace these two, sir.”

“I know this, Josiah. Get the fucking job done.” Lattimer turns on his pristine shoes and leaves the room.

Why two? One is still alive. Are they going to kill her for being near the dead one?

Josiah drags the girl whose screams turn to whimpers by the arm, forcing her to stand. He grabs the dead girl by her arms and starts dragging her body across the room like a caveman while gripping the other woman’s arm painfully. Two other men come into the room to get rid of the body.

Relieved Lattimer isn’t taking Syvannah is short-lived when Josiah stops in the doorway. A menacing glare aimed right at me. He strides to me in quick steps and leans over so his wretched breath fans across my face. “Don’t get too comfortable, Nadia. It’ll be your turn real soon.” Josiah inhales against my neck and disgust swims in my belly. I swallow the vomit threatening to come up and stare back at Josiah. I’m not afraid of him and he knows it. His glare swings to Syvannah and Exleigh huddled next to me. He brings his knuckles against my cheek caressing it like a lover. His other hand grabs Exleigh and halls her against his open legs. I turn my head and Josiah grabs my face painfully with his fingers forcing me to watch what he does next.

“Unzip and take me out, bitch.” Josiah’s face is filled with hatred and longing. “This is all your fault, Nadia.” Exleigh does what he told her to do with shaky fingers. “Suck it and if you bite,I will kill her.” Josiah says to Exleigh but his eyes never leave mine. She starts sucking him while gagging. “Soon, this will be you on your knees deep throating me.” Josiah warns. He closes his eyes for a brief moment and then opens them.

I shake my head but his fingers grip my chin harder making my jaw rub together. He makes me watch him abuse Exleigh for longer than I figured. His grip tightens again on my jaw and his other hand wraps around Exleigh’s throat, choking her. Tears and snot run down her face, while trying to breathe. He releases a guttural moan and reaches his peak, unloading himself down her throat. Josiah releases both of us and shoves Exleigh against the wall.

“Fuck, that was hotter than I imagined.” Josiah pants, tucking himself back into his pants and zipping them up. Syvannah holds Exleigh while she sobs and tries not to vomit in front of him. He’d make her clean it up and do it all over again. We’ve seen it several times and after a while the women know not to throw up after they get him off. Anger and rage vibrates through my veins and it takes everything in me to not beat the shit out of Josiah. His time is coming and it’s coming soon.

“Why?” I ask through clenched teeth.

I’m not sure if it’s from him getting off or something else, but Josiah’s answer shocks me. “Why them and not you?” he asks. I nod my head. He leans down close to my ear, inhaling my scent again. “Because you’re not worth it.” The bitterness in his voice tells me he means it.

According to my father, I’m not worth it and never will be. I’ll never be good enough for anyone to love me, only use me for what they want. I should feel relieved at Josiah’s words but the self-doubt I’ve had my whole life rears its ugly head and I hold back tears as Josiah’s evil laughpenetrates the room.

“That’s right, you’re a worthless whore. You’re not worth it.” Josiah storms out of the room and I release the breath I was holding.

Yeah, I know I’m not worth anything. That’s been clear to me for years. Now how do I get the fuck out of here and prove I’m worth everything I want? That includes a hot man who blushes at everything and rides a Harley.

Chapter Four

Red

“Shit!” I save everything on my laptop, grab it and search for Capone. He’s playing pool with Torch in the common room. Danyella, Daisy and their kids aren’t around, thankfully. This cannot wait. Capone spots me making a beeline right for him and before I can say anything and cause myself embarrassment, he sets his pool stick down.

“We’ll finish this later, Torch.” Capone’s dark eyes are full of rage and compassion if it’s possible to express both emotions at the same time. Capone heads to his office and I follow close behind before Torch can react.

“Shut the door,” he commands, sitting behind his desk. Framed photos of Danyella and Nina are all over the top along with papers scattered across the desk. “What do you have?”

I swallow back the bile crawling its way up my throat and take a deep breath. My face and neck are burning and I don’t know if it’s from embarrassment or rage this time. “Sheriff Donovan sent me an email threatening Kensi and anyone connected to him if we don’t back off the investigation into Nadia’s disappearance.”

Capone’s eyes darken even further hearing one of our own is in danger. He steeples his fingers together, “Go on.” The wordscome out as a growl. He’s doing all he can to keep his rage in check.

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