Page 56 of Trigger's Temptation

Capone slams the gavel onto the table, starting Church. “We’re finding Benton.” The room goes silent.

Tiny lets out a low whistle. “Been a while since we went hunting.”

“This isn’t a hunt,” I correct, my voice cold. “It’s an extermination.” No one argues.

“Benton has been stalking my Ol’ Lady. He has been using his badge to kidnap and rape innocent women. After what Serena and Kayla told us, he has to be a big part of the Black Market Railroad. He’s still out there, breathing, existing like he doesn’t have a goddamn target on his back. That ends now.” I take a breath, then move onto the next problem.

“The girls,” I say, shifting my focus to Capone. “They need to go to the safe house.”

Capone frowns. “Aerianna’s gonna love that.”

“She can be pissed all she wants,” I snap. “This isn’t up for debate. Elise is in no shape to be left alone, and Aerianna is a target. If Benton gets wind that I just claimed her as my Ol’ Lady, he’ll come after her.” My knuckles turn white. “That’s not happening.”

“Who’s taking them?” Bones asks.

“Knight and Jax,” Capone says. “I want them out of the city by sunrise.”

Tiny nods. “I’ll let them know.”

I exhale my pulse a steady, slow thud in my ears. “Once they’re out, we focus on finding Benton. I want eyes everywhere. Street-level. Online. Every contact we got.”

Bones pulls out his laptop and starts typing away. “Guess we’re gonna have some fun, then.”

I don’t smile. This isn’t a game. This is justice.

Chapter 23

AERIANNA

I’m sitting at a table with Danyella, Monica, and two women I haven’t met before, Exleigh and Syvannah. Both were victims of the Black Market Railroad and have been coming out of their shells more with each passing day.

The Chapel doors swing open, and the club members stride out with grim expressions. That can’t be good.

Trigger stalks toward me with determination burning in his blue eyes. He doesn’t stop until he reaches me, lifting me effortlessly and sits down, placing me on his lap. His lips brush against the side of my neck, sending a shiver racing down my spine.

Across the table, Syvannah’s eyes light up when she spots Tiny, but she doesn’t move. He catches her gaze and winks, but instead of coming over, he heads down the hall toward his room with Pearl trailing behind him.

Seriously? Doesn’t that bitch ever get the hint?

Syvannah’s shoulders slump, her expression crumbling. Danyella places a comforting hand over hers, but I can already see the tears forming in Syvannah’s eyes. I want to punch Pearl for making Syvannah cry.

“It’s stupid,” Syvannah mutters, pounding her fist on the table. “We’re not together, but fuck, that hurts.”

Trigger raises a brow, following her gaze toward Tiny and Pearl. His jaw ticks before he turns back to Syvannah, sympathy flashing in his eyes. “You know it means nothing, right?”

“Trigger,” I warn, shaking my head.

Syvannah exhales sharply, wiping at her tears. “I know. I’m trying to get past what happened, but it’s hard.”

Danyella squeezes her hand. “If he can’t be there for you when you’re at your lowest, he doesn’t deserve you at your best.”

Before anyone can respond, a shriek echoes from down the hall. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!” Pearl storms out, fury twisting her face as she glares daggers at Syvannah.

Syvannah straightens in her chair, meeting Pearl’s glare head-on.

A few steps behind Pearl, Tiny emerges, carrying Peanut. Instead of following Pearl, he strides over to us and flips a chair around, sitting directly behind Syvannah. He drapes his massive arms over her shoulders, Peanut curling against his chest.

“I swear she hates being told no,” Tiny mutters, shaking his head. “All I did was go back and get my cat. I didn’t want a quickie, and she threw a tantrum.”

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