Page 68 of Matrix

I head upstairs to where Daisy is waiting for me. As soon as I open the door, she pounces. “Well?”

“Your sister’s at Lulu’s. At least, we’re pretty sure it’s her. Sit down.” I guide her to the bed, where she perches on the edge.

“What? Why do you look so worried? What’s wrong with her?”

“She’s probably addicted to heroin.”

“No.” She covers her mouth with her hand.

“And she’s in bad shape overall. I suspected this could be the case, but I just want to prepare you for what you’ll see tomorrow night. You can’t lose your shit.”

“Tomorrow? I’m going to see her that soon?”

“Yes. Hopefully.” I fill her in on the rescue plan. “It should work, but we’re dealing with a domestic, and possibly international, trafficking ring. They’re not stupid.”

“I could call my SAC and get backup.”

“No fucking way. Seriously?” I frown.

“You’re right. I’m not thinking straight. I just figured we could use the help.”

“Not from the fucking Feds. UV NOLA has our backs. Always. I trust these men with our lives. We all swore the same creed—to protect the innocent while taking down the guilty by whatever means necessary.”

“That’s slightly different from the one I had to swear to,” she says wryly.

“Same idea. Different methods.”

“Don’t remind me.” She looks away.

“One of these days, you’ll have to pick a side. But not today. We’re checking into the hotel at four in the afternoon. That gives us about twelve hours, and I plan on sleeping through most of them. I want to be fully alert and ready for this.”

“Me too.”

“Then come to bed with me.” I slowly strip her down, leaving her panties on so she knows I’m not after more sex. We really do need to rest.

After we settle into bed together, we cuddle. I love the feeling of her in my arms. A man could get used to this. That’s the last thought I have before we doze off.

When Scar wakes us in the early afternoon, I’m well rested, and so is Daisy.

“Ready, babe?”

“Let’s get my sister.”

She laces her fingers through mine, and we walk out the door. Whether she realizes yet or not, we’re a team. When we decide we’re going to do something, we’re unstoppable. Eventually, she’ll see it. It’s only a matter of time before she recognizes it too. We belong together.

Chapter 17: Matrix

I’ve never been inside a hotel room like this before. It’s ridiculously over the top. In addition to the plush sofas, designer rugs, and fine art in the living room, there’s a bedroom almost as big as the entire NOLA clubhouse. A massive bed sits in the center of the room, but that’s not the best feature. There’s a huge bathtub big enough for four people beside two huge sliding doors leading to a patio. I could have one hell of a party with Daisy in that tub.

I wish we were here for fun, but we’re not. Angela and the other four girls we ordered are supposed to arrive in five minutes. According to Fang, they’re never late. The one thing this cartel has going for them is punctuality. I can’t help but laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Daisy gets up from one of the sofas in the living room and walks toward the small kitchen where I’m standing.

“Nothing. I was just thinking about how the lives of rich people are so different from ours. Also, that bathtub in the main bedroom is unbelievable. If we were here for something other than rescuing your sister, I’d make sure we put it to use.” I waggle my eyebrows.

“I don’t know how you can joke at a time like this. I’m so nervous I feel like I’m going to throw up.”

“Don’t do that.” Fang turns away from the window. He’s been watching the street below for any sign of the cartel. So far, he hasn’t spotted anyone.

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