Page 12 of Cage the Storm
“My apologies to you and your family, Nicolai. I didn’t know what to do since this shipment wasn’t scheduled for delivery.” What if this is a hit? For the first time in my life, I let lust impair my judgment.
Lifting my gun, I aim for the middle of his forehead. “No, no, please don’t shoot.” What I have planned for him is far worse than just one bullet.
“Do you know what’s inside that shipment, Kingston? Did you watch them load it?” Mateo stands beside me, tense. If this is an ambush, we’re screwed. Just the two of us, and fuck knows how many of them waiting.
“I was there when they loaded the truck. I didn’t want to bother you, and I contemplated pushing it off a bridge, but I couldn’t.” Fuck, if that doesn’t piss me off more.
“Wise decision because had I found out, and I would have, you’d be fucking dead. Now open the door.”
“Yes, sir. Absolutely.” Without hesitation, he strides to the back, grabs his keys, and unlocks the door. Mateo and I are locked and loaded and ready to empty our clips, but no shots are fired.
It’s just the gut-wrenching screams from the women within that are too much for my soul to comprehend. So much so that if my brother were alive, I’d kill the fucker myself. Their piercing cries feel like all the air’s been sucked out of this world. And for a second, I can’t move. I can’t breathe.
Kingston steps aside as Mateo and I take his place. Fifteen filthy women are shackled to each other and the floor, so there’s no escape. Frightened, starving, and barely alive from what I can see. If I ever get my hands on the motherfucker who is in charge of this trafficking ring, I’ll take him down with my own bare hands.
“Fuck, Boss. What the hell are we going to do with them?” My mind’s racing even before he said what I was thinking, and I’m already making some calls.
They’ll need housing, medical attention around the clock, and therapy to reintroduce them into society. This is the kind of trauma that not only affects their body but also affects their psyche. In the real world, I could send them to a hospital, but not in my world. Too many questions, and I don’t need anyone else breathing down my neck.
Twenty minutes later, everything’s in place, and now it’s time to get them home safely without any surprises.
“Mateo, are you good to drive?” I’ll need to drop off Kingston, but it won’t be in a place where I’ll be recognized.
“Absolutely, but I’ll keep them shackled so they won’t bounce around in the truck.” Kingston hands him the keys, and it’s not lost on me that he can’t wait to finish this and be on his way. “Where’s the drop, Boss?” Like I’m going to utter a word in front of Kingston.
“I’ll text you the address and the instructions, then I’ll meet you there after I drop him off.” I gesture for Kingston to get in my SUV. Once we’re alone, I text Mateo all the information before I close and lock the doors. I didn’t say anything. Would’ve been useless. The women are too far gone, and I’m not the one who can take away their pain. Maybe time will do what I couldn’t.
When I walk around the corner, Mateo’s questioning eyes meet mine. “Boss, are you sure?” No, but I’m out of options.
“I’m sure. Everyone should be in place when you get there. I’ll drop him off as soon as possible, so I shouldn’t be long.” With that, I drop the keys in his hand and open the door to my SUV. It’s been a long fucking night, and it’s just beginning. I’d like to think I could have coaxed out at least three or four orgasms out of Luna by now.
Kingston’s quiet on the drive back, but he must have forgotten that nothing in life comes easy. If he doesn’t give me the name of the fucking man who is in charge of this trafficking ring, I’ll end him tonight.
“Back there, you wouldn’t shut your fucking mouth. What’s wrong, cat got your tongue?”
“I’m sorry, Boss, I don’t know what you’re implying. I did the best I could under the circumstances.” Even with one hand on the wheel, I could kill him in a heartbeat.
“I want the name of the man who called you to send me this shipment after I refused to deal with my brother’s depravity. Now.”
“I swear on my mother’s grave that I don’t know. I would never lie because I have a wife and a family. I’d never do anything to jeopardize their lives. Never.” I feel a fucking headache coming on, and he’s trying my patience.
Darkness has a way of taking control on occasion, and this is one of those damn times. I desperately try to take deep, cleansing breaths, but the faces of those women in that truck keep returning to haunt me. The stench and their emaciated bodies are enough to make me want to put my gun to his head and pull the trigger. Just because I can. I’m well aware he could grab the wheel at any time and try taking control, but I’m too fucking pissed to give a shit, and I shouldn’t be so cavalier with my life.
The second I see a secondary road that veers off to the right, I barrel my way down into the shadows, and the next thing I know, I’m dragging him out of the SUV by his throat. Little does he know that I have all fucking night to torture him to get the answers I fucking need.
“Name, or I end you here and now.” He’s turning blue as both of my hands are wrapped around his throat. I want to howl into the night for every single human being this person has robbed oftheir life and their freedom. I don’t kill for the sport of it; I kill the bastards who deserve it.
When I release the grip around his neck, he gasps for air. I almost wished I’d crushed his fucking larynx.
“You have five minutes to give me your answer, or I’m going to spend what little time you have left making you pay for your fucking sins. The clock starts now.” I’m a man of my word, so I make sure he watches as I check my watch.
Poor bastard can’t catch his breath, or talk for that matter, but I have no fucks to give. “Three and counting.” He tries; oh, he does, but only air rushes out.
I’m not a heartless bastard, so I pluck the pen from my jacket pocket and hand it to him. “Write the damn name on the palm of your hand before it’s too late. Now!”
An hour later, I’m on my way to meet Mateo and to find out how the transfer went. I’m alone in my SUV, and the darkness has subsided somewhat. I try convincing myself that it’s all for the greater good.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
