Page 2 of Loki
“If it’s not money, and it’s not a man, what is it?” Sarah asked.
“I’m chasing a story and I’ve got to go home.”
“A story?” Raven asked. “And this story can’t wait a week until you get back?”
“Unfortunately, it can’t.”
According to my source, this person, or people, auction off women to the highest bidder once every six months and it was time for it to happen again, this time in New Orleans. I needed to be there to find out when and where to get the information I needed to find out when and where.
“Is it dangerous?” Sarah asked, breaking into my thoughts.
“Maybe,” I said, shrugging. “Anytime you’re dealing with powerful people, there’s always that possibility.”
I didn’t really care if it was dangerous. Unlike certain journalists, I did not avoid covering dodgy stories. Anytime you dealt with someone who was doing illegal shit and as rich and powerful as this man was, it was definitely going to be dangerous. But if I took the proper precautions, I would be fine.
Despite the worry on all their faces, I would not allow it to stop me. Right now, I might be the only help for these women. I had to expose to the world what this man had been doing to these women, especially because of who he was.
“What’s the story about?” Cadence asked with genuine curiosity.
Among all my friends, she stood out as the one who offered unwavering support and sincere interest in my work. Cadence was the last one to join our circle. She hailed from the bustling city of Chicago and found herself married to one of the wealthiest men in the country. Interestingly enough, her husband, Brian Hamm, also happened to be the owner of an exclusive BDSM establishment in California, as well as the owner of an international cyber security firm.
Although supportive and interested in my work, this was a story I couldn’t share the details of until I confirmed it was true, because some immensely powerful people were involved. I didn’t want to put anyone in any danger, especially them. My source was already risking their necks sharing this information with me.
“I can’t say, but it will put me on the map if I can break it. I’m sorry you guys, I would love to go, but I can’t put this off. I have to go home.”
“I don’t like it,” Sarah said, crossing her arms over her lithe body. “What if something happens to you?”
“I don’t either,” Cadence chimed in before I could respond. “But if you think it’s what you need to do, who are we to stop you?” She looked at both Raven and Sarah, then turnedher attention back to me. “I support you. We support you. Just please make sure you’re careful.”
“I promise, all of you, I’ll be careful. And if you haven’t heard from me in a week, then call in the calvary,” I said, chuckling trying to calm their fears.
I understood why they were worried, but I was a big girl and could take care of myself. I would be fine.
What was the reason for doing this again, especially right before my vacation? In this weather?
It was the millionth time I had asked myself that same question. I was already anxious about coming to the city, and for good reason. It had been years since I had been home. And I had vowed once I left, I wasn’t coming back. There was nothing left for me in New Orleans. Now the weather made me dread coming back even more.
Ever since I was a kid, my dream was to move away from the neighborhood I grew up in, in New Orleans.
Dream big if you’re going to dream at all, Nikki. And if you work hard, trust in Bondye’s plan, and let the ancestors guide you, everything you want will come true.
That was my mammaw’s mantra. Following my brother’s deployment and subsequent death overseas fighting in Afghanistan, and after her death, I left the city and pursued my dream of becoming a journalist. I took a leap of faith and went after what I wanted. I had no immediate family left in New Orleans, so there wasn’t anything keeping me from leaving.
I wasn’t where I wanted to be in my career just yet, but if I broke this story, I would be exactly where I wanted to be in my career, because this story had the potential to be the most explosive political revelation in decades.
Although I should be on the sandy beaches of the Bahama’s just living it up with my girls and with some random hot guy in my bed, I was working hard and going after what I wanted in life. There was no point in kidding myself. I knew why I was here. I had no other choice. If I wanted my dreams to come true, this was how to do it.
“All work and no play,” I mumbled, before I took in a deep breath and released it, gripping the wheel tighter. “Okay…okay. You got this, Nikki.”
The GPS showed I had approximately forty-five minutes remaining until I reached the hotel parking lot. It was there I would meet the whistleblower, who had a captivating claim about a senator who was predicted to run for President in 2028 and win. If I broke this story, it would be an enormous boost to my career.
“Hopefully, the weather will cooperate.”
As soon I as spoke it, the rain changed from a steady stream of heavy rainfall to relentless downpour.
“Fuck, it feels like I’m in Seattle with all this damn rain,” I grumbled, struggling to see the road ahead.
I turned on the radio, hoping to hear the weather forecast. I wasn’t used to driving in this type of weather and all the flights into New Orleans were delayed or either canceled, so I was currently driving instead of flying.
