Page 62 of Touch Of Fate
“That is the nicest trick I have, and if you don’t get to the point, I’ll show you.” Rome narrows his eyes. I stare at my soul bond, ready to jump him, preferably naked.
“He has another business across the city,” Gavin says, and I focus on him. “He is deep into making money off women who don’t want to be at his mercy.”
“No,” I whisper.
“Unfortunately, yes,” he says. “Once the women felt safe, and the drugs wore off, a couple of them talked.” Probably the ones who chose not to have their memories changed. “I didn’t like anything they were saying. I was informed that the sick fuck is pissed. He arrived at his business later in the night and found no men and no women. He doesn’t know what the hell happened, yet he’s determined to find out.”
“How determined?” Rome asks.
“Very. He’s sending men out who work for him. Questioning the women he still has control over,” he says.
“Who the fuck is this guy? He has that much power?” I ask.
“Apparently, he has plenty of bad guys just like him in his employ. One of mine talked to someone on his side. He’s scared shitless of his boss. He’s proven to be ruthless. He’s not happywhen he loses money. Those men are missing.” He lifts a brow. “He’s lost their business and the women who serviced them.”
“We have to do something,” I say. We can’t let it go on. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to the other woman and I didn’t act.
“Yeah,” Rome murmurs.
“I need to know if you are going to take care of him and if I need to prepare for more women.” Rome hesitates, and Gavin spreads his arms. “Listen, I know you don’t trust me.” He drops his hands and presses one to his chest. “I don’t really trust your kind. Lace is different. We’re friends, but it’s not natural for us to be. I can tell you don’t like shifters. I’m fairly confident that you are a good man. Mara is special to Lace, so that means she means something to me. I wouldn't do anything to put them in danger.”
“Yet, doing this will,” Rome points out.
“Yeah, but if I’m right, I think you have the upper hand.” He looks at me. “I can feel the power in her. If it’s too dangerous for you, I can handle it. I have men working with me.”
“Shifters?” Rome asks.
“Mostly. They are good men who don’t like those who hurt women.” He sighs. “Another option is speaking to the right people, at the right time, and the authorities get involved. The problem with that is there is no guarantee that the women get the justice they deserve.”
“Or the men,” I say softly.
“Right,” he nods. “The women will get dragged through the mud, questioned, and will have to face their abusers for months, if not years.”
“He’s right.” I tip my head back. “You know it.”
“I do.” Rome cups my chin. “I don’t want you to get hurt. It will take a lot to wipe out his business. You don’t have to do this. Wecan hand it over to Gavin, and we can move on. It’s not your job to right all the wrongs.”
“I realize that. How could I sleep while those women are going through hell? I can’t ignore the information.” I circle his wrist. “Will it affect you? Doing that much…work?” I glance at Gavin and back at Rome.
“It will, and it depends on how many.” He brushes his thumb over my lip. “I’ll just need to alleviate the adrenaline.” My body heats, willing to help him do that.
“Are you done talking in code?” Gavin smirks.
“You won’t question our methods?” Rome asks, turning back to him.
“What methods?” He shrugs. “It’s a win-win. Bad men go away, and the women get to move on to a better life. I don’t need to know how you get the result, just that you do.”
“Fine. You don’t question me, and you don’t reveal us to those men who work with you. Once it’s done, don’t expect it to be a regular thing.” Rome scowls. “You’re right, I don’t trust you, and I don’t associate with shifters much.”
“Perfect.” Gavin claps his hands. “Do you need time to prepare?”
“We need time to plan. I want to know about the location and how many will be there. I refuse to take Mara into a situation without as much information as possible,” Rome says.
“Of course. Do you have a phone?” Gavin asks.
“Yes. Why wouldn’t I?”
“I don’t know. Maybe you do a spell when you want to talk to somebody,” Gavin says.
