Page 62 of Stay Baby Stay

“Once security goes down, we’ll have an eight-minute window before the system reboots to get inside the house and disable it,” Mike says.

“Should be enough time.” I glance around at the crew I’ve assembled, meeting each man’s gaze. “Last chance to back out. You’ve already done great work. No one would hold it against you if you decided to call it—”

“Last I checked, there’s a girl in that house who needs our help,” Jonah says. “The longer we stand here fuckin’ around, the more help she’s gonna need.”

Austin and Mike echo Jonah’s sentiment.

Bolstered by their commitment to the task ahead, I end the discussion with a quick thanks for their help so far. There aren’t a lot of people in this world who would put their lives on the line for a friend the way they have for me.

“All right, guys,” I say. “Time to move in.”

We make for the house. Austin recommends we try the north-side entrance—the same one I was unceremoniously ejected from the night of the party. With the alarm dismantled, all that’s left is to pick the lock. Mike has the door open in under a minute.

We move along the corridor, into the kitchen. Empty. In the time it took for us to reach the house, the guards took it upon themselves to step outside for a smoke break.

Mike finds the main security console and sets about disabling the system. I motion for Austin and Jonah to follow me out to the patio.

The guards don’t stand a chance as we come up from behind, smooth and silent. Jonah knocks one out with the butt of his gun while Austin subdues the other in a chokehold until he passes out. We secure their wrists and ankles with zip ties and slap duct tape over their mouths. Rather than risk alerting King to our presence before we’re ready to greet him, we drag their asses back behind the pool house.

With the security system disabled, we move to the basement. A real man’s cave complete with exotic animal heads, zebra-skinned rugs, and a game table. I grab a chair from the table and move it to the middle of the enormous Persian rug in front of the couch and theater chairs.

“This’ll do just fine.” I motion for the guys to follow me back upstairs.

My heart slams in my chest at the sound of a struggle coming from what I presume to be Russell King’s bedroom. I lock eyes with each of my soldiers as we get into position.

I count to three on my fingers.

Jonah kicks the door open. The raven-haired girl who can’t possibly be a day over sixteen screams and leaps off the huge bed. With any luck, the fact that she’s still got her clothes on means we got here just in time.

We pour into the room, guns raised.

“What the fuck is this?” King’s face contorts. He rips the sheet from the bed and uses it to cover himself. “Do you have any idea who I am? Who I work for?”

“That’s why we’re here, counselor.” I nod for Mike to get the girl out of the room. “Don’t worry, ma’am, we’re not here for you.”

Mike raises both hands to show he’s not a threat as he moves slowly toward the girl. She backs into the corner, trembling.

“It’s okay, darlin’,” he says softly. “No one’s gonna hurt you.”

“Is this about the alimony?” King barks. “Tell Diane she can rot in hell. I’m not giving that ball-busting bitch another dime.”

“We’ll be sure to pass that along to the former Mrs. King.” I spot a shiny leather wallet on the dresser. “This yours, counselor?”

“It’s in my house, isn’t it?”

I toss the wallet to Mike. He pulls a fat wad of cash from the main pouch and hands it to the girl.

“Hey,” King shouts. “Put that back.”

“Pretty sure soliciting a minor is illegal, counselor,” I say.

“Bite me, asshole.”

“Careful,” Austin says. “We just might.”

Mike motions for the girl to shadow him out of the room.

“For fuck’s sake,” King groans. “Listen, I’ve got twenty grand in the safe in my office. It’s yours if you want it.”

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