Page 57 of The Veiling

A barely dressed woman swayed back and forth on a platform in the middle of a round, empty room. There were other identical glass panels encircling the space, but you could not see into the VIP chambers. Everyone was hidden from everyone.

Without turning around, Jesse pointed at the end table. “Just set the drink down there.”

I cocked my gun, pressing it to the back of his head.

He raised his hands as he pivoted around slowly and carefully.His gaze then found mine. “W-wait, wait, wait!”

The woman on his lap twisted around ‌covering her breasts, ready to scream. Noah dove forward, grabbing her within seconds, clasping his hand against her mouth. “Donotsay a fucking word, or you’ll die too.” He sat her down against the wall. Drawing her legs into her chest, she cowered.

I pushed the muzzle of my gun to the middle of Jesse’s forehead. “I’ve waited for this moment long enough.”

“I’m one of many. Stella will always be around. We will buy women,” he seethed, “fuck them, and sell them to men who will use them over…and…over…and—”

BANG!

Jesse’s body slumped over in the chair.

The woman against the wall let out a loud yelp before slapping her hand over her mouth, muffling her cry. Tucking my gun back into its holster, I marched out of the room.

The following afternoon, we boarded the plane with Felipe bound and his mouth taped closed. Marco and Noah had not let him out of their sight since we got him back to Miguel’s house. And now, they sat with him on the flight in case he tried anything. He had struggled several times throughout, but finally gave up. He was beaten and exhausted. I refused to speak to him. I had nothing to say to him and only wanted to watch him die a slow, painful death.

When we finally landed in New York, I had everyone except Noah ride in a separate car so they could sneak him into the basement and alarm no one. We were about twenty minutes from the estate when Noah finally broke the silence.

“I know it’s a bad time to ask this, but can I have tonight off?”

I flickered my gaze from the window to him.

“I kinda left Laura on that cliffhanger before we left, and I need to make things right.”

Silently, I offered a single nod, then returned my attention out the window. While he was more concerned about making things right with my sister, I was concerned about hiding Felipe from Isabelle without lying to her. It would be the first thing she asked when she saw me. She did not know we were returning yet. I had only spoken to her once while gone.

When we came to a stop in front of the house. I slid my phone out from my jacket pocket, checking my text messages.

We are walking into the basement now.

The others had taken the private entrance so they could remain undetected. I tucked my phone away and stepped out of the car. Inspecting my knuckles, I ran my fingertips over them. They were slightly painful from plummeting Felipe’s face. Taking a deep breath, I held my head high and sauntered toward the door. Noah pushed it open, and we stepped in.

“I’ll go help them get him secured before I head up to bed.”

I nodded, throwing my bag over my shoulder. “Goodnight. We’ll get the rest of the luggage in the morning.”

I ambled up the stairs, skipping every other step, then trekked to our bedroom. Not wanting to wake her, I quietly pushed the door open. She was lying on her side, facing the other direction. I crept into the closet, setting my bag down on the floor before I slipped my clothes off and showered. Thankfully, she never woke. When I returned to the bedroom, I peeled the blankets back.

“Ahhhh!” She shot up to a sitting position, grabbing my pillow and swinging it at my head. “I—”

“Baby,” I blocked the blows, “it’s me!”

“Oh my God!” She dropped my pillow and lunged into my embrace, wrapping her arms around my neck. She pulled me close, pressing her lips to mine. “I missed you so much!” She sat back.

“I was only gone a few days.”

She gasped. “Wait! That means—” her voice trailed off. She traced my battered knuckles with her fingertips. “You got hurt.” She peered into my gaze with pain in hers.

I circled my thumb on the back of her hand. “Bella, I’m fine, but wedoneed to talk more about those self-defense skills.”

“Be glad I didn’t grab my gun from the nightstand.” She grinned.

I slipped under the blanket, pulling her close to my side, smiling. “I missed you too.”

---