Page 19 of Auctioned Surrender

“Don’t have them take her yet, Matt. Bryanna’s in trouble. They’re holding something over her head, and we need to figure out what it is, or she’ll never be free of this. They’ll just come back for her, or she’ll take off again.”

“Roger that, Dame. You’re point on this job; we take your lead.”

“I told the guys I’d cover for you while you were at the hotel. Nick just texted to let me know two guys are putting her in a bright red Caddy.”

“Make sure we’ve got good drivers ready to go.”

“We’ve got it covered. Stand by,” Matt says over the car speaker.

“Nick and Cole will be right on their ass. If they’re watching close, they might think they have a tail, but then they’ll veer off and we’ll take over,” Evers says from the front seat.

“Roger that, Evers,” I say, sinking back into my seat, inhaling deeply, and trying my best to get the tightness in my chest to ease up as he accelerates the vehicle.

I hit my phone and connect with Matt. “Who’s on to take over after me and Evers?” I ask, already knowing that me and Evers are taking the first watch.

“Keith and Garrett.”

“Why Garrett?” I ask, scowling, because if my estimation of time and traffic is correct, those two are going to have some of the slower inner-city traffic, and it’s not as easy to keep from being spotted in those conditions. I know Keith, and his talents as a wheelman are par none, but if he needs a break, I’d rather it not be someone we barely know, with no experience to speak of.

“You have a beef with Garrett, Dame?”

“Maybe, why’s he in?”

“He was a wheelman way back with Keith, but if you say he’s out for this job, then he’s out. It’s your point, but I gotta tell you, that man can drive, Dame. If I were running point, I’d keep him on.”

I’ve heard the stories about Keith, and his driving is legendary, and if he’s vouching for Garrett’s driving ability, then that’s all I need to know for now. “He drove fine to the hotel andback. If he knows his way around as a wheelman, let him stay, just put an extra pair of eyes on him. He may be a good driver, but I don’t want him getting shot if shit goes sideways.”

Matt laughs. “We’ll talk later. You don’t need to worry about Garrett. He can hold his own, Dame.”

Nick’s voice comes through the overhead speaker. “Hey, guys. I’m here with Cole, and things are going as planned. They’ve caught the bait surveillance, so we’re going to pull off at the next ramp and let them think they lost us. We’ll stop and get another car, you take over, and then we’ll circle in behind you. We’ll stay about a mile behind but be there for backup if needed. They should reach you in another four minutes,” Nick says before disconnecting.

Evers is already in position and watching as the Caddy barrels down the highway. He pulls into the right-hand lane behind the car we’re surveilling. “We’ve moved in behind them and will stay on their tail for awhile.”

I can see an outline of the top of her head. They’re not going to harm Bryanna; they won’t dare put one little bruise on her skin if she’s to be auctioned tomorrow. They’ll want her completely perfect for the buyers, but that doesn’t make it any easier not to get her out of there right the fuck now. But Bryanna is hiding something and will run, and she’s going to keep running back to them until we know for certain exactly what they’re holding over her head, find the people who are responsible, figure out how this operation works, and end this nightmare for good.

“How’s the crew doing with getting her family into protection? I may be wrong about them holding her family over her head, but according to our sources, many abducted women are coerced into doing things against their will by fear of harm coming to their loved ones. It may not be the only thing they’reholding over her head, but at least they’ll be safe until we know more or learn what it really is.”

“The team is en-route to pick them up right now. If you give the say-so, we could take Bryanna right now,” Nick says.

“Negative, negative. Just keep her safe and give us an update once her mom and the kids are moved. Keith and Garrett are standing by to take over when you give the word.”

***It’s about three hours later, and the men we’re following have stopped at a diner and then a hotel to drop one of their men off. Each time, requiring us to switch cars and drivers to avoid being spotted. I get a text from Jay letting me know that Bryanna’s family have made it to the safe house, and a car switch is set up not too far down the road for Nick and Cole. I get them on the overhead. “Hey, there’s a Shell station with a McDonald’s two exits up. Veer off, and there will be another car waiting for you. It’s packed with more supplies and food, and probably full of donuts,” I say, knowing Nick and Cole’s penchant for sweets.

“Hardy har har,” Cole says good-naturedly, but doesn’t bother to deny the age-old sweet tooth we’ve all grown used to and that he isn’t about to give up anytime soon.

“The good news is you won’t have to wait too much longer. They’re making another stop. Time for us to get off their tail and let someone else take over.”

“We’re sure keeping Jay and Matt busy tonight. They’ve done a good job staying ahead of the coordination on everything,” Nick says.

“Roger that. I’m going to switch with Evers so he can get some rest,” I say.

It’s about five hours later and Evers has already gotten back into the driver’s seat, and Keith and Garrett are tailing Bryanna when the overhead comes on. “We’re pulling off now. Both men are heading inside the store. Bryanna isn’t going in with them,” Keith says.

“Pull up to the gas station to the left of the pump they’re parked at,” I tell Evers.

He gives me a scowl in the rearview mirror, but I give two fucks. Right now, I just need to make sure she’s in that back seat and has a pulse. “I have to make sure she’s alive,” I say, knowing his cover will be blown, but the need to make sure Bryanna is okay is overwhelming to the point of undeniable, fuck protocols.

The car slides up next to the pump. The men have already started walking toward the back of the store, presumably to the bathroom. I open the door and slide out on crouched knees, walking like a penguin in between the pumps, slowly opening the back left passenger door of the red Caddy. Bryanna’s dark hair is spilled out over the seat, and there’s a long blanket covering the rest of her body. I run my hand down her cheek and over the pulse of her neck. She’s not sleeping, she’s beyond that—completely drugged—but her breathing and pulse are good.

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