Page 100 of Elusive Surrender

When the last woman is finally safe, I jump out of the truck and peel off my soaking wet shirt and take a long drink from the bottle of water someone hands me. I shake hands with the members of the bomb squad who worked tirelessly by my side and talk with my team to get logistics in place for the women.

I take a good look around at these women. No one knows what life will bring or how many days we may have left on this earth. I pull out my phone and send a message to the shopper who takes care of all of the last minute needs for the billionaires we protect and then one to Lexie. There. Now, to find Allie.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Allie

The womanin front of me doesn’t look much older than eighteen, and her big brown eyes are filled with fear and weariness, but she emanates a feeling of hope. I finish bandaging the superficial burns on her arm caused by the friction of the tight restraints and movements of the truck. “Marenah will take you and your friends to a safe place, okay?”

I sense him watching me and turn. Nick stands bare chested with a bottle of water in his hand. “Need any help?”

“No, Precious is going to be just fine. Right?” I ask, gently stroking the young woman’s hair.

She nods, her big brown eyes expressive. “I think so. Thanks to you guys, I think so,” she repeats, crushing me to her in an unexpected hug. I keep my emotions and tears in check, but just barely after taking care of many just like her in the last few hours. “Marenah, the lady with the pretty accent? She has a special place arranged for all of you where no one can ever get to you or hurt you again.”

“Thank you. And you,” she repeats, looking to Nick. “Especially for the way you handled my friend. She doesn’t know any other way,” Precious says quietly. “Most guys take her up on offers of sex, especially ones like that. It works, so she keeps doing it.”

“When you get to where you’re going, Marenah will take care of you. She’s very nice and will help you and your friend,” Nick tells her.

“You’re very kind. Is this the girl you told Candy about? The one you were talking about?”

I swallow past the lump in my throat. “This is Allie, and one day, maybe things will work out.”

She nods. “You guys will make a great couple. Thank you for everything.”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad we were in the right place at the right time and could be of assistance,” he assures the young woman as the medic takes her by the hand and leads her out to one of the transport vans.

I tuck the unused supplies into my bag and close it with a snap. “Precious was the last of them. Some like her may need more long-term help. They don’t have families and are easy prey for these predators, but there are so many others who are just picked right out of their normal lives and taken.”

“So sad.”

“Yep. I guess we’re finished,” I comment, looking around to make sure everyone who needs medical attention is either being cared for or has been put into an ambulance.

“A good day’s work. Sheldon said he took Lexie back to the condo after things were under control here. You were supposed to go too, Allie,” he remarks, leading me toward the car.

“I wanted to help; besides, Liam was watching over me. I promise, I didn’t do anything that could have even been construed as slightly dangerous.”

He doesn’t say a word as we get in the SUV, and he turns it around and heads toward the highway.

“Nick?”

“Yeah?”

“I’ve helped save lives in the ED over the years, but it doesn’t come close to what we did today. I’m feeling a little overwhelmed with the reality of it all. This kinda thing is really happening in our own backyard and not just on the other side of the world.”

“It’s hard to believe, and it’s getting worse every year. On the brighter side, once we find out who they’re working for, we’ll be in a better position to find others. Days like this keep us motivated to stop the people at the top.”

“Lexie said Sheldon told her that you guys are still trying to find the man responsible. What happens when you do?”

He doesn’t say a word, just keeps his eyes on the road.

“You’re ignoring my question.”

“Because you don’t really want to hear the answer.”

“You’re probably right. Regardless of what happens next, it felt good to help those women today. Like a crazy day in the ER but better.”

“That it did.”

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