I jog down to her door and enter HappyFaces.A sharp pang breaks through the steel bindings, and I have to take a deep, controlled breath before I push the door open.
The first thing I see is the kitchen.It rivals the one Maria designed.The only blind spot is behind the counter.I slip between the crack in the door and ease into the room.Placing my back against the wall, I scan her world.Cat was right.It's open and transparent, like her.
The living area is full of couches and love seats.No chairs.A vision of seeing her lounging around on each appears, and I realize she didn't entertain anyone.She was isolated and alone.Her pool is clear water, and the mountains paint a beautiful color-filled backdrop, but it's obvious no one is in it or on the balcony.Looking further to the right, I see her stripper pole and a sound system in her workout area.It's the biggest part of the whole place, and I realize how much her life revolves around her dancing, but it's empty.I quickly move to her bedroom and bath.The bed is simple and unpretentious, but the color scheme makes me smile.It's purple, red and gold.Against the wall is the only closed-off area.I ease over to open the doors and look inside.Knowing if they are in here, this is where they are hiding.I slide the door in its track, and Siri's clothes hang neatly on a single bar.Her shoes are lined up neatly on the floor.They are undisturbed.I move to the bathroom and look inside.The commode is a French toilet duvet.The shower is free standing in the center, and a glass jacuzzi on the other end.She is not here.
I lower my weapon and look at my phone.Alfred sent an update.
She's on the move.
24
* * *
Siri
* * *
The knife makes me stop fighting."What do you want?I don't have any cash on me."
His grip doesn't weaken, but his hoodie has slipped back off his face with my struggle.He is white with a thick black scruff.He smirks."Well, that depends.What do you have that I might want?"
"A car?"I ask, hoping he is in the garage looking to steal one.
"Too hard to unload."
The elevator arrives, and he pulls me inside, shoves me up against the wall, then hits a button.My hand slips out of the concealed pocket as I bounce against it, and I almost drop the jacket.He flashes the knife, grabs my arm again, and pulls me tight against him.He wreaks of body odor which means he hasn't bathed in a while.He's looking for quick money.Probably for drugs.He doesn't do or say anything on the elevator ride, but his tight grip is making my arm go to sleep.
When the elevator stops and the doors open, he pulls me out, and I realize we've gone down instead of up.He begins walking toward the back, pulling me along.He's taking me to the underground.I think of my choices.They are limited until I can break his grasp and get my gun.I wait until we are at the small crack in the concrete wall before I speak.
"So, you live in the underground?"
He stops and looks at me.His voice is suspicious of my question."Why?"
I smirk and put on an innocent face."Oh.No reason."But I stop resisting and stand by his side.
He studies me, not sure what to do now.
"Do you want me to go first?"I offer.
"No."His grip is crushing.He steps through and pulls me with him.We walk a short way in silence before I see the first set of homeless people in the distance.It breaks my heart, seeing people so desperate and destitute, living down here where the sun doesn't shine, but at least it's cool from the water seeping down from the hotels and casinos.I've only been down here once.I was looking for Lei in the early days.Someone introduced me to a giant of a man that looked every bit like a Viking reincarnated.He was like their sheriff and maintained order.He helped me find her and bring her home.Men who rule their kingdoms with an iron fist like this dude aren't always so kind, and if I ever needed his help again, I knew I had better be on his good side.His is one of the homeless charities I give too.I realize he probably keeps the money for his own drug habit, but he also buys from his flock, and in that way, I have contributed in a trickle-down effect.I'm guessing that's what this dude intends to do with me, to offer me in exchange for money.My clothes and shoes alone are worth hundreds of dollars to him, but human trafficking is a real danger and worth so much more."Are you taking me to Erik the Red?"
His head whips around, and he stops dead in his tracks.He stares at me with raised eyebrows in complete surprise."How do you know about Erik?"
"I had the pleasure of doing business with him several years ago."
His eyebrows drop into a frown."Fuck!"He says and turns us around.I hang back and make him pull me along."Come on, bitch!Let's see what you have in your car after all."
Back in the elevator, on the ride up to the third floor, he studies me.I look away and try to ignore him."You're easy on the eyes.Great body.Why are you at Lioness?"He stops talking, and my heart tightens when I realize he is eyeing my choker.The one thing I'm not willing to give up without a fight."Nice necklace."
My poker face slides on."It's a collar."
"Hmm."He watches, then gives me a head nod."Who do you belong to?"
Best defense is offense, so I tell him in a bitchy voice."Someone bigger and badder than you are."
He smirks, but I can see he believes me.
"Listen, dude; I have an appointment, you know what I mean?And if I don't show, they're going to call someone and bitch."The doors slide open on the 3rd floor."Take my car key and go look for yourself for any hidden treasures."
