"Who's that?" I asked, hoping my concern wasn't too obvious.
"Oh, Sky?" Poppy asked nervously. "So sorry, Sky isn't available today."
I harrumphed loudly and stood, slamming my glass onto the table and ignoring the mystery liquid that sloshed over the rim. "That's the one I want!"
Poppy and Pazel exchanged a nervous glance. Pazel forced a smile to his lips. "Give me a moment to see what can be arranged." He was back in a flash, nodding to his sister. "Room three is being prepared for Sky and our guest."
Poppy smiled in return, but it was strained. "Your fee is one hundred twenty-five dollars for one hour. You may use Sky's services in any way that you desire." She hesitated again, looking at the ground. "Sky, ah, doesn't provide oral services due to an..injury."
I pulled a wad of cash from my front pocket and peeled off a stack of bills that included a generous tip. "Thank you."
Once in the room, I found a dangerously thin Omega kneeling submissively, the ripped scraps I'd seen in the hall had been replaced by a thin tunic that clung to hastily scrubbed, still-damp skin. Long brown hair hung in matted shoulder-length curls and, when the Omega looked up, I saw terrified amber eyes set in a much-too-thin face and oddly placed stud-like piercings in each cheek. Despite the long hair and soft features, I couldn't be sure what Sky's gender was.
"Hi," I said softly, closing the door behind me. "I'm Colt. You're Sky, right?"
A quick nod and the small hands reached for the odd clasps at the shoulder of the tunic.
"Hold up!" Sky froze in the act of unhooking the tunic. "You can leave that on. I'm not here to…" I trailed off.Not here to what, dumbass?I asked myself bitterly. "I mean, I just wanted a massage. You can stay dressed."
Sky gave another nod and rose a bit unsteadily, crossing to the far wall and dragging a massage table to the center of the room. Without a word, Sky motioned for me to remove my clothing.
"I've heard a lot about this place. Do you know an Alpha named Alexi?" I asked, hoping I sounded casual.
Sky's eyes shot up, startled and he nodded.
"Is he holding you here?"
Sky cocked his head in confusion before shaking it slowly, his brow scrunched.
An odd thought occurred to me. "Sky? Is Alexi being held here like you are?"
The wide eyes bulged and even before Sky gave a tiny nod, the nervous way he looked at the door told me my strange hunch was right.
"Can you speak, Sky?"
A negative head shake sent the mass of curls flying.
"Okay." I stripped down to my boxer briefs and laid face down on the table. "Hang in there. We're working to get you all out of here."
The hour passed quickly as Sky's small hands stroked my back, kneading and pressing into the tight knots from hours stuffed in behind the steering wheel. When my time was up, I thanked Sky for the massage and saw myself out.
As I walked out, I held my cell phone casually in my hand, the camera recording. Then, placing it in the stand on the dashboard of my truck, I kept shooting video as I drove around the building, hoping it would look to anyone watching like I was searching for the parking lot exit.
Then, the first part of my mission complete, I checked into the small motel a mile or so away and dropped onto the bed for a quick nap.
