Instead, all she could think of was the danger they would be facing in the Children of the Sun compound later that night.
* * *
Edge unlocked his motel room door to find Trace Elliott lounging on one of the twin beds. Long legs crossed at the ankles, hands behind his head, Trace leaned back against the headboard.
Edge chuckled. “So I’m betting you didn’t get a key from the manager.”
Trace just shrugged. “Not exactly Fort Knox.” He was wearing a black Molon Labe T-shirt with a Spartan helmet on the front.Molon Labe.The Greeks’ response to the Persians who wanted them to surrender their arms.Come and take them.As a former Ranger, Trace always enjoyed a good fight.
Edge just smiled. The room at the Trails West Inn had the bare necessities, nothing more. Two twin beds with a nightstand in between and a scarred wooden dresser that had seen better days. The tiny bathroom cramped his style, but in his past life, he would have considered it first class.
Edge set the drone down on the dresser. “How’s Molly? You get her settled?”
Trace sat up on the side of the bed. “We stopped at Walmart to pick up some clothes and a few other items. Molly’s had a rough time of it. I’m glad Skye’s helping her.”
“So I take it you liked her.”
Trace smiled. “She’s kind of sweet, you know? Kind of shy, but once you get her talking, you can tell she’s smart.”
“Pretty, too,” Edge said, just to see what Trace would say.
“Yeah. Off limits, though. That guy she was with did a real number on her.”
“Harley Purcell. It’s going to take some time for her to get back on her feet and her head on straight, especially when it comes to men.”
“Maybe we’ll get lucky and run into the rat bastard tonight, dish out a little payback.”
“Be a whole lot better if we just get in and out without stirring up a hornet’s nest. You get that, right?”
A knot formed in Trace’s jaw. “I get it. Don’t worry, I’ll do my job.”
Edge nodded. “I know you will.” He trusted Trace the way he trusted Skye. The three of them made an exceptionally effective team.
“Another problem’s come up,” Edge said. “Turns out Henson is running a drug operation out there. Guy’s cooking meth, and in no small quantity.”
“Jeezus. Molly didn’t mention it.”
“I don’t think she knew. Suspected maybe, but the women know better than to ask questions.”
“Or what?” Trace asked, the muscles tightening beneath his snug black T-shirt. “Their husbands beat them?”
“Looks that way. These are big, tough men, Trace. From what I gather, their women do pretty much what they’re told.”
Trace swore foully.
“Molly saw a woman who tried to escape beaten to death right in front of her,” Edge continued. “They buried her body out near the vegetable garden.”
“Molly told me. I held her while she cried.” And clearly Molly’s story had affected him. Trace was a pushover when it came to a damsel in distress.
“So far, Molly’s too frightened to cooperate with the law. I’m hoping Callie will be willing to speak up. Soon as we get her out of there, I’ll talk to Sheriff Akins about the alleged murder and Henson’s drug operation. I’m just hoping Akins isn’t on Henson’s payroll.”
A knock sounded at the door. “That’ll be Skye.” Edge walked over and opened the door. He didn’t like the hunger that burned through his blood when Skye’s soft breast brushed his arm as she walked into the room.
“Molly said to thank you for helping her,” Trace said.
Skye smiled. “We’re hoping once she feels safe, she’ll help us in return.”
“She’s scared to death that guy she married will come after her.”
