He glanced at Lila, his gaze going over her lush breasts, small waist, and full, tempting hips. He would begin her teachings tonight, make sure she understood who was boss. At the moment, he needed to call his employer, get final instructions.
Crossing the room to the kitchen, he opened the shallow drawer next to the sink and took out a disposable phone. Entering the area code for Las Vegas followed by the number, he pressed the phone against his ear.
“You in a secure location?” the deep voice asked after only two rings.
“We’re here. Everything went exactly per the emergency plan. What are my instructions?”
“You’ll be setting up in a spot in northern New Mexico, a parcel in the mountains outside the town of Chamaya. Basically, it’s large piece of land in the middle of nowhere. You’ll be opening a halfway house, a rehab center for newly released prisoners, a place to help them make the transition from prison to civilian life.”
Daniel smiled, though it was a damned long haul from their safe house in Kansas. “That’s pure genius. Manpower in an operation like this is one of our biggest problems.”
“We’ve got a contact in the Tierra Amarilla detention facility and one in the Corrections and Probation Department in Es-pañola. They’ll be screening the prisoners being released, looking for the right fit. The men will understand the opportunity they’re being given and what is required in exchange. You’ll have all the manpower you need.”
“There’s definitely nowhere else they can earn that kind of money.”
“They’ll be needing women—best way to keep them happy and under control. Since you handled that before, I’m assuming you can manage it again.”
“I’ll make it work.” New Mexico fronted the southern border. There were always people entering illegally, women desperate enough to do anything to keep themselves alive. Once they were inside the facility, they wouldn’t be leaving.
“Any questions?” asked the man on the other end of the line. “Anything you need?”
“After I get there, take a look at the setup, and get things organized, there might be something I’ll need. I’ll keep you posted on our progress.”
“You do that.”
“Of course.”
“And Henson?”
“Yes, Mr. Petrov?”
“Next time be more careful. Setting up a facility like the last one isn’t cheap. If things go bad this time, you’ll be paying the cost personally, if you know what I mean.” The line went dead, and a chill slid down Daniel’s spine.
Petrov’s message was clear. Another failure and he was a dead man. Anger swept through him. The bastard had no right to threaten him after the millions of dollars Daniel had made for him over the years.
Daniel’s hand fisted. He looked at Lila. He would never use his fists on a woman, but there were other ways he could vent his frustrations. His body hardened at the thought of the lessons he meant to teach her.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
SKYE RODE WITHTRACE ANDCALLIE BACK TODENVER, WHILEEDGEfollowed in his Nissan. After a long night of dealing with the police, Skye was exhausted. Halfway through the journey, she fell asleep and didn’t wake until Trace pulled up in front of her apartment building.
She waved as he drove away, undoubtedly as grateful as she was to be heading home and getting some badly needed sleep.
Molly was waiting when Skye and Callie walked into the apartment.
“Callie!” Molly rushed toward her, opened her arms, and enfolded her in a hug. “Thank God you’re safe!”
Callie swallowed and hugged her back. “We’re safe, but not everyone else made it out. Henson and his men were all gone by the time the DEA arrived. They took some of the women with them.” Her eyes filled. “Lila didn’t get away.”
Molly hugged her again, then took her hand. “Come on. I’ll help you get settled, and you can tell me everything that’s happened.”
“You need to call your mom, Callie,” Skye reminded her. “Now that you’re back in the city. You know how she worries.”
“I’ll call her right away,” Callie promised as Molly led her down the hall to Skye’s guest room. Since Callie didn’t want to move in with her mother, the women would be sharing Skye’s second bedroom while they looked for work and started putting their lives back together.
In the meantime, Skye had plans of her own.
She looked up as a firm knock sounded at her door. She checked the peephole and was only a little surprised to see Edge standing in the hallway. He wasn’t there for her, she reminded herself. He would want to debrief, hear any other details Callie might have learned from the women inside the church.
