~/~/~/~/~
On the way back from the airport, Slate filled Steel, Ian and Cody in on his theory about why Colton was missing and who he suspected knew about his abilities. Driving faster than he should on the dirt roads, Slate was focused on one thing and one thing only—find that patient! Careening into the parking lot, he slammed on the brakes, stopping in front of the hospital. Jumping out he rushed inside to find Turk. Slate knew time was of the essence in a kidnapping. He must find Colton. He gave his word he would be safe with him.Fuck!
Steel’s phone rang as he reached the hospital door. “Go ahead guys, I gotta take this.” Moving back to stand nearthe jeep, he answered, “Babe, what’s up? Are you all right? The pup?”
“We’re fine. Steel. Colton is being auctioned off. Zane found it on the dark web and bidding is ending soon. You have to outbid everyone.”
“Send me the website for the auction. When does it end?”
“In about two hours.”
“Also tell Zane to send me any instructions about bidding.”
“Will do. Babe, be careful.”
Steel hung up and went inside to look for his brother.Looking around the reception room, he didn’t see his group, so he headed over to talk to the receptionist to find out where Slate was. Steel followed her instructions and headed to the offices at the end of the hall. Knocking on the third door, he heard a muffled, “Come in.” Entering, he saw the three men he wanted to talk with. “Slate, I’ve got information on Colton.”
Slate felt the tightness in his shoulder ease somewhat on hearing his brother’s words. “What is it? I found out who the patient was that day and was just heading out to talk to him.”
“Colton is being auctioned off as we speak. I need to outbid everyone so where’s a computer I can use?” asked Steel.
“Shit,” said Cody, “my brother is being auctioned off…as aslave?”
“Fuck! I need to bid and get my mate back!” Ian said.
“Your mate? When did you claim Colton? I thought he wasn’t mated yet,” said Slate turning to his brother. “Fuck, Steel, why didn’t you tell me?”
“Colton hasn’t been claimed. Ian was waiting for him to come home first. Now where’s the computer?” Steel asked.
“Sit here.” Slate moved so his brother could sit at the desk.
Turning on the computer, Steel entered the website Zane sent him and for a moment, nothing…then Colton’s face came up on the screen. His eyes were closed, and his features were relaxed—maybe sleeping, perhaps—until he looked closer. Fuck, he was unconscious. Steel moved his eyes to the description and the bidding.Fuckingbedamn!It was over two million dollars. Steel looked at his brother. “We need a name for bidding purposes. I can’t use either of ours or Cody’s because I don’t know how much the guys who have Colton know.”
“Use mine!” said Ian.
“Perfect.” He entered Ian’s name but did not identify him as a doctor and entered his bid. “I’m bidding five million. I want to chase all the poor bitches out of the game.”
“Steel,” said Slate, “I’m taking Turk and a couple of guys to see Miguel. He’s the only one who knows about Colton other than Juan and me. Stay here and make sure we’re the winning bid.” His brother nodded while keeping his eyes on the screen.
~/~/~/~/~
Slate knocked on Miguel’s door, ready to bust through if he didn’t answer. He stood, anger on his face, and fists at his sides, as the door opened. He watched as Miguel blinked at him several times before his eyes widened as he took in the group of men standing behind Slate. “Señor Miguel?” asked Slate, stepping forward, not giving him a chance to close the door.
“Sí?”
“My name is Slate and I want to ask you a few questions.”
“Come in,” Miquel said as he moved aside.
Slate and his men crowded into the small living room where a woman sat with three small children next to her. After seeing the men, she gathered them in her arms and gave Slate an aggressive look as if daring him to touch them. He studied the woman’s face, as Miguel took a protective stance next to his mate and children. In a split second, he knew they had nothing to do with Colton’s disappearance. He turned to Turk, “Have the men wait outside until I call.” After the men left, he turned to Miguel. “I’m sorry for the interruption but it is a matter of life and death.”
“Why did you come here?”
“Do you remember the day you were in the hospital and Dr. Luna and a man by the name of Colton came to see you?”
“Sí, you were there also, along with Pablo.”
“Pablo?”
