“Exactly.” Maverick turned to face the others. “I’m trying to convince the guy to turn himself in and that he’d be provided with immunity, but so far, he hasn’t been interested.”
A change of heart? Growing a conscience? I doubted that.
“Would he be interested in providing enough knowledge about this club to the person eager to infiltrate the secret society? With the pledge of full immunity, a promise of secrecy and cooperation with the marshals getting him into WITSEC should anything go wrong?”
Witness protection. Hell, all five of us knew anyone could be found with the right people.
Maverick laughed. “I doubt he’ll go for it, but his conscience is eating at him.”
Yeah, and whoever the snitch was, he was fully aware of what happened to anyone discovered betraying them.
“So why the fuck does he stay in this abhorrent club?” Gabriel was as angry as I’d become.
“Because once you become a member, there is no way out.” Maverick turned his head toward me. He knew me too well. “Well, with one exception.”
“I want to do it.” Yes, it was spur of the moment, but it was the only way to bring justice to Denise and possibly save lives.
Chase snorted. “You of all people?”
“Yeah, me, Chase. I’m just a regular guy with a regular job. No pictures on the internet. No social media.”
“You’re an attorney, for fuck’s sake. You’ll be eaten alive. You can’t run with the big dogs and you know it.”
“You underestimate my abilities.”
“You’re serious about this?” Gabriel eyed me carefully.
Shrugging, I took a pull of my beer. “This group is destroying lives and no one is doing a goddamn thing about it. If there’s a way I can become a member, then why not?”
“My guess is you’ll need money and a new identity. Money you don’t have. We can fake your background, but you need to look the part.”
Gabriel was right.
“I’m sure we can think of something. Kendrick is correct. We can’t allow these women to suffer because the system failed them.” Hudson glanced from one to the other.
“A lot to deal with,” Chase tossed in. “The logistics would be a nightmare.”
Maverick sighed. “Yeah, but possible. I bought a house I haven’t moved into yet. Nicer than this. I have cash to pad a bankaccount. I can help with a little spit and polish with clothes. The question is, are you willing to do what it takes to prove your loyalty? To pass their tests before being considered a member?”
“What kind of tests?”
“From what my informant told me, given the current twisted kick they’re on, they’ll include you in an auction first. To test the waters and see how much money you’re willing to spend. Which mean they’ll expect you to… invest in their organization no matter the cost.”
I had to laugh. “What else?”
“After that and before you can leave the building, you’ll be required to perform a sexual act with the girl selected the first time out. In front of whoever they choose. My informant was required to do the same thing when he joined. It’s all very by the book. All while not learning a thing about a single member. Not until your loyalty is tested and proven.”
“Meaning you’d be going deep undercover, something you’ve never done before.” All amusement was gone from Chase’s voice.
Yeah, I was just some good ole boy who’d decided to take a job in Miami, far removed from the cowboy in me.
The image of the girl’s face continued to haunt me.
“It’s something I want to do. No, it’s something that needs to be done and I’m the only one capable. You’re all too well known.”
“What about your job?”
I’d already thought about that. With Raven Intel, our secrecy was paramount. No one could know who we were or what our true intentions were. Not a single person outside of our group.
