Chapter Ten
Stationed outside an open window, Diego had heard the thug threaten Celina. His inclination was to burst in and throttle the bastard. It took everything he had to stay put. If he moved too soon, her bravery would count for nothing. They had to round up everyone, the gang, their suppliers, the buyers, and most especially the man at the top of the pyramid. He couldn’t agree with the way Celina had gone about this, but he’d make sure her mission was a success. He’d lay down his life to save hers.
She means that much to me?
More, he determined grimly. Raising Alexei on the radio, he murmured, “Have you got the coordinates you need?”
“On the move with the team,” Alexei confirmed. “Five minutes out. All targets identified. Celina’s done a great job. Not only has she pinpointed the location of the principal running the auction, her tech trail has allowed us to identify the creeps taking part in the bidding. We’ll get them all, Diego. What’s it like there?”
“Like a cattle market without the bonhomie between the farmers.”
Alexei laughed grimly. “Concentrate on Celina.”
He could think of nothing else.
~~o0o~~
She’d come around completely from whatever drug they’d fed her, and was dancing up a storm. Even the gang boss was applauding her dance moves, adding lewd comments and gestures to encourage her to display her body even more. She was a better actress than she’d thought, Celina concluded as the bidding went through the roof. But the old woman worried her. She noticed everything. Her beady black eyes had been narrowed with suspicion since the gang master had mentioned scanning Celina’s hoop.
When the music stopped, Celina guessed the auction had ended. Her elderly jailor approached and threw a blanket around her shoulders. She didn’t want to think about the creep who’d bought her as the gang congratulated each other noisily on their success. There was still no sign of a rescue, but if her colleagues back at the tech department in Spain had picked up her signals, they should be able to track every miserable pervert who’d taken part in the sale. Even if Blood and Thunder didn’t launch a raid, the destruction of a network of criminals who supported human trafficking was enough.
“Take her and dress her,” the gang boss instructed, rubbing his hands in anticipation of his reward. “Make sure she’s ready to leave in half an hour.”
“Did she make a good price?” the crone inquired.
The gang boss shrugged. “She’s been taken off sale by our principal. He wants her for himself. He’s sending a helicopter to collect her.” He turned to Celina. “You’ve been saved for a special fate. You’ll be used until you’re broken, and then you’ll die.”
“Come with me,” the old woman snapped while Celina was still taking this in.
“Don’t be long,” the gang boss warned as the old woman’s bony hands shoved Celina in the back. “No one keeps Del Roca waiting.” Puffing out his chest, he looked pleased just to speak the name.
The crone seemed equally impressed. “Del Roca,” she commented, nodding her head with approval.
“He’s none of your business, old woman,” the gang boss warned.
“You’ve said too much,” the crone guessed with glee. “You shouldn’t have mentioned Del Roca’s name. Well, at least she’ll be safe from you.”
“If you think that’s a good thing, you’re a fool,” the gang boss sneered, walking over to them. “Del Roca goes through these girls like a hot knife through butter, and when he tires of them, they disappear. Don’t just stand there,” he yelled, scowling at Celina. “Get ready to meet your new owner, bitch!”
Her fate was sealed if she didn’t do something. She’d heard rumors among the Blood and Thunder staff about a murderous thug called Del Roca.
“I saidnow, bitch!”
The gang boss shoved his gun in her face.
“Give me that gun,” the crone crooned in a tone that Celina guessed was intended both to beguile and to warn him not to deprive Del Roca of his prize. “Before you shoot yourself in the foot, idiot!” she added viciously, snatching the weapon from his hands.
Celina watched as the old woman slipped the gun into her apron pocket. “Don’t worry,” the crone added with a cold glance at Celina. “I’ll keep a close watch on the slut.”
As I will on you, Celina thought as a plan began to form in her mind.
“Rather you than me flying in the big man’s helicopter,” the old woman remarked as she closed the door, enclosing them both in the small dressing room. “You’d better be nice to him if you plan to reach the end of your journey.”
“What do you mean?” Celina was genuinely curious. And frightened by the thought of what lay ahead of her. She had to tear her gaze away from the enticing bulge of the gun in the old woman’s pocket.
The crone laid a forefinger down the side of her nose, as if to demonstrate how clever she was. “If you’re a disappointment to Del Roca, you won’t live long. If I tell you what he does to disobedient young girls, you’ll understand.”
Del Roca.It was coming back to Celina. She remembered the name being spoken in hushed whispers in connection with Dante Formosa, Diego’s friend and fellow polo player on the Blood and Thunder team. There was talk of Dante’s first wife being murdered by a thug named Del Roca. Was this the same man?
