The one thing that has benefited us throughout all of this is that these groups choose secluded houses to traffic these women. The less eyes they have on their operations, the less likely they are to be caught. As we wait in the woods surrounding the house, we hold tight for the perfect timing to make our move.
“Axel, what does your device show? My damn screen is lagging. I need an update.”
“Ten-four, Boss. As of right now, the men are all in the central room, probably watching TV,” Axel says, his voice coming through my headset.
“Let’s give it a bit. I want to make our move very shortly. Quick in and out mission, men.”
“Ten-four.”
As we wait in silence, I can’t help but think back to my conversation with Dani. Just when I thought we were making headway, I had to go and fuck it up. She got me so fucking worked up when she voiced the possibility of walking away—like it was even afuckingoption. I understand more than most the situation Dani found herself in years ago with Anthony Romani, and maybe that makes me a damn bastard for telling her I’d chain her up before losing her, but I was fucking desperate in that moment. The thought of losing her had me spiraling. It took everything in my willpower to get up and leave her in that room. I shake my head, frustrated all over again. My head pounds from the force I’m clenching my teeth with.
Taking off my gloves, I pull out my phone, which I keep on silent during missions, and notice a dozen missed calls from Donovan. My stomach plummets as my thoughts spiral. I left Donovan at Eden… for him to be calling when he knows I’m on a mission, it has to be bad news. Before I can hit the call button I notice my text message app shows twenty new alerts.
Donovan
Kayden, we have a real issue here.
Kayden, 10-65. I repeat 10-65.
Dani ran out of here and escaped in a vehicle.
Looking up license plate now.
The texts continue, each getting more and more fervent the longer I don’t answer. The last text message eases my racing heart by a millisecond but leaves me all the more confused.
Donovan
The plate belongs to your brother.
“Fucking hell,” I mutter as I place the call to Donovan. I knew Dani was furious and needed time to think, but I didn’t actually think she would leave Eden. I didn’t think she’d be so hasty to escapeme.
“Holy fuck, Kayden,” Donovan answers on the third ring.
“What’s going on, Donovan? What do you mean the license plate tracks back to my brother?”
“It’s registered to Jaxon Stonewell, Sir. I could barely make out a female driving.”
Melody—had to be. But where the fuck was she taking her?
“What the fuck exactly happened?”
“She said she was throwing some things away in the dumpster, which I believed her… Before you know it, she’s hightailing it to the vehicle. She got away before I could even reach her.”
“FUCK! Let me call you back. I have a call to make.”
When Melody doesn’t answer my numerous calls, I call Jaxon. He answers on the first ring.
“Where the fuck is she?”
“Well, hello to you too, Brother. Who exactly are you referring to?” Jaxon asks, a hint of annoyance in his tone.
“Melody. Where is she?”
“Be careful the tone you choose when it comes to my wife, Kayden,” Jaxon seethes.
“I don’t have time to deal with your over-the-top bullshit, Jaxon. Where is Melody? She has a lot of explaining to do.”
I hear murmuring before Jaxon responds, “She’s right here with me. Mind telling me what this is about?”
