Chapter 1
Drew raked his fingers through his hair what felt like the hundredth time in the past hour as he stared down at the paperwork scattered over his desk. He’d been pouring over paperwork for the better part of six months.
He’d obtained them in Oregon from Sheriff Adam Hart and his girlfriend, Rachel Little. Her dad had been a major player in a sex trafficking ring until Adam had killed him. It wasn’t until Rachel went there to settle her father’s affairs that it was revealed mor than just the previous sheriff was involved. Rachel’s mom had found out about it but they’d silenced her before she could alert authorities, but not before she left evidence behind. It was only through Rachel they’d been able to find it.
It had all be encrypted in short hand writing. Rachel had understood it and helped but it still wasn’t enough to locate everyone in all the data. Some had even been destroyed due to multiple years in a tree truck, its only shelter a plastic bag.
It was still more than they had before. It had helped apprehend and bring down several buyers and organizations. But to him it wasn’t enough. He wanted all of those sickos off the streets. It was like the fabled mythological beast, Hydra. Chop off one head three more grew back.
The work was never ending, which was why he was going through the evidence again hoping it would reveal more buyers.
“I’m shocked to find you here.”
Drew ignored his—sometimes friend, though he rarely admitted it—coworker and kept staring at the paperwork in question.
Of course he was here. He didn’t go anywhere else. It wasn’t like he had a life to go home to. Just an empty apartment. The only people he considered friends were his coworkers. He hadn’t been much better when he was active duty in the Army. He was essentially a hermit who lived to work.
“You’re either here or in the field.”
Silence.
“Do you have a cot in here I don’t know about?”
Silence.
Greg didn’t take the hint he wanted to be left alone and instead took the vacant seat across from his desk. “Don’t get me wrong this place is nice. Good view, bathroom. Kitchen is questionable.”
The silent treatment wasn’t working. Time to figure out what Greg wanted so he could be left alone again. “What do you want?”
Greg settled back in his chair, arms relaxed on the arm rests proving he wasn’t leaving any time soon. “I can’t imagine it lures a lot of ladies but you’re not without your charms.”
Drew glared up at him. “What do you want?” He snapped. He wasn’t in the mood for Greg’s lip right now.
Greg just smiled like he didn’t have a care in the world. Many women found him charming with his easy smile and laid back personality. Right now, Drew was finding it annoying. He knew Greg was doing this just to get under his skin. He hated admitting it was working. “You look tired.”
“I’m fine.” He was tired. His head was starting to hurt. Words were blurring and starting to blend. Not that he would ever admit it. It wasn’t a pride thing. It was the fact there was still so much work to do, he couldn’t rest.
“Come on, Drew. You’ve been working nonstop all year. Take a break. A small rest isn’t going to kill you.”
“I’ll rest when I’m dead.” If this was all Greg came to bother him with Drew had no problem showing him the door. They all might be labeled disabled veterans but there was nothing hindering him from tossing Greg out of his office.
Four years ago, while on deployment Drew had been out of reconnaissance. The guy next to him sweeping for bombs tripped one. He died while Drew received shrapnel in his eye and leg. He was near blind in his left eye and lost part of his left leg and arm.
The military didn’t have a use for him anymore so they cut him loose. He’d tried applying for bodyguard and security jobs when he’d been contacted by a Major in Colorado Springs who had a soft spot for veterans.
Drew was offered a chance to still do covert operations that were off the books. If things ever went sour, he’d be thrown under the bus and the US government would deny any involvement. It was a risk he was willing to take. It was teams like Drew’s that could get the dirty work done while the big wigs were still pissing around in senate. Drew had said yes without hesitation and never looked back.
The only guys on the team had similar back stories. They’d all been medically discharged without a clue of what to do next with life. They’d all come from different military branches, and while they liked to rib the other for their choice of branch, they all worked well as a team together. Each would lay down his life for the other.
“All work and no play is going to make Drew a dull boy.” Greg tsked.
Drew slammed his fists down on his desk. A paperweight on corner of desk rattled before settling back in place. “Women are being kidnapped, Greg. Every day. Then sold to monsters and go through unspeakable horrors. Most will die. Others will wish for it. I’m trying to stop that. I’m sorry I can’t go throughlife like you with an easy grin and ‘I don’t give a shit about anything’ attitude. Lives depend on us.”
Greg’s grin slid to a scowl. “Are you back on that trafficking case? We passed that to the feds. It’s out of our hands. Has been for months.”
He knew that, but Drew couldn’t let it go. Not when the intel proved there were corrupt people in the government. It could just as easily be swept under the rug.
“Those papers don’t hold all of the answers.”
