How did I get myself into this shit?
“The choice is yours. My guys will be here all night to make sure you are safe. Get some sleep. Think about it. Then let us know. You each already have a new name and life assigned to you if you choose to leave this one. Katerina, you’re staying. I’ll be returning you to your father in the morning.”
“Kitty is leaving?” A girl asks.
“She doesn’t get the choice,” I affirm.
I start to walk out of the room when stopped in my tracks by a soft voice. “Thank you,” I hear Katerina say.
I’ve probably stuck my head in places I shouldn’t have too many times. I’ve probably taken on too many jobs doing this just to tell myself I’m somehow doing some good despite the man I work under. Despite the bad that I have done. But either way, it all makes up for it when I know I’ve at least made someone safe.
I could’ve said no to her. I could’ve told her she had no choice. I could’ve handcuffed her to the bed until I could return her to her father without batting an eye for the others.
But no. I had to dothis.
Going to my room, I strip my clothes off from my body and lay in my bed. I pull up the feed of my cameras in my bedroom that gives me a side view as if I’d be lying right next to my girl.
She’s sleeping on her side and stomach, arms under the pillow, face buried in it. A smile curves my mouth despite the ache that wraps around my ribs.
I place the phone propped up as if she’s lying next to me and imagine myself in bed with her. One night, I can’t even go one night without her. How the hell am I supposed to watch her leave?
I take a deep breath in. Within hours, the previous identities of the girls are wiped off the face of existence and replaced with new ones. All on their consent.
That’s why I can’t do it with Sunny. Because she has a life she intends to live. And I can’t take that from her, not when Ryan has already done it once. I won’t be that man.
“I love you, Sunny,” I say as I close my eyes and go to sleep, wishing it’s right next to her.
By the morning, five out of the seven women decide to take our offer and move on with a new life, leaving behind everything and everyone they know. Another decides to continue her life, but out of this lifestyle of being a high-end escort. The other went back to this life.
I won’t judge. I don’t know her life. All I know is she was given an out, and this life seems more secure than that for her.
I end up being summoned by Mitchell to meet in the conference room again. When I walk in, I’m greeted by all six other men sitting around the table, stewing in the aroma of cigars and bourbon. Scowls are present on their faces as their eyes narrow on me.
Good.
“Nice of you to join us, Tyler.” Mitchell stands with a glass of bourbon in his hand.
“What can I do for you gentlemen?” I place my hands in my pockets.
“You interfered with my night away, Caddell,” Nixon says as he takes a drag from his cigar.
I turn my head to him, giving him nothing. “And I’d gladly do it again. I’m sure your wife will appreciate the favor.”
“Easy, guys.” Mitchell takes a seat, motioning for me to sit down.
“I’d rather stand.”
“You all only got a glimpse of what my Tyler can do.” Mitchell starts. “My boy.” Mitchell grins. “We are in a kill or be killed world. And he, gentlemen, is a trained killer. You have a hit you want done, my boy here will get it done for you. You want a system breached, he will hack it within minutes. Anything you want can be done through us. The Caddell Company.”
There it is. The ulterior motive has finally been revealed. The puppeteer tugged at my strings he stitched in my skin and I fucking moved on his command.
Rage pricks at my skin and wraps around my ribs. With an exhale, I rub a hand down my face to try and blow off the smoke of the flames kindling inside me. He used helpless women for a power trip.
“He just proved to you all afractionof his capabilities. His split-second decisions, the way he so easily hacked the hotel system and cameras, got men here, and saved those girls to then give them completely new identities so they can go about their merry fucking lives.” He shakes his head with a sadistic smile. “A saint, a savior, but a fucking lethal predator. He’s trained for this. Which means he’s trained to make these things happen for you, too. Imagine, he did that all in a span of a few hours. On a split-second decision. Think about what he can accomplish with detailed planning and precisionfor you.”
They all look to one another, then to me, contemplating in silent communication as Mitchell goes on selling me like a fucking prize to win if they join our company.
“So, you see now what he can do for nobodies. Let’s see what he can do for somebodies. He will not only protect our empire, but yours too. You each can give me one hit you want to complete. We will get it done.”
