She sighed. “It’s a long story, but to keep it short, I neededammo for me and my people, and he was the only one who could get it done.”
At that, I stepped back a bit, frowning. “You and your people? What are you talking about?”
Her gaze stayed on me. “That’s why I wanted to see you. I started a secret op about a year ago. My team and I hunt down Handler houses around Europe, and we save as many lives as we can.”
I swallowed. “That’s amazing, Daiyu… I—That’s dangerous, but amazing.”
She shrugged. “I saw no other purpose for me after I got out. It was a no-brainer.”
Yeah, for me too.But I couldn’t tell her that.
“So… you need my help with something?” I asked instead, knowing we couldn’t be here long, and we couldn’t risk having this conversation over dinner.
“Yes,” she said, her gaze darting around quickly before focusing on me. “I know you can’t get mixed up because of your involvement with the Contis and I totally understand that. I don’t want you to get caught in the crossfire, but we’ve been tracking a major shipment for the last few months and I’m talking about thirty level-two Plants.”
My stomach dropped. “What?”
Level-two Plants, meaning fourteen-year-olds who had just finished level one with their Handlers and were about to be trafficked to different parts of the world for sex work. Just like I was when I turned fourteen, just likeshewas.
“Apparently, they’re going to be passing through here in about two months,” she said.
I nodded. “Okay, go on.”
“There’s going to be a three-month cruise with this new ship calledCelestial.”
“Celestial? Not conspicuous at all.”
She snorted. “Well, it’s a huge deal. There’s so much noiseabout it on the internet. People are calling itTitanic II, but safer.”
“Way to jinx the ship,” I said.
“You know how people are, but get this, they call it a ‘cruise from home,’ meaning it’s not traveling around the globe, it’s just basically circling a particular territory, not too far from the city and not too close that you couldn’t explore a small island. It’s super exclusive for basically only rich people.”
I scoffed. “Of course.”
She smiled, understanding my snark. “It’s going to be heavily guarded because of the big names that are going to be present. There will be smaller boats in case people want to leave, or go to the city for one thing or another. It’s just a waste of time and money, if you ask me, but, here’s where it gets interesting. The people who are going to be in charge of trafficking the level twos are going to be on the cruise in about two months, after it begins.”
A chill ran down my spine. “They’re passing through the ship?”
“With the smaller boats at the ready, no one is going to ask questions. They’d probably be in disguise, slipping right under the nose of authorities.”
“And that’s where you come in,” I noted.
“Yes, save the kids before their lives are basically destroyed forever.”
I nodded. “Okay, what do you need from me?”
“Access to the cruise. I don’t know how Yaroslav did it, but he somehow made sure the guy you’re hunting down is going to be one of the big names on that ship.”
Which was obviously the other favor Yaroslav had granted her.
“My people and I don’t have that kind of money,” she said. “I was hoping since the guy you’re looking for is on that ship, you’d be going as well, and you can help us get in?”
I crossed my arms over my chest, nodding. “It’s possible. Ihave a couple of people I’ll need to take care of first before we do this, but I can get you in when it’s time,” I said.
She frowned. “Are you sure?”
“I’m positive,” I said, knowing there was no way in hell I’d let her do this on her own. “Leave it to me.”
