“Becky, what is going on?” Katrina asked, sitting in the grass beside her while Mira stayed close on her other side, quiet but watching.
“I don’t know,” Becky said finally, pushing herself back to sit. Holding the cloth to her cheek she looked from Mira to Katrina. “I really don’t know.”
“You need to see Slade,” Katrina said, frowning as she brushed Becky’s hair back out of her face. “You’ve been sick for a while, don’t try to deny it. I’ve seen it. You’ve lost weight, you’re pale, and?—”
“I look like shit,” Becky cut in, a tear slipping free even as the corner of her mouth lifted just a little.
“No,” Katrina said, firm, no hesitation. “You look beautiful, but sick. And I should hate you for that. Who in the hell looks beautiful when they’re sick?”
“That’s sweet, but I’ve looked in the mirror.” Becky gave her a half smile.
Katrina just rolled her eyes, then frowned at her. “You need to see Slade, Becky. I’m not playing about that. Something is definitely wrong.”
Out of everyone, Katrina was the one Becky trusted the most out of the mates. When Katrina had issues with some of the new recruits, Becky didn’t think twice about letting her move in with her. Somewhere along the way they’d become close—really close. The kind of close where you didn’t have to explain everything, which meant Katrina knowing something was wrong before Becky could even say it, hit harder than it should have.
Becky let out a breath and dragged the cloth over her face, stalling for a second. “I had some… female issues. The women in my family have had this kind of stuff before, so I didn’t think much of it.” She gave a small shrug. “They ran some tests, put me on medication for a bit, then scheduled an outpatient procedure for a cyst removal which I’ve had once before in my twenties.” Becky frowned as she pulled the cloth away from her face.
Katrina watched her closely. “What?”
Becky didn’t answer right away, her mind going back over every appointment, every conversation, the little things that hadn’t felt right but she’d pushed aside because it had been easier to trust than question. She’d trusted it. Trusted the doctor. Now her stomach tightened for a whole different reason, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that had been building the last couple of weeks.
Slowly, she looked at Katrina and then Mira, something unsettled finally breaking through. “I…” she started, then stopped, her grip tightening on the cloth as she shook her head slightly. It sounded crazy. Itwascrazy. But it didn’t feel wrong.
“I think they did something to me.”
CHAPTER 2
Sloan headed toward his office, hoping Becky was the only one inside. They’d walked out together that morning, but Damon’s call stopped him halfway to the door, pulling him into something that couldn’t wait. A vacant warehouse down by the river filled with empty cages. Another trafficking site.
It never fucking stopped.
He pushed the door open, his gaze going straight to Becky’s desk before he even registered anyone else in the room. It was empty. He felt the hit of disappointment in his chest, but he hid it behind the same controlled expression he always wore.
She’d told him she needed to finish payroll today. She had looked tired this morning. Her skin paler than usual. He’d tried to get her to stay home, told her he’d handle it and that she needed to rest, but Becky being Becky had shut that down fast.
“You talk to Damon yet?” Sloan asked Duncan as he sat down behind his desk, not bothering to acknowledge anyone else in the room.
“Yeah. He called me right after you,” Duncan said, looking about as pissed as Sloan felt.
“I want to know who owns that warehouse,” Sloan said, then glanced around at the Warriors scattered through his office.
“Already got Lacey on it,” Duncan replied, checking his phone.
Sloan nodded. Lacey was damn good at what she did. Viktor’s mate didn’t miss much, and when it came to digging up information, she was one of their best. They got damn lucky with her and Jinx.
“I’m guessing you all heard about the warehouse?” Sloan said, shifting his attention to the rest of them.
“Yeah, we got the memo,” Jared answered from his usual seat in front of Sloan’s desk. At least the asshole didn’t have his feet on it this time.
“That’s the fifth one this week,” Ryker said with a frown. “How many empty warehouses are there around here?”
“Too fucking many,” Sloan muttered, dragging a hand over his eyes. “Have Lacey pull a list. All of them. Locations, owners, anything she can find. If she needs help, bring Jinx in.”
Duncan nodded, then headed out.
Sloan leaned back slightly, his gaze moving over the room again. “What in the fuck are you all doing in here? Am I not giving you enough to do?”
“Actually, we’re here to see Becky,” Jared said, glancing up from his phone.
