Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
He strode down the hallway toward Kane and Ethan, who waited by the elevator, both in formal wear that did little to disguise the warriors beneath.
“Good to see you, man.” Nash clapped Ethan’s shoulder.
He flashed his cocky signature grin. “Good to be back. Tonight should be exciting.”
“Should be. Get bored with the pussy at home?” Nash asked for the cameras.
Ethan’s expression sobered. “Too many tears. I decided to fix that shit.”
So Kaylee Wright was still struggling, and Ethan seemed determined to put a stop to this island of horrors. In fact, he seemed really committed. Did the eternal manwhore have feelings for the virgin he’d saved? It would be goddamn hysterical if it wasn’t so sad.
Whatever the reason, mad respect to Ethan for coming back and putting his life on the line. He wasn’t being paid for this op. Neither was Kane. In fact the whole EM Security team was helping out and risking their lives so he could save Haisley. Nash was grateful as hell.
He fist-bumped Ethan. “Absolutely, brother.”
Face grim, Kane activated one of the Santiago brothers’ signal scramblers disguised as a phone. The light turned green. “Two minutes of privacy. You ready?”
Nash nodded. “Teams in position?”
“Everyone is a go,” Ethan assured. “The feds have the island surrounded and staged themselves on boats beyond radar range. They also have a dozen undercover agents scattered through the crowd, who will rescue women backstage and start making arrests.”
“Speaking of rescue…” Nash frowned. “What about evidence? Files? Records? We need to track down past victims, too.”
“Tech team is standing by,” Ethan replied. “The moment we breach their server room, they’ll start downloading everything. Names, dates, buyer information—anything that could help us find those victims.”
“And current victims? The ones still here?”
“Karliah is coordinating that effort. She estimates that there are at least thirty women on the property right now. Once things kick off, she’ll guide a hostage team to the cells and private suites. They’ve got blueprints showing every room where women are likely being held. Another team will handle the arrests on the compound outside of Midnight Sanctuary.”
“Good. And our distraction?”
“Charges are set. East side of the island, at the supply dock. On my signal.” Kane gripped the detonator in his pocket. “Should give us the time we need to move.”
“Anything else?” Nash asked.
Kane grimaced. “While I walked around, acting like a lost and lonely loser, I overheard staff whispering. There’s a rumor that Black Velvet is here. No confirmation, but…”
Tension torqued Nash’s stomach. That was a complication they didn’t need. He prayed it was merely a rumor, but they’d deal with that possibility if it materialized.
“You two should know…” Nash dragged in a breath. “Haisley is pregnant. We got the confirmation this morning. In case the worst happens, take care of her and the baby for me.”
“You’re going to be fine,” Kane insisted. “The plan is solid, and we’ll watch your six.”
“Totally,” Ethan put in.
“Promise me. If something happens…”
To Nash’s relief, they both nodded.
The scrambler beeped a warning. Kane checked his watch. “Thirty seconds.”
Nash turned to Ethan. “Any other news from back home?”
“Nothing you haven’t heard from the bosses, but we need to be prepared for the downdraft of this op. I’ve visited Kaylee Wright a few times since getting her home. She’s…struggling. Broke up with her boyfriend. Can barely leave the house. She’s afraid of life. She flinches every time she sees me.” Ethan ran a hand down his face. “These women and the trauma they’ve endured... How the hell do we help them rebuild their lives?”
It was a terrible truth and a sadly valid question.
“We start by getting them out,” Nash growled. “Then we make these bastards pay.”
“Absolutely.” Kane nodded. “Let’s go. And don’t die.”
They all tucked their earpieces in place just before the device powered down.
The elevator arrived. Inside, four men Nash didn’t recognize—feds maintaining their covers as buyers—nodded in greeting.
Downstairs, the ballroom doors stood open, spilling forth golden light and the murmur of voices. Inside, the usual mix of wealthy degenerates milled about in designer suits, but the atmosphere crackled with anticipation as Nash and his fellow operatives hunted for their row.
He swept his gaze over the room, cataloging details with practiced precision. Three exits besides the main doors—all guarded. A service entrance near the stage. No windows. At least twenty armed security personnel positioned strategically around the perimeter, plus whatever backup lurked backstage. The crowd itself had swelled to nearly two hundred, all of them potential hostiles if things went sideways.
“Did you hear?” A middle-aged man in Armani clutched his champagne with a leering smile. “Black Velvet is actually here. I want to shake his hand.”
“Impossible.” His companion scoffed. “No one’s ever seen him.”
“But I think it’s true. Something big is happening tonight. I feel it.”
As they settled into their seats, Nash exchanged glances with Kane and Ethan. They definitely hadn’t factored that surprise into their plan. If Black Velvet really was here, why had he come tonight? Why now, of all times?