Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
And perhaps that’s what makes it more special.
Despite him not being a breakfast person, he joins me as we finish our plates of waffles, omelets, and sausage. We clean up after, and it surprises me that we easily fall into this natural rhythm as though we’ve been doing this for years and not just now.
I didn’t believe in soulmates, not even after seeing how my parents love each other, but now? Alec feels right. This feels right. Like he’s the final piece of the puzzle slotting into place.
9
ALEC
“Everyone in position.” Justin’s low voice cuts through the static, and we all unconsciously move together in unison, leaning forward in our seats, fixing our gazes on the 60-inch screen in front of us.
Just like every single time we watch a live feed of the ongoing mission, my heart slams against my ribcage, my hands shaking slightly and turning clammy. It’s been a while since I joined a rescue. The last time I did, I was so filled with burning fury that I stared at the guards while I lodged bullets into their brains. Fun times.
Justin has a small camera attached to his bulletproof vest, allowing us to see what’s going on in real-time. Jameson has the Chief of Police on speed dial should things go awry or just in case Justin needs more backup.
Yes, we have contacts in the government and law enforcement. After all, operations like this are not always 100% above board. We may skirt the law here and there, but ultimately, our goal is to save kids and teens from being trafficked and sold to the highest bidders. The Chief may not like our methods, and he refuses to hear the details, but we always deliver. And that’s always the end goal, right? Help people.
Zara asked me what I did for a living, and she was shocked to find out that my brothers and I owned a chain of hotels all over the world. It wasn’t so much about our wealth but the fact that I could have lived in a glorious condo unit, but I chose our shitty apartment.
Like I said before, I enjoy the quiet. It also helps that other residents in my building are too busy with their own lives to care about the scarface in their midst.
I guess she didn’t Google me after all. I can only imagine how she’ll react if she finds out what we actually do on the regular, which is follow leads, track down suspects, and destroy human trafficking operations.
Jasper, Jameson, and I wait in bated breath as one of Justin’s men sticks a bomb to the door. It hisses and explodes, smoke covering our view.
Then, the chaos erupts.
My shoulders are tense, and I dig my clenched fists into my thighs. Operations like this make me nervous because no matter what we say, Justin ignores our requests for him to sit it out. He can command his men from a safe zone, but he prefers to be in on the action.
Which is just as well because he’s damned good at it.
A few minutes more and the security on the premises is subdued. The rescue wasn’t properly planned. The Seine House was supposed to be our next target, but we received reports about a new “shipment” so we wasted no time putting together a rescue operation in three hours. We hadn’t even scoped out the location properly.
A huge risk even for someone as seasoned as Justin, which was why we dropped everything, including a shareholders’ meeting.
“There’s no victim here,” Justin’s voice reverberates in the conference room where we’re gathered.
“What do you mean?” Jameson asks, too restless to sit down so he paces the room, scrubbing a hand across his face.
“We don’t see anyone.” He scans the area, and that’s when I spot something.
“Wait. There! There’s a small knob to your right. Right there on the floor. Looks like steel or something.” Unable to control myself, I stand and point as if Justin can see me.
“I see it.” Justin must have turned to his men. “Do not fire unless I tell you to. We’re not sure if only victims are there or if a guard or two is with them.”
Nervous energy coils in me, each of Justin’s cautious steps on the creaking floorboards making me tense. I don’t even dare to breathe. My eyes are glued to the screen in rapt attention, a bead of sweat sliding down my forehead.
Fear grips me and the tension in the room is like a tangible force pressing on me.
Justin twists the knob, pulling the door open. When his flashlight beam pierces the darkness below, we see nothing but young faces full of fear. “Is there any guard down there with you?” Justin asks, his voice different and not his usual gruff tone.
At least a couple dozen watch him wide-eyed until one girl raises a hand. “No, it’s just us. Please help.”