A chuckle begins to work its approach up my throat, however I swallow it down. That is the dynamic they’ve had for so long as I’ve identified them. Tack and Hacker are opposites in so some ways, however that can also be what makes them a very good workforce. There’s a sense of stability between them.

When Hacker is deep in a gap together with his work, Tack is there to be careful for him and ensure he’s taken care of in among the most elementary methods. When Hacker is hyper targeted, he gained’t sleep, pushed by the necessity to full the duty he’s been given or uncovering all the data he’s searching for.

It’s one thing that makes Hacker rattling good at what he does, however that additionally means different issues undergo. Tack has his again and makes certain that doesn’t occur.

“Final evening was robust. He wanted to assist the primary lady we discovered, and that shit was exhausting to see,” I give my brother some grace and understanding.

Tack’s face turns to stone, and he offers a curt nod. After I look across the room, I discover that all of us appear to be haunted by what we noticed final evening. It’s not the primary time we’ve seen horrible issues, however for some purpose it’s hitting us otherwise this time.

The Seattle chapter of the DSMC has plenty of expertise with taking down human trafficking rings. I’m certain they’ve seen issues similar to what we did final evening. How do they deal with it? What’s the worth they’ve paid with their souls?

With Dante Guidice’s maintain on New Orleans, human trafficking isn’t nonexistent, however it’s one thing he takes care of swiftly and decisively. The membership has supported him in his efforts, however there’s a detachment after we do. It’s not our sole mission or goal. We’re there as backup as a substitute of being the lads who go in and see the worst the world has to supply on show.

We’re silent as we stand and make our approach into Church. Hacker is already there in his chair across the desk together with his pill plugged in. The way in which his eyebrows are furrowed, it’s clear he’s concentrating exhausting on no matter is on the display screen in entrance of him.

We take our seats across the desk and wait. My gaze snags on the satan’s cranium burned into the center of the desk. It’s a logo of our membership, of our loyalty.

A wave of pure gratefulness washes over me. As a result of I do know who I’m and the place I belong. The females we rescued final evening are misplaced. My brothers would by no means enable me to grow to be misplaced like they’re. Truthfully, they most likely would have kicked my ass lengthy earlier than issues went to date.

And I’d have, finally, been glad they did.

Lucifer sighs, “Three of the ladies we rescued final evening have already been taken to amenities that may take care of acute withdrawal signs. They weren’t doing effectively after we took them in, however we’re not outfitted to take care of folks detoxing like that. They want medical professionals, not tough bikers,” he tries to lighten the temper within the room, however it falls flat.

In all probability due to how fucking true it’s.

We would have gotten them out of a horrible state of affairs, however that doesn’t imply we’re able to something extra. I hope we’re; I place confidence in my brothers that we certain as fuck will attempt, however we additionally know our limitations.

“Earlier than Hacker offers us the rundown on who we’re serving to, lets stroll by means of what occurred final evening.”

I nod and share a glance with Scythe. He offers me a chin raise and I do know that he did his job final evening. He protected our Prez who was main the remainder of our brothers contained in the again of the home. We didn’t get the prospect to debrief final evening, however my membership brothers all walked out of that shit gap unscathed.

I’m calling it successful. Properly, at the very least as a lot of 1 as I can.

Lucifer’s eyes bore into me, and I lean ahead whereas resting my forearms on the desk in entrance of me. My voice is chilly and indifferent as I stroll him by means of breaching the entrance of the home. If I focus an excessive amount of on it then I’ll be proper again there. I’m not totally certain the stench of the place—physique odor, urine, and hopelessness—isn’t clinging to me nonetheless.

Sioux’s face swims by means of my thoughts and calms me. She bathed me final evening in order that I may shed the stench and discover my footing once more. She helped me. She guided me.

After which she helped me to neglect.

After I’m completed, I take a look at Prodigal to see if he has something so as to add, however he simply shakes his head and appears towards his father. Lucifer is nodding his head slowly.

“The lady Feral carried out hasn’t stated a phrase,” he speaks so softly that I pressure to listen to him. There’s a desolation in his phrases that seems like a knife twisting in my intestine.

“Cherise was speaking to her once I got here in at the moment,” I provide gently, hoping that it’ll assist him, and the remainder of us, cope.

Lucifer’s mouth suggestions up in a uncommon smile. Normally, it’s solely his outdated girl and his kids that earn such a smile from him. And I see that hasn’t modified.

“She’ll work her magic,” he sounds certain, however the uncertainty in his eyes tells a distinct story.

From the appears on the faces of all my brothers, we’re collectively hoping that she will be able to. That we are able to attain the lady whose life will all the time be tainted by this trauma. That we might help her discover a approach ahead towards the heat of the solar as a substitute of her hiding within the shadows of the darkness of her expertise.

CHAPTER 17

APOSTLE

It feels just like the room takes a collective breath, taking a second to be misplaced within the what ifs and the uncertainty. Then our focus is again on this room the place there isn’t any room for doubt. It’s in Church the place we plan for the worst and make decisive choices for the advantage of our metropolis.

“Once we got here within the again,” Lucifer begins, “we discovered three Rebels within the again room.” His eyes gentle up barely and I do know I’m going to love what he says subsequent. “Two tried to go for his or her weapons, however they by no means received the prospect. The third man was Hustle, however he was too fucking out of it to do a lot of something. He’s ready for us in his new,” he pauses for a second, a sinister grin on his face, “lodging.”

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