No savior a dark romance, p.4
No Savior: A Dark Romance, page 4
That meant including murder.
I returned to the table, studying his face. We had at least one case that had haunted us through the years. Another reason Raven Intel had been born.
“And?” Chase asked.
“Have you heard of them?” I threw at the active DEA agent. Chase had investigated various dangerous criminals over the years, going undercover in a crime syndicate several years before.
“Yeah, but no one has been able to get close. I’m sure that’s why the FBI wanted nothing to do with it.”
“That’s because according to the detective, there’s only the one victim who managed to escape. Unfortunately, she wasn’t much help. The men were all wearing masks, girls given cutesy names for an auction after being groomed for the event. But they switch their proclivities and if I had to guess, their location as well. From what I can tell, there are no rules for the elite members other than keeping the secret about who they are and the perverse acts they indulge in.” I was much more interested in what Maverick had to say.
Chase shook his head. “I can fill in a few blanks. They are all from very powerful families. All wealthy. All flying under the radar. They all take an oath of secrecy and privacy and anyone who ignores that pledge is hunted and killed.”
“You’re certain that ex members were killed?” I pressed.
His chuckle was dark. “I’m sure. One former member was arrested then promised to expose the group for immunity. Before it was granted, the guy turned up on the Miami Beach shores. He’d been tortured before he was killed.”
“Fuck,” I hissed.
“I’ll continue with a characterization,” Maverick interjected. “You’re right about switching locations. They have any number of locations sprinkled throughout Miami and the surrounding counties they can use. When they believe law enforcement is getting close, they sell the property. The members are upstanding citizens that you’d never expect would be involved, their proclivities increasing in acts of dehumanization. Not just auctions but pet parties. Orgies. Hunts. Twisted shit. They trade the women back and forth like baseball cards. The unlucky ones are auctioned several times during their enslavement until they are no longer useful. They believe women are nothing but objects and I assure you, they will also eliminate anyone who gets in their way.”
“And the lucky ones?” Gabriel asked.
Maverick slowly turned his head. “They find a way to kill themselves.”
Jesus fucking Christ.
Hudson brought the bottle of whiskey, refilling Maverick’s glass. “And how do you know so much, my writer friend? Since the FBI didn’t make an arrest, I’m going to venture a guess you have a private source.”
Maverick swirled his glass and I could tell by his expression he wasn’t certain he wanted to mention where he’d gotten the information. “Let’s just say my latest book is loosely based on the story of the Privileged.”
“And where did you get your information from, your old case?” Chase leaned further over the table. This was exactly the kind of case that kept our anger levels high. In our minds, no one was above the law.
“Some, which is where I formulated the idea. But I needed additional meat.”
“Someone broke ranks. Didn’t they? The Privileged have a snitch.” I could tell I was right.
Maverick turned his head. “Yes, and before you ask, I have no clue who I’m talking to. That was the first rule or the man would disappear. Our conversations are handled through secure phones and he disguises his voice.”
“That means he’s still active in the organization,” I mused.
“For now.”
“But he hasn’t provided you with anything concrete they could be arrested on.” Chase lifted an eyebrow.
“Not enough.” Maverick had the same look on his face I’d had earlier. Pissed off enough that crossing the line wouldn’t be a question. For some reason, I was angrier than before.
I glanced from one buddy to another. “Interesting. The girl who was brought to me, trusting me to help both her and maybe dozens of other women, will never live a normal life. Does that bastard feel guilty? Is this just about selling your next book, Mav? I mean, my God. Did you think about turning this man in?” Huffing, I left the table, ready to leave his house.
Maverick was the best of all of us, a man with absolute integrity.
“Jesus, Kendrick. Why don’t you calm down?” Gabriel hissed. “Why is this so personal?”
With an ache in my gut, I whipped out my phone, holding it so everyone could see Reese’s picture. “This girl is a teacher. A fucking junior high schoolteacher who’s taken it upon herself to try and find her seventeen-year-old sister because the goddamn system failed her. We failed her. All of us in this room. Two different police departments refused to try and help this girl. Two. And now, I have a better understanding of why. Because there’s a strong possibility some high-ranking law enforcement officers are proud club members. If this group is as dangerous as they appear to be, this woman won’t stand a chance. None of them will. Lamb to the slaughter. I can’t… No, I won’t allow that to happen.”
The four men stared at me. Why? Because I’d never gotten this hot over a single case before in my life.
The quiet in the room was unnerving. I usually wasn’t the hothead of the group, but this time, I was pissed. And I was disappointed. Suddenly, I felt Maverick’s presence beside me. We stood together staring out the window at his perfect view of the Atlantic Ocean, from his perfectly huge house.
“This isn’t about writing a bestseller, at least not any longer, Kendrick. I assure you I’d like nothing more than to crucify this organization, but my informant hasn’t told me enough, at least not to incriminate anyone. No names. No location of this club or any others. And you know how huge Miami is. Just enough details for a dark story and more than a few nightmares.”
I laughed. “You’re hoping your book will be a bestseller and maybe draw these people out in the open.”
Maverick studied me. “Why the hell not? When powerful men are pushed, they do stupid things.”
Yes, they fucking did.
“That’s putting a target on your back,” Gabriel offered.
“So what?” Maverick finally smiled.
“From what the detective told me, these captors also keep the girls locked down for days, even weeks at a time in the same facility. They’re kept in cages. When she was up for auction, the girl was bathed, dressed in provocative clothing, primped, then finally fed and told how to act.”
“Fucking assholes.” Gabriel threw back the rest of his drink.
“Plus, Reese’s father is Thomas Murphy from Global Universal.” I purposely shifted my gaze from one to the other in the room, noticing Hudson had narrowed his eyes.
“Interesting. You might not remember this case, but Global Universal developed a piece of software that enabled a combination of the CIA working with Interpol to track the most notorious sex slave trade operation in their history. They cracked it wide open. And if I’m remembering correctly, Thomas Murphy was the architect.”
“And a lot of people went to prison including dignitaries, corporate moguls.” Chase rubbed his jaw.
“Why should that matter?” Gabriel asked.
“Possibly revenge.” The reason for anyone acting on revenge was often very personal. But without knowing a single identity of the members, at this point the information was useless.
Chase whistled. “What are you thinking, Kendrick? That this case is a candidate for Raven Intel?” Even now, he had a smile on his face.
“The only way for that to work would be by getting someone inside, pretending to be one of them. Even going through an auction. And I assure you that given this girl escaped, their security will be extremely tight. Newcomers are tested and watched,” Maverick insisted. “And before you say a goddamn thing, my picture is on the cover of every book I’ve ever written.”
“So?” Gabriel teased.
The look Maverick flashed him was hot. “So, maybe none of you have read my books, but about a hundred million other people have. Plus, I’ve been on every major morning show more than once. What are the themes of my books? Catching the most heinous criminals in the world.”
“In other words, you capitalize on your former position with the FBI.” I knew where he was headed. Even if he’d wanted to, he certainly couldn’t gain the trust of anyone outside the snitch he’d been talking with.
“Exactly.” Maverick turned to face the others. “I’m trying to convince the guy to turn himself in and that he’d be provided with immunity, but so far, he hasn’t been interested.”
A change of heart? Growing a conscience? I doubted that.
“Would he be interested in providing enough knowledge about this club to the person eager to infiltrate the secret society? With the pledge of full immunity, a promise of secrecy and cooperation with the marshals getting him into WITSEC should anything go wrong?”
Witness protection. Hell, all five of us knew anyone could be found with the right people.
Maverick laughed. “I doubt he’ll go for it, but his conscience is eating at him.”
Yeah, and whoever the snitch was, he was fully aware of what happened to anyone discovered betraying them.
“So why the fuck does he stay in this abhorrent club?” Gabriel was as angry as I’d become.
“Because once you become a member, there is no way out.” Maverick turned his head toward me. He knew me too well. “Well, with one exception.”
“I want to do it.” Yes, it was spur of the moment, but it was the only way to bring justice to Denise and possibly save lives.
Chase snorted. “You of all people?”
“Yeah, me, Chase. I’m just a regular guy with a regular job. No pictures on the internet. No social media.”
“You’re an attorney, for fuck’s sake. You’ll be eaten alive. You can’t run with the big dogs and you know it.”
“You underestimate my abilities.”
“You’re serious about this?” Gabriel eyed me carefully.
Shrugging, I took a pull of my beer. “This group is destroying lives and no one is doing a goddamn thing about it. If there’s a way I can become a member, then why not?”
“My guess is you’ll need money and a new identity. Money you don’t have. We can fake your background, but you need to look the part.”
Gabriel was right.
“I’m sure we can think of something. Kendrick is correct. We can’t allow these women to suffer because the system failed them.” Hudson glanced from one to the other.
“A lot to deal with,” Chase tossed in. “The logistics would be a nightmare.”
Maverick sighed. “Yeah, but possible. I bought a house I haven’t moved into yet. Nicer than this. I have cash to pad a bank account. I can help with a little spit and polish with clothes. The question is, are you willing to do what it takes to prove your loyalty? To pass their tests before being considered a member?”
“What kind of tests?”
“From what my informant told me, given the current twisted kick they’re on, they’ll include you in an auction first. To test the waters and see how much money you’re willing to spend. Which mean they’ll expect you to… invest in their organization no matter the cost.”
I had to laugh. “What else?”
“After that and before you can leave the building, you’ll be required to perform a sexual act with the girl selected the first time out. In front of whoever they choose. My informant was required to do the same thing when he joined. It’s all very by the book. All while not learning a thing about a single member. Not until your loyalty is tested and proven.”
“Meaning you’d be going deep undercover, something you’ve never done before.” All amusement was gone from Chase’s voice.
Yeah, I was just some good ole boy who’d decided to take a job in Miami, far removed from the cowboy in me.
The image of the girl’s face continued to haunt me.
“It’s something I want to do. No, it’s something that needs to be done and I’m the only one capable. You’re all too well known.”
“What about your job?”
I’d already thought about that. With Raven Intel, our secrecy was paramount. No one could know who we were or what our true intentions were. Not a single person outside of our group.
Our livelihoods and our lives were dependent on our anonymity.
“I have a few weeks coming to me for vacation.”
After a few seconds, everyone nodded in approval.
Raven Intel.
Soon justice would be served.
CHAPTER 4
Kendrick
Maverick stood staring at me, shaking his head in disbelief the moment he opened the door.
“What the hell is wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong. You clean up pretty good. Maybe I’m shocked.”
With his backhanded compliment, I rubbed my face. Gone were the beard and mustache. And the shaggy hair. I’d barely looked at myself in the mirror when the girl had finished with the more fashionable haircut. Instead of my signature jeans when off the clock, I’d changed into one of the suits Maverick had sent to my condo.
The makeover was all about creating a new persona. A man I doubted I’d recognize, but that was the point. Now I was a ruthless man of means with a merciless reputation.
Rich. Powerful. Influential.
And very, very hungry.
“However, you’re out of your mind,” Maverick said even as he followed me into what would be my new home for days, weeks. “You do know that. This is way out of your league.”
“I’ve always loved to live dangerously.” Dropping my bag and guitar case, I glanced at the open space. “Are you sure you want to give up your new house for an undisclosed timeframe?”
“I own two houses in Miami, one in St. Lucia, and a chalet in the South of France. I think I can find someplace to park my ass and write.”
“Showoff. Nice place you have here.” Maverick lived like the rich and famous, enjoying all the perks of being a megastar.
“It suits me. Now you’ll need to pretend it’s all yours. I assure you the leader of the Privileged will be checking.”
In the days since the decision had been made, my identity had been carefully wiped, replaced with a new persona. Kendrick Stark had ceased to exist. Drake Cavanaugh had taken his place, a man of mystery and money.
I’d done some investigation of my own, finding nothing of use about the secret club. Both the TikTok link and the account had been removed. The Privileged were very thorough.
What I did find through Jackie’s help was a little more information about Reese, including a flight number and information on a rental car that had been subsequently found by the police. There’d been no sign of violence. She’d also rented a hotel room, which Jackie had gone through, finding nothing to indicate Reese’s plans. It felt as if I was starting from ground zero.
Which made the situation that much more urgent. Days had passed. Too many days in my opinion, yet planning a covert mission of this nature took some time.
“You just had to bring your damn guitar. Didn’t you?”
Snorting, I stood staring at the ocean. While I had a view from my place atop a wild South Beach bar, there was too much traffic, too much noise for me to sit out on my small balcony and enjoy the view. This was peaceful, a reminder of why I’d made the crazy decision to move to Miami in the first place. “Don’t rich guys play music?”
He shook his head. “I guess so. Whatever floats your boat.”
The music was the only thing that I’d found could soothe me after difficult cases. And unwanted memories.
“I still don’t know why we couldn’t use my place.”
Maverick laughed. “Because you still live like you’re in college, for fuck’s sake. I’ve been to your place. It’s early Goodwill meets bohemian.”
“It’s not that bad.”
He stopped long enough to glare at me. “Follow me.”
I trailed behind him and into a massive master suite where he threw open double closet doors. “Your wardrobe. There’s more in the dressers and chest. Everything is new and should fit perfectly. In the jewelry box on the dresser, you have watches, rings. Cufflinks. Everything you’ll need to fit in with their crowd.”
“Wow. Your informant was that specific.” I fingered the various suits. There was no doubt they came straight from an Italian tailor. All my size.
“You bet he was. After I used my charm. Outside in the garage is your choice of a Lamborghini Revuelto and a Ferrari Spider. Don’t get used to them and for fuck’s sake, don’t drive like you normally do.”
He tossed me two key fobs, lifting his eyebrows as he did.
Grinning, I shoved them into my pocket. “Hey, I’m a great driver.”
“Maybe for Montana. Not here in Miami.” He didn’t stop there, heading into the kitchen. “There’s a wine cellar right there and I took the liberty of stocking the pantry and fridge as well as the bar. You should have everything you need.”
I noticed the papers on the island. “Bank accounts, etc.?”
He nodded. “Yep. You’re a very wealthy man. Just remember your cover. While you’ve been to Miami several times before on business, which is the reason you know the city, with the expansion of business, you’ve recently moved down from New York. Please tell me you spent some time looking over and memorizing the information I gave you about Drake Cavanaugh.”
I gave him a dirty look. “What do I look like, some fucking amateur?”
With one eyebrow lifted, he allowed the weight of what I was about to do settle in. “You’re not an undercover officer. You don’t understand what might be required of you.”
“And you were when you became someone else in your previous job?”
His face clouded over. Before answering he jerked out two beers from the fridge. I was shocked he hadn’t gone for his signature whiskey. “I started with the police department in Atlanta. I made detective quickly. One day, my captain asked if I would consider going undercover since no one really knew my face. I did.”
