Dark Secret - Avelyn Paige Page 0,30

what I already know is true. Martinsville is known for trafficking young girls. Hayden was taken for a purpose. Trafficking always needs younger, fresher blood, and she ticks off the checklist. She may not have even realized they were grooming her to be taken until it was too late.

The last bit causes bile to rise up my throat. Trafficking rings move girls around like pawns on a chess board. She may not even be there anymore. We have to move fast.

Ignoring the fear on Shelby’s face, I attempt to remain professional about the whole shitty situation. “How do you want to do this, Judge? Getting in there unnoticed isn’t going to be easy.”

He considers our options. “We need to get eyes on this place without drawing attention.”

Chewing on my lower lip, an idea pops into my head. “Why don’t we send Priest in one of the club girls’ cars?”

Shelby stands there silently, watching us lay out a potential battle plan. Her eyes fall to the ground and stay there. She’s scared.

“It’s risky. If it’s a big operation, they’ll have eyes out. “

“Single guy driving through the thick of Martinsville looking to score won’t draw any attention.”

“That’s true,” Judge hesitantly agrees. “I’ll get Missy to loan him her Grand Am. He’ll slip in, get eyes on the place, and report back. We’ll take a couple of the work trucks and follow him, and we’ll decide from there how we want to play it. I’ll get the ball rolling. Wheels moving in fifteen.” Judge stalks out of the room, leaving Shelby and I alone.

I push out of my chair and stand next to her. Everything inside of me wants to reach out and embrace her. I know she’s scared. Fuck, I am too, but we have to stay strong for our daughter. Falling apart when we’re this close isn’t going to bring her back any faster.

“Do you think she’s really there?”

“I don’t know if she is or isn’t, but this kid…” Snagging the ID from my keyboard, I show it to her again before slipping it back into my pocket. “He’s the last person we know of who saw her. We find him, we get our best shot at finding her.”

Shelby places her hand on my arm and locks her gaze on mine. “I saw the way you looked at Judge. What aren’t you telling me?”

She deserves to know of my suspicions of why Hayden was taken, but that knowledge comes with an entirely new set of heartbreak. With a sigh, I make my decision.

“The last few years, there’s been a route of human trafficking going right through Martinsville. The club has tried to cut it off, but they always start right back up again.” The words taste foul on my tongue.

“Oh my God, Wyatt. You don’t think...?”

“I don’t know. But honestly, the way she was taken, and knowing where that asshole kid is from, it’s not a possibility we can rule out.”

“No, not my daughter. It’s not possible. I refuse to believe that!”

“I don’t want to consider it either, but everything points in that direction. The sooner we find her, the better. Traffickers usually stash the girls for a few days before moving them out. There’s still time.”

“What if we… don’t?” she sobs, a line of glistening tears streaming down her face. I reach out my hand, and with a gentle swipe, wipe them from her face. Her skin feels so soft under my touch. She leans into my hand, allowing me to touch her for the first time since she came back.

“I promise you, come hell or high water, I will find her.”

“Trucks are loaded up. Judge is ready to roll,” Karma informs me from the door, and then disappears just as quickly as he arrived.

I turn back toward my desk and open the top drawer, retrieving my handgun from its resting place. Stowing it in the back of my jeans, I say, “I made you a promise, and I intend to keep it.” I walk out of the room, leaving her there with the knowledge of the fate our daughter could be facing, and no means to anything herself. It eats at me with every step I take as I make my way outside.

I reach for the passenger side door when I notice GP’s eyes trailing over to the door behind me. I turn to see what he’s looking at, and find Shelby heading toward me.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” I bark as she slips past