lot about you.” He lifts his gaze to me. “She’s precious, Spidey.”
Britney tips her head way back to look up at me, her brows furrowed. “Spidey?”
I chuckle. “It’s my nickname. From the Army.”
“Because you can swing from building to building?” she asks.
Blade laughs. “Because he has a sixth sense.”
“Oh.” She giggles. “It’s a funny name.”
I pinch her hip playfully with my free hand, making her squeal. “And you will not be calling me that, right? Because you’re only permitted to address me as…?” I hold her tight and lift a brow.
“Sir or Daddy.”
“That’s right.” I let my fingers graze intentionally over her breast as I release her and turn her to face the kitchen. “Go add to your castle while I meet with Master Andres.” I pat her on the bottom to get her moving, and she skips across the room, her hair flying loose all around her.
Blade follows me into my office and I close the door partway, leaving it open a few inches just in case Britney needs me. As Blade takes a seat across from my desk, he’s grinning. “Damn. You are whipped.”
I roll my eyes as I take my seat. “Tell me you wouldn’t be if she were yours.”
He smirks. “I can see the appeal, yes. And that hair. It’s divine.”
“Yes. It’s my kryptonite,” I admit before leaning on my elbows. “Talk to me.”
He sobers. “I spoke with Gordon Shepherd. He says Lazinski is crazed and livid.”
“Not surprising.”
“He’s had Lazinski’s office bugged for months, but the man has gotten sloppy and started making calls and meeting with people in his office. Before last week—before the night Britney overheard him discussing her sale—he was elusive. Never met with anyone or even spoke on the phone about his transactions. The cop had begun to wonder if Lazinski was even involved.”
“I wonder what caused him to get lax.”
Blade shrugs. “No idea. Could have been a fluke Wednesday night. In any case, he knows he fucked up and he’s called everyone in the city who owes him a marker trying to find Britney.”
I wince. I wish the fucker would give up on her.
“He’s working hard on a plan B too.”
“Another woman,” I murmur.
“Yes. Shepherd is concerned Lazinski will literally have his goons kidnap someone off the street who looks like Britney. Shepherd has been following one of the goons. I’ve had Spike following another one. If they decide to grab someone, we want to know where they take her, or we may totally miss the transaction.”
I cringe. The thought of a random woman, or perhaps even a young girl, being kidnapped and sold all because we’ve thwarted Lazinski’s efforts with Britney brings bile to my throat. I’m glad Britney is safe and I wouldn’t want it any other way, of course, but I also want to make sure we do everything in our power to stop this transaction from happening at all. I know Blade agrees with me. When it comes to human trafficking, we all get our hackles up.
“Do you need me to be out on the streets? Sounds like you need more manpower.”
“No.” Blade shakes his head. “Not a chance. For one thing, as far as we know, Lazinski only has two goons working on finding a replacement. Got them both covered. For another thing, I need you to be right here with Britney until this is over. You can’t leave this house unless one of us is available to stay with her, so what’s the point?”
I draw in a deep breath out of frustration. The thought of leaving Britney home with anyone makes my stomach churn. I didn’t like doing it yesterday. I’m certainly not doing it again unless I absolutely have to make an appearance in front of Lazinski.
“Lazinski also has Mila Herring looking for a replacement dancer. Last night he told her he didn’t think Britney would be coming back.”
“She must be his stripper recruitment team. She’s the one who met Britney at the thrift store and lured her in. I’m surprised he didn’t have someone already learning the ropes to replace Britney since he knew she wouldn’t be there after this week.”
Blade nods. “I thought of that, but then I decided it would be suspicious if he replaced people in advance of them disappearing.”
“True.” I run a hand over my short-cropped hair. “I sincerely hope he thinks she’s gone for good, but that doesn’t make it safe for her to leave the house. Hell, I took her outside yesterday and my protective instincts kicked