<b>Chapter </b><b>189 </b>
<b>I </b>felt Night’s arm slide possessively around my shoulders as we stood in the auction house, his bodynguage clearly marking me <b>as </b>his territory. His eyes <b>were </b>cold as they swept across the room, assessing every face, every potential
threat.
<b>“</b>Beautiful collection they have tonight,” he murmured close to my ear, his breath warm against my skin. “Young women from Eastern Europe, a few Americans, even some Scandinavians. All stolen lives.”
I nodded slightly, keeping my expression neutral. The makeshift auction house was actually a converted warehouse, with wooden chairs arranged in rows facing a small stage. Men of various nationalities filled the seats, their eyes hungry as they stared at us – particrly at me.
“I noticed,” I replied quietly. “They’re treating humans like merchandise.”
Night’s fingers tightened slightly on my shoulder. “That’s exactly what they are to these people. Merchandise to be bought, used, and discarded.” His voice had a rare edge of disgust.
The lights dimmed slightly, and a man walked onto the stage. The auction was beginning.
Three young women were pushed onto the stage, their hands bound behind their backs. They wore only thin slips that barely covered their bodies, and I could see bruises on their arms and legs. Their eyes were vacant, likely drugged to keep thempliant.
“Joyful merchandise tonight, gentlemen,” the auctioneer announced in heavily ented English. “All fresh imports, all verified healthy. We’ll begin the bidding at twenty thousand each.”
Night leaned closer to me. “Joyful merchandise,” he repeated with quiet fury. “I’ve killed men for less offensive
words.”
“Joyful ughter willeter,” I promised.
His eyes shifted to me, suddenly curious. “By the way, baby, you came here yesterday. Did anything happen I should
know about?”
“Saved a girl,” I replied, keeping my <b>voice </b>low.
“Since when did you be so charitable?” Night raised an eyebrow. “Man or woman?”
I nced pointedly at the stage where the women stood trembling.
“Woman, then.” Night’s lips quirked up. “Good. If it was a man, he might have felt obligated to pledge his <b>undying </b>love and devotion to you for saving his life. Would have been tedious to get rid of him.”
The <b>auction </b>continued, but something felt off. <b>The </b>bidding was subdued<b>, </b>the usual enthusiasm <b>dampened</b><b>. </b><b>Guards </b>were positioned at every exit, more than would be normal even for an illegal auction<b>. </b>And almost <b>everyone </b>in <b>the </b>
<b>8:19 </b><b>Thu</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>25 </b>
room kept stealing nces at us.
“We’re attracting too much attention,” I whispered.
Night shrugged. “Let them look.”
Just then, I spotted a familiar figure making his way through the crowd. Chris Jensen, dressed in an expensive but slightly rumpled suit, his hair tousled as if he’d been running his hands through it. He slid into the empty seat
beside me.
<b>978 </b>
“Traffic was hell,” he muttered, straightening his tie. “Did I miss anything important?”
“Just the usual depravity,” Night replied, his tone suddenly cool. “You’rete.”
Chris shot him an irritated look. “Some of us had to drive here on actual roads rather than being flown in on private
jets.”
I sighed. “I told both of you I was handling this alone.”
“Ah, but where would be the fun in that?” Chris grinned, though his eyes remained serious<b>. </b>“Besides, I’ve been wanting to meet the Shadow Organization’s little pets for a while now. Figured this was as good an opportunity as
any.”
Night draped his jacket over me. “You’re cold,” he said, though I hadn’t shivered.
“Always the gentleman,” Chris remarked dryly. “Do you polish your armor daily, or just when you’re nning to y
the knight?”
Night smiled thinly. “Better a knight than a snake.”
I was about to tell them both to shut up when I noticed a figure moving behind the curtain at the back of the stage. A man with sharp features stepped partially into view, giving instructions to one of the guards. I recognized him immediately – he had been watching the auction yesterday before retreating backstage.
As if sensing my gaze, he looked directly at me. There was a moment of recognition in his eyes, followed by something unexpected a smile. Not friendly, not warm, but acknowledging. Then he disappeared behind the curtain again<b>. </b>
–
“Damn,” Night muttered, having caught the exchange. “Who’s your new friend?”
“Not my friend,” I replied. “But I’m pretty sure he’s high up in the Scorpio hierarchy. He was here yesterday too.”
Chris leaned forward slightly. “The Scorpio family is massive. This operation is just one branch of their <b>business</b>. <b>If </b>they’re working with Ace of Spades, we could be looking at a much bigger problem than we anticipated.”
I nodded slightly<b>, </b>processing the information. “What’s the n for tonight? Chris <b>asked </b><b>after </b>a <b>moment</b>.
“Burn it down,” I replied simply.
Chris’s eyebrows shot up. “All of it?<b>” </b>
“There <b>are </b>five auction houses like this one throughout Crimson Valley,” I exined. All run by the Scorpio family. They’ve been trafficking humans for years, making millions. Tonight, they all burn.”
Chris smiled slowly. “I like the way you think.”
Night’s eyes gleamed with anticipation. “Let’s give them a night to remember.”
Three hourster, <b>I </b>stood across the street from the burning warehouse, watching mes lick at the night sky. In the distance, I could see two more fires zing, confirming that Night and Chris had been sessful with their targets
as well.
I could hear shouts in Spanish and English as Scorpio’s men scrambled to contain the ze, but it was toote. The fire had spread too quickly, engulfing the entire structure. Anyone who had been inside was either already out or beyond saving.
I checked my watch. It was time to move to the rendezvous point.
I arrived to find Night and Chris already there, Night lounging in a dusty armchair, sipping from a sk of whiskey.
“Sessful evening?” Night asked, offering me the sk.
I took a small sip before handing it back. “Very. Yours<b>?</b><b>” </b>
“Didn’t even have to get my hands dirty,” Night replied with azy smile. “Had some of the Arctic Fox boys take care of it. Didn’t want to get my shoes dirty the streets here are filthy.”
–
Chris snorted. “Of course. Heaven forbid you soil your precious Italian leather.”
Night shrugged unapologetically. “These are custom made.”
I checked my weapons and moved toward the door. “I need to go find someone to ask about something.”
“Who?” Chris asked, looking up with curiosity.
“The guy from the <b>stage</b>,” Night answered before I could, his expression darkening slightly. “<b>The </b>one who smiled <b>at </b>
her. The one with a death wish.<b>” </b>
I <b>gave </b>Night a cold look but didn’t contradict him.
<b>“</b>Should we wait for <b>you</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>Chris asked.
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I shook my head. “No need. I’ll find youter.” I nced around the dpidated apartment. “This ce belonged to the ck man who bought that American girl yesterday. The girl is in the next room, too terrified to make a sound. Scorpio’s men will be here soon once they check all his properties.”
Chris nodded, checking his gun. “Then I suggest we make ourselves scarce.”
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Badass in Disguise