Behind me, I heard Dallas give a short bark of laughter. I pivoted, but wasn’t quick enough to catch his smile. He frowned at me, still angry with me for not letting him lead. I could handle his anger, though, because that meant he was still alive.
I turned back and knelt in front of the woman. Her body was violently trembling, and her eyes were slits of fear. “I’m not going to hurt you,” I assured her. “You’re safe.”
Watching me, still unsure, she nodded.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“Sherry. Sherry Galligher.”
“Did an Arcadian female come here tonight, Sherry?”
She nodded again.
“Is she here now?”
“Yes,” was the hesitant reply.
“Shut up, bitch,” Hudson spat, slamming his fist into her stomach with such force she banged against the nightstand.
My eyes narrowed on the bastard, and I held out my hand toward Kittie. “Hand me your lighter. I think I’ll light a cigar.” I glanced pointedly at Hudson’s dick. “Well, a cigarette, anyway.”
“Bitch,” Hudson growled, his anger and desperation making him forget his fear. “You’d do it too. Well, if you want to light up my cock, why don’t you try sucking it first? Because that’s the only place you belong. On your knees.”
“Oh, shit,” Dallas said, suddenly behind me. “He’s dead now.”
Kittie slapped the lighter into my outstretched hand. “Thanks.” I kept my attention on Hudson. I held the flame close to his nose and slowly moved downward. He tried to scramble backward, but the bed frame stopped any form of retreat. “You want to rephrase your last words?”
His lips compressed in a tight line as his ball hairs singed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I’m so sorry.”
“Good boy.” I stopped the flame but kept the lighter within his view. “Sherry,” I prodded, returning my attention to the woman, “where’s Lilla?”
She answered only after Ghost had grabbed Hudson by the leg and dragged him beyond reach.
“George locked her in the basement,” she said. “Lilla threatened to tell the police about him if he didn’t help her.”
I squeezed her hand in reassurance. “You did good. Real good.” I’d find out more about the Antichrist’s “activities” later. Right now, I had to take care of Lilla.
“Can I—I, I mean, may I get dressed now?” Sherry asked hesitantly, tearfully.
Pity welled inside me. I hated to see a human woman so beaten down. “Go ahead.” But I watched her all the while, making sure she didn’t make a move toward my men. I didn’t think she would, but still…
As fast as her hands would allow, she gathered up her clothing from the floor and dressed. I didn’t want to, but I banded her afterward—just in case.
My vision was making me damn careful.
That done, I pocketed Hudson’s gun. Then, just for the hell of it, I strolled over to where Ghost was holding him and kicked the bastard in the stomach. His breath whooshed out of his mouth on a pained cry. “You like how that feels?” I girt out.
His only answer was a muttered, “Bitch.”
“Band him,” I said to Ghost, “before I kill him.”
“With pleasure,” Ghost answered.
“I need clothes first.”
Ghost hefted him up and pinned him against the wall, his arms stretched behind his back. Blood dripped from Hudson’s nose in a red river. “I can’t go outside like this,” he cried. “You can’t f**king take me downtown until I’m dressed. I want my attorney. Get me my attorney, goddamn it.”
“We don’t have to get you a damn thing,” Dallas retorted. “We’re A.I.R., not the local PD.”
I grinned. The situation was completely under control, and I was able to relax my vigil—well, I slightly relaxed my vigil. I wouldn’t be totally relaxed until it was morning and I knew all of my men were alive and well. Now, at least, I felt free enough to leave them here with Hudson and Sherry while I took care of some much-needed business downstairs.
“Dallas, get him some clothes and lock him in the car,” I said. “Ghost, you and Kittie see to the women. I’ll handle Lilla.”
“Do you need backup?” Dallas asked.
“No. After I’ve dealt with her, I’ll meet you at the car.” With that, I strode from the room and prepared myself to descend into hell.
CHAPTER 6
I brandished my own personal ID pick—my pyre-gun—as I inched down the creaking steps to the basement. Once there, I proceeded to blast the scanner to hell and beyond. Boom. The scent of burning wires filled my nostrils. My methods were swifter than Ghost’s. Messier and louder, too. But then, I didn’t have to be subtle anymore.
Lock taken care of, I kicked the seam in the center of the door with one solid strike of my foot. Wood chips rained to the floor as the door split open. One lone halolight hung from the ceiling, swaying, casting thin beams around the small room.
Lilla occupied the far left corner of this small space. She was huddled on the bare ground, her knees drawn to her chest, her fingers locked over her shins. The air here was as cold and damp as it was outside, yet she was dressed only in the half-shirt and skirt she’d worn at the club. At least she was wearing boots.
She calmly turned her chin until she faced me, and I saw a thick streak of dirt across her right cheek. “You do realize you are wasting your time?” were the first words she spoke, her tone matter-of-fact.
“Whatever. Stand up.” I kept my gazed focused on her face, watching for any sign—a twitching eye, teeth nibbling on her lower lip—that she planned to bolt. “Hands against the wall.”
She slowly stood. “My brother will punish you for this.”
“Perhaps you didn’t hear me. Hands against the wall.”
With a long, drawn-out sigh—hell, she was acting like a martyr here—she did as I’d commanded.
“Do you care so little for your life, Miss Snow? My brother will find me, and when he does, you will suffer greatly for all you have put me through.”
“Story of my life. He’ll have to take a number.” My motions expeditious and efficient, I frisked her with one hand while holding my gun at her temple with the other. I found a sharp little blade strapped to her inner thigh.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” she asked as I confiscated the weapon.