Page 33 of Defending Mateo
August 19th
12:20 P.M.
Beside him, Ally whimpered, and Mateo felt like his entire world came crashing down around him.
Every reason why this was the best thing for her, how the quicker she was out of here, the quicker she could be rescued, all went flying out the window as the reality of the situation began to weigh down upon him.
His girl had been sold.
Sold.
Like a piece of meat.
To an as-yet unknown entity who could do absolutely anything in the hours or days it would take to get a team toher location and figure out an extraction plan based on who the person was and what kind of setting she was being held in.
There were too many variables, too many things that could go wrong, and it was making him nauseous. Was it too late to snatch up his girl, find a weapon, and kill everyone here on the outside of the cells, then send in Prey to rescue the women? They wouldn't get the head of the snake, but surely they’d put enough of a dent in the operation that the person couldn’t easily just start back up again somewhere else.
Only deep-down, Mateo knew that personwouldstart back up again somewhere else.
After his meltdown, that person would be more cautious, likely work with a smaller crew, people he could vet more easily, making it harder for Prey to both find him and get someone on the inside when they did.
That thought was enough to calm his racing heart and remind him that he had a plan, that in just a day or so Ally would be safe and sound. Besides, it wasn't like he had any chance of killing the men here and getting Ally out. He was outnumbered and weaponless, it would be a suicide mission. Which would be one thing if it were just him, but Ally would either get killed in the chaos, or she’d be sold with no one to ensure that a rescue team was sent in after her.
“Told you the princess dress was worth using,” Henry continued, oblivious to how close Mateo had come to losing control and killing him. “That was the first photo I uploaded, and it got her sold. Buyer wants her dressed in it for collection, threw in a couple of thousand more to have her in that specific outfit.”
“How soon until collection?” he asked, trying to make his voice come out neutral and not like his worst nightmare was about to come true.
“Turns out he was in the area,” Henry replied. “He’ll be here in less than thirty minutes, and he wants her in the dress, tiara, and heels included, with arousal gel applied. Wants her all needy and pleading when he gets here.”
If he could, Mateo would punch that smirk right off Henry’s face. Instead, he nodded. “I’ll have her reapply her makeup as well, then get her dressed and into a holding room.”
“Going to be sad to see this one go.” Henry’s leering gaze lingered over every inch of Ally’s naked body, and to her credit, his girl didn't flinch or cover herself, even though he could feel her growing panic, and that urge to slam a fist into Henry’s face grew stronger.
The second the door closed behind Henry, Ally grabbed him. “Don’t make me do this, please. Isn't there another way?”
If there was, he’d take it.
That’s what he’d been about to tell her before Henry interrupted them. That he’d realized justice wasn't big things, it was just doing the right thing. And the right thing would have been trying to get Ally out earlier, instead of being so afraid of everything that could have gone wrong.
It sounded odd because obviously his job was one great big gigantic risk, yet he didn't like taking risks. He was a cautious guy, he carefully looked through every potential outcome before he made decisions, and he took the safe route wherever possible, in all things other than his job.
Now Ally was paying the price for his fears.
“I’m sorry, little mouse, I can't do that,” he said, his voice breaking on the last word. It was too late to do anything now but follow through with the path he’d set them on.
“I don’t think I can do this,” Ally whimpered, tears trailing down her cheeks, messing up her makeup.
“You can, baby, I know you can.” Taking her elbow, Mateo guided her back to the bathroom.
Inside, she just stood there, staring blankly into space, clearly in shock as the horror of her situation sank in. Picking up a cloth, he ran it under the water, then began to wipe away the mascara trails. When he had her face clean, he gave her shoulders a gentle shake.
“Stay with me, little mouse,” he pleaded. “Just a little longer and you’ll be safe.”
“What if he hurts me?” she asked, those huge, tear-drenched eyes of hers staring up at him.
“I will get to my boss as soon as I can, before the day’s out. Most of the buyers are from overseas, so chances are you won't even be in the same country he comes from by then. Falcon will get a team together immediately and move in to rescue you.”
“But not you. You're not coming,” she said as though the idea pained her.
