Page 59 of Dichotomy

I pressed my palms into my eyes. Those poor women. We’d had to stop searching for them because we’d had too many other cases. I thought the FIA would handle it. But they were part of the problem.

“We had no idea, boss,” Maya said. “I’m pulling the Miller case and sending it to you now.” With Izzy in the hospital withGrace and Danny, Maya had really stepped up, and I was so grateful for them.

“We need to call in the others,” Sebastian said. “I’ve just decrypted the rest of these files. It’s full of evidence implicating the director and the judge in a nation-wide trafficking ring.”

“Why the fuck would he keep a file like that?” Liam added.

I laughed, but there was no humor in the sound. “Blackmail. A mutually assured destruction in case one turned on the other.”

Liam cursed. “Yeah, we need a plan, and fast. In the most recent email exchange between them, the judge talks about the next shipment coming through and how it needs to go smoothly. With the recent arrest of their supplier—I think they’re talking about Miller here—their friend will lose confidence, and nothing good will happen if that happens. The director then replies and assures the judge he will be there personally to ensure it goes smoothly.”

Another shipment of women? Anger stirred, coiling tight beneath my ribs.

“I’m calling Alex,” Sebastian murmurs, pulling out his phone.

A few minutes later, Alexander, Marcus, and Adrian walked into the room. Adrian came to me immediately and pulled me into his arms. My muscles stiffened, but then I sank into his arms, trying to hold it together. This had been happening right under my own nose. In my fucking city!

Liam and Sebastian filled them in while I inhaled Adrian’s pine and rain scent.

“We need to reach out to Detective Patel,” Alexander said when they were finished. “I think we need to turn this over to the police. This is bigger than we thought.”

“No.” I turned in Adrian’s arms. He didn’t let me step away, looping an arm around my waist and pulling me back into his chest. “If there’s a federal judge involved, the local police may be compromised. Not Detective Patel, but there’s no way they’vebeen operating in this city without someone in the local police knowing.”

“She’s right,” Marcus said. “This is bigger than us or the local police.”

“We need to bring someone in at the federal level. In the federal justice department. But who?” Sebastian asked.

I bit my lip. “I think it’s time for us to call Agent Hayes and see if he’s all in.”

CHAPTER 25

EVELYN

Dominic had been called back to Washington, so he wasn’t able to meet until Sunday. So that left me with a full day of nothing to do, because the guys refused to let me work on Saturday. It was killing me not to do anything, but I knew this was bigger than us. I didn’t want to make a move too early and risk these assholes getting away and hurting more women. I would be patient, even if it killed me.

To keep me busy, Marcus took me to the hospital that morning, so I could check in with Izzy and Danny. Grace still hadn’t woken yet, though the doctors said she was being slowly weaned off sedation and that it could happen any day now. Her body had been through hell, and it needed time.

I understood that.

But damn if I didn’t need her right now.

On the way home, Marcus took me to one of my favorite coffee shops, Chocolate Chasings, and got me an orange mocha. I was savoring every sip so much that I almost didn’t notice when he missed the exit back to the penthouse.

“I thought we were going home?” I frowned. The guys said we were having a lazy day this afternoon.

“We are,” Marcus smiled.

“The penthouse is that way?” I pointed behind us.

“I know.”

I frowned at him. “Are you kidnapping me? Because you said I couldn’t get kidnapped anymore.”

He barked out a surprised laugh. “I’m not kidnapping you. At least, not really. It’s a surprise.”

“I hate surprises,” I grumbled.

“We know. Because you’re so used to bad surprises. But this is a good surprise. Promise.”