Desire Protected Read online

  “You okay to handle this?” Gavin clasped his shoulder.

  “I’ll be fine, especially once I see the girls go free.” His clients in this case were nameless but he prayed he’d get them out of their prison tonight and back to their families. Countless others who had yet to be taken would be saved tonight as well.

  Thank God, Nadia no longer had to see the horrors he faced. She’d already seen enough of his business. Their arrangement kept a part of their lives separate but it kept her safe and that was all that mattered.

  “You can find your way from here?” he asked Clair.

  “Yes, I’ll be fine. Call me when it’s done.” She stood and walked out.

  Aidan followed her out. When he came back to the table, he said, “Terry’s making sure she stays gone.”

  “How do you plan to verify her claims?” Gavin asked.

  “I can have my team add surveillance outside the club today.” Ethan thanked his lucky stars he was currently fully staffed.

  “Since we can’t contact the agency directly to verify her operation, I’ll reach out to my friends at in the Justice Department,” Max said. “Human trafficking is a hot topic. Someone is bound to know something.”

  “Thanks.” Ethan rolled his shoulders.

  All four men pounded their knuckles on the table and left in opposite directions.

  Once outside, he dragged cool air into his lungs. He would give about anything to restart his day, to be back at Nadia’s, to pull her body flush against his. Just the thought of her, knowing he would have her in his arms again, gave him enough to push through crappy days like this one. He climbed into his car and on the way to the city, he called her.

  “Hello.” Nadia’s sweet voice warmed him all over.

  “Hi, honey. I’ve got a client who needs me tonight.” He rubbed his knee.

  “Oh.” Her voice came out quiet and small.

  “I’m going to have to reschedule our dinner.” He felt like a jerk.

  “I understand.”

  “How about we go out for lunch tomorrow?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Sure, we haven’t done that in a long time. I’ll even pick the food truck.”

  “Sounds like a date.” Her silky tone stroked along his senses.

  “Nadia.”

  “I’m still here.”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Hours later, after a shitty day at the office and not a single bit of corroborating evidence, Ethan walked into the strip club. The only thing his surveillance cameras had picked up on so far was the type of clientele. This wasn’t the typical nightclub. His high-end suit would fit in quite well.

  The place was hopping with high rollers. He wondered if any of them had any idea what this place was really after. There was plenty of money to be made from pretty women taking off their clothes, but it paled in comparison to selling them as sex slaves. He cracked his knuckles. It would all end tonight if he found anything that confirmed the claim.

  He strolled around the various stages and bars. It seemed swanky for a place that stole women and sold them to the highest bidder. From the chandeliers to the intimate seating areas, it resembled more of a classy hotel than a strip club. The dancers were even finishing their time on stage without taking off their panties. It appeared tasteful, fashionable even. Several couples were arriving to enjoy the sexy scene together.

  Could Clair have it all wrong? What did he really have to go on? Her word was all he had. His team and Max’s contacts gave him nothing to go on. Too bad he couldn’t march into her offices and ask. No matter how necessary his work was it was still illegal and she knew it.

  His stomach rolled. If the place was what she claimed, it put on a pretty face as a ruse, the perfect cover for a disgusting reality. Scum in any covering was still scum. Tonight, he’d take out anyone responsible for stealing lives.

  He walked to the bar and ordered a gin and tonic. While he waited, he made note of the entrances and exits. There appeared to be only two, one at the front and one at the back. Both were flanked with a couple of large bouncers. The rear door must lead to private rooms. Several of the dancers were escorting customers back and forth.

  The bartender placed his drink in front of him. He tossed it back. The chilly pine rolled down his throat. If he was going to get in the back without creating a commotion, he’d have to pick a dancer. He clenched his knee.

  “Not finding what you like?”

  He shifted in his seat and found a tall woman with blonde hair and way too much makeup. He leaned away, too much perfume as well. “I guess I’m a bit picky.”

  “A few more of my girls are about to come out.” She rested her hand on his arm and then stroked his wool and silk suit. He imagined her calculating what she could get out of a man who wore Brioni. She’d get a bullet in her temple if she was a trafficker. “Let me know if they’re not what you’re looking for. I have more.” She pointed to the back doorway. “You can have anything you desire back there. Just tell one of the guys Bev said you could have a private viewing.”

  “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. I like to make sure my customers get exactly what they want. There is no preference we won’t cater to.” As she walked away, she dragged her touch along his thigh.

  His grip constricted around his glass. This night couldn’t be over soon enough.

  Chapter Three

  After her worthless day at work, Nadia sat on her sofa with a large glass of wine and her e-reader. Instead of focusing on her lengthy list of interviews today at work, several of which she’d have to redo, she’d opened that damn app and watched Aidan. After leaving Evanston, he’d gone to work and stayed there. No matter how many times she checked, his little blue dot stayed over the same building.

  Either she was going crazy or the app was broken. Asking Sam about it was out of the question since she was supposed to have deleted the app. She should delete it right now before she looked at it again. He was with his client. She had nothing to worry about.

  Her phone lay on the table waiting for her to make the right decision.

  She took a sip of her wine, then set it down and grabbed her phone. One more look at his blue dot and then she’d delete the app. What harm could it cause after all her checks today?

  She rubbed her palm on her robe, and then opened the app. After entering his phone number, the map appeared. It blinked over an entirely different part of Chicago. She pressed on the little circle and an address for a strip club appeared.

  “That fucker.” She stared at the address. “A client meeting, huh.” She tossed her phone and stomped off to her closet. This she’d have to see for herself.

  Clad in her shortest skirt, tallest stilettos, and cutest cleavage baring shirt, she strutted into the club. The bouncers took one look at her and opened the door. Once inside, she kept to the edge of the room.

  The place was quite nice. Dramatic lighting, set off by nude tones, highlighted the many stages. The woman dancing on the platform closest to her was talented. She eased though her steps, stretching and contracting her body. Dynamics in the music were brought to life with her interpretation. This wasn’t just some strip club, each of the ladies on stage were performing.

  She examined the room. Many of the seats were filled with men but many of them were sitting with what seemed like dates. She observed the bar. Yes, this place attracted couples and singles. The discovery didn’t make her feel any better about the situation. What if Ethan had come here with that blonde? Her stomach rolled.

  She searched the room. He had to be here somewhere. Finally, she spotted him across the room. He strolled to the two bouncers at a doorway in the back. They said something to him and then they let him through.

  “Now what?” She looked to the exit. Countless times he warned her about the risks of his jobs. It had even kept them apart for a time. She couldn’t imagine he would be pleased to find her here. But what if he wasn’t here for a client? She wo
uld not lose him because she wasn’t strong enough. He was worth the risk.

  She flipped her hair behind her shoulders and pushed out her boobs as she made her way to the back doorway. Again the bouncers took one look at her and let her pass. Her breathing eased. She had this. It was all about acting like you belonged. She could pretend long enough to make sure Ethan remained hers. Who knows, maybe they would even have fun with it. Or maybe she was giving him another reason to paddle her bottom. She licked her bottom lip. It was kind of exciting.

  A new song blared through the room. It was the newest dance tune. She shook her shoulders and strutted down the hallway of doors. The first couple doors were painted the same dreamy nude shade as the club, but farther down they were all painted black.

  A woman came out of one of the rooms with a black door. She had long blonde hair. What was with all the blondes?

  “Well, hello there.” The woman was probably once beautiful but, with all the makeup and too much plastic surgery, it was hard to tell. “You better be one of my new girls or I’ll have one of my guys throw you out. You can’t be back here without an escort.” She tapped away on her phone. “This new guy lets anything in a skirt back here.”

  “I’m one of your new girls.” Nadia shrugged her shoulders.

  “Fine.” She slid her phone into her pocket. “You can call me Bev.” Her smile disappeared. “I have a hard-to-please customer tonight, if you can make him happy, I’ll have a reward for you tonight.” She grabbed Nadia’s arm and pushed her to the room she’d just left.

  “A customer?” Shit! Nadia leaned back.

  “Don’t be nervous. Get in there. I’ll be watching, make it good.” She pointed to the cameras in the hall. “I have these everywhere. Don’t worry about being too loud. No one will hear you but me and my security crew. Remember, the only way you get the reward is if you please him.” She squeezed her arm hard enough that Nadia knew she’d have a bruise. “Understand?”

  Nadia nodded, not knowing what else she could do. Thankfully, the woman let her go. Nadia grabbed the door handle and took a deep breath.

  “Time’s a wasting. My deal won’t be open forever and my deals are quite something.” She stepped back and crossed her arms.

  Maybe this woman would walk away once she got inside the room with the customer. Nadia tugged at her top. All she needed to do was get in the room, apologize to the customer, and then make a run for it. Coming here had been stupid. If she left quickly, Ethan would never know she’d been there.

  A step inside and she knew she’d made the wrong decision.

  Ethan stood and came at her. “What are you doing here?”

  “Ah.” She pushed the door closed behind her and stayed put. “I’m ah…”

  “How did you get in here?”

  “I took a cab. You’re busy. I’ll just get back in a cab and go home.” She turned around.

  He stepped in behind her and placed his hand on the door above her head. “Don’t make another move.” He kicked her feet apart and pressed his body to hers.

  She stared at the door. An ache rushed from her chest to the back of her throat, and then she heard a tiny little click.

  He pulled her hair back and brought his lips to her ear. “They can still see us but our voices are blocked for thirty seconds.”

  She had no idea what to say to him. Many times they discussed how dangerous it would be for her to get caught up in his business. “I’m sorry.” What a pathetic thing to say. She knew better.

  “You followed me here?”

  “I did.” Her stupid jealousy had gotten her here. She felt like a child. Maybe she should be punished like one. She tapped her head on the door.

  “We’ll have a long talk about this when we get home.”

  “I understand, Sir.” Her voice came out crackly.

  “How did you find my room?”

  “I may have told this second blonde woman I just started working here.” She wanted to crawl under the table.

  “You did what?” His tone had gotten awfully low. “What do you mean second blonde?”

  “Shit.” She tapped her head on the door again. Then she remembered the cameras. “I’m supposed to be in here making you happy.”

  “You’ve failed.”

  “Hey!” She turned around and he plastered himself to her.

  “You have no idea the kind of danger you’re in this very minute.”

  “From you? Yeah, I have an idea.”

  “I’m the least of your worries. I’m working tonight.”

  She sucked in a deep breath. Her heartbeat raced. “I’m so sorry.” Not only had she betrayed her promise to Ethan, but she’d put both their lives in danger.

  He put his hand around her throat and squeezed. “Shhh.” He stroked along the back of her neck. His touch may have been gentle but his palm pushed her head back, bringing her gaze to his. “Follow my lead and I’ll get you out of here, but first I will make good use of our time.” His beautiful hazel eyes turned dark as night.

  “Okay.” She trusted him and believed with her whole heart he’d get her out of this situation. A tiny click signaled the end to their privacy.

  “Are you sure about that?” He hauled her back to the couch where he’d been sitting and pulled her over his lap.

  “What are you doing?” She kicked her legs.

  “You need to make me happy, wouldn’t want you getting fired on your first day.” He flipped up her skirt and yanked down her panties.

  “Wouldn’t you rather have a lap dance or something?” She twisted her upper body but he pushed her back down and whacked her ass.

  “I like my playthings submissive and you’re not doing a good job of making me happy.” He rubbed over the sting. “You’ll have to be punished now.”

  “I’m so screwed.”

  “If you’re lucky.” He squeezed both cheeks, and then spanked her ass repeatedly.

  “Ouch!” A burning ache simmered at the surface. Underneath, her body felt like it was boiling over. Searing heat woke tenderness all over from the tips of her breasts and straight to her clit but it was her center that craved his attention.

  The ugly blonde woman stormed into the room. “How’s it going in here?”

  Nadia froze and Ethan cupped her ass. She wanted to think he was covering her, not that she deserved it.

  “Will this one do? Or would you like to see one of my other girls?”

  “She’s fine. I like it when they struggle a little.” He tugged on her hair and she arched back to relieve the pain.

  “When you’re done with her, I can bring you one of the others. We have quite a menu here. No matter your taste. One of the others may be more pliable to your preferences than this one.” As she walked out, she pointed to the cameras in the corners. “Remember, girl. Someone is always watching. You better please your daddy.”

  ****

  Once she was gone, Ethan returned to spanking her ass. Over and over he smacked the softest parts of her bottom. He rubbed over both cheeks, spreading the fire. “You want me to touch your pussy, don’t you?” Hell, it was all he could think about.

  “Oh, yes. Please, Sir.” She spread her legs apart.

  “I don’t think so.” He wacked her one last time. Playing with her ass any more would put him in danger of forgetting why he was there. It was time to get Nadia out of the building and somewhere safe. He flipped her skirt back down. “Maybe if you take that pretty rosy ass out to the main part of the club and dance, I might reconsider. Come on now, up you go.” He prayed Nadia worked with him. If they played their cards right, he’d have her back in the main part of the club where she could make her exit.

  “Thank you for giving me another chance, Sir.” She stood on shaky legs and pulled up her panties.

  “You’re doing fine.” He caressed her cheek. She was the most precious thing in the world to him. It would kill him if his work ever touched her again. He’d have to determine the cause of her jealousy and do what he could to diminish
any worries she had. That was a task for later. Right now, he needed to get her out of there. “I am looking forward to seeing you dance.” He opened the door and pulled her behind him.

  “Not so fast, Mr. Fancy.” Bev stood in the hall and pointed a gun at them. “I’ve seen your type before. You will not steal this girl from me. If you want her, you’ll have to pay for her like all the others. I won’t allow you to make any sideline deals. All transactions go through me.”

  “I want to see her dance.” He kept a hold on Nadia. “Surely you don’t want to stop me from seeing the merchandise.” He took a quick glance at the gun. The slide was locked back. There was no way of knowing if she knew how to get the gun ready to fire.

  “I have plenty of girls available for sale. This one is new and clearly doesn’t understand our protocol. Let me get her in the back, and then you and I can talk about how we do things around here.” She crooked her finger at Nadia. “Come on, girl.”

  Nadia slipped from his grip and stepped around him. “It’s okay, Sir. I’ll go, and then you and Bev can take care of business.” She kissed his cheek and gazed into his eyes. He spotted her strong furrowed brow. He also didn’t miss the beads of sweat along her temple. It didn’t please him to see the clear signs of fear but, in the right amount and mixed with her strength, it could be what she needed to survive a night like this.

  He ground his teeth as she walked out of his reach.

  “Get down to the end of the hall. One of the guys back there will show you where to go.” Bev kept her gun trained on Ethan.

  Once Nadia was out of his line of sight, he backed farther into the room. “Let’s talk.” Now, he would get the confirmation he needed. “How much?”

  “You understand she’s not broken, yet?”

  He took a deep breath. The thought had his stomach curling. “I prefer to break my slaves myself.” He had no problem taking the conversation down the rabbit hole if it got him the information he needed.

  “Well then, you just talked me into a discount.” She lowered the gun. It wasn’t her first mistake. “It’ll still cost you though. My slaves aren’t cheap even if I haven’t had to break them down, but she’ll be yours from this point forward. We guarantee all our girls are free and clear. No one will come looking for her. She’ll be yours to Master.”