The Payback (Team Zulu 2)

When Sage moaned and tightened her thighs around me, I became more interested in teasing her hardened nipple than explaining my plans.

“You need to quit doing that,” she said with as much conviction as a starving person refusing a banquet.

“Because it tickles?”

“Yes, but also because I can’t think straight.”

Perfect. My plan to keep her from overanalyzing this new situation between us was working. I leaned low and took her breast in my mouth, which must’ve been the right thing to do, because Sage’s hand clutched my hair and held me in place.

“I thought you were going to stop,” she whispered with a breathy sigh.

“I never agreed to that. I have no plans to stop pleasuring you anytime soon.”

“Okay,” she said sweetly. “Talk, then.”

This was a challenge to my multitasking skills. I cupped her breast and circled the pebbled skin with my tongue. “Once we’re through security we’re free to roam the ballroom.” Another lick. “We find our way to the restrooms. At the end stall, you’ll find a waterproof bag containing a loaded pistol and a cell phone inside the cistern.”

Sage yanked my head back, her blissed-out expression replaced with one of disgust. “Are you telling me I have to shove my hand inside a toilet?”

“Don’t go all prissy on me now. The water in the top tank is clean. Just make sure your dress has short sleeves. Which reminds me. I have people from a boutique coming here tomorrow with a selection of formalwear.”

Sage released her hold on my head and slumped back into the pillows until she stared at the ceiling. “Shit’s getting real, isn’t it?” She turned to face me. “In forty-eight hours, this whole thing will be over one way or another.”

I nodded. Neither of us needed reminding that the two most likely outcomes of the ball were Dante being incarcerated or us getting caught, although I refused to consider the latter. “There’ll only be one way, Sage. The other isn’t an option.”

“Has that confidence ever let you down?”

I knew Sage didn’t mean anything by her comment and it was just another gibe at my arrogance, but it hit a little too close to home. The memory of receiving the news that Janie’s body had been found flashed through my mind. I blinked it away, but not fast enough for Sage to miss it.

She shot up and rolled half her body on top of mine. Her soft palm stroked my jaw. “Hey.”

At Sage’s gentle word, my eyes shifted to hers.

“I didn’t mean to upset you. All we can do is our best.”

I remained silent, pondering all the ways I could’ve done better by Janie.

“You’re thinking about your sister, aren’t you?”

I nodded.

“Then remember this.” She tapped a finger on my chest. “Once we have Dante and all those scumbags behind bars, they’ll be interrogated until you have the answers you need. One of them will squeal to reduce their sentence. All loyalties will be forgotten when the Wolf Street Mob has no money, power, or friends left.”

I nodded because she was right. If what I suspected was correct, Dante and his men were only one cog in the trafficking racket. Ultimately, what I needed were the international connections who’d enabled the transport of Janie and other women overseas, and most importantly, the lowlifes who were purchasing them for their own fucked-up pleasures. I wouldn’t be satisfied until every one of them was six feet under.

“So, what are you going to do when you solve her case?” Sage asked, full of optimism as though finding those responsible were inevitable. I wasn’t so sure.

“It’ll initiate a much bigger investigation. Like you, I’m not only seeking answers for myself. It doesn’t sit well with me that other women are suffering. Or that their families are going through what mine has. If I get the intel I need, I’ll start tracking those sons of bitches, put a team of guys together, and end their operation. It feels like the right thing to do.”

“It also sounds expensive.”

“Didn’t you know?” I smirked. “After the masquerade, Dante will become our unwilling benefactor. As soon as he’s taken into custody, I’ll drain his offshore accounts in a matter of minutes. Actually, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”

Sage gave a slight nod.

“Once this is over, there’s a lot more work to be done. I’ll be busy hunting the traffickers. I could use your help to identify the victims of Dante’s crimes and coordinate a program to provide compensation. Plenty of businesses have been driven into the ground because of the Wolf Street Mob’s ruthlessness. I’d like to see Dante’s billions go toward getting them back on their feet. And for those who’ve lost loved ones, money won’t bring them back, but it could help ease their burden.”

“That’s”—Sage blinked and shook her head—“Wow, you’ve really put a lot of thought into this.”