Page 36 of Matrix

“Just be patient. These guys want what we want. They don’t like having trafficking scum in their backyards any more than we do. Our mission is the same.”

“You’re right. It’s just hard to hold back another minute when I’ve had to wait months for any viable leads.”

“I know, which is why you need to stay calm. We need to get invited into that barn so we can at least watch the interrogation.”

“But I want to talk to them myself.”

“Of course. However, that might not happen right away.”

“I understand.”

“Good.” I gently pry her arms loose before pulling her close. She slides her hands down my back and rests them on my waist. Having her wrapped around me like this feels right. I don’t know why I like her so damn much, but it’s impossible to ignore our connection.

“Okay, lovebirds. Acid says you can come in.” Moose waves us over to the barn.

“Remember what I said,” I whisper so only she can hear me.

“I will. If things get crazy in there, will you freak out and kill someone again?” she asks softly.

“No. I don’t know what the hell happened to make me disassociate like that, but it’s not going to be a problem tonight.”

“Glad to hear it.” She softly squeezes my hand as we walk past Moose into the barn.

Inside, it’s dim, lit only by a single, naked lightbulb hanging over two trussed-up men. It’s hard to tell they’re guys anymore because their faces are bloody pulps. Unfortunately, they’re also completely exposed, so there’s no question we’re dealing with a couple of dickheads.

“Welcome to the party,” Acid says, holding up his bloody hands. “I’d shake, but I’m in the middle of something.”

“I can see that. I’d like you to meet Daisy, my old lady.”

Acid smirks at me because he knows I’m lying. Scar told me that Acid’s the only member of the Denver chapter in on Daisy’s secret. It was Acid’s idea to keep it quiet.

“Stay back, and you won’t get blood on you,” he tells her.

“I’m not afraid of a few stains,” she counters.

“Spunky. I like it.” Acid cracks his neck before returning his attention to the traffickers. “These two fucks were just telling us about their gang, Los Serpientes de Cristal. That’s who you’re working for, right?”

The guy on the left nods but doesn’t bother opening his swollen, blood-crusted eyes.

“Where are the girls?” Daisy asks.

“Safe. Our club girls are getting them cleaned up and fed. They’ll never have to see these fuckers’ faces again.” Acid spits on the guy on the right.

“No one’s ever going to see their ugly mugs after tonight,” Moose says.

“We suspected they were part of the cartel, but what else have they told you?” Daisy asks.

Acid arches a brow, but I keep my face neutral. So far, he hasn’t told her to keep her mouth shut, so I’m not going to step in.

“A local politician bought one of the girls. She won’t be joining that piece of shit tonight.” Acid grabs a bottle of water and dumps it over his head. Grime and blood trickle down his square face before dripping off his long beard. He takes a long swig of what’s left before tossing the bottle aside.

“Acid, would it be possible if I asked them a question?” The meek, sweet tone in Daisy’s voice catches me by surprise.

“What is it?”

“I want to know if they’ve ever seen this girl.” She opens the photo app on her phone to a picture of her sister. In the photo, the girl is smiling and happy, and it breaks my heart to know she may be caught up in Blackstone’s sick world of perversion.

“Go ahead and show them,” Acid says.