Page 106 of Sweet Deception

My stomach drops. I scan the room for clues, and that’s when I see it. A neatly folded note on her perfectly made bed.

“I’ll call you back.” The lifeless words fall from my mouth as I end our conversation and grab the note.

They’re moving the girls tonight. I can’t wait for Shane to decide whether their lives matter to him or not. I’m sorry to go like this, but I made a promise.

“Fucking hell!” My roar brings my father running.

“She’s gone?” he asks from the doorway behind me.

“Don’t.” My voice goes deadly quiet. “Don’t say you were right.”

I’m already in motion. If she knows they’re moving the girls tonight, she must have tracker data on the transport locations.

She’s going after Lucy.

And she’ll most definitely get herself killed.

Unless I find her first.

And when I do, she won’t have to worry about anyone else, because I’m going to strangle her myself.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

With trembling hands, I smooth down my evening gown, my grandmother’s cross concealed beneath the fabric. Standing among the other women and girls set to be auctioned off tonight is surreal.

We’re corralled in what appears to be an executive conference room, but there are no chairs or tables in sight. It’s basically a zoo enclosure, with throngs of anxious women milling about with varying degrees of fear behind their expertly dolled-up faces. The marble floor amplifies the click of high heels and nervous whispers.

The experience was a whirlwind, but I made it.

I couldn’t interrupt the transport, but setbacks and all, I managed to sneak into this auction.

Truthfully, though, my nerves are fried, and my mind keeps returning to Darren.

I tried to confide in him. To trust him. But we were out of time, and doing things the Kings way might’ve gotten these women killed. I owe it to Lucy, Maya, and everyone here to at least attemptto prioritize their lives.

After using Piro to get off the estate—I told the gate guard I’d been cleared to leave the premises because my cat neededa vet—I found a taxi and traveled straight to Mrs. Guseva’s for money, clothes, a ride, and a good scolding.

Whether I survive the mission or not, leaving Piro with her makes the most sense.

I could hardly leave my kitty with the Kings, betray them, and then swing back to grab him and expect to escape without a bullet to the brain.

Mrs. Guseva and I came up with a great way to sneak me into the summit. She posed as a vendor delivering luxury tea and accessories to the event, and I pulled the same trick I did at the wedding.

Infiltrate as a member of the waitstaff, find the women, then change into this dress to camouflage myself among the abducted.

I keep my eyes downcast yet alert.

I’m trying not to panic, but I still haven’t seen Lucy anywhere.

It’s difficult to assess how much the women know about where they are.

Some still seem to think they’re at a modeling summit, which must mean not everyone here was kidnapped and thrown into the back of a blackout van the way Lucy was. Maybe that’s why they’re keeping her separate from this group.

On the far wall, lit by three small, postmodern, asymmetrical lighting elements, grand double doors stand locked and ominous. A sign posted beside them readsViewing Roomin a regal, serifed font.

Every so often, the doors swing open from the other side, and I’m able to glimpse women standing on short blocks while men in expensive suits circle them from below, examining their bodies like merchandise.

It sickens me, but I can’t allow myself to be distracted.