Page 166 of The Vigilante's Lover

When the elevator opened, we were led to a wide sitting room. Fredrick sat us down and offered us drinks.

While he moved behind a bar, another man joined us and introduced himself as Amin, the head trainer. I could tell by his dress and demeanor that neither he nor our bald escort was the one we sought.

“Would you like to meet a few of the women?” Amin asked. “Your opinion of them will help us narrow your choices.”

“Of course,” I said. “Will there be a proper setting?” I knew the bunker must be a labyrinth of rooms, as there was only one door out of this sitting area. We had not been examined for weapons yet, so clearly we had another check to go through before we were even close to the women or their owner.

“Yes,” he said. “Would you like to take a drink with them or see them set up in a play dungeon?”

One of my Phase Threes shifted uncomfortably. I was right to have chosen to go on this mission. They weren’t ready.

“My tastes are very exacting,” I said.

“I have three girls who fit the profile you sent us,” Amin said.

“Let me see them all and select one for the dungeon,” I said. This way I could get the layout of the bunker.

“Very well,” he said. “And what of your companions?”

“They are my bodyguards and scouts,” I said. “They don’t need to come with me.”

“Excellent. You may leave any weapons here with them.” He nodded at Fredrick.

This was what I expected. I pulled a standard Glock from my inside coat pocket and laid it on the table in front of the Phase Threes. Everything so far was according to plan.

Fredrick approached the only door and pressed his palm to a lock. The Phase Threes would anticipate this and take necessary measures to ensure that I could make a hasty exit when it was time. None of the menwe were meeting were going to survive this day. No one in this sort of business should.

Amin stayed behind, and Fredrick led the way.

The next room was similar in decor and style to the previous. Two sofas, a bar, and this time two additional doors. A beefy man in a black suit stood in one corner. When we entered, he approached and used a wand to check for any weapons.

“So sorry for the inconvenience,” Fredrick said. “We must keep our girls safe.”

“Understood,” I said. None of the dart guns on my body would be found by a metal detector or a pat down. All were encased in very ordinary items. A wallet, a cell phone, a money clip, and a plastic case of tobacco.

I doubted I would need to use them. Everyone here was armed, and I could use their own weapons on them.

“You may meet the girls with no obligation whatsoever,” Fredrick said. “If you would like to try one, a deposit will ensure her safety and our continued willingness to do business.”

“Transfer what you require from the account,” I said.

“Excellent,” he said. “That is being handled now.” He paused for a second, listening to the earpiece. Obviously the room was monitored.

“Everything is in order,” he said. “Let me bring in the girls. You can take one or choose them all for the playroom.”

A door to the left slid open and three women demurely walked in. Their appearance and behavior could not have been any more different from the girls in the front room upstairs. They sat with elegance and poise on the sofa. All wore soft white dresses and ballerina flats.

“This is Elise, Ana, and Shantelle,” Fredrick said.

“May I talk to them a moment?” I asked.

“Of course.” Fredrick gestured to a chair. “Take all the time you need.”

I glanced at the bar. “Maybe the ladies would like a littlechampagne. Would you?” I asked them as I sat down.

They all nodded, gentle smiles that were neither too fake nor too genuine. All had varying degrees of blond to light brown hair. All were slender and medium height. If they could provide three to match this description so exactly, how many women were back there?

“Do you have others?” I asked Fredrick as he moved behind the bar.