Forever Hidden (Forever Bluegrass #2) (22 page)

Sydney leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “Thank you. You’re a good friend. Come visit me soon.”

“Only if I get to exclusively shoot your next collection as modeled by you,” Patrick teased, but the laughter wasn’t there. His eyes were as troubled as hers.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Sydney told him as she squeezed his hand. Patrick turned to placate the models as Sydney headed to find Zain. Two security guards fell into line behind her.

Zain looked up from where he was talking to a group of women and immediately excused himself. “What is it?” he asked as he escorted her from the room.

Sydney filled him in as they smiled and took their leave of the party. The next one was where Deacon was . . . and also Teddy.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Deacon had arrived at the party for the large department store that carried Teddy Brown’s designs. He had spotted the designer talking quietly with a man upon entering the room. Deacon watched as the man nodded to Teddy and then left. Deacon made his way around the room, pretending to drink the signature drink while talking football and money. Good manners said you were never supposed to talk money, but somehow if you said “investments,” it became perfectly acceptable economics.

Deacon knew the minute Sydney walked into the room. He felt her before he saw her. When he turned, he saw her smiling, but her eyes didn’t light up like they did when she smiled for him. Something was wrong.

“There’s my buddy Zain. Excuse me.” Deacon grinned to the man he had been talking to, a perfume designer for a big name brand.

“Zain!” Deacon waved. Sydney looked briefly relieved before her fake smile resettled on her face.

“Dean. There you are. Let me introduce you to my friend, Sydney Davies,” Zain said loud enough to draw the attention of most everyone in the room.

“A pleasure to meet such a beautiful and talented woman.” Deacon smiled as he took Sydney’s hand and placed a kiss on her knuckles.

Deacon spoke softly and quickly before anyone else joined them. “Teddy is acting strange. A man came in and they went over to the side of the room, whispered, and then the man left. Look, here he comes again.”

Zain, Sydney, and Deacon watched the middle-aged man in jeans and a black sweater make eye contact with Teddy, who smiled and quickly excused himself from the group to talk to the man. With their heads close together, it was hard to hear what they were talking about before the man nodded his head and turned to leave once again. Deacon observed Teddy in his worn jeans and a torn T-shirt, layered under a super-fitted sports jacket as Zain told him what Patrick had said. Teddy’s red hair was slicked back, and his face seemed worried beneath the fashionable beard he sported as he looked around the room.

“Time’s up. Teddy just saw Sydney,” Deacon murmured before stumbling forward to wrap his arm around her shoulder as he pretended to hit on her.

Zain grinned and said loudly, “I was just teasing, Dean. We went to college together, and he had the biggest crush on you. He didn’t believe me when I told him we were friends.”

“And it only took you how long to introduce her to her future husband?” Deacon laughed. He wasn’t laughing when he felt the way Sydney’s breathing hitched at the word
husband
, though.

“Sydney! I didn’t know you were coming.” Teddy smiled somewhat tightly.

“I couldn’t spoil the surprise of the first of my new line.” Sydney smiled as she kissed both of Teddy’s cheeks.

“And it’s gorgeous!”

“Thank you, Teddy,” Syd said sweetly. Deacon saw Teddy looking to Zain and then himself. “Oh, let me introduce you. This is my friend from home who is nice enough to escort me to some of these parties, Zain Ali Rahman. This other man is Zain’s friend, Dean, and apparently he’s going to be my husband.”

The group laughed, but Deacon took pleasure in hearing the word
husband
come from Sydney. Teddy didn’t waste any time in grabbing Sydney’s hand. “Come see my new line, and tell me what you think.”

Deacon watched as Sydney walked over to the wall where a display had been set up. Teddy whispered a lot and Sydney’s lips grew taut. “You think it could be him?” Deacon asked Zain as they slowly made their way to the bar to pretend to have another drink.

“He sure isn’t acting normal. Let’s see what he and Patrick are like at the next party we go to.” Zain looked at his watch and cursed. “We need to get to it, or it will look like we’re following them.”

Deacon kept an eye on Teddy and Sydney. “It doesn’t look like they’re in a hurry.”

Deacon toyed with his drink as he saw the mystery man walk back into the room. He slowly approached Syd and Teddy. Once Teddy saw him, he smiled at Sydney and excused himself. Sydney took her time posing for pictures and chatting up the owners of the large store before making her way to the bar.

“We have to go,” Zain said through smiling lips. “We’re way behind schedule.” Zain slipped his arm around Sydney as they made their way out of the room and farther down the hall.

“What did Teddy say?” Deacon asked once they were out of earshot.

“It was weird. He was asking me about Patrick and if I had talked with him. He said he heard someone say they saw us together. I told Teddy I just saw Patrick at The Glitz party and that he seemed to be doing well,” Sydney said, sounding distracted. “But then he asked about a model he had discovered at his clothing casting. He said he sent her to Patrick for some photographs and never heard back from her. Then he asked about the email I sent. He wanted to know what it was about.”

“So, he’s casting blame on Patrick, and Patrick’s casting blame on Teddy,” Zain said with wonder.

“Who was the guy who came up at the end?” Deacon asked as they slowed their steps so they wouldn’t be overheard by a group of people in front of them.

“I don’t know. But as soon as Teddy saw him, he told me he had to go.”

Deacon looked at his phone. “Both of them should be at the party we’re going to now. Then Zain and I have to leave you once the game starts.” Deacon nodded to the security guard carrying a small satchel containing $100,000 of traceable money. Zain and Deacon had fronted it, but the FBI had marked it and even tagged the bundle with a GPS chip that was less than half the size of a dime.

“If it is Teddy, I played it up that I was just using you for attention tonight and that Dean is some sleazy rich guy who just wants to earn a trophy on his bedpost. Sorry,” Sydney said with a wink to him. “I’ll be at the two parties we planned, and I will have security with me. Okay, game time.” Sydney placed a smile on her face as they walked into the next party.

“Sydney Davies!”

“Amanda!” Sydney said in a voice Deacon was starting to recognize as fake. The two women hugged and gave each other air kisses as they strode into the room.

Zain pulled out his phone, and his lips tightened. “Barrett sent a text. It’s just the floor, not the suite. Damn, Sebastian just walked in, too, and he is heading straight for Syd.”

“I’ll wrangle him in.” Deacon hurried from the room, trying to catch Sebastian’s eye.

“Sebastian, just the man I wanted to see,” Deacon called out as he pulled the drunken man out the door. “I went to pull out my cigar, and it was gone. Darn thing must have smoked itself. But as soon as I saw you I knew you could hook me up.” Deacon’s speech became slightly slurred.

“You know I can, man. I was dying for a smoke, too. Come on, there’s a place right over here.” Now he could try to get some more information from Sebastian and give Zain and Syd a chance to learn something as well.

Sydney looked back and saw Deacon hurrying from the room. She pried herself from Amanda, who had been a really nice girl when they started out modeling together. She promised to email and made her way over to Zain.

“Where did Deacon go?”

“He saw Congressman Oliver and wanted to give us time to cruise the room,” Zain replied.

Sydney didn’t have time to worry about it. Teddy was walking in the door and had already spotted her.

“Syd, long time no see.” Teddy laughed as he made his way over to her.

“Sydney. Teddy,” the hesitant voice of Patrick said from behind Teddy.

Sydney tried to laugh off the tension. “The three amigos together again, huh? It’s just like old times.”

“Well, I only stopped by for a moment. I have a private party to go to,” Teddy said while ignoring Patrick. “I’d better make my rounds.”

Patrick sighed. “I told you,” he whispered. “Unfortunately, I can’t stay long either. I too have a party I’m committed to. I’ll see you soon, though.”

Sydney smiled at her friend as he kissed her cheek and headed off into the crowd. “Well, that’s a bust.”

Zain’s security guard tapped him on his shoulder. “It’s time for us to go. Text if you need anything. I’m leaving two guards with you. Deacon or I will let you know as soon as we have Bailey.”

“Take care of him, Zain,” Sydney said softly.

Zain chuckled. “I think it’s supposed to be the other way around.”

“How about the both of you just stay safe. I’ll text you if I have any updates.”

Zain kissed her cheek and headed out of the room after both Teddy and Patrick rapidly departed. Sydney went to the bar and got a drink. She was on her own. Well, except for the two big guards standing by the door.

“Sydney!”

Sydney pasted on her smile and went to work.

Deacon was having a disgusting conversation with Sebastian when Zain and his two guards found him. Sebastian liked rough sex with young girls. Barrett had promised him all his wishes would come true tonight. Deacon ground out the cigar Sebastian gave him and turned his attention to Zain.

“Men, our obligations are over and the game is about to begin,” Zain said with such unpleasantness it made Deacon blink. Gone was the smile and in its place an evil smirk that, combined with Zain’s dark complexion, made him look sinister.

“By all means,” Sebastian said happily as he took off for the elevator.

“Close off all your emotions. I have a feeling nothing can prepare us for what we’re about to see,” Zain whispered before stepping on the elevator.

The door opened, and when they got off, they had to show their tickets to a group of security guards and everyone was checked for weapons.  A man in a black suit greeted them after they passed through security. “Gentleman, your phones, please.”

Deacon and Zain turned off their phones and handed them over. He was sure Zain was cursing under his breath as much as he was. This was not good.

The group walked down the hallway lined with private security until they reached a suite. Outside were chairs filled with private security. Some worked for Barrett and some must have belonged to the men inside. Deacon counted eight men. Some of the men stepped forward, asking for the code word to enter.

“The money please, gentlemen,” a young man in a suit said.

Zain gave a nod to his guard who opened the bag. The moneyman looked it over and took it before moving on to Sebastian.

“There’s only enough room for twenty people; that’s why it costs so much,” Sebastian explained as if he were a tour guide.

“Okay, gentlemen. You’re good to go,” the moneyman announced as he took the money and placed it with another guard.

One of the goons, who had to be six-foot-seven and four hundred pounds of bulging muscle, opened the door. There was a makeshift holding area for security. A privacy screen had been placed, blocking the view into the suite from the hallway. Only after the hall door was closed was the screen opened. Deacon tried to relax as he saw the suite for the first time.

Sleek round coffee tables with chairs, couches, and a fully stocked bar with an attached buffet were visible, along with ten women. They were in beautiful dresses, but some had their dresses pulled down to expose their breasts and some had their skirts hiked up so the men could see what was underneath. Barrett was behind the bar and called out Zain’s name. Deacon counted the men—nine, including them. There was still one missing. He tried to casually look for Bailey, but some of the women’s faces were turned away as they sat on men’s laps or did other things that caused Deacon to force himself to unclench his jaw. He also only counted nine women.

“Barrett, this is my friend Dean. Dean, Barrett,” Zain introduced as he poured himself a bourbon. Sebastian had already leapt onto the young woman who had stepped forward with a fake smile and glazed eyes.

“Welcome to my party, gentlemen! It’s nice to meet you, Dean. When I found out you were from the South, I put aside a nice little southern belle for you.”

Dean smiled and shook the bastard’s hand. “Much appreciated.”

Barrett motioned with his hand. “Here she is now. Enjoy my gift, and as always, sharing it is encouraged.” Barrett winked before heading toward the row of seats facing the large tinted windows that overlooked the field.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Sydney tried not to roll her eyes and strangle the ditzy woman talking to her about . . . well, she wasn’t exactly sure what the woman was talking about. Sydney had tried to keep up, but after hearing about the woman’s reign as Miss Cornfield, Sydney gave up. Instead, she kept her eye on the game and on the clock. Somewhere above her, Deacon and Zain were surrounding themselves with danger. Sydney only hoped the undercover FBI agent following Zain and Deacon had discovered the location of the party and was waiting with backup.

“And so there I was with my ass up in the air and a pig covered in grease in my arms!”

“What?” Sydney asked as she searched desperately for an escape. “Oh, my friend is about to leave. I need to say goodbye. It was great meeting you.”

Sydney took off across the room to where Amanda was leaving with a group of newbies. “Amanda!” Sydney called out to her old friend.

“Hey, girl. We need to head out to another party.”

“Care if I join?” Sydney asked as she dragged Amanda from the room.

“It’s a private party, but who would care if Sydney Davies came?” Amanda smiled as she arranged her hair just so.

“What kind of party is it?” Sydney asked as the five models got into the elevator and rode down a floor.

“It’s a meet-and-greet for potential models, clients, and agencies.”

“Which agency? GYN? Denrees?” Sydney asked as the elevator opened and they stepped into the hallway. These were the internal conference rooms. No big windows overlooking the field here.

“I don’t know who is here. Très Mia is hosting. They’re pretty new. But they take people from within the industry and match them with agents, designers, and so forth. I’m sure there will be tons of people you know.” Amanda took a minute to reapply her lipstick and fluff her light blond hair.

The room was packed with girls in football jerseys who had been granted an invite by the “scouts” walking around the stadium, along with obvious models who were active in the business. Along the wall were tables with banners behind them. Teddy Brown Designs had a table along with a couple other smaller brand names. One whole side was selling nutrition. Along the back was a long line of young women leading to Becker Agency.

Sydney tried to remember who the Becker Agency was but couldn’t. It must be a new boutique agency. She couldn’t see the recruiter, but then the crowd shifted and Sydney was looking straight at Emily Tamlin behind the table next to Becker. Sydney smiled at her friend and waved. Emily looked surprised but then squealed with excitement as she hurried from behind the table.

“Sydney! I didn’t think I would get to see you.” Emily wrapped her in a hug and Sydney laughed.

“Me too. I thought you were overseas.”

“I was. But I finished a job and just had to be here to represent my new business. I’m not getting any younger, you know,” Emily teased. Her short, brown hair was spiked and looked to be a complete contradiction to the business suit she wore.

“What new company? You didn’t tell me about it last time we talked,” Sydney chided.

“Très Mia. I work to bring people together. All these girls sign with me and companies pay a fee to get the right match,” Emily whispered with a smile. “And I help match them up. So if Becker is looking for a model of a certain type for a European campaign, I send them a list of my girls and they sign any they like. Similarly, designers may be looking for something very specific, so they send me the same wish list they send the agencies. If any of my girls fit, I pass the list along to them and they go. Instead of a percentage like an agent, I just get part of the booking fee if there is one. But I don’t review any of the documents or negotiate like an agent.”

“That’s fabulous. I see you asked Teddy to help,” Sydney said as she watched Teddy holding up an outfit to a girl.

Emily rolled her dark brown eyes. “As if I could keep him away. Ever since his spring line failed, he’s been a bear to work with. He’s determined to find the perfect person to be the new face of his designs.”

“Hey, I have some girls looking to sign up. But let’s chat soon, okay?”

“Sounds good. I’m proud of you. This is really amazing.”

“Thanks. You really inspired me to do something after modeling. After all, it’s a short career for most of us.” Emily gave a lop-sided smile and hurried back to her table.

Sydney tried to see Becker but couldn’t get a good look over the crowd. Instead, she decided to head to the bar while her two security guards took position close to the door. Sydney smiled at the girls trying to get drinks at the bar. They couldn’t be over eighteen, but the bartender didn’t seem to care as he served them each a Sex on the Beach.

Sydney ducked her head and hid behind her hat while sipping champagne. For now she was content to eavesdrop.

“I can’t believe it!” Girl With Pink Hair cheered. “We meet in line and now we’re both going to Europe as models!”

“It’s so exciting. That man is an angel. I told him I have nothing left. My druggy mom is in jail, and I don’t want to go back into foster care. I turn eighteen next week, and he’s putting me up at a hotel until I can get all my documents. Then I’ll be meeting you in Europe,” Girl With Tattoo said.

“I know what you mean. I’m a foster kid, too. Maybe we’ll be roommates in Paris!”

“Or Milan!”

Girl With Tattoo looked up. “Oh, there he goes. I wonder if Mr. Tamboli will be our agent?”

“I sure hope so. He’s dreamy, and I think he was flirting with me,” Girl With Pink Hair giggled.

Sydney pulled out her phone and sent a text to Deacon asking if they’d heard anything about Becker Agency or a man named Tamboli. When she looked up, she saw Emily approaching the girls.

“Leah,” Emily said and Girl With Pink Hair lifted her head in response.

“Oh, Ms. Tamlin. Thank you so much for putting this together. I signed with Becker!”

“I know. Will you come over here for a second?” Emily smiled at Girl With Tattoo and Sydney kept her head down, looking at her phone. She was starting to get worried that Deacon wasn’t texting her back.

“Mr. Tamboli was so impressed with you. There’s a private party upstairs for some very important men. He believes you’ll be the perfect fit.”

Sydney’s head popped up as she overheard Emily. She couldn’t be talking about . . . Teddy moved away from his table and slowly walked toward Emily with the mystery man beside him. No. It couldn’t be.

“Mr. Tamboli has gone up to the suite to tell them about your arrival. Don’t tell anyone, even Stella. This is a special honor to the girl Mr. Tamboli thinks has the greatest potential.” Emily leaned forward and whispered to the girl. The specific location was lost in the noise of the room.

Sydney looked to where Stella was pounding back another drink, oblivious to Leah turning to leave. Sydney looked to Emily and then to Teddy casually heading toward Emily and Leah.

“Leah!” Sydney called out, stopping the girl, Emily, and Teddy in their tracks. They all turned toward her. “Is that you? It’s me, Sydney Davies. I think I got an application from you to model some of my clothes.”

Emily frowned, but quickly turned it into a practiced smile. “Syd, dear, what are you doing?”

Leah looked confused, but one look confirmed it was the Sydney Davies, and the young hopeful headed back into the room.

“Leah, you need to go now or you’ll miss your appointment.” Emily smiled but the order behind her words was clear as Sydney came to stand next to her. “What do you think you’re doing?” she hissed.

“It’s you, isn’t it?” Sydney accused, not bothering to lower her voice.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Emily said dramatically. “Now, go along, Leah.”

The girl looked as if she were being bounced around in a pinball game. She stopped again and turned to do as she was told.

“Don’t move one step, Leah!” Sydney yelled and then did the only thing she could think of to prevent Leah from leaving. She pulled back her hand and slammed it into Emily’s face.

*     *     *

Zain followed Barrett as Deacon waited for his girl to turn around and head toward him.  When she stood up, he saw that her hair was dyed platinum blond, and she wore a tight dress with five-inch heels. Then she turned around and headed toward him with a determined smile. The slit of her dress came to her upper thigh and the top of her dress looked as if a gentle breeze would pull it down.

Even with the dyed hair, he knew instantly he had just found Bailey. Deacon tried to nonchalantly get Zain’s attention, but instead he only gained Barrett’s.

“Does my choice meet with your approval?” Barrett asked as he kept his eyes on Deacon. Bailey stopped in front of him and ran her hand down his chest.

“She exceeds expectations. You sure know how to throw a party,” Deacon grinned as he eyed Bailey. “Care to lead me to our seat, sweetie?” Deacon purred in his heaviest southern accent. When Bailey turned, he swatted her on the butt, and Barrett gave him a nod of approval before turning his attention toward his own entertainment.

“I’m Magnolia. Would you like a drink?” Bailey asked as she kept her eyes downcast.

“No thanks.” Deacon took a seat, and when he finally got Zain’s attention he winked. Zain looked toward the girl and gave the slightest dip of his head to indicate he understood this was the girl they were looking for.

Barrett looked back at Deacon, and Deacon pulled Bailey down into his lap. Zain was talking to the girl in front of him as Barrett made sure all of the guests were being entertained. When Barrett returned his focus to the girl giving him a lap dance, Deacon once again caught Zain’s attention and held up his hand with his fingers splayed and flashed them twice. Zain tapped his watch in return, understanding that in ten minutes they’d make their move. They were on their own now that their phones had been taken.

*     *     *

“Shit!” Emily screamed as her nose cracked under Sydney’s punch. Women screamed all around them, but no one moved. They all stared at Sydney and then at the blood trickling down Emily’s face.

Sydney saw her guards rush forward. “Take the girl to safety. Grab Teddy and the man with him!” Sydney screamed as Emily shook off the shock and lunged at her.

Sydney let out a whoosh of air as she and Emily went down hard onto the floor. “You bitch!” Emily yelled as she straddled Syd and pulled her arm back to let loose with a wild punch.

Sydney blocked the punch and used Emily’s momentum to shove her off. Sydney rolled and grabbed Emily’s hair as she scrambled to stand up. “You’re selling these girls! You’re working with Vic, aren’t you? How could you?” Sydney grunted as Emily screeched and tried to remove Syd’s hand from her hair. The room was full of people, but instead of helping they just stood in a circle around the two women watching and filming with their phones.

Emily slammed her elbow back and hit Sydney in the ribs. Sydney let go of Emily’s hair as the wind rushed out of her. She gasped for air as Emily spun and lashed out with a punch. Sydney felt the blow to her cheek as pain lanced across her face.

“Where did he go? The agent?” Sydney yelled as she evaded another punch. The pain had triggered all the lessons her father had taught her. No longer off guard, Sydney waited until Emily swung again and then made her move. She countered Emily’s punch with one of her own that sent Emily sprawling back to the ground.

Slowly, Sydney rose to her feet as Emily darted away. Syd stalked her as she tried to take cover, but the crowd wouldn’t let her escape. Sydney surged forward and landed a right hook that brought Emily to her knees. “Who else is in your trafficking ring?” Sydney threatened with her arm primed for another punch.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Emily screamed.

“I don’t believe you,” Sydney said, letting loose with the punch. Emily crumpled, and Sydney reached down and grabbed a handful of spiky hair. She dragged her back up to her knees and stared her down.

“Tell me,” Sydney ordered as she threatened another punch. “How many girls have you sold for sex? How many girls have you taken from their homes only to leave them to die if they didn’t bend to your will and agree to be used by those men?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Emily sneered. She opened her mouth to say something else, but Sydney had had enough. She hammered a punch into Emily’s cheek as she heard the shocked silence of a roomful of people.

Emily fell to the ground on top of her small clutch purse, and Sydney strode mercilessly to the fallen model. With a shove from her leather boots, she pushed Emily onto her back. With her hands on her hips, Sydney lifted her boot-clad leg and placed the spiky heel of her boot to Emily’s neck. “Talk,” Sydney said calmly as the crowd gasped.

“I don’t—” Emily started to say.

Sydney twisted the heel just enough to indent the skin. Emily clawed at Syd’s leg with one hand, but it was protected in the leather encasing her from foot to thigh. “What about the twenty dead girls in the storage container in Atlanta? What about Bailey Vander? Where is she?” Sydney asked as she twisted her heel just a little harder. Emily fought and Syd pressed harder until Emily gulped and went still. Sydney released the pressure as Emily glared at her. “Talk. Now. Where is Bailey Vander?”