Sin City Uniform 02 - Copping an Attitude (18 page)

Parker gasped, the implications of why Beau was telling him such a thing more than obvious.

“Lonnie…”

Beau placed a hand on the one Parker had clutched on the table’s edge.

“Julio recently overstepped his bounds by making contact with the Europeans running the sex slave auctions.”

“Overstepped?”

“The European contacts were Alexei’s exclusive territory. At least that’s how he viewed it. The attacks on each other’s ‘goods’ began shortly after that.”

“How the hell do you know all of this?”

“The FBI has a man in deep undercover as well as a few other informants. Their agent has worked on this sex trade ring for almost three years and he’s at the point where the FBI thinks they can move in and take out as many of these assholes as possible. We just received word from him that there’s to be an auction today at a warehouse on the edge of town. Their agent has identified Lonnie as one of the sex workers scheduled to be auctioned off.”

Parker gritted his teeth as the fury swept through him. “He’s
not
a sex worker!” He punctuated his words by slamming the table with his fist.

“Okay, Parker. Try and hold it together. We’re going to do our best to get him out of there. The FBI has been working on this for a long time.”

“Do your best? What the hell does
that
mean?”

Beau had a pained look on his face, his features almost set in a grimace. Parker wasn’t sure he wanted the answer to his question after all.

“Part of the reason we’re moving in today, why the FBI believes it’s our best opportunity, is that our agent has informed us of a development that Julio won’t be expecting.”

“Oh, Jesus, what is it, Beau?”

“The Russians are planning on going in and taking out Julio and any of his men. The Europeans have set Julio up because they think he’s a loose cannon. Apparently his meth use reputation precedes him.”

“And Julio’s…people?” Parker swallowed hard, not sure actually sure he could keep it together after all.

“According to our source, there’s an agreement between the Europeans and the Russians to split whatever they get for Julio’s goods. Sorry, I mean people.”

Parker shook his head as if he could make it all go away. “But… When you say ‘take out’… Will Lonnie be somewhere away from Julio when it happens, someplace safe?”

Beau grabbed Parker’s hands in both of his and Parker stared at them as if no one had ever touched him before.

“Parker, listen. We’re going to do everything we can to ensure Lonnie’s and every other innocent person’s safety.” Beau squeezed as if in reassurance. “But we just don’t know what to expect at this point. We won’t until we get in there.”

He shot his head up. “I’ll go with you.”

Beau released his hold on Parker and sighed. “You know that’s not possible. You’re not a part of this investigation.”

Even as Parker had said it, he’d known better. He was a patrol officer. Not a detective or an FBI agent. No doubt other local agencies would be called on, including SWAT, but there wasn’t a scenario he could envision where he’d be involved.

“I can’t sit and wait here, Beau. I have to do
something
to help him.”

“I know it’s hard, Parker. The best thing you can do is to be here for him when he returns. You won’t always be able to charge in and save him from everything. But you
can
be available to love and care for him.”

“Of course, I— Hold on.” Parker frowned. “You assumed I love him?”

Beau chuckled. “It’s more than obvious.” Beau patted his shoulder. “I’m really glad.” His eyes darkened and he regarded Parker intently. “And I want everything to work out for you both. Please believe me.”

Parker nodded. “I do. But I have one favor to ask.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“I won’t interfere, I swear. But can I at least wait in your car? I’ll lose my entire mind festering here in the apartment.”

Beau considered him, his eyebrows drawn together, his lips set in a hard line. “Don’t make me regret this.”

“Thank you, Beau. You won’t.”

Parker sat back in the chair, his muscles still tense, his mind jumbled. The reality was that things could go very wrong and he’d witness Lonnie being carried away on a stretcher, would see his dead body.

At least I’ll be there for him in some way. I don’t want him to die alone.

It was like the alley all over again. That had ended up okay and all Parker could do was hope it would once again. Lonnie had become his whole world.

* * * *

Lonnie shivered, naked. He’d been stripped, hosed off in some large warehouse area then tossed into what appeared to have been someone’s office at some point in the past. The room was small and had a thin carpet that was worn in spots. There was an old swivel chair, but he hadn’t wanted to sit on it wet and nude. Windows surrounded the cubicle from halfway up the walls and he felt too exposed perched there. So instead, he huddled on the floor where he could wrap his arms around himself. He felt less vulnerable and could stay a bit warmer.

He tried to push the images of the large room he’d passed on his way in, the one with a big camera and lights with umbrellas.

Like a movie studio.

It was obvious he was going to be displayed like a piece of meat to whoever was watching. He’d already figured that the whole fucking thing would be done over the Internet. How else?

The door slammed open and, to his horror, Valeena was shoved inside by a brutish man he’d never seen before. She landed face down with a loud grunt. She was also naked and appeared absolutely terrified. As soon as the door was banged shut again, Lonnie crawled over to her. He wanted to put an arm around her, reassure her, but she had the look of a trapped animal, eyes wide with fear as she curled into a fetal position. He wasn’t entirely sure she’d even recognize him and wondered if they’d drugged her.

“Valeena, it’s me, Lonnie.”

Shit.

“I mean Slade.” It made him sick to his stomach to say the name out loud. “It’s Slade. Remember?”

Finally, that seemed to get her attention. Her eyes traveled to his and there was the light of recognition in them.

“Slade?”

“Yeah. It’s me.”

He attempted to smile. It felt unnatural under the circumstances and he abandoned his efforts. He had a genuine concern that his expression might end up looking more like that of a circus clown and he didn’t want to scare her any more than she already was.

“Where are we, Slade? I can’t… I don’t remember…”

She put her hand to her forehead and cast her gaze down. She seemed so lost and Lonnie wanted to pound into the cement whoever the asshole was who’d fucked with her.

Samson. It had to be that piece of slime.

It had seemed too good to be true and like everything else in his life, he’d been right.

No. Not everything. Parker was the real thing.

He couldn’t go there, couldn’t think of Parker in the past tense. Truthfully, he couldn’t think of Parker at all without losing his shit.

“Valeena, listen to me. Was it Samson? Did he do this to you?”

Her face crumpled and Lonnie immediately regretted bringing up her would-be lover.

“I thought he loved me. We were going to… Going to go away.” She shook her head, frowning as if she were trying to make sense of things. “He told me to trust him right before he handed me over to the Russians.” She locked eyes with Lonnie. “Why would he say that? Why did he do that?”

Lonnie shook his head also, not sure if she had enough control of her senses to really remember what had happened.

“I don’t know, sweetie. I’m sorry.” He was unsure what else to say. It wasn’t as if he could promise her anything. He couldn’t even help himself.

The door flew open again and Lonnie cringed. Julio’s goon who’d tossed him in there earlier appeared to retrieve him. He yanked him to his feet then dragged him out into the main area. Julio approached them with a repulsive grin on his face. The man had never appeared so deranged. He was surrounded by his henchmen and Lonnie knew he was fucked. There was nothing he could do to save either of them.

“Usually, it’s ladies first, but my new European
esès
said they want to begin with cock. Come on,
puta
.”

Even his rampant abuse of drugs hadn’t impeded Julio’s ability to call Lonnie a ‘bitch’ in multiple languages. He tentatively took a step forward, and made a feeble attempt to cover his genitals. Julio laughed in the way he did that always threatened to make Lonnie sick to his stomach—it was all phlegmy and low.

Julio grabbed Lonnie’s wrist, squeezing so hard that Lonnie winced from the pain.

“Oh no, no, no. Gotta show off the goods, maybe fluff it up a bit?”

Using his free hand, Julio reached for Lonnie’s cock, grabbing it roughly then stroking. Lonnie kicked and screamed, struggling against the abhorrent touch of the crazed monster selling him off as if he were nothing but a toy to be played with then left to an unknown fate.

“Hold him!”

Both of his arms were grabbed, his legs restrained. Lonnie gritted his teeth and screwed his eyes shut. That was worse. Once he couldn’t see, his mind went to the harsh tugs on his soft flesh. He thought he really would be ill.

Parker. I need you. Oh God, I’m so sorry.

He would’ve given his soul in that moment to go back in time and change his course. He would’ve stayed in the apartment.

“Let’s go! The buyers are waiting for the boy!”

Julio let go and Lonnie audibly sighed with relief even as he shuddered in revulsion. Whoever had called out was at the far end of the warehouse in the direction of where he’d seen the studio. Dragged forward roughly, he tripped over his own feet as the muscular brutes marched on, their stride much longer than Lonnie’s. Frantically eyeing his surroundings, he sought something, anything that might give him hope. Some small indicator that he still had a chance.

They reached the room where the camera was, the lights burning so brightly they hurt Lonnie’s eyes. The space he’d been kept in had been very dim. As his vision adjusted, he realized that there were several men in the would-be studio. Some were busy fiddling with the various pieces of equipment placed about, but most of them were dressed in nice suits and standing off to the side—staring at him.

His natural instinct was to cover his nakedness again and Julio back-handed him across the face. An enraged yell from one of the men in a suit caused everyone to freeze. Whoever he was his face turned beet red and he continued to spout off to the other men surrounding him. Lonnie couldn’t place the language, but it was definitely Eastern European. He didn’t think it was Russian, but figured he was hardly an expert.

“Hey,
esès
! What the fuck? I’m supposed to be understanding that babble?”

Oh, boy.

Lonnie stepped to the side as the man who’d originally yelled advanced on Julio. His movements reminded Lonnie of a bull and he didn’t want to be anywhere near him when he went after Julio. His ex pimp opened his mouth as if he was about to speak when the European man back-handed Julio easily twice as hard as had been done to Lonnie. Julio stumbled back, almost losing his balance.

The expression on Julio’s face when he turned back to regard his assailant was nothing less than murderous. Lonnie quickly scanned the room. Everyone was transfixed by what was occurring between the two men.

Maybe this is my chance.

He edged away, a little at a time, each small movement bringing him closer to the exit.

“You fucking
culo
! I’ll fucking kill you!”

Julio spat at the man and all hell broke loose. Fists flew, lighting rigs smashed to the ground, men tangled together amidst yelling and cursing. Lonnie took off like a rocket, the one skill he knew he could always count on. He had no idea where his clothing was but he didn’t give a shit. His first stop was to get back to the office and grab Valeena. He was almost there when he caught movement out of the corner of his eye, someone in the shadows.

Samson.

Lonnie halted, clenching his fists. He was nothing in size, especially compared to the large bear of a man, but he wanted to tear him to shreds for betraying Valeena. As he stomped toward him, his race to freedom temporarily pushed aside, he was stunned when Samson put a finger to his lips as if asking Lonnie to be quiet.

The fuck?

“Go to Valeena. Keep her safe, shy Slade.” He’d whispered so low that Lonnie thought he must be hearing things. “Trust me.”

Lonnie allowed his gaze to travel around the large open warehouse area. As he glanced up, his breath caught in his throat. Men in dark uniforms were scattered like insects, almost invisible in their hiding places. Some crouched behind cartons, others were in the rafters, more were at the windows.

He nodded in Samson’s direction then booked it to where he’d last left Valeena.

“Go after him, he’s getting away!”

Lonnie almost tripped and fell over at the words he knew were directed at him. A cacophony of gunfire erupted, the thundering echo terrifying, spurring him on. The smell of spent shells filled the open area as glass shattered and men flew past him with weapons drawn. Lonnie knew he had to get to the office immediately. He dove into the room where Valeena lay curled in a ball, her hands covering her ears as she screamed. All he could do was shield her with his body and pray that the gun battle didn’t come any closer to them.

He kept a picture of Parker in his mind as the fight raged on. If he was only seconds from dying, he wanted the man he loved to be his last thought.

Gradually, the shots lessened and were replaced by shouts and commands in English. From the few phrases he could discern, the authorities had clearly taken out the savages who’d tried to sell him. In a dark place inside his soul, he hoped that Julio was dead, wanted it to be true. Valeena cried hysterically underneath him and he eased off her, but didn’t let her go.

“Mllaya moya,
angel.”

Samson reached for Valeena and Lonnie kicked and punched at him, keeping his body between her and the Russian.