Page 18 of Brutal Truths

“Open the fucking gate.” Silas lifts the gun he drew as we were pulling up. “Now!”

“But your father⁠—”

“Are you a fucking idiot?” I fix the man with a glare. “He will shoot you. That’ll set those dipshits off, and suddenly we’ve got a bloodbath at the gate.”

Leaning forward slightly, I let my next words land. “You’ll be dead, so it won’t matter to you. But I really don’t want to explain that mess to Trent when we get inside. And knowing him, he’s likely to revive you, and then shoot you again himself just to make a point.”

The twit gains an ounce of clarity and steps back before he motions the others aside. “It’s Silas, let them through.”

One brave guard breaks protocol and speaks up. “Shouldn’t we still inspect the car?”

Who the fuck are these morons at the gate?

“Be my guest,” I say flatly. “Just don’t be surprised when he shoots you too. He’s been itching to kill someone all afternoon.”

His eyes widen as I relax back in my seat like none of this bothers me.

Truth is, I want to get out of this damn car so we can get this over with. This is the last place I want to be. I’m this close to breaking my cover and putting a bullet in every one of them so I can do what I actually need to do. Go find Isabel.

When the brave piece of shit doesn’t make a move, I shift the car into drive. “That’s what I thought. Now move before I run you over.”

The window rolls up with a satisfying whir, and the second there’s enough space, I floor it, not afraid to mow down any tosser who gets in my way.

Chapter 6

Aiden

We travel down the dark driveway in silence. The iron fence blends in so well with the trees around the complex it’s almost unnoticeable, the entire place hidden deep within the grove.

The fence is wired. Anyone dumb enough to touch it will get one hell of a shock. It’s not just there to keep people from getting in, it’s there to make sure only the right ones get out.

It’s a thought I’d rather not dwell on. Leads me somewhere I can’t afford to go at the moment. It means there are people being held here against their will. Not people, but women—women who never chose this, never signed up for whatever perverse work Trent has them doing.

I wish I could do something about it now, but I can’t.

One day soon, though, this place will shut down, and those running it, along with those who pay to keep it alive, will answer for what they’ve done.

My guys know about the fence. Lane’s the only one planning to breach it, and he knows what to do to get through without setting it off or drawing attention.

The cameras are the biggest issue. They cover the driveway and the front of each building. Trent’s too smart to go without them. He understands he can use the footage against those who might decide to cross him. You don’t enter or leave the main areas undetected.

We’ve got that handled. With a top-notch hacker camped out in the trees, I know he’s hard at solving the problem to ensure Lane gets in and out undetected.

Cameras are banned inside all buildings. Not restricted—banned. No exceptions. Anyone caught using them doesn’t just get punished, they’re made an example of.

I’ve seen enough since working for the Doyles to know it’s not just a slap on the wrist. Men have lost body parts over it.

The punishment is carried out in front of others, a clear message of what happens when you dare to cross Trent. Seeing it once is an excellent deterrent to knowing how serious the captain is about the rules.

His rules are simple. No cameras. Keep what happens here to yourself. Playtime is only for those who pay their dues on time. No guests. Ever.

This is a members-only club. Guests bring complications that put everyone at risk of getting caught with their trousers down. Literally.

Silas’s phone buzzes in his lap. He glances down, thumbs moving as he types, then smirks. “Daddy isn’t happy to see me with you. Wants to know how that happened when he made it clear I was to stay out of it.”

My grip on the steering wheel goes tight enough to hurt. “Tell him you got bored. Ambushed me. Saved me the trouble of tracking you down and gave you the chance to visit your new best friend.”

He drops the phone into his shirt pocket, his other hand strangling the butt of his gun. “That’s exactly what I told him. Figured he’d appreciate me saving you precious time chasing down a traitor.”