Page 49 of Devour

We all nod.

“Cover to cover,” I reply.

“And?”

“It’s clear that sex trafficking and sex slavery is still happening within the Ravens,” Crew says, uncrossing his arms and putting his hands in his pockets. “And it’s impacting Doves and other women across New England based on the missing people listed in the files.”

“That’s right. You’re going to need to track dates, patterns, and everything you can identify from what we know,” Fox says, stepping forward. “Because what you don’t see in that file is that we suspect this operation runs deep. Which means people we all know and trust are doing this under our noses.”

The last time the Sinclairs shut down the trafficking threat, we ended up on a series of rescue missions and coverups to ensure no one would ever know what bodies the Sinclairs buried. More bodies are going to get added to that pile once Dane knows who is behind this shit.

“How deep?” I ask.

“It could be anyone. Even as high as the Council.” Tate steps up beside Fox, looking as intense as ever. He’s fearless. He’s taken a few bullets to protect the Sinclair women, and he will be on the front line of whatever the fuck is going on this time.

He continues, “But one of those missing women—her cousin was a Talon from when Dad was your age. So we’re going to look at that group heavily. And that means there are going to be names you recognize from your circle. Maybe even some in your families. I will kill every person who poses a threat to my wife without hesitation. My father and brothers feel the same. So what we need to know from you four is, can we trust you, regardless of who we find out is involved?”

“You already know the answer to that,” I say. We have all fought beside them before, and we will again.

“We need to fucking hear it.” Thorne says, more serious than we usually see him.

I focus on each of them and then hold Thorne’s stare. “Whoever it is. Whatever it costs.”

“Same,” Priest says. No hesitation.

Kase and Crew agree.

“My wife needs me right now,” Tate starts again. “That means the four of you better handle this shit right and get the information we need.”

I don’t know what he means by his comment about Reese, but I also know better than to ask.

Dane crosses his arms. “The four of you are going to look into every Talon associated with that girl. You aren’t going to tell anyone who you’re investigating. The others are looking into some of the suspected buyers from the lower levels of our world and outside of it. You’re to identify and research those most likely involved and make sure no one knows about this. None of this can come back to any of us.”

“What about Justin?” Priest asks. “He was on that assignment with Axl and me. Won’t he wonder why he’s not working with us?”

“Justin got his own envelope,” Fox says. “He’s paired with Ryan on a buyer lead. That should be enough to keep him busy and out of your way.”

“And if he starts asking questions?” I ask.

“Then you tell him to mind his own fucking business and come to me,” Dane says. “Justin Carter answers to me. Same as the rest of you.”

There’s something in the way Dane says Justin’s last name. I don’t know exactly what Dane thinks of him, but I’m inclined to believe he’s on our side.

“We’ll meet again soon.” Dane looks at each of us. “Bring me something. Names, patterns, connections—anything that gets us closer to whoever is running this. And keep your mouths shut. If you find something pressing, come see me at my mansion. Don’t share any critical information over the phone. We never know who’s listening.”

He walks out first. Tate claps me on the shoulder as he passes. Thorne follows. Fox is last, pausing at the door.

“Axl.” He calls back to me, and I turn to face him. “I’d have killed that fucker too.”

Then he’s gone.

The four of us just stare at each other for a minute after the Sinclairs leave. Nobody says anything. We’re about to get more blood on our hands, but none of us mind that. The hunt is part of the fun. It’s the fucked-up shit that we’re going to find that will stick with us.

Priest is the first one to speak. “We’re going to have to get moving on this.”

“We’ll get started in the next hour.” I stand and crack my neck. “We’ll cross-reference the missing women with every Raven, and then we’ll pull financials and anything else we can get our hands on. Priest—”

“I know what I’m doing.” He’s already heading for the door.