Page 121 of Her Unending Horizon

“Atlanta traffic,” another replied. “What’d you expect?”

Zarek spoke up. “Since I know it’s Atlanta, can I take the blindfold off yet?”

“No,” came the reply.

Another half hour went by, then I watched as the dot took an exit a half hour before downtown. We watched it go through side streets, then it stopped.

“We’re in an old industrial area. Looks like it’s been shut down for thirty years,” Code said.

“Check it out—there’s a guard with a functioning electric entrance around that warehouse.” Kai or Beau said.

My heart hammered so loud I could hear it in my ears.

“That’s the drop,” Code said quietly.

On the audio feed, I heard a car door open.

“Now can I take off the blindfold?” Zarek asked. He was trying to be funny. He should just be quiet. He shouldn’t make anyone angry.

“When we get you to the locker room,” one of the two men said.

Simon walked back into the room.

“Atlanta’s looped in,” he said. “They’re moving.”

I heard a heavy door open. “Welcome,” a woman said. “I’ll meet you in back. First I need to greet the last of our guests.”

Zoe and I stared at one another. The broker was a woman?

More footsteps. “Now. Now you can take off your blindfold.”

“Pretty swanky digs for a locker room,” Zarek said. “Where’s the other guy?”

“He has his own changing room.”

“Suit up.”

I heard the sound of rustling clothing. Then there was the distinctive click of high heels.

“Take off the tape. Our guests can’t see damaged merchandise,” the woman said.

I shuddered at her using the term merchandise to describe my husband. There was silence.

“Just throw it over there,” she said. “Then we need to have a little conversation before you get into the cage.” My blood ran cold.

I heard the rumble of Zarek’s voice, but I couldn’t make out what he was saying.

My head whipped around and I pinned Simon with a glare. “When are your friends going to raid the place?”

“Soon,” he said. “They want her to give her pitch, and the fight to start, then they’ll go in.”

“What do you mean they want the fight to start? Call them back and make them go in now. Have our guys go in. Make it stop right now!” I yelled.

“It’s going to be fine, Chloe. Zarek’s going to be fine.”

I was so mad I was shaking.

That’s not true. I was scared out of my mind.