“You used Agnieska as a sex slave?”
He nods. “The best one I ever had.”
It doesn’t take much for me to figure out the rest. “But you wore her out, and Lara was going to replace her?”
“Yes.”
“Why them?”
He gives me a wry smile. “I know they’re not beauties, but they have an innocence that can’t be ruined. It’s exquisite. Like sampling a rare dish. It melts on your tongue.”
My eyes flick up to Viktor, and I nod. Without any hesitation, he pulls his gun from behind his back, trains the barrel on Grabowski’s head, and pulls the trigger.
He fires another shot. “I fucking despise sex traffickers.”
“That makes two of us.”
Standing up, I walk out of the freezer, telling the guards, “Clean up the mess.”
Luca’s leaning against the wall, but there’s no sign of Nikolas. “Did Nikolas leave?”
He shakes his head. “He went to find a drink and call his wife.”
I nod. “You don’t have to stay. It’s over.”
“I know, but that would ruin the fun for Viktor, and I’d have to listen to him complain all the way home. Besides, I booked a room at a hotel.”
I chuckle, admiring the brotherly bond the two men have.
I walk to Mazur’s freezer, and seeing he’s still out cold, I glance at Emre. “I’m going to head home and shower. I won’t be long.”
“Yes, you will,” my cousin says as he shoves Mazur’s head. “He better wake up.”
“Call me the moment he does. Want me to bring you something from home?”
“Food.”
I nod, then ask Luca, “Need a ride?”
“I thought you’d never offer,” he chuckles. “No, I have a car waiting.” He turns his attention to Viktor. “You coming or staying?”
“Staying. I want to be here when the fucker wakes up. Rough him up a little.”
“The plane leaves at six am. With or without you,” Luca warns.
I shake Luca’s hand. “Thank you for tonight.”
“No problem. That’s what the Priesthood is for.”
Our eyes lock for a moment. After tonight, I’ll drop everything to help them.
When Luca heads down the hallway, I turn to Viktor. “Don’t kill Mazur, and don’t drive my cousin insane.”
He glances into the freezer. “Emre loves me.”
Shaking my head, I walk away. “You want me to bring you food, as well?”
“Yes. A lot. All the excitement is making me hungry.”
I gesture that I heard him before stopping at Elif’s office. “Mirac, we’re heading home.”
He kisses his wife, murmuring. “You go home. I’ll be there…” He glances at me, and I hold up two fingers. “I’ll be home in two hours.”
As we leave the building and I climb into the back of the SUV, I worry about the difficult time lying ahead for Lara and her mother.
I’ll have to get psychological help for Agnieska.
Fuck, I’m not sure whether sex slavery is something you can heal from.
Just give the woman a safe place and leave the rest to God.
Mirac brings the SUV to a stop in front of the house. Everything looks quiet, but I know it’s not the case. Climbing out, I head inside. I walk to my bedroom, needing to shower and change my clothes because the women will worry if they see the state I’m in.
I open the door and switch on the light, then freeze. Lara’s sitting on the bed, paging through a book. Her head snaps up, then she shoots off the bed.
“Oh my God! What happened?”
“Why aren’t you with your mother?”
“You answer first,” she demands as she slowly peels the fabric away from the dried blood on my arm.
“It’s nothing. Just a couple of scrapes.”
“Your arm is bleeding!” She scowls up at me. “Sit on the bed.”
“Yes, Lara Hanim,” I tease her. I take a seat, then repeat the question, “Why aren’t you with your mother?”
“She’s sleeping. After Nisa gave her enough food to feed a small army, she couldn’t stay awake.”
“How is she?”
Taking hold of the hem of my shirt, Lara pulls it over my head before carefully peeling the sleeve down my left arm.
Shaking her head, she answers, “I don’t know. I told her she’s safe here, but I don’t think she believes me.”
“It’s been ten years, baby. She just needs time. Be patient with her.”
“I know. I’m going to get the first aid kit.”
She darts out of the bedroom, and I look down at the torn skin. It’s really not that bad and should heal quickly.
When Lara returns, I let her fuss over me, thinking it will set her at ease. My eyes stay glued to her, searching for any signs that she’s not coping after the day from hell.
“How are you?” I ask when she wraps a bandage around my arm.
“I’m okay.”
“Lara.” I wait for her to meet my eyes. “Don’t lie to me.”
She stares at me for a moment, then continues to fasten the bandage. Once she’s satisfied, she starts to gather the used antiseptic wipes.