They’d been working non-stop for a few weeks and hadn’t taken any breaks. He’d make himself take a whole day off and just relax because he knew he would feel better.
They were fortunate to get condos in a building used for business that dealt with the human trafficking that was rampant in the United States. And it happened more so than anyone thought.
Cason, a buddy they both knew, and his wife, Lacey, who came from a lot of money, were funding the charity. She’d bought the building down the street from other companies involved in the security business.
Jonah and Nolan were subcontractors in the field for the moment, but they were looking to start a business that dealt with recovering kidnapped victims. So many of his friends wanted to be involved in it and had retired from whatever agency they’d worked for, so they were able to put their time into it. They retired early from their professions because they were sick of all the bullshit, red tape, stupid policies, and politics. He always thought everyone would get a lot more done without politicians in the States. Most of them were out for themselves. It didn’t matter if it was a president, senator, mayor, or police chief. They might have had good intentions at first, but that had quickly changed.
Now, he and his friends wanted to do something that actually made a difference.
They’d have to do something besides that because they wouldn’t make much money from it, so they talked about security jobs in the area and would check it out. They weren’t after being billionaires. They’d already made their fortune working overseas for years doing things for the government that wasn’t discussed. So, they had enough to live on for the rest of their lives, but they wanted to keep it as retirement and work to make enough money to live on.
They were the type of men who made things happen and would never be happy sitting behind a desk working nine to five for anyone.
“Hey, don’t worry, man. Rat face will show up eventually,” Nolan said.
Jonah nodded. One of their informants had called and told them about a few leads, but the little prick had been gone when they got to where they were supposed to meet. Once he got his hands on him, he’d strangle the little fucker for making them drive over an hour for nothing when they were already exhausted.
“I just want a hot meal, cold beer, and a soft bed,” Jonah said.
Nolan chuckled. “No woman?”
Jonah snorted. “Not the one I’m looking for. Damn, several of our friends who found their littles are so fucking lucky. What are the chances we’ll find our own?”
“I’m still holding out hope. Hell, if Caleb can find one, we can too.”
Jonah laughed. Nolan was right. The biggest prick they knew had one of the sweetest women he’d ever met, and she was deeply in love with the moron.
Jonah grinned. If Caleb could find one, surely, he and Nolan could, too.
He’d had a lot of girlfriends in the past, but none of them had filled the Dominant/submissive relationship he needed to be truly fulfilled. The women he’d met were independent and wouldn’t let him make any decisions for them and would actually become irritated if he opened their door, keep a steadying hand on them as they walked, or tried to order for them. He knew he was old-fashioned, but it went beyond that. He needed to have total control over the woman, and there were very few women left in the world who could handle that.
He wouldn’t hold his breath, but he would secretly pray that he’d eventually find one.
Chapter Three
Holly was lulled to sleep as the miles passed and as the men’s voices droned on in front. They didn’t sound like bad men, but she knew from experience they wouldn’t be able to tell because that had gotten them into the predicament they were in now. They had trusted the wrong people.
The vehicle jerked as it went over a bump, startling both women. Holly covered Caylee’s mouth when she gasped. They both froze and waited, but the men started talking again after a moment.
Holly pulled Caylee tighter against her body when she started to cry. As much as Holly wanted to break down, she had to hold it together until she could get them out of the situation.
Caylee sniffed a few times, but the men talking never stopped, so Holly decided they couldn’t hear them in the back.
As they drove into the city, the streetlights started to come into view. She had no idea which city because she didn’t know which way they were driving.
She looked at Caylee, saw she calmed down again, and tried to smile. The problem was she had no idea what to do. They couldn’t go home because the bad men would be looking for them. Since they’d taken their purses, their addresses would be easy to find. They couldn’t run because they had nothing. No clothing, car, or money. How in the heck would they be able to get a job without them knowing?
If only they could go to the police, but some of them were involved, and she had no idea how many or what departments they were with, so the girls decided not to go to any. So who did that leave to help?
Holly just needed to find a safe place for them to rest and then decide what to do. She was taking one thing at a time, or she’d lose what little control she had.
****
Jonah and Nolan stopped mid-speech when they heard a person gasp. They looked at each other with raised brows.
Jonah turned his head and looked as far back as he could while Nolan adjusted the rearview mirror so he could watch the back.
They continued to talk but kept alert.