Defending Raven (Mountain Mercenaries #7)(59)

It seemed that her husband’s men were all on the same page. They kept reassuring her they’d find her son and her husband. And she needed to hear it.

Then Meat, still holding her hand, led her out of the courtyard and back toward the van. Mags had no recollection of actually getting into the van or driving back to the motel. She only realized where she was when Zara took her in her arms and hugged her tightly, back in the room where she and Dave had been staying.

Things were a blur after that. The men all gathered in the room, not letting her be alone for even a second. Meat was hunched over his computer, clicking rapidly on the keys, and the others talked quietly in a corner, obviously planning their next steps. Maria, Gabriella, and the other women flitted in and out, fussing over her and trying to reassure her.

It was nearly noon when the door to the room suddenly burst open.

Mags jumped, and three of the guys immediately sprang up and got between the door and where she was sitting in a chair against the wall. Their protective instincts would’ve reassured her at any other time, but when she heard Black inhale sharply and say, “Dave!” she leapt to her feet.

She pushed her way between the men and stared at her husband in disbelief.

His hair was disheveled, and he smelled absolutely horrendous. But it was the blood coating the front of his shirt that had her gasping in horror.

“Fuck, man, are you all right?” Ball asked.

“Where the hell have you been?” Gray barked.

“Sit down before you fall down,” Black added.

But Dave ignored his friends. He only had eyes for Mags.

She held her breath as he stalked toward her. She’d never been afraid of her husband before, but for just a second, the look in his eyes absolutely terrified her. Gone was the funny, gentle man she’d gotten reacquainted with in the last two weeks.

In his place was a warrior. A pissed-off, absolutely furious soldier.

He strode up to her and stood inches away. Mags had to crane her neck to keep eye contact. “David’s gone,” she whispered to the only man she’d ever loved. “We went to get him out today, but when we got there, the house was empty.”

A muscle in Dave’s jaw ticked. “Del Rio will regret fucking with my family. I swear to God, he’s going to know exactly who ruined his life and why.”

Dave’s words were flat and cold, yet Mags could see the hate burning in his eyes.

“Okay,” she said, wanting to soothe him, but not really knowing how.

Without looking away from her, he said, “Meat, I need you to check del Rio’s bank accounts for large deposits. He’s got a house filled with kids somewhere that he’s passing off as an orphanage. We need to track down any deposits and get our contacts here in Peru to follow the trails. Guarantee they’ll lead to rich, high-ranking assholes who’ve suddenly acquired children they’ll claim to have adopted.”

“Guessing they aren’t doing so out of the goodness of their hearts,” Gray muttered.

“No,” Dave said flatly. “They bought them from del Rio to live out their perverted sexual fantasies.”

Mags gasped. Many already knew del Rio was trafficking children, but the information about the “orphanage” was a whole new level of evil.

“I’m on it,” Meat said from somewhere behind them. “Any idea how many?”

“No clue. But I’m guessing it’s a pretty damn high number. Girls and boys. We also need to find that so-called orphanage. Prevent any other children from being sold.”

Meat nodded, but didn’t reply. He was already busy clicking away on his keyboard.

“Things looked chaotic at the house where David was kept,” Gray said in a controlled but heated tone. “We’re guessing shit happened fast. Probably because of whatever happened with you. What did happen?”

“Del Rio panicked,” Dave said. “Which isn’t like him.”

“Yup,” Gray agreed.

“I’m guessing he’s stashed my son somewhere. Maybe with the other kids . . . at least for the time being. I doubt he’ll risk taking David to his compound while the Mountain Mercenaries are still in town.” And if possible, Mags saw even more determination in her man’s eyes. “We’ll head out tonight, as soon as we get any intel about where del Rio’s stashed those kids . . . and hopefully David.”

The men agreed, and everyone but Meat headed for the door.

“Zara?” Dave asked.

“Yeah?”

“Can you please get in contact with Daniela? I need her to have her ears to the ground about anything having to do with unknown children suddenly showing up in areas where they haven’t been before, just in case Meat can’t find anything.”

“Okay, but Dave? Can she come here to look at you first?” Zara asked.

Mags saw the confusion on her husband’s face, and he finally looked away from her to Zara. “Why?”

“You’re covered in blood, and I think you’re still bleeding,” Zara said softly.

“I’m fine,” Dave said in a dismissive tone and turned back to Mags.

“But—”

“I’ll handle it,” Mags said firmly, putting a hand on Dave’s biceps. She felt stronger now that her husband was back and she could touch him. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t believed the others when they said they’d find David, but she knew without a doubt that Dave would turn over every rock and stone to bring him back to her. He’d found her; he’d find their son.