Enticing Their Mate (Pack Wars #6)(33)

“Can do.”

She nodded to Riley who was standing there holding most of the items. “If you’ll set the packages inside the door, I’ll get started.

He followed her in. “Call if you need me.”

As if his comment had been difficult for him to say, he turned around and left. She didn’t have time to figure out what that was about. The man could go from charming to demanding to distant in a heartbeat. Didn’t he understand that a little bit of honesty could go a long way in helping him heal? If he’d be willing to discuss his issues, she might have been able to convince him of that…she stopped her train of thought.

Convince him of what? That she wouldn’t leave him? Sarah wasn’t ready to commit to anything right now. Given what they did for a living, perhaps it was for the best not to become too emotionally involved.

Focus.

While she wasn’t going to tell the women the reason for the clothes and makeup, most likely they’d guess.

“Ladies, I have some presents for you to help cheer you up.” Sarah wanted to puke at the lie. Most pushed up on their elbows, and for the next five minutes, she distributed the clothes. “Put on what you can, and I’ll be around to unchain you one at a time. You should be aware there are guards right outside the door.”

The women grunted, but they genuinely seemed pleased with their new gifts. One by one, she helped them dress, and then led each one into the bathroom so she could apply the makeup. Sarah had to admit a little color went a long way in making them look presentable.

Of the ten women, seven looked healthier than before, but even with makeup, their skin appeared sallow and their hair lifeless. If she had the strength and ability, she’d kill Statler herself. Riley’s comment about it being easier to save the girls once they were on their way to the buyer helped boost her energy.

As she was finishing up with the next to last girl, Connolly knocked and opened the door. A tall man with graying temples, wearing an expensive suit, strode in.

“I want all of the girls lined up against the wall. Now.” His command had a military roughness to it.

Sarah stood. “Would you like me to unchain all of them?”

He advanced. “Didn’t you hear me?”

She straightened her shoulders like a good Statler employee would. “Yes, sir.”

Sarah prayed none of the girls would be stupid enough to try anything. Connolly and this man could easily take out all five girls in seconds. She unchained them, but only three managed to walk on their own to the wall.

The buyer’s agent strode over to Nancy. “Get up.” Nancy groaned and the bastard kicked her side, eliciting a whimper.

Sarah saw red. What she wouldn’t give to be a werewolf right now. With her long talons, she’d gouge out his eyes. “Leave her alone. She’s ill.”


He spun around and faced her. “I’ve come to check out ten women. If she’s too sick, I’ll need a replacement. Seems to me you’d do just as well.”

She bit her tongue to keep quiet.

Connolly stepped forward. “There are five others across the hall.”

“Let me take their pictures and show my boss how pathetic these women are. Where’s Statler?” the man asked.

“He’s not at the facility,” Connolly responded.

“Just as well. Show me the others. I hope they’re better than this pathetic lot.”

She should chain them again, but her heart was already breaking. The ass had demanded that she show him the others, so that was what she’d do. Across the hall, four of the women looked good to her, albeit too thin and pale, but the fifth one had a bad cough and had trouble standing.

He snapped each of their photos. “This is pathetic.” He faced Connolly. “My boss will be in contact with yours.”

With that he strode out. Sarah wasn’t sure if she should be happy the women failed inspection or not. On the one hand, they’d be forced to stay at this horrible warehouse for an indeterminate length of time. If they had been acceptable, she wasn’t sure there would be enough time for Jay and Riley to complete a rescue.

“Sarah?” One of the women called out.

She rushed to her. “Yes?”

“I’m not feeling well.”

Sarah escorted her back over to her mattress and helped her lie down. If something wasn’t done soon, not only would some of these women die, so might she.





Chapter Fourteen





When Statler spotted the name on his phone, he smiled, already counting the money he was about to receive from this buyer. “Hello, Charles.”

“What the f*ck are you trying to pull?”

Statler gripped his cell. How dare the ass use that tone with him? “I’m not trying to pull anything,” he ground out. He motioned the redhead to leave the bedroom.

“I sent my man to check out the merchandise, and what did he find? Ten women who were barely able to stand without help. And their living conditions were horrific. What kind of operation are you running?”

Fuck. “I had some issues at the clinic and had to change locations. If I hadn’t left, there wouldn’t be any women to sell you.”

“I don’t give a rat’s ass what issues you’ve had. You haven’t provided them with the care they needed. I expect quality and these women fall short. I’m not buying them. Goodbye.”