Chapter 29
Playing Hero
As Serge pulled away, Hammer’s attention was drawn to the front passenger seat when Ivan spoke.
“We brought the items necessary for this mission. Naturally, we were not planning for Miss. Alina so we are short on equipment.”
“What mission?” Turnkey looked back and forth between Ivan and Hammer a brief moment before a smile broke out on his face.
Reaching them a hard side black case he explained. “Mr. Hark has asked that assist him with breaching the private property of one Miguel Sandoval. We procured two additional sets of Kevlar. It is in the back. Serge and I are particular about our side arms. We always carry the 6P35 Yargin. Since we did not know your preference, we selected two Glock 45’s for each of you, along with extra clips. You said to keep it clean so we didn’t bring automatic weapons or anything illegal.”
Hammer liked working with the Russians. “We never once discussed compensation.”
“We will breach the container and see what he secures there. We take a 50/50 split of any and all valuables. It could be that this operation pays for itself.”
Hammer responded curtly. “I believe we will only find women there. He has a string of strip club and prostitutes in the back rooms.”
Ivan glanced up at him then back down at his handgun. He let the slide click before slamming the clip into the handle. “Perhaps today, we fight injustice in the world. Our reward will be God’s to give, no?”
Hammer smiled at the other man, relieved they were on the same page.
Turnkey murmured beside him. “This is a thousand fuckin’ times better than walking the halls of that jail.”
Hammer marveled that opening his eyes and living in the moment, had led him to like-minded men and an opportunity to slap Miguel down with a little righteous justice today. It was a hell of a way to spend his first day out of the joint. Picking up a Glock, he ran his hand down the cold metal barrel. It was good that this cold slice of metal would be dealing death today. If Miguel were keeping women in that shipping container any men standing there allowing that to happen deserved to eat a bullet. He’s gun them down in cold blood and sleep like a baby tonight. He always did.
Alina, for once in her life, chose to remain silent. Hammer suspected she didn’t want to do anything to further antagonize him. He was wound pretty tight at the moment, so it was a smart move on her part.
Turnkey picked up his weapon. “What are the rules, Convict?”
“Rules? There ain’t no stinkin’ rules. We descend on them, kill every Grim we meet before they fuckin’ kill us, and force our way into that container by any means necessary. Even if they aren’t housing women, they’re responsible for abducting my son and trying to kill me and my brothers, not once but twice.”
Watching Turnkey looking over the weapon, Hammer asked. “You can shoot, can’t you, brother?”
“Fuck yea. I did my tour in Afghanistan. Nice to be able to kill people that I’m sure are the enemy, for once.”
Hammer eyed him with new respect. “Not many men get that piece about killing.”
Loading a clip into the handgun, Turnkey murmured. “Well I sure the hell do. Let’s do this and then go home and have leftover turkey.”
The SUV rumbled to a stop. After strapping on their Kevlar, weapons, and black face masks the men spread out and began moving towards the small dock. Unlike major portside docks this one was a large concrete lot with a dozen rows of industrial shipping containers neatly stacked three deep. Hammer slipped into the office where one security guard was on duty. One blow to the back of his head, sent the man slumping forward. Hammer searched his body for Grim ink then his clothing for anything with the Grimm insignia. Tossing Ivan the man’s cell phone, he began digging through his pants pockets. He found a wadded up piece of paper with Miguel’s name and number and the word $50 for tips scrawled across it. Sloppy work. Miguel should have left another crew member’s name as the contact person. It occurred to him to his nemesis was probably to paranoid to do that.
Ivan pocketed the phone and announced quietly. “No sign of contact with Miguel.”
Hammer held up the scrap of paper. He’s not Grim. He’s just some poor slob who gets paid for tipping them off when someone comes asking questions about their shit.” Using zip ties, Hammer tied his hand behind his back and his ankles together. They rummaged through the office and found which shipping container was Miguel’s. It didn’t say anything about the Grims but it did have their car parts store name on the paperwork. How was it that Miguel was so smart in some areas and so stupid in others? The inexplicable dichotomy felt strange.
They headed out to the shipping containers. Hammer kept Alina pressed to his back and the Russians flanked them. Turnkey brought up the rear. It was as safe as they could make her without additional Kevlar.
As they got close to the far row they could hear men talking. Hammer and Ivan stepped out and shot at the same time. Serge stepped in front of Alina. Another man walked from behind a porta potty and Turnkey nailed him with one between the eyes.
“Sure we don’t want to keep one alive, convict? Maybe we could wring some information out of him.”
“We already got their VP to tell us everything we want to know about their operation. Just clean house already.”
“You got it.”
Serge threw himself onto his back and fired four shots in rapid succession. A man in a Grim cut feel from the top of a stack of shipping containers. Turnkey walked over and offered him a hand. “Couldn’t stand to be the only one without a kill today, could you?”
Serge didn’t respond but he did smile. Ivan was already trying to get the door to the shipping container open. It was locked from the outside. Hammer picked up a crowbar and walked over. They slipped it through the pad lock and both men twisted hard. The lock popped and Ivan yanked it off.
There was an overpowering stench as they stepped through the door. Sure enough there were about a dozen shadows moving around. Hammer suspected they had to have the container wired for electricity so he began feeling around the door for a light switch. Instead he felt a string brush over the back of his hand. Yanking it turned on a bright bulb overhead. The room was full of women and the moment they saw the men stepping into the room they began to huddle along the back wall. Thank fuck they had thought to cover their faces and remove their cuts. Every woman in the room would have been able to identify them.
Alina gasped. “Sweet Jesus, what the hell is going on here?”
Hammer barked roughly. “Skin trade, doll. The worst I’ve ever seen.”
All the women seemed panicked. All but one. A woman wearing nothing but a thong and a thick leather collar fell to her knees and spread her hands palms up on top each leg. She lowered her head. Hammer was too shocked to respond, but Ivan and Serge were at her side in seconds.
Both men pulled their balaclava face masks up to reveal their faces. No risk, since they were staying to talk with the police. Ivan used one hand to tenderly lift her chin. Gazing into her eyes, he spoke sincerely. “Tell me what I need to know to save you today, little sub. I swear on my life we will not abandoned you.”
Swallowing the woman replied. “The containers are stacked three deep. The men here have guards in the container above us and an office above that one. They will wait for you to try to leave with us then shoot us all from above.”
Serge spoke for the first time ever. “They already tried that. It did not work out so well for them. We will return you to your master, trust in that.”
Hammer towered over them. “We’re here to free women not return them to their fuckin’ masters. What’s wrong with you two?”
Ivan jerked his chin to Serge. “I will clear the upper floors. You stay with the sub. No harm must come to her.”
Turnkey approached. “You know something? This day is just getting weirder by the goddamn minute. Come on Ivan. I’m with you. The convict can bring up the rear. Maybe his woman can get them to calm the fuck down.”
Hammer was grateful that Turnkey wasn’t using is real name in front of the women. “I’d agree to just about anything to get this mission moving again.” Turning to Alina, he barked. “Talk to them. Do not get near them. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
Ivan spoke to the woman on her knees once more before standing. “Stay with Serge. Do as he says.”
“It will be as you say, Master Ivan.”
What the fuck? Why was she calling Ivan master? The whole situation was dong his head in.
They were jerking open a trapped door in the ceiling in no time. Hammer pulled himself up after Ivan and Turnkey and joined the firefight. There were only three men but they did put up a fight. Once the smoke cleared, Hammer jerked his chin to the one remaining hatch. Opening it proved more challenging. Once it came open they discovered it was pitch dark. Illumination revealed a neat office with a small AC unit off to one side. Whoever worked it liked to be comfortable. That much was clear.
Ivan shouted down, “We’ve cleared all levels.”
Hammer jerked his chin to Ivan. “I know that we’re wearing gloves and all but don’t touch anything you don’t have to. Most of this is written in Spanish. Let’s get our pretty little bitch up here. I dying to see if there is enough here to call the police.”
Ivan nodded. Leaning over the trapped door, he spoke again. “We need assistance reading Spanish. The office is on the third level.”
Within moments Alina’s small form crawled into the room. Pulling up her mask, she complained. “I can’t breathe in the damn thing.”
Hammer motioned for her to sit down and turned around a huge old school written ledger. Alina gasped. “His name is all over this thing. I can’t believe they are keeping lists of women they’ve taken and the names of people and organizations who have bought them. Oh, God. I think, I’m going to be sick. Some have been sold to organ donation facilities. This sick.”
Hammer hadn’t quite expected that kind of thing to be going on but neither was he quite shocked. “They are probably selling the ones who don’t make it, doll. Not the live ones.”
“Thank God.” Ivan shot him a dirty look but her relief almost made the little white lie worth it.
Turnkey found a window had been cut out of the side of the container. It was barely visible. Shoving it open he let in some much needed additional light and air. Hammer picked up a small safe and tossed it out onto the pavement.
Ransacking through the desk, he found some cash, a few burner phones still in their packages and some drugs. Taking only the cash, they climbed down to the second level they looked around and found some more drugs, crystal meth and some pills he couldn’t identify.
“Leave the drugs. It might be enough to earn them another charge”
Turnkey nodded.
Meeting with Ivan and Serge outside, Hammer noticed that Alina had already moved the women out of the shipping container and they were all sitting on the pavement. She was kneeling in front of them speaking.
“I don’t know if you all have families to return to or not but the police will take responsibility for you until arrangements can be made. If you don’t have any place to go or if you need a little financial assistance to get you spinning in the right direction, contact Cavanaugh Law Offices. They will point you in the right direction. Got that Cavanaugh Law Offices. It’s really important that you are all open and honest with law enforcement.”
The women, though still frightened, seemed to be agreeing with her. Hammer and Turnkey took the Russians off to the side. “We’ll hang back and make sure none of the Grim Crew show up before the police. Once the police roll up into here, we’ll disappear.”
Ivan turned, holding out a hand to the woman in the collar. She rose gracefully to her feet and came to him, slipping her delicate hand into his.
“We would prefer not to subject you to interrogation by law enforcement. Is there someone we can call for you? Your master must be worried sick about?”
Alina’s mouth pressed into a firm line as the listened.
The woman wearing the collar looked down for a long moment. Then her eyes found Ivan’s, her gaze searching for something.
“We will see you returned to you master safe and sound. This was our vow to you.”
Tears filled her eyes and for a second time Serge and Ivan were pressed in on each side of her in an instant. Tipping her face up to look into her face again he murmured. “You no longer have a master, do you little one?”
Her voice was sad and forlorn. “They shot him, killed Master Ferguson in cold blood. Grabbed me off the street like I was a regular person.”
Ivan murmured, “It must have been terrifying.”
Hammer looked the three of them. Both men had the woman sandwiched between them, cooing over her like she was a queen. He racked his brain but was coming up with absolutely nothing on his one.
“Don’t mean to be a gigantic dick but would someone mind telling me what’s going on here?”
Ivan turned to him, keeping the woman protectively behind him. “The Grims are ignorant savages, to have pulled a formally trained submissive off the streets that way. She’s worth…” Glancing over his shoulder briefly before continuing. “More than his entire little operation. How much did your master pay for you, sub?”
“Almost one million dollars.”
Ivan held up his hand. “This is our compensation for this mission. We keep the woman. You can have whatever is in the safe but the submissive stays with us. No other may touch her. Make sure you men know.”
Hammer sighed. “She’s a fuckin’ human being. She’s not mine to give, dumbass.”
The woman spoke again. “I wish to remain with Masters Ivan and Serge, if you will permit it Master, Hammer.”
Hammer had just about had enough of the whole ridiculous mess. “Fine by me, princess.” Shooting Ivan a nasty glances he stated. “No take backs. The deal’s done. Now let’s call the police so the rest of these nice ladies can find their way home.”
“Deal.” Turning his head to look at Alina, Ivan spoke. “Please escort the submissive to the Kingsmen’s clubhouse. See that she is refreshed and ready for us. We will return for her as soon as the Kingsmen’s business is completed with law enforcement.”
Alina nodded. “It will my pleasure, Ivan. You know, I own you and your brother my life.”
Ivan nodded and the woman went to stand by Alina. Hammer glanced nervously around to see if any of the women across the pavement was paying attention. They were all talking amongst themselves, growing more excited by the moment. He could hear Ivan on his cell phone, talking to the police. He was giving the cover story they’d agreed upon. Motioning to Alina and Turnkey they headed back to the front of the dock and climbed into the SUV. The women climbed into the back and Alina jerked off the face mast. The other woman gasped.
“You’re beautiful.”
Alina grinned. “That’s debatable. What were you expecting?”
“A rough looking female soldier, perhaps. I am not certain.”
Fishing out the keys, Hammer started the vehicle and muttered. “Well, you got a sexy little school teacher. Go figure.”
The woman laughed. “For real? You teach children?”
Nodding, Alina noted. “You have a nice laugh.”
Sobering in an instant, she responded. “I cannot remember the last time I laughed. It has been many weeks.”
“How long were you with the Grim Crew?”
“I do not know. One loses track of time in such situations. Thank God the masters came for us. I did not think anyone would.”
That was just one quirky comment to many for Hammer. “We ain’t goddamn masters, you crazy bitch. We’re just regular bikers. Got that?”
The woman went white. “It will be as you say.”
Alina was curious. “Why do you call men masters?”
Lowering her voice, the woman responded. “Only Master Ivan and Master Serge are true masters. I was referring to the others as masters to be polite. Most apex alphas do not like the insinuation that another male is superior.”
Hammer grunted. “That almost makes sense. What the fuck is a master exactly?” Hammer was just trying to pass the time as he half listened to her explanation. His primary focus was on monitoring the front gate of the dock from across his current position in a nearby alley
“Some people are more aware of the power dynamics in a relationship than others. Though people like to pretend the power is equally shared, that is rarely the case. As you might be aware some men love having all the control. Unless they are a properly trained dominates that usually does not bode well for the woman. Your friends are very well trained dominates. I could tell the moment I set eyes on them.”
They began to hear sirens and the moment Hammer saw the first squad care he eased the vehicle back and away from their view. As he headed to the clubhouse, he listened to the women talk in the back.
Alina asked curiously. “Why do they call you sub, instead of your name? Do you not have a name?”
“I is common behavior for those in the lifestyle. Since we have not been formally introduced, they simply call me by my title.”
“Tell me a little about yourself.”
“My name is Cassandra Boleyn. I was born and raised in Louisiana. I walked my cotillion at age sixteen and graduated at age eighteen. By the age of twenty I found myself at a loss for what I wanted to do with my life. I found my first BDSM club that same year and was taken on as a trainee. I took to the lifestyle like a fish to water.”
“I just can’t imagine what a woman would get out of being submissive.” Poor little Alina seemed totally at a loss. Hammer at least understood the concept of women who liked to be taken care of instead of having to fend for themselves. Hell, he had a clubhouse full of them. Alina had been raised to be independent, so it was difficult for her fathom where the woman was coming from.
“Well as I said some people love to have control and other, like me, abhor control. It’s a hassle to worry about socializing, figuring out how to please everyone around me, choosing an occupation and working with others. I prefer to worry about one person and what makes him happy. I get an intrinsic joy in pleasing the man I’m with. If it’s the right man, he will do everything in his power to please me in return. Though he makes the decisions, he usually choses in my favor. It’s one of the ways that I know I’m cherished. So far, I’ve had only two masters but they were both phenomenal men.”
“I’d describe Ivan and Serge as phenomenal men but they’re two men. How would you choose?”
The woman laughed again. The sound was light and musical.
“It’s clear they are double doms. I’ve seen other women with two doms but it will be a new experience for me. I suspect they will want to audition for me soon, maybe tonight if I am up to it. If they please me and vice versa, the will offer me a contract. They are both very attractive.”
Hammer responded wryly. “Yea, well they’re pretty fond of you as well. In fact they have put you off limits. None of the brothers are allowed to approach you. How do you feel about that?”
“I’m honestly thrilled. They are very protective, considering that we have no contract.”
Alina spoke. “What is a contract exactly?”
“My last master may have bought me but he couldn’t touch me without my express consent or a contract. Masters and submissives draft out an agreement outlining what the submissive permits and what is off limits. For example I refused to allow anything involving urine or feces and forbid my partners for leaving permanent scars on my body. I also do not enjoy hot wax or medical role playing.”
Hammer was more confused than ever but whatever was going on with this chick, she sounded like she knew what she was talking about.
Alina seemed curious and amused. “So you just hang out, shop, get your nails done and fuck in inventive ways, while your master works hard, strives to keep you happy and makes sure your safe?”
“It is somewhat more complicated than that, but being cared for properly is something I have come to value in my short life. Master Ferguson gave his life trying to keep me safe. He will remain forever locked in my heart for that sacrifice.”
“Well that beats most of the relationship I’ve had. At least you don’t people throwing bricks through your window, calling you a betrayer and stuff like that. Trust me when I say that kind of thing gets old real fast.”
Hammer screeched the breaks. “Who threw a brick through your window? No one told me that.”
Alina turned her disbelieving gaze on him in an instant. “Well let me tell you all about that. Someone threw a brick through my front room window out of the clear blue sky the other day. Want to know what the note said?”
Hammer swallowed thickly as he waited for her to tell him.
The note read: “I know that I said it was nothing personal. Now it is.” Tilting her head, she continued looking at him to see if he got the message.
“Fuck Miguel. I really hate that man. I hope he goes down for a very long time.”
“After what we found, every Grim in a cut will be in jail by sunset.”