Jerry could feel her shaking as he held her to him. He looked at Hank over Gypsy’s head. The men shared a concerned look.

“Gyps, are you ok?” Hank asked softly.

Jerry felt her shake her head slightly. “He can’t hear you sweetie.”

Gypsy sighed then pulled back slightly. “I will be. Just give me a few minutes.”

Jerry rubbed his hand slowly up and down her back. “It’s ok. Take all the time you need. Hank, go back and take care of Sadie. We need to get that tire changed and get the hell out of here. I have Gypsy.”

An hour later, the tire changed, the bad guys collected and statements given to the Sheriff, they were headed back to the house. Jerry stayed in the SUV with the women while Hank cleared the house. Jerry noticed how Gypsy had stayed quiet since the shooting and seemed to have withdrawn into herself, keeping away from Sadie, only giving one word answers, or a shake or nod of her head when asked questions. Jerry was worried that Gypsy was going to close herself off completely. He caught Sadie’s worried glance when she looked at him.

When Hank returned to give the all clear and helped Sadie out of the SUV, Jerry got out of the SUV to open the door for Gypsy. She quickly got out of the vehicle and went into the house, going straight upstairs without a spared glance or word.

* * *

Gypsy went to her room, grabbing a pair of sweats and a baggy shirt then headed across the hall to the bathroom. She placed her clothes on the toilet seat and her phone on the bathroom counter. She stripped and started her shower. Gypsy picked up her phone and sent a text to Ice.

Aleski found me in Montana.

Climbing into the shower, she made it hot and steamy, as hot as she could stand. After scrubbing herself raw, the tears started to come. Gypsy slid to the shower floor and started sobbing hard. When the water ran cold and her tears ran out, she got up, turned the water off, and got out of the shower. As she was getting dressed, there was a knock on the door.

“Hey Gyps, are you ok in there?” Sadie asked concerned.

“Yeah, I’ll be out in a minute. Can you please ask Hank to meet me in the living room in a few minutes?” Gypsy asked, her voice cracking.

“Yeah, I will, Gyps,” Sadie replied.

Gypsy could tell by the sound of Sadie’s voice she wanted to say more. Just then, her phone started vibrating on the counter. The caller ID showed it was Ice calling.

“Hey Ice,” Gypsy answered the call, immediately fighting the tears.

“I just got your text. What address are you at? The team and I pulling into the airport now, we’re catching a flight into Bozeman. We should be there in about 2-3 hours,” Ice said in work mode.

“You’re coming here?” Gypsy asked in disbelief.

“Gypsy, we told you before, we are telling you again. No matter what, we will always come if you need us. Aleski is one person we cannot ignore, no matter what. Now, the address!” Ice demanded.

Gypsy quickly gave her the address and sighed when Ice disconnected the call. Walking hesitantly downstairs, she entered the living room and saw Hank and Jerry in a quiet discussion by the windows and Sadie curled up on the couch typing away on her phone.

“Hi guys,” Gypsy said in a quiet voice.

Hank and Jerry looked over to her as Sadie threw her phone on the couch and rushed over and hugged her tight. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m good. I need to talk to you I have a short time to do it in,” Gypsy said with a tight smile.

“What do you mean a short time?” Hank asked sharply.

Gypsy sighed. “Let me get this out okay?” Everyone nodded and watched Gypsy as she walked toward the windows and stared out. “When I was ten years old, my father’s brother raped me. After he raped me, he sold me to a local drug dealer. I was sold twice until Dimetri Aleski bought me. For six years I was a sex slave for Aleski. He bought me when I was fourteen.”

Gypsy heard Sadie gasp at the same time Hank and Jerry let a few curses fly. She took a deep breathe knowing she needed to get through the rest. “Aleski ran a tight ship. His customers paid top dollar for a good fuck. The higher the customer paid, the worse the girl was treated. If we fought, cried for help, or refused whatever the john wanted to do, Aleski would have us beaten then let his men have their way with us. That was his way of getting us back in line. His thugs loved it when we got out of hand, too. They lived for the chance to do damage. I was one of their favorite play toys to damage.”

Gypsy turned around to face the small group in the room. “I was nineteen when I was rescued. Seven years ago, the Sheriff of San Diego created a task force of women to focus on Human Trafficking in the county. Alpha Squad, from Riverton County Sheriff’s Department, raided one of Aleski’s warehouses based on a tip they received from an inside informant. Myself and thirteen other girls were rescued that day. Detectives Raso and Pratt were part of a team of seven women who rescued us. They made sure we got medical attention and were taken care of no matter what. Raso and Ice as I call her, and Pratt, who is Red, stayed with me through it all. They gave me their phone numbers and always checked in on me. They were my guard dogs, even against my parents. These women didn’t play, then, and they still don’t play today.”

Gypsy looked down at her wrists rubbing the scar on her left wrist. “Six months after I was rescued, my father blew up at me because I went into panic mode when his brother came for a visit. My dad believes his brother that I made up the rape story and being sold.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Jerry exploded.

“What about your teachers, other parents, or doctors? Didn’t they back up your claim or see any changes?” Sadie asked.

“My dad’s brother sold me just two days after he raped me. He was babysitting me for my parents so they could get away for the weekend. He had sold me the day my parents were to return home. He told my dad I ran away because he punished me for a temper tantrum when he said no over a Barbie doll in a store. I wasn’t into Barbies, but my parents believed whatever he said.”

Hank let a series of curses spew as he walked over to Sadie to comfort her when she started to cry at Gypsy’s words. Even though the memories stung, Gypsy forced herself to continue her story. “Shortly after I got out of the hospital, Ice and her team offered for me to stay in special housing they have for girls to go to until they can get back on their feet, but my parents wouldn’t hear of it. A few weeks after being home with my parents, I overheard my dad tell my mom that his brother was coming over for dinner. I locked myself in my room, petrified that my uncle would try to rape me again and this time my father wouldn’t care since I was already damaged goods. I did the only thing that made sense at the time: I slit my wrists.”

Gypsy held her wrists up so that Sadie and the men could see the faint white scars. “Apparently I had sent Ice a text telling her goodbye. When I woke up, I was in the hospital with Ice and Red both watching over me. They refused to let me give up. They fought me every step of the way. They even told my father if he or his brother came near me again, they would make both their bodies disappear and no one would find them.” Gypsy laughed.

“I’m glad they did, Bert,” Jerry said as he walked over to Gypsy, giving her a hug.

Sadie removed herself from Hank and rushed over to Gypsy. “I am, too! You have us now, too.” Sadie hugged Gypsy tightly.

Hank hugged Gypsy last. “Me too, Gyps. But what did you mean about having a short time to talk to us?”

“Because I know Aleski. He won’t stop until I’m back in his hold or dead. I can’t put you, Sadie, or the baby in his line of fire. Hank you two didn’t ask for this when you invited me here. I didn’t know Aleski was looking for me. It’s not fair to you to be caught in the middle of this.”

“Gypsy, please let Hank and Jerry help you. I can’t lose you,” Sadie pleaded with Gypsy.

“Gyps, don’t lose faith in us. We are trained for this. We know what we are doing. This is our job. This is what we live and breathe,” Jerry said firmly.

“Sorry Gypsy, but we refuse to let you do this alone. We will follow you to keep you safe,” Hank said with conviction in his voice.

Gypsy looked at Hank with narrowed eyes, then at Sadie and Jerry. “Fine, on one condition, though,” Gypsy said with her hands on her hips.

“Fine Bert, I will kiss you and cover you with my hot body,” Jerry said with humor as he tried to lighten the mood.

“I will stab your ass, Ernie,” Gypsy said with a straight face.

“I’ll help you. Ignore Jerry, he’s a dumbass sometimes, but means well,” Hank said rolling his eyes as Jerry pretended to be wounded from Hank’s comment. “What’s the condition Gypsy?”

“Work with Alpha Squad,” Gypsy demanded.

“Kinda hard with them in San Diego,” Jerry laughed.

“Yeah, about that. They are on their way into Bozeman. They should be landing there in an hour or two. I sent Ice a message to let them know that Aleski found me,” Gypsy said sheepishly.

“How many are coming in?” Hank asked in business mode.

“From what Ice said, it’s all seven of them. They are good people. They know Aleski and can help you and Jerry,” Gypsy begged Hank.

“Alright, guess we are going to Bozeman after all. Let me make some arrangements then we will be on the way. Gypsy, message them and let them know we are on the way and will meet them at the airport,” Hank said as he moved into action.