Epilogue
"So, the slaves are doing well?" Tank asked, watching Niles walk around the bedroom as he got ready for work.
"They're recovering fine and I know both Troy and Jacques have kept in touch with them."
“I can’t tell you how relieved I was when we moved them to the safe houses. At least now they have a chance to recover and rebuild their lives.”
“Families?” Niles asked.
“None so far. Looks like they were picked up off the streets. People that wouldn’t be missed. It doesn’t help that they don’t really trust us yet.” Tank shrugged. “I’m hoping they’ll realise we’re there to help.”
“They’ve suffered, Tank. It’s going to take them time to learn to trust again.”
Tank sat up, the covers pooling in his lap, and leaned back against the headboard. “I know, and to think there’s god knows how many more out there still being held and abused. We need to do something.”
“We do, but we can’t go rushing in without having all the information. We could cause more damage that way.”
“I know, Niles, I’m frustrated by the delays. I need to be doing something.”
“And you will, when the time is right.”
Niles walked over to him and sat on the edge of the bed. Reaching out, he held Tank’s hand. “I love that you want to go in there and save them all, but do it the right way. When we get them out — and we will — they are going to need all of us and then some. Who knows how long they’ve been used for? We need to be strong for them.” Niles squeezed his hand.“We can do this.”
“We can, and we won’t fail.”
Niles stood and finished getting dressed and Tank sighed when all that glorious skin was covered up. The past month had been everything he’d heard it would be. Yes, they’d had some difficult conversations, but regardless, Tank was exactly where he was meant to be.
He missed his parents, but he had his mate and, surprisingly, his sister Bronwyn, who’d reached out to him and congratulated him on his mating. She’d even been over and met Niles, the two of them getting along well. It helped a little that he hadn’t lost everyone.
“Hey, they’ll come around.”
Tank grunted. Trust Niles to know what he was thinking about. “They won’t, but I’m okay with it now. I have you, Bronwyn, and my friends.” Niles came back over to him and bent to kiss him. Tank hummed into the kiss, smiling when Niles stepped away. “I love you.”
Niles grinned at him from over his shoulder. “Love you too. Bella Donna tonight?”
“You bet. We need a night out and you have tomorrow off.” Tank waggled his eyebrows at Niles, who laughed.
“Are we staying in bed tomorrow?”
Tank grinned. “That’s my plan.”
Niles sat next to him and grinned back at him. “My favorite thing to do.”
Niles leaned over and kissed him again and Tank held him, moaning quietly. He’d made his choice and he didn’t regret it. Not one little bit.
Hunter glanced at the motel and scanned the area. He was going to meet his contact, the one inside. The one he now knew was helping him. It had taken weeks to convince him to come here today, but he had finally agreed.
Now he had a way to save the slaves and thwart the vampires’ plan, he would do whatever was needed to get the job done, including exposing his contact, particularly if it helped save the humans. No vampire was safe, even the one giving him the information needed. He was on the inside and complicit in the vampires’ plans.
If necessary, Hunter would end him.
The End