“I’ve been hearing some troubling news out of our red zone,” Maddox said.
Jacob tensed up. The red zone was what his father said about their escorts, their brothels.
“What news?” Abel asked.
“I got a call today that they’re taking girls off the street. Young girls, underage girls, and forcing them. You know I don’t like that shit. I want it shut down, and dealt with.”
“I’ll do it,” Jacob said.
“Good. You’ve got a call to Frank as well. He’s near that district.”
During the meeting Maddox told them what he needed, giving them all certain jobs, and when it was over, they all relaxed.
Releasing Lou, Jacob stepped up to his father’s desk. “Who gave you a call?” he asked.
“One of our women. She said it has gone bad. I’ve not been able to send anyone out there for a few months, and it looks like they think they can do whatever the fuck they want, and I will just leave it. It’s about time that they see I’m not a man to be fucked with.”
Nodding, Jacob turned back, going to Lou. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”
“Yes. With what he said about the red zone, is that, erm, the brothels?”
He nodded. “Yes. Dad doesn’t agree with forcing women. We’re heading over to give them a surprise visit. You’re going to see some stuff you’re not going to like.”
They made their way toward the elevator. Abel held the door open for them.
“Damn, Lou, you’re fucking hot. I’ve never seen a woman hold a gun to my dad, but shit, I’d pay to get my rocks off.”
“Back off,” Jacob said.
“Whatever. It’s true then? The possession?”
“Yes.”
He didn’t want her to know what he was talking about.
“Damn, you’re pussy-whipped.”
“Fuck off!”
The elevator opened up. “Stay safe, brothers,” Jacob said.
“Same to you. Keep checking in,” Gideon said.
They left the casino and were in the car within seconds.
“Wow, you don’t exactly linger with each other.”
“We have work to do. We don’t have time to stay around, chatting or shit. There’re family events for that.” He helped her into the car, rounding the vehicle to climb in beside her.
“He mentioned Frank’s, where I work?”
“Yep. It’s owned by the Dentons.”
“Great. I’ve been working for you all along.”
“Do you feel like giving the boss some perks?”
“Nope.” She chuckled. It was the first real humor he’d heard from her, and he liked it. He wanted to keep on hearing it.
“Buckle up.”
Turning over the engine, he pulled away from the casino, and was on his way to the red zone.
“You know, according to the movies and books, most families like yours are into human trafficking.”
“Again, it’s something that makes us different. Dad couldn’t do it. If the woman wants to sell her shit for him, then he’ll help, keep her safe, and make sure she has a good life. We don’t believe in forcing.”
“You know that does sound crazy, right?”
“It doesn’t. Dad couldn’t do it. He’d see women and put Mom’s and Tamsin’s faces to them. It would kill him, and that’s not what we’re about.”
“So, have you killed people?” she asked. “We’re allowed to ask questions.”
“Yes, I’ve killed people.”
“Women?”
Jacob gripped his steering wheel tightly. “Yes. I had no choice. She was in pain, and she begged me to end it for her. I did.” It wasn’t one of his fondest memories, but it was one he’d come to accept.
“An act of mercy?”
“Yes. She’d been beaten to a bloody pulp, and she was completely broken. I ended her pain. I later found out that if I hadn’t have killed her, she’d have died anyway. Her body had already started to shut down.”
“You’re really a contradiction, aren’t you? The whole family. No one can put you into one box and tick bad, can they?”
Jacob shrugged. “It’s not my job to make everyone’s life easier. We do what we do. Am I saying we’re good people? No, I’m not. I’m saying we do what needs to be done.”
“Killing people?”
It was tempting to let her know that Riley had ended lives with his hands for his parents. He decided against it. Jacob had no intention of coming between brother and sister. The last thing he wanted to do was start their relationship in a bad place.
“Like I said, I wouldn’t say we’re good people. We’re just better than some, and worse than others.” Jacob shrugged. “I deal with it. Now, it’s time for me to ask a question.”