Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 85228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
"Okay," he says before turning back to his painting.
I stand and make my way across the room to Eli's parents.
"He really wants a puppy," I whisper when I first approach.
Nolan smiles as if he already has something in the works, but Aspen looks a little dubious.
"He's going to have an increase in nightmares," I begin, watching the way Nolan's back stiffens.
I can only imagine the man feels a little helpless because his son's nightmares are one of the few things that are outside of his control.
"Why?" the man asks.
"I tasked him with drawing about his good dreams, and it's inevitable that the bad dreams will increase before they get better. But it's a way to get the bad things on paper, which I told him he could draw for me as well."
"Why not just have him draw the bad ones first?" Nolan asks.
"It puts too much pressure on him. Has he had any problems with bedwetting?"
"No," Aspen answers quickly.
"That's good, but keep an eye out for that as well," I advise.
"We will," Nolan says as he steps closer to me, frowning when I instinctively take a step back to avoid him touching me. "I wanted to ask if everything is okay?"
I raise my eyebrows. Now is not the time to discuss my issues. I have a therapist for that. I'd never have that conversation with a client's parent.
"Why do you ask?"
"You were looking around a lot during your session as if you were worried about something. Is there something I should know?"
My head immediately shakes. I had no idea I was looking around, although I have been concerned that either Jersey or Zeus would pop up and share about the other night.
"I have no concerns," I tell him. "See you on Saturday?"
"We'll be here," he says, his eyes still on me as if he isn't taking my assurance at face value.
With as much confidence as I can manage, I gather my bag, tell Eli another quick goodbye, and make my way to the front door, fighting the urge to look around on the way out.
Chapter 8
Jersey
I grind my teeth as I press harder into his back with my knee.
"I'll be out before the sun rises," the guy grunts, still not accepting his fate.
It's very possible that this guy isn't as entangled with the crew we just took down, but guilt by association is a real thing. There's very little chance the guy will make it out of jail any time soon.
All the men have been talking shit except for the one who Hemlock has handcuffed. They're in the corner of the room, and that guy looks like he's well aware of the reality of his situation.
This craft beer brewery is just on the edge of historic Asheville, North Carolina, and it has been the location of a sting operation that Lark has been working on for several weeks.
Their hidden menu was selling a lot more than pale ale to specific discerning customers. Although the women working here were doing so willingly, the escort service and prostitution ring are not only illegal, but they've been loosely connected to a trafficking ring that's been traveling through from further south.
"Here," Zeus says, tapping my shoulder to hand me a pair of zip-tie cuffs.
The guy under me continues to fight to get away as if being pinned down is a slight to his masculinity. Even in his rage at being busted, he's no competition for me. Without much effort, I get him cuffed, resisting the urge to slam his head into the floor before pulling him to his feet.
One of the SWAT guys who assisted us today walks up and takes the degenerate off my hands.
The best part of working for Cerberus and no longer working for ICE is that all that red tape and paperwork are left up to other people. We get to come in and do a lot of the surveillance and the arrests. Then we get to walk away without having to sit at a desk and type up reports.
I walk past the others, leaving the room, making sure to keep my eyes down as I pass by the women who are somehow wrapped up in this. A lot of times, the girls are simply workers who are trying to make enough money to live on, or they're somehow either being forced or coerced into sex work.
Periodically, they're actually part of the problem and are actively and willingly helping the business run. It means they have to be interviewed by authorities to determine their place in all of it and if charges should be brought against them. It's one of those delicate situations where I'm severely underqualified to help.
We never want to further traumatize someone or increase their victimization, but gone are the days of assuming that just because they're female, they aren't part of the problem.