Undone Read online

  We were going to go into feelings now? I didn’t mind when it was someone else, but when it was turned on me, I didn’t want anything to do with it. They were mine to deal with alone, nobody else’s. Much as I liked Liz, I wasn’t about to have that conversation with her. He glared at her.

  “Since when have you been all sentimental?”

  There was a laugh from behind me, and I turned to see a hulking fair-haired man come into the lounge. His cell phone was in his hand, and his eyes were glinting as he stepped over the train track into the kitchen.

  “She’s always been sentimental. She just doesn’t show it much.”

  Liz snorted, but her eyes were smiling up at her man as Noah Calder crossed the kitchen.

  “With you about, can you blame me?”

  “Not really.”

  I groaned as Noah cupped Liz’s face in his hand and kissed her. It was so soppy that I couldn’t bear to look.

  “I swear you’ve gone all soft since you came out of prison.”

  Noah lifted his head and smirked at me.

  “What, me? Never.”

  “Well, certain parts of him are still hard,” Liz giggled, her fingers trailing down Noah’s chest. “Although not all the time.”

  “Give me a chance, love. I don’t do audiences.”

  I had heard enough

  “Liz, please, I really didn’t want to know that. Now, Noah and I need to talk, and you can find the bleach.”

  “Bleach?”

  “So, I can wash out the remnants of my brain of that image you’ve given me.”

  “What, of Noah being hard?” Liz grinned. “You dirty bastard.”

  “That’s enough, you two.” Noah beckoned me to follow him. “Let’s go out into the back.”

  i hurried after my friend, and we stepped out onto the terrace. Noah shut the door, but i still lowered my voice.

  “Khloe not called back?”

  “Nope, nothing.” I had half-expected her not to call but knowing she had ignored me pissed me off. “What did you find?”

  “I got through to a contact of mine who’s close to the cartel. They were going to raid the brothel today, and now they’re on their way to a new location. It’s just on the Mexico border.”

  “Mexico?” I could feel the cold going up my spine. “Selling them off?”

  “Looks like it. Now Mason has pulled out of it, the cartel is looking elsewhere to buy and sell girls. New locations are required with a lot more stealth and secrecy.”

  “Not exactly secret if your contact managed to get hold of it,” I grunted. I rubbed my hands over my hair. “If they go across the border into Mexico, not only will they fetch a higher price, but the Mexican clients are more likely to kill them. They’re incredibly ruthless.”

  “I haven’t forgotten about them.” Noah took out his cell phone. “From the route I was told they would be taking, we’ll be able to take a short cut to catch up easily. And I’ve called in a favor from a friend who lives on the route to put some obstacles on the road to slow them down.”

  That was something. At least Noah’s contacts were coming through. I was going to have a few words with Khloe.

  “Ready to go?”

  Noah smirked. The light of an impending fight made my eyes glow.

  “Always.”

  Chapter Five

  Amber

  Kayla and I huddled in the dark as the truck trundled along, occasionally bouncing with the errant pothole in the road. I gritted my teeth as my spine smashed against the side of the container for the twelfth time. In my arms, Kayla whimpered and huddled closer. She hadn’t spoken for so long that Amber wondered if she was asleep.

  Nobody else had stirred. Whatever the others had been given had either been a bigger dose or I wasn’t as susceptible to it.

  I was young, but I wasn’t stupid. This wasn’t a planned vacation trip where we were going to enjoy Cancun. We were going to somewhere that would have several cages and we would be taken out, one by one, and sold to whoever waved the biggest check. After that, anything went. I had heard several stories about it from Diesel. Once upon a time, Diesel’s biker gang had been involved in human trafficking with Khloe. Khloe was still involved, but Diesel’s boss Mason had pulled out once he fell in love with the girl he bought. I couldn’t help but find that admirable.

  Then again, I was hardly one to talk. I was, essentially, in the same business. The only difference was I didn’t get carted about and sold off. However, now it was looking like it would become a reality.

  Feeling the cold seeping into my body, I huddled against the wall with Kayla in my arms. So, this was how my life was going to go, was it? My parents had always said I would amount to nothing. So did my foster parents. All of them. Nobody had given me any hope, not even at school. I was told I was a bad girl, and my self-esteem dipped so low that I started to believe them.

  My parents had had all their children taken into care when I was six. I had been pushed about from pillar to post with foster families, most of whom had been just as abusive or just flat-out ignored me. I hadn’t been able to take it any longer, and at seventeen, after one of my foster brothers had groped me in front of his parents and they had laughed it off, I decided to run away. I didn’t want to become a toy that people used.

  And what had happened? I’d run into Khloe, who became the mother I never had, bringing me into her home and giving me a place to sleep.

  But that warm mask she wore dropped away when she said that I had to pay rent, that she wasn’t running a charity. Somehow, I always knew that the kindness of strangers always hid their intentions, but I had been so desperate to believe, so desperate to just stop running, that I asked Khloe how I could pay her back.

  Khloe said that if I wanted to stay, I would need to earn my place on my back. I didn’t want to at first, but what other choices did I have?

  The job paid handsomely. That part had been right, but I lost count how many times I had been in a room with a man—or a woman—and been made to do things that were supposed to be sacred between partners. It was just all about the money now.

  I was tired of faking a smile, faking orgasms for my clients. I had done it for so long, I had no idea what a real orgasm was, or if I had ever had one.

  Then Diesel had come along.

  A year previously, I had laid eyes on the man when he had come to the brothel for a good time of his own, and all the heat had rushed to my pussy. The man was gorgeous, no doubt about it. I had never had such a reaction before. I had jumped up very fast when Diesel said he wasn’t bothered who went with him, so fast that everyone else had looked at me strangely. But I didn’t care.

  And Diesel had been better from the usual clients. Much better. Despite my eagerness, he had sensed my excitement and nerves. So, he had sat me down, and we talked for a very long time. I couldn’t remember the last time anyone had talked to me without judgment. It was like Diesel had been using words as a seduction technique. But why would he have ever needed seduction for a whore?

  Whatever happened, it had worked. By the time Diesel had leant in and kissed me, I was completely relaxed. Sex with Diesel had been incredible. He didn’t know the meaning of slow and gentle, but I didn’t care. Every part of me was lit on fire whenever he touched me. And I had climaxed for the first time. When Diesel realized this, he had been almost smug about it.

  Then he had made me come several more times before he left, leaving me a big tip.

  I had told myself that this was just client-and-whore relationship, nothing more. I wasn’t capable of love –I didn’t even know what love really was – but I knew and understand what lust was.

  It was hard not to lust after the big man.

  He had kept coming back, very regularly. And Diesel had asked for me every time. Most of the time, we would just have sex. Other times, we talked. Diesel had soon started using me as a confidant, telling me things about the club and admitting that he didn’t know what he was going to do. I had found that he listened
to me, and I loved the fact he would come to me for advice. Nobody had ever done that before.

  Diesel made me feel special.

  He was still my client, but Diesel had also become a friend. A very good friend. He trusted me, which was humbling. H made me feel like there was a life outside of the brothel, which was what I had needed. Thanks to Diesel, I had begun to stop feeling like a prisoner in my own room.

  But I had forgotten one thing about Diesel. We had used protection at the start, as per Khloe’s instructions – she didn’t want any pregnancies – but soon, we were so intent on each other, both decided to forgo the condoms altogether. And now I was pregnant.

  What would Diesel say about it? He hadn’t had much time to digest it over the phone. I had no idea what he thought about becoming a father. And would he come after me, now that he had an incentive? I sincerely hoped so; I didn’t want to die like this, all alone except for the other girls. I had something to live for now.

  I was sure that once I had spoken more to Khloe, she had to let me leave. Khloe didn’t have pregnant girls in her brothel, and I was not about to have an abortion. This baby could be my redemption, a way to make me a better person.

  If I ever got out of here.

  Suddenly, the truck lurched and swayed. It caused me to bounce harder against the wall, banging my head on the ridged metal. I groaned and fell to the floor, clutching my head. Kayla had fallen beside me and was trying to get up.

  “What was that?”

  I wasn’t sure, but from the way the truck had swerved, something had happened. Had a tire burst? Or was there an accident up ahead? It could be anything, but it could help us get out of there.

  There was the sound of male voices, muffled by the container. Then I heard a door opening and closing, and footsteps on gravel. Kayla gasped. I grabbed her and pulled her down.

  “Lie down and stay still,” I hissed. “Keep your head turned away. Pretend you’re still unconscious.”

  Kayla didn’t argue. I dropped down and curled into a ball, clamping my hands over my mouth. I heard a loud metal creaking and lied down, turning my head towards the wall. Then the doors opened, and I felt a cool, refreshing draft of air over my body. It was then I realized how musty the air had been getting. I had forgotten what fresh air tasted like.

  There was a moment of silence. And then I heard a man’s voice, thick with a Spanish accent.

  “They’re all still out. Doesn’t look like they’ve been injured, though.”

  “Good.” A second man’s voice. “I’m not keen on explaining that to Fernandez. He needs these girls in good condition.”

  So, it really was Fernandez. I bit my lip to stop myself from panicking. I was sure the two men could hear my heart pounding against the metal floor.

  “The tire’s blown,” the first man said. “What do we do now?”

  “Get the jack. I’ll get the spare wheel. We’ll have to change it.”

  “But what about the cargo? The truck will be too heavy with them still in it, and we can’t have them at the side of the road.”

  The other man groaned. “We’re going to have to, aren’t we?”

  I tensed. We were going to be taken outside. Into the open. Chances were, we would be in the middle of nowhere, but I was willing to take the risk if I wanted to get away. If I got an opportunity, I would run and get help. Find a way to contact Diesel. Or Mason. Anyone who could help us.

  Then I heard the sound of an engine. Another car.

  “There’s someone coming now,” the second man said. “Maybe they can help.”

  I risked a glance over. One of the doors was open, and I could see clearly onto the road outside. We were in the middle of the desert, and two Hispanic men were standing outside the truck as a jeep pulled up onto the hard shoulder behind them. They were just far enough away that I couldn’t see who was driving, but I recognized the bright red jeep. I had seen it many times before. A very familiar jeep.

  My heart quickened. Rescue. I gripped Kayla’s shoulder. “Kayla,” I whispered. “There’s going to be gunshot now. Do not panic. I want you to stay down and don’t move in case we get hit.”

  “Are… are they going to kill us?” Kayla whimpered.

  I shook my head.

  “It’s not us who are in trouble.” She glanced back outside again and saw a door opening. “Now, lie still. You get scared, hold on to me.”

  I turned away, refusing to look at the scene unfolding. I had never witnessed anyone die, and I wasn’t about to start now. I closed my eyes and took slow, deep breaths. As the gunshot started, quick, rapids rounds, I tensed up and felt my instincts kick into flight mode. But, somehow, I stayed down. It took all of my willpower to stay still. Kayla gasped and clutched onto me, her whole body shaking.

  Or was it me who was shaking? I didn’t know anymore.

  Then the gunshot stopped. The only thing I heard now was the ringing in my ears. There were some footsteps, then silence. Moments later, someone climbed into the container. I tried not to panic, holding tight onto Kayla. What if our rescue had been killed? What if we were on our own?

  I felt someone touch my shoulder, and I gasped. I rolled away and tried to slap the hand away, but the hand gripped my wrist. Instinctively, I screamed and thrashed.

  “Amber!” a familiar voice reached my ears. “Amber, it’s me. Calm down, it’s me.”

  Diesel. He was here? I opened my eyes. Half-bathed in light, Diesel was kneeling before me, holding on to an assault rifle in his other hand. His expression was grim, but his eyes were filled was genuine relief. He looked scared.

  I had never seen him scared in all the time I had known him.

  But he was here. I let out a small sob and flung myself at him. The rifle clattered to the floor, and Diesel’s arms came automatically around me, holding me close as I trembled against his chest. His hand cupped the back of my head, and I felt him kiss my hair.

  “It’s okay, honey. You’re safe. I’ve got you.”

  I believed that. I really did. Once I managed to get my composure back, I drew back. The world tilted, and I almost slumped sideways before Diesel caught me.

  “Whoa, easy there.”

  “Sorry.” I had to take a moment for the world to stop going out of focus. “I guess I’m still suffering from some effects.”

  “They drugged you?”

  I nodded. And instantly regretted it. That hurt.

  “They drugged all of us. Kayla and I are the only ones who are conscious.”

  Diesel’s jaw tightened. A flash of fury went across his eyes. He eased me to my feet, letting me lean on him.

  “Let’s get you outside.” He said gruffly. “I’ll come back for Kayla.”

  My legs felt like they were going to collapse beneath me. I was like a new-born animal taking its first steps. I gratefully took Diesel’s help as he led me to the back of the truck. Then Noah was there, holding out his arms. I didn’t want to leave Diesel, but I wanted to get out. Sagging to my knees, I hugged Noah tightly.

  “Easy, girl. You’re going to suffocate me.” Noah lifted me out of the truck, putting me on my feet. “It’s okay, honey. You’re safe now.”

  The sun was far too bright for me, and I had to shield my eyes to take in my surroundings. We were smack in the middle of the desert. God only knew how far from Eden we were.

  And Noah and Diesel weren’t alone. There was another man with them, a hulking man holding an assault rifle of his own, full of rugged angles and solid muscle. The first thing that came to my mind was soldier. He had to be ex-military. Had he served with Diesel at some point?

  Diesel reappeared a moment later, holding Kayla against him. He eased her down and Noah helped her out. Blinking in the sharp light, Kayla found herself looking at the newcomer. Her eyes widened, and her cheeks reddened in a deep blush.

  I had never seen Kayla look so shy before. No man had ever made her blush like that.

  Interesting.

  Diesel jumped out the back of the truck.


  “The other girls are still unconscious. Think you can let them recover in your place, Sam?”

  “No problem.” Sam grunted. “As long as I have some help.”

  Then I saw a cabin further along the road, just off the track. It looked desolate, but clearly someone lived there.

  “This is Sam.” Noah coughed, and I realized I had been staring. “He’s an old friend who offered to give us a hand.”

  That was something. I noticed that Kayla had stopped looking at Sam, her face even redder. I turned to Diesel, who was inspecting one of the back tires.