Played: Chapter Five - Jake

We glared at each other. Despite my agreement, this was a continuation of the same argument I’d been presenting for the last two weeks whenever the subject rose.

“When my niece was fifteen, she met this guy. He seemed nice enough. A decent sort despite being a few years older. He was well mannered, treated her with respect, and showered attention on her. Monica was super intelligent and had a good head on her shoulders, but my brother and his wife had sheltered her, so she was naïve and very trusting.

“Carter was adamant his daughter couldn’t date until she was eighteen. I thought that was unreasonable and told him so. Better she test the dating waters now while she was young, in high school, where he could monitor her interactions than to wait until she was in college and he didn’t have a clue. He wouldn’t budge on his stance. So I, being the good aunt that I am, kept Monica’s secret when she didn’t break things off with this guy as instructed.”

Jackie didn’t turn to face us, but something about her tone stiffened my spine. This story wasn’t going to have a happy ending.

“He was nice and kind, and was always giving her little trinkets to express his love and affection. As any fifteen-year-old girl would do, my niece fell head over heels in love with this guy. Her grades began slipping. She started skipping school to be with him. I knew they were having sex. She started drinking. ‘It’s just a little wine, Aunt Jackie. No big deal,’ she said when I confronted her about it.

“None of us could get through to her. Her parents thought she was acting out because they’d forced her to break up with the guy. They didn’t realize she was still seeing him. To be honest, I didn’t realize how much of an influence he’d become in her life until she called me one day crying and scared.

“She’d caught him cheating. This perfect boyfriend who loved her and could do no wrong had been pimping her out. He’d said it was so they could get enough money to run away and be together. When she confronted him about his infidelity, he had hit her. For the first time, she’d seen his true nature.

“I told her to go home. I was on my way. Together, we’d call the police. She agreed but never showed. I was frantic. Calls to her cellphone all went to voicemail. Three days later, her body turned up in a dumpster behind a restaurant.”

I found myself standing behind her with no memory of moving.

“They brought in the boyfriend for questioning, but with no evidence and no proof, had to let him go. The cops said my niece had fallen prey to human traffickers. It’s a scam they use to get young girls. I have to live with the knowledge that my niece’s killer walks free, and there’s nothing I can do about it,” she said, turning to face me.

My hand itched with the need to touch her, but I resisted, doubting my self-control. “It wasn’t your fault.”

The eyes she raised to mine held a world of sorrow. “I know I’m not the one who slit her throat and dumped her body, but it doesn’t stop me from feeling guilty. If I’d have backed her dad, maybe she’d still be alive.”

“Or maybe she’d be just as dead. Maybe she’d have simply disappeared into the underground, and you and your family would have no idea where to look or who to blame if she hadn’t felt free to talk with you about it,” Mike said.

She stared directly into my eyes, her gaze unconsciously pleading. “I’m not a cop or military, but if there’s something I can do to bring down one of these organizations, I’ll do it.”

I wanted to say no, but she’d just tied my hands. How could I stop her from gaining a bit of the justice she’d been denied? Though any operation had the potential to go FUBAR, this one was safe enough. We’d go in, play on the beach, lie out in the sun, snap our pictures, and leave.

Capturing her chin with my forefinger and thumb, I held her gaze, mentally urging her to understand what she’d be committing to do. “If you come, you do exactly what we say, when we say it, no questions asked.”

“I will.” Her tone was solemn, like she’d made a vow.

“And when this is over, you don’t quit. I don’t care how awkward things get. You stick it out. I’m not willing to lose you. I’d rather decline the contract and tell the client to take a hike.” There was a hell of a lot of money at stake, but I’d take this woman over money any day.

Her gaze warmed and softened in pleasure. “I promise. Besides, where else am I going to find a job as cushy as this one?”

So she said now. I was tempted to get it in writing. No matter. If she tried to leave me, I’d hunt her down and drag her back. I meant what I said.