Page 84 of Downfall

Though I’m calm on the outside my adrenaline is pumping furiously through my veins.

I’m stood beside Ben. Both of us in balaclavas though in truth I’d be more than happy with them seeing my face.

Around us my men are getting in position. Creeping silently towards the massive building they call ‘the barn’ though in truth it’s more of a warehouse.

My hand twitches. I’m itching to just burst in and start shooting but I know that’s just the old Roman, the impulsive Roman coming to the surface.

“Ready?” Ben murmurs and I nod. I can hear from the tone he is too. We’ve been planning this for weeks, ever since we found out about this place. Ever since we located it.

This is where the Capulet’s source of power comes from. From places like this. While Ignatio walks around like he shits gold, in this dark crevice his people are trafficking women, children, you name it. Not just for sex mind. Although I’m sure he makes a tidy sum from the flesh trade but he’s savvier than that. He’s diversified his portfolio better. No, many of them end up being cut up, butchered, their organs sold for insurmountable sums to extend the lives of people who deem themselves more important, more worthy than the victims they steal from.

I snarl at the thought. I wonder if Rose knows of this place, if she knows what her father really is. Paris certainly did because that’s where they were headed the day I eliminated him. The day I took him off the board. And I know Darius does as well; I have photographic evidence of him being here, of him enjoying some of the ‘stock’ before it’s sold on. Just a few leaks would be enough to ruin Darius’s entire political career, ruin his life too but I’m not stupid enough to do that. No, I’m not after normal justice. I’m not after seeing him locked away in a federal prison. I have my own means of making him pay.

And he will.

But on my terms.

I’m going to bleed the man dry, make him jump through every fucking hoop I choose and when I’m done then I will make him pay for all the women he’s hurt, all the children he’s helped sell too.

“Ready when you are.”

It comes over the earpiece and I grin. It’s showtime.

I give the signal and moments later a blast echoes as the strategically placed bomb takes out the reinforced doors. They thought locks could keep me out but they’re about to learn how wrong they were.

My men rush in. Guns raised. Charging through the building and securing everyone in place.

Ben and I walk in quietly after them. It’s not that I’m afraid of the fighting, it’s more a case of being smart. My men are ex-military. Trained assassins. And while I’m damn good I’m not ashamed to admit that they’re better.

Besides, the intel we have suggests there are victims in here. I won’t risk their lives simply to nurse my own ego.

Inside it stinks. I wrinkle my nose as the acrid smell of urine hits me. I can hear murmuring, whimpers. It’s hot. Stiflingly so. As my eyes adjust my eyes widen at what looks like a god damn cattle market. Around the perimeter are countless chairs, no doubt where the low life scum sit watching the merchandise as they’re brought out.

In the centre stand a dozen men held at gunpoint. I take them in. Seeing their sullen faces. They don’t even look ashamed.

“Where are they?” I ask.

“Out the back. They have them in cages.” Turner says jerking his head.

I grunt following him past to where he indicated and my stomach churns at the sight. They really are in cages. Like god damn animals.

My eyes fix on the one nearest. Two eyes stare back filled with terror. The girl can’t be more than twelve. She’s wearing a ragged, dirty dress that’s two sizes too big and she’s pushed her body as far back into the darkness as if she could fade into it. Beside her is a bucket and from the stench we all know exactly what it’s for.

“How many?” I ask.

“Twenty six.” Turner replies.

Twenty six. Twenty six women and children. All kidnapped. All specifically targeted because they are low risk, have no immediate friends or family that would notice them gone. Ignatio is no fool. If the city realised that dozens of people are going missing each week there’d be uproar but as it is no one looks for these people. They’re the dredges in their eyes. Easily expendable.

“Get them out. Get them to the trucks.” I state.

Turner gives the signal and slowly they start breaking apart the cages. We have a facility all ready and waiting to receive them with doctors and therapists because god knows these people are going to need it.

“Fucking hell.” Ben says as he walks up beside me.

I meet his gaze. I knew this would be bad. We both did. I guess we just couldn’t imagine exactly what hell looked like until we saw it for real.

The girl I first saw starts struggling, fighting tooth and nail to stay in her cage as if it’s a sanctuary but Turner extracts her, taking the hits as if he himself deserves them and calmly he walks past with her over his shoulder.

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