“Now’s our time,” I said. “You got the cameras?”
“Doing them now.” She removed her laptop from her bag between her legs.
Reaching behind us, I grabbed the duffle bag in the back seat. Placing it on my lap, I unzipped it and took out a mask similar to mine.
“Put this on.” I tossed it on her lap. “Let’s get to work, baby.” I lifted Wilma and kissed her before sliding her into my front hoodie pocket. I grabbed my gun and silencer, screwing it on. Next I grabbed two pairs of leather gloves, tossing a pair to Ziora then putting one on. Lastly I grabbed a pair of handcuffs and my mask. The whole time I felt Ziora’s eyes keep glancing my way.
“Cameras done. No one will see us.”
“That’s my girl.” I placed the black cap on after my mask and grabbed the locksmith kit then opened the door. “Let’s go.”
Ziora exhaled deeply and pushed her door open.
I checked our surroundings before nodding toward the house. Making our way across the street I couldn’t help but smile under my mask. I wondered if Nazai felt this thrilled and aroused when he killed with Cashlynn. The thought of killing already excited me but this was entirely different. More intense. My blood pumped with anticipation and epinephrine.
“Keep watch,” I said and kneeled once we were on the porch.
I unzipped the small bag and took the tools out, working on the lock.
“Got it.” I pushed the door open and stood up.
Looking around, I widened the door for Ziora to step into the house then followed her, shutting it behind us.
I shoved the kit in my hoodie pocket. My nose scrunched seeing the mess surrounding the living room.
“This guy’s a pig.” Ziora balled her face up. There were liquor bottles scattered on the floor along with a knocked over ashtray with ashes scattered near it close to the coffee table where lines of coke along with a few bags rested. Next to the coke were half eaten and empty containers of food. The stale smell of cigarettes, too much cologne, and musk caused my stomach to churn. The beige carpet looked as if it could use a good cleaning. The walls were bare outside of a large TV and a few random paintings of naked women. I stepped closer to the couch. It was dark brown, worn, with a few burn holes on the pillows. How someone could live like this amazed me. Just being in here for the few minutes had been made me crave a shower.
“Trash, live like trash.” I turned, grabbed her hand, and pulled her along. My gun was in the other hand. I checked each room downstairs, finding them empty, then we headed upstairs.
I glanced back at Ziora, expecting to see nervousness on her face, but instead I found determination. She was focused and alert, eyes clear of any doubt.
I couldn’t help but smirk. It was odd, I didn’t have normal emotions, but Ziora still caused intense feelings inside me. My heart always did an erratic dance, my pulse constantly felt like I was shot with speed, and then there always seemed like the sun was only centimeters away, beaming down on me.
The first three rooms upstairs were empty. The beds were unkempt, indicating someone had been in them. Two had used condom wrappers on the floor.
“Did they have a damn orgy in here?” Ziora whispered.
“I wouldn’t be shocked.”
Finally, we reached Winston’s room. He was laid out naked on his back, snoring loudly. One arm hung off the bed, the other over his face. I pushed the door open wider. He hadn’t even bothered to turn the light off before he passed out.
Ziora gasped. At first I thought it was because of the guy’s dick, which pissed me off because it was visible to her, but then I faced her and saw her staring across the room. My eyes followed hers. In a large dog cage was a girl, balled up with a thin throw blanket over her.
“This is so wrong. I can’t believe he has her caged up like some dog.” I glanced at the bed to make sure he was still asleep then walked to the cage. When the girl noticed us, she shot up and scurried to the back of the cage. On the door of the cage was a thick chain and heavy lock.
“Oh my God.” Ziora’s voice cracked.
In my line of work as a lawyer and the family business I’d seen some sick shit, but this made my stomach turn. The girl had clearly been beaten frequently. Her body was black and blue, along with healing bruises on certain parts of her. Her bottom lip was split, eye blacked. There was a collar around her neck attached to a leash bolted to the wall.
Her eyes were wide and full of fear, darting around.
“It’s okay, we’re here to help you, Tiffany.”
At the sound of her name, the girl flinched. Her body trembled and her mouth quivered.
“You are Tiffany, right? Tiffany Jones?” The girl’s eyes shot to the bed.
“Don’t worry about him. He won’t hurt you anymore.” The girl didn’t look like she believed me. She pulled the blanket in front of her. He didn’t even have her wearing clothes.