Page 161 of Strays
“What did you do to her after the courthouse?” I snap.
“Nothing,” he answers quickly. “One of my people there is a nurse. She sedated her in the car. That’s all.”
I stare at him.
We let her go alone. We let her walk into that hallway. This piece of shit in front of me made it happen, but we made it possible.
I draw a breath. Hold it. Let it out slow.
“Now,” I say. “Let’s talk about another nyra you took from me.”
He stiffens.
“Grace Williams,” I continue. “Missing after an appointment with you in Chicago. August fourth, two thousand seven.”
He runs his tongue across his upper lip, nervous.
I lean in close, inches from his face. “You have one second to start talking, or you’ll lose an eye.”
He crumbles a little. “She was my patient. I didn’t know nyras were worth that much back then. But she talked. About the other nyra at home. Things changing. I watched her. Her aegis dropped her early. Picked her up late. Always waiting on the curb alone.”
His breath hitches. “So I tested it. Put her profile out. The offers came fast. Bigger than I’d ever seen. I arranged it after a session.”
My voice cuts through the ringing in my head. “What happened to her?”
Aranya glances down, then away. “I heard she died a few weeks later. Went into heat. The buyer thought human men could handle it...”
He trails off, but I already know the rest. She didn’t have her mates with her, just pain, until her body gave out. I’ve always known she was dead, but hearing him say it is different. It settles behind my ribs like a knife sunk too deep.
I struggle to breathe, then I feel them: two hands, one on each of my shoulder. Jay and Shane, not holding me back, just holding me.
I breathe. Once. Twice. Three times.
Then, I look Aranya in the eyes again. “I will not kill you right now,” I say. “But you’ll pay.”
I step out of the office. I can’t look at him for another second. Jay and Shane stay behind. I don’t think Aranya’s in any shape to move, but we’re not about to get sloppy now.
I walk to the far end of the warehouse and slide down the wall, sitting on the cold concrete floor, back pressed to brick. And I wait.
Some time later, my phone buzzes.
A message from Josh:We are positioned.
I stare at the screen for a second. I don’t know whowemean — his pack for sure, maybe more.
I text back.Can you get rid of the cars in the parking lot? Discreetly. Leave only the silver sedan.
I don’t know if the people bringing Jo can recognize Aranya’s vehicles, and I prefer not risking it. One wrong detail could make them bolt, and we only get one shot.
Josh replies seconds later:On it.
I push off the floor and head back to the office. I catch Jay and Shane’s eyes through the open door and motion them out.
When we’re far enough that Aranya can’t hear, I speak. “Solomons are here. They’re clearing the parking lot, leaving only Aranya’s sedan.”
Jay nods. “I think we should be outside when they show,” he says. “Coordinate with the others. Jump the car as soon as it parks.”
Shane nods. “Agreed.”
