Page 62 of A Mistake of Identity
Twenty-four hours earlier
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Diesel fumes and stagnant water had saturated the abandoned warehouse in The Docks. Gabriel fought to keep his expression neutral as the Bratva lieutenant’s scarred face hardened at their explanation.
“Human trafficking?” The Russian’s accent was thick with disgust. “We do not touch this trade.”
“Criminals with hearts of gold?” The words slipped from Gabriel’s mouth before he could stop them, dry despite the tension crackling in the air.
Nika cut in, his tone matter-of-fact. “It’s too much hassle. Easier ways to make money.” The casual indifference in his voice made Gabriel’s skin crawl. Alain’s sharp elbow caught Nika in the ribs, and for just a moment, something cold and empty flickered behind Nika’s eyes before his usual predatory smile slid back into place.
Nika’s blank stare settled on Alain until the security chief shifted uncomfortably and added, “The Bratva do have a code. Loose as it may be.”
The lieutenant jabbed a thick finger at the map. “Here, our warehouse. Here, three blocks away, these idiots with their human cargo. And here,” his finger stabbed several more locations, “federal surveillance. Task force. They see this operation, they tear apart everything nearby. Don’t care what belongs to who.”
“We will help remove rats,” the lieutenant continued, switching the map for blueprints. “Three floors. Basement for the merchandise. Ground floor, guards, more cargo. Top floor, operations. “
Gabriel’s hands clenched at his sides, his jaw tightening at the casual way they referred to human beings as ‘merchandise.’ Somewhere in that basement, Ellis was waiting. Suffering. His little bird reduced to inventory in their cold assessment. But five million dollars had bought their help, along with whatever dark promises Nika had made, and Gabriel wasn’t about to jeopardize the rescue by objecting to their terminology. No one with any sense questioned the Bratva’s methods, not when you needed their particular expertise.
“Sooner done, sooner back to business,” the lieutenant concluded, folding the blueprints. “Your people are ready?”
Nika nodded, and they were moving.
The raid proceeded with unexpected precision. Gabriel watched the Russians clear floors like a well-oiled machine. No wasted motion. No unnecessary violence. Though, he noted with grim satisfaction, that the traffickers received no gentle treatment.
But the basement...
He’d thought himself prepared.
The stench slammed into him first. Sweat, blood, human misery. Then the sounds. Whimpers, rattling chains, broken sobs. Row after row of hospital curtains, each concealing another body.
Chained. Naked. Eyes unseeing.
He forced the horror down. Compartmentalized. Find Ellis. Focus on Ellis.
“We’ll need arrangements for the others,” Alain said quietly at his shoulder.
“The shelters in Fourth Cat,” Nika replied. “They have experience with trafficking victims, protocols for family notification, a few non-profits.”
“We’ll coordinate everything,” Alain said, clapping Nika on the shoulder with slightly more force than necessary.
“Excuse me, but my billing rate for humanitarian work is—” Nika stopped mid-sentence, catching Alain’s expression. He let out a long-suffering sigh. “Is... exactly zero dollars. Pro bono. How unexpectedly charitable of me.” His smile showed too many teeth. “Though I should warn you, my pro bono work typically involves significantly more paperwork and considerably fewer positive outcomes for all involved.”
“Nika.” Alain’s voice carried a warning.
“Fine. Shelters. Paperwork. Happy endings. Got it.”
Gabriel barely registered their exchange, his focus drawn to the rows of curtained areas ahead. The dim lights cast sickly shadows through the thin fabric.
Then he saw him. Ellis’ skin was almost gray. Raw, bleeding wrists bound by metal restraints. Those usually bright eyes glazed with drugs and defeat.
“Did you...” Ellis’ voice emerged as barely a whisper, “Did you really come?”
“Yes, mon petit oiseau.” Gabriel couldn’t stop his fingers from trembling as they brushed Ellis’ cheek. “Mon coeur. Je suis là.”
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Present
