“Okay guys, I’m going to bed. Thanks again for going Haiden.” She said and left the room, she was ready for a shower to clean the residual coating off her hands and to decompress.
Ϫ
“Wow, is all I have to say.” Haiden said to Nobu who was leaning back in his chair.
“What do you mean?” Nobu asked, looking sideways at him.
“Imani is a true professional. I mean that. She was smooth, calm and efficient. She didn’t let her emotions get in the way. When I saw those women chained in that room, laying in their own filth, I wanted to go beat the shit out of both of those assholes.”
“Yeah, that’s why she is always so tired after a night hunting. I think it takes a lot for her to push it down.”
“She’s an amazing woman, I’ve never met anyone like her, and that is the professional aside, she is a rare one.”
“Don’t break her heart.” Nobu said quietly.
“What?” Haiden asked in surprise.
“You heard me. You know she likes you.”
“She can barely tolerate me.” Haiden laughed.
“No, she does like you. If she didn’t, you’d not be here. You’d more than likely be dead. Imani doesn’t play. I saw the way she looked at you and watched you. I’m telling you, don’t break her heart.” Nobu said, turning and looking straight into Haiden’s eyes.
“I like her too Nobu. I haven’t known her long, but I do like her, a lot. I just didn’t want her thinking that because she’s like me, that it was the only reason I wanted to be with her. It isn’t.” He said softy.
“Good, because if you break her heart, I’ll kill you.” Nobu promised and Haiden could see that it wasn’t an empty threat.
“Good to know. I won’t, I really do care about her.”
Haiden got up and left the room, and headed to his apartment. He had a lot to think about. Tonight, had been an eye opener. The scum out there needed to be dealt with, there was no denying that. The rage that had roiled through him, upon seeing those women, had nearly suffocated him. His admiration for Imani had gone up tenfold.
Upon entering, Jezebel came running to him. He picked her up and held her close. He smiled when he thought of Imani meeting his cat. He laughed out loud and set the cat down.
“She’d probably call you an idiot.” He said, heading to the bedroom. He needed a shower after that job. Once more, the condition of the two women swam back into his brain. He had to shake it off or it would consume him. The women were safe now, thanks to Imani. That had to be enough for now.
Ϫ
“Do you think we could take the hunting of human traffickers international?” Haiden asked, he was sitting on the couch beside Nobu, both playing on the gaming console. Imani was on the other couch, her feet propped up, her laptop in her lap as she played her own game.
“Too big, besides, there is plenty here to keep us busy.” Nobu said.
“If we stop the assholes on this end, the international side will have to go some place else. Besides, there are so many, we’re only making a small dent.” Imani said, her eyes straying over to watch Haiden. His hair was back in a ponytail, she liked when he wore it down loose. He was a nice-looking man, his skin just a hint of his Hawaiian lineage. The gray eyes from his mother.
He looked over at her, catching her and she looked away quickly, back to her computer.
“It’s just that now that I see what you do, I want to burn them all down.” Haiden said.
“Easy Tiger, one thing at a time and hey you can’t do that! That’s cheating.” Nobu said.
“It’s not cheating if I do it, now is it?” Haiden laughed.
“Quit your fighting girls or I’ll unplug the tv.” Imani said.
There was a loud chime and everyone looked up and at each other. That was from the computer room. It was the alarm that indicated that Lawbreaker had sent a message. All three jumped up and ran to the room. Nobu made it first and brought up the screen. Imani took her seat. Haiden stood behind her, she could feel his body heat.
“Looks like our boy has just sent a message. Okay, let’s see what this son of a bitch looks like.” Nobu said.
The image came up of a man, with heavy jowls, heavy bags under his eyes. His nose had purple spiderwebbing and large pores. He was in a white shirt, dark tie and coat. His hair was short and white, and behind him were dark blue curtains, closed.
“What does he want.” Imani asked, watching the man on the screen.”
“He says he has a job for you. He’s writing on the Angel of Deathwish site.” Nobu said.
“Ask him what’s the job and pay.” She said.
Nobu typed and they watched as the man smiled and began to type as well.
“Bastard.” Imani hissed.
“Job is in Maryland, for a man, will pay $50,000.” The man typed on the other side of the screen. Imani hated that face and it burned into her brain.
“Accept the job, have him send the info along with picture. Once payment received, tell him I will get to work on it.” Imani said, as Nobu typed away.
She watched as the man on the other side laughed. He began typing again.
“Job has to be done next Friday. Nine days. Only available opportunity.” The man typed.
“Looks like he’s trying to pen you into a corner.” Haiden said darkly.
“He is, but that’s okay. He’ll be dead before Friday.” Imani said. “Tell him it is a go,
