“I couldn’t ask, you went to see Luther without telling me.”
He was clearly simmering with restrained anger, and Tessa bit her lip to prevent a smile. No need to pour gas on that barely contained fire. Not now at least.
He clenched and unclenched his fists several times, but remained in place. Tessa put the knife on the cutting board and went to stir the simmering pot. The stew was cooking nicely, and she lowered the heat a little, putting a lid on the pot.
Back at her dessert, she measured and poured flour in the wide bowl and went to search for some milk and butter.
“I had information from an insider that Luther was waiting for a major arrival of slaves from Eastern Europe.”
Tessa froze at the words before closing the fridge door. Just the thought of those poor girls in the hands of that monster was enough to make her scream.
“For a sale?”
“An auction for his closest partners and buyers.”
Tessa put the milk and butter down, needing the counter to hold her up for a minute. “Which you are.” A statement that was true and sickening.
“Not quite, I buy when I can, without raising suspicions. I did it, so I could worm myself deeper and have something more concrete to work with. I think that this is it.”
Tessa turned to look at him. His energy was completely different now, as if he was carrying a great burden, his eyes darker, haunted.
“But I can’t buy them all. Maybe not any. There are special orders for the slaves he requested, but those who don’t meet the specifications will be sold or offered as gifts.”
Taking deep breaths helped her steady the rolling of her stomach. “Who uses people like cattle? They need to be stopped. What’s your plan?”
Locke rolled his shoulder as if trying to ease an ache. Tessa might be pissed at him for holding back information, but she couldn’t deny that he was dead serious about what he was doing and knew the consequences for him and the women if he failed.
“I’m gathering as much information as possible with Gage’s help and an inside informant. The problem is finding police that’s not corrupted and paid by Luther. He’s been the master of this place for so long, and if I give this information to the wrong people, everything I’ve worked for will crumble. I can’t allow that.”
Tessa picked up her knife again and put it back down. Instead, she wiped her hands off and went to him. “Can I ask you a question?”
It was strange the way Locke got back into himself before looking at her, amused. “As if I could prevent that in any way.”
“Why are you risking everything on this? You seem well off, you could have a comfortable life without having to face that danger and lose everything, even your life?”
She saw him swallow hard, but it was the only sign that her question reached deeper than he wished. And the more she knew about the man, the more she learned that sometimes retreating was the best option rather than pushing.
“Forget I even asked, okay?” She smiled and turned to go back to her cake batter, but Locke touched her elbow. Her heart leaped, and she waited.
“My mother was like those women. A slave, who was sold and abused. And I was a mistake. They tried to make her abort, punching and kicking her in the stomach, but I was a stubborn son of a bitch even back then. As she couldn’t be sold for sex, she was thrown into the streets, penniless and alone. She died when I was a teenager. Satisfied?”
The defiance in his words made her frown. “Why would I be satisfied? That’s awful and unfair.”
Her first impulse was to hug him with all her might, but the way his body tensed, vibrating with unease, she refrained herself.
“And still, despite the fact that you went into that world, you want to help. I find it admirable. Even if incredibly dangerous.”
His intensity shifted a little, showing her a more human side, and that sliver of the real man moved her as if she had saved a life. Knowing the deal, she hid everything and turned to her cake once more.
“But that doesn’t give us a solution. You are right, you can’t buy everyone out or take all the bad guys down. You need cops, the FBI, or any sort of agency ready to believe you and help. We just need to make sure to keep your involvement in all this hidden.”
Locke shifted on his feet. “There is nousin this. You won’t be involved in any way, Doctor. Let me remind you that Luther still owns you. We are walking a very fine line. Last night he asked me if you were satisfactory, and if not, to return you immediately.”
Her reality was never far from her mind, even though in her current surroundings, it would be easy to forget. And she wasn’t the only one at risk. “Does he suspect anything? Are you in some kind of danger, Locke?”
Again, it took everything she had not to launch herself at him. The way he stood still and blinked at her question showed how it confused him. “I’m not the one who’s at risk. You are.”
To hide her unsteady hands, she started to whisk the batter, maybe a little more than necessary. “Let’s say we both are. And what did you tell him? Was I satisfactory?”
