Crowned In Blood

Chapter 24

24

Marco

I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel while Catalina reloaded her gun beside me.

Her eyes flickered to mine. “You feel it too, right?”

“Something about this is off. It was too easy.”

She nodded. “I know it’s not possible for that to be all the trafficked victims and that we’ll need to find the ones that had already been sent overseas, but we’ve spent months searching for them. Now, with Julianna’s information, we suddenly have them in less than an hour?”

I hummed in agreement. “Julianna was an unexpected variable. Since she’s been searching for her half-sister for years, it makes sense that she simply had access to direct information we couldn’t.”

“But it was still too easy.”

“Yeah.” I stroked her thigh. “Let’s just deal with Felipe’s reinforcements, then go to the bunker and save whoever we can. That’s all we can do for now.”

She squeezed my hand, and I put the car into gear.

By the time we made it back to the front entrance, it looked like World War III had taken place. Cars were on fire, flipped, some with men still trapped inside. The air was tinged with smoke, car fumes, the metallic smell of blood, and fried human skin, a scent close to barbeque. Gunshots rained around us as police and ambulance sirens sounded in the distance.

I came to a stop behind the barricade of our men and grabbed a machine gun.

Catalina adjusted the strap of the gun on my shoulder, then turned to Joseph. “How are we doing?”

“We’re all right, but we have a couple of people who need to go to the hospital as soon as we’ve cleared the way. One at least has a concussion, another got shot in the shoulder, and a third is unconscious from the backlash of an explosion.”

Catalina nodded, then looked up at me. “Let’s finish this quickly, then.”

I nodded and stepped forward.

“Cover him!” she ordered.

I planted my feet, inhaled, and fired. Each shot was beautifully violent, ripping through cars, trees, and light poles. Every one of our enemies went down in a miraculous spray of blood.

Catalina and her men took care of anyone I missed, and by the time I’d let go of the trigger, it was over. There were no movements, no more gunshots. No moans or cries. Nothing but the fires raging around us—the sign of our victory.

Even though this had ended in the best-case scenario, and most of our men could go home tonight, safe and sound, unease gnawed at my gut.

Something about traveling to the bunker concerned me. I couldn't pin down the feeling, but my intuition screamed I needed to be careful, figure out a way to protect us, protect her . But why?

Sam had verified the route, the bunker, the guards there, everything. I wasn't like this when we'd come to this battle or when Catalina had been mowing down our enemies beside me.

But now? It felt different . A full-blown klaxon was ringing in my skull, warning me that if I wasn't careful, I could lose Lina—my world, the entirety of my essence—tonight.

Catalina slipped her hand into mine and when she looked up at me, her dark brown eyes were filled with so much warmth it forced some of my fear away.

I needed to feel her, hold her in my arms. Maybe then I could silence enough of my worry to figure out my next steps.

I kissed her, and everything was suddenly bright and alive again. Each soft kiss invigorated me, gave me strength. Then I rested my forehead against her own.

"Lina—"

She placed her hand on my chest. “What are you scared of, Marco?”

“I know you might not believe me. You don't have any reason to. But something keeps telling me you'll be in danger if you go to the bunker. You should stay here.”

"I believe you, but I'll be just fine."

I shook my head. "How can you say that?"

"Because nothing is going to happen to me if I'm with you." She caressed my back, drawing little circles on my skin. “I trust you, Marco, completely. But no matter what we do, danger is part of our lives. And if someone is out there trying to kill me, we won’t ever truly be safe until they’re dead." She tilted her head to the side. "Wouldn’t it be better to find out who it is now and take care of it than spend every waking moment terrified?”

"I don't want you willingly walking into a trap, Lina. I won't risk you."

“You don't have to. But we don't know who it is or why. What if they come after you instead? What if they hold you or someone from our families hostage?"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. She was right.

"Marco, we have a chance to do something really good here. A chance to save a lot of people and make so many wrongs, right. If you think I could be hurt, then let’s use what you're feeling as a gift, and make sure we’re as prepared as possible. That’s all we can do.”

"But what if it's not enough?"

Her eyes watered, but the way her lips slowly tilted into a soft smile stole my breath away. “You almost died, Marco. But you came back to me, and that experience has left me with a brand-new perspective." She wet her lips, drawing in a deep breath. "When you were laying there, I knew you’d never leave me. I never doubted you then, and I won’t doubt you now. I will always have the utmost faith in you, in us. I think something's off with this too, and if you have a concern or worry, I will always listen to it. But didn't you say you had plans for us? For our future? Believe in those, and believe in us. We will always come back to one another. That’s just how things are going to be.”

I brushed a small tear away from her face and kissed her again. "You're so courageous, my vicious little queen. Every moment I spend with you leaves me completely in awe."

"Then we'll spend more. As many moments as you want. Our entire lives, even."

I buried my head in the curve of her neck, inhaling her sweet scent. I loved being surrounded by it, smelling her on my skin, my clothes. She was my home, my sanctuary, and if she could have such strong strength in us, in me , then so could I.

I stood to my full height and called Anthony.

He answered on the third ring. "It's good to hear your voice, boss. You had me scared for a second."

The memory of the muzzle pointed at Catalina's head flashed into my mind, so real I had to turn my head and breathe her in to remember she was safe. "I got lucky. Listen, I need you to head to the bunker with your group. You're closer, so you'll get there sooner. But be careful, check your surroundings, and bring the heavy artillery."

"Will do, boss."

I hung up and called Carlos over while Catalina yelled for Joseph.

I waited for both of them to arrive, but before I could speak, Catalina turned to Joseph. "We will continue to work together with the Torrino familia from here on out. We will assist them, as they have assisted us. Pass the message along to the men here and follow any orders Marco gives you like they were coming from me."

Joseph's eyes flickered between Catalina and me. Then he nodded. "Understood, Do?a."

I squeezed Catalina's hip in silent thanks. Yet again, she was putting her faith in me.

"Carlos, Joseph, I need you to stay here and make sure anyone who needs medical attention gets to the hospital."

"Yes, boss," Carlos said.

"Good. Once we leave, I want you both to wait twenty minutes, then pick a group of four men and send them after us. Make sure they keep their distance. We don't know what we're walking into, but they're our contingency plan if something goes wrong."

"We will take care of it," Joseph said.

I gave them a curt nod, and they stepped away, leaving Catalina and me alone.

She squeezed my hand, interlacing our fingers. "We should go reload."

I followed her and strapped myself with everything I could think of. Then we slid into an SUV.

I started the car, but when I went to put it in gear, Catalina stopped me, squeezing my hand. Her grip was warm, firm. I wanted to hold her, rest my head in the crook of her neck. Feel her fingers run through my scalp, until every ounce of fear left me, but I couldn't, not until this was over.

"Ready?" she asked.

I turned her hand in mine, studying the differences. Hers was so small compared to my own, her skin a tanned shade of gold that was darker, luscious, the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. "Lina, I haven't opened myself up or shared my vulnerabilities with anyone since my parents were killed. Not until you. So I need you to stay safe. If you need to run, run. If you need to fight, fight. If you need to leave me behind?—"

"I won't do that, Marco. Don't ever ask me to again."

I sighed.

"Marco—"

"I love you, Catalina. So if I'm lacking, take care of yourself for me. You own everything that I am, and I won't lose you."

"You won't. You won't, " she said again, firmly. Her voice held so strong and sure that without another word, I threw the car in drive.

I didn't know how tonight would end, but my Catalina would make it home safely. No matter what, I had to sacrifice in her place.

The buzzing in the back of my mind grew louder and louder every mile we drove.

I scanned the road at every stop and turn. There were no obvious signs of danger—no one was trailing us and anyone we passed never paid us more than a second of attention before moving on with their night. It was all seemingly normal.

Still, the nagging sense of dread grew.

Catalina placed her hand over mine, and it was only then I realized how hard I had been clenching the gearshift. I turned my hand to hold her own and glanced over at her. She gave me a soft, reassuring smile, then resumed scanning our surroundings.

She was just as alert as I was, her body coiled, ready to react at the first sign of a threat, and while I wished she were somewhere else, anywhere else, her presence gave me strength.

I checked the time on the dashboard. Anthony should have already arrived at the bunker. Normally, he'd call once a situation had been resolved, but it was odd he hadn't confirmed he'd found the women. Were there more guards than we expected? More traps? Had something happened to him?

Catalina squeezed my hand again, and I took a deep breath. Worrying like this wasn't like me, and I didn't have enough information to anticipate what might happen. If I didn't calm myself down, I could make a mistake that would bring my worst fears to life.

As we turned down the secluded road leading to the bunker's hidden entrance, my anxiety shifted into a full-blown scream inside my skull. I gripped the steering wheel tighter, my knuckles turning white.

Then I saw it—one of our SUVs was ahead, engulfed in flames. A sudden bit of silver caught my eyes, and I slammed on the brakes, throwing my arm out in front of Catalina to keep her from hitting the dashboard. The tires squealed as we skidded to a stop just short of a spike strip laid across the road.

"Are you okay?" I cupped Catalina's face, looking her over.

She patted her chest and took a deep breath. "I'm fine."

I put the SUV into park. "Stay here in case that vehicle is going to explode."

Her eyes narrowed, but then she pressed her lips together in a tight line and gave me a single nod.

I drew my gun, slowly approaching the SUV, keeping a safe distance. The smell of charred metal, human flesh, and smoke burned my nostrils.

As I grew closer, I counted four bodies, and one of them had been driving—Anthony. Bullet holes riddled the side of the SUV and penetrated through the armored exterior.

They never stood a chance. I shouldn't have sent him.

Death was inevitable, especially in this line of work. But Anthony was my cousin, and I'd sent him and his men to die. Their blood was on my hands. They were my responsibility, and I'd failed them.

I took a step closer, then an urge to run came over me so quickly that I moved before I'd even consciously realized I was doing so.

The air filled with gunfire.

They're trying to kill me first, then her. If they shoot our SUV with the same rounds as they did Anthony's car, she'll die.

"Catalina, run!" I waved my arms frantically, sprinting toward her while the enemy fired at me.

Catalina burst through the door with a grenade in her hand. She pulled the pin, and threw it at the shooter. It exploded, buying me time to get to her. But the shooter was too fast.

We dashed toward the woods as bullets barraged our vehicle. I grabbed Catalina around the waist, pulling her against me, and threw us both into the brush just as Anthony's SUV exploded.

My ears rang, and I blinked rapidly, trying to clear my blurred vision, while Catalina laid peacefully in my arms.

She wasn't moving.

"Lina?"

Nothing.

"Catalina, wake up!"

I shook her, my heartbeat pounding in my ears.

"Catalina!"

Her eyelids fluttered, then she stirred with a soft groan.

I ran my hands over her body. "Can you hear me? Are you hurt?"

She blinked, then shook her head slowly. "I'm okay… I think." Her gaze sharpened as she focused on me. She squeezed my arms, shoulders, rubbed my chest. "Are you hurt?"

I kissed her head. "No, I'm fine, but we need to move."

I cocked my head to the right where the raging flames from the SUV would conceal us, but would also leave us blind. "Stay low," I whispered.

Catalina nodded, her body tense as we crawled through the underbrush.

As we made it around the burning vehicle, a voice cut through the air. "I hoped that explosion would take you out, but you're like a fucking cockroach. No matter how many times I try to put you down, you just won't die."

My breath caught in my throat.

No…

It couldn't be…

"Anthony," I whispered.

Catalina stilled beside me.

"Come on out, boss. Don't make this harder than it has to be." His voice was light, yet dripping with malice. It was so different from the one I knew.

Anthony was the joker, the one who acted like life was a game. Now he was trying to kill me? My own cousin?

We crouched lower to the ground. He didn't know where we were… yet.

Anthony's voice rang out, this time closer to the street. "You know, when my father told me he killed your mother and father, I told him he was crazy. I thought he was the worst person in the world. How could he turn on family when we're all each other has? But he swore that your mother had done something to his brother. That he was no longer fit to rule. He would have gone after you too, but you know who stopped him? Me. I killed my own father for you and look at how you repaid me!"

The words hit me like a physical blow.

He killed his father? My uncle had killed my parents? And he knew?

I tried to find their killer for years! The bastard had fucking helped me investigate! That's what got me into gathering intelligence on mafia families in the first place. And all that time, it was one of our own.

I fisted the dirt, wanting to rush to him and beat him until there was nothing left. But if I tried, he'd shoot me. I couldn't even curse at him. If I did, I'd leak our location and put myself and Catalina at risk.

Catalina's grip on my arm tightened, her body taut, lips twisted into a snarl as her rage fed my own.

"You became obsessed with Catalina. I thought it would pass. I believed in you. Then you went to Italy and let me lead. I loved it. Every ounce of it. Having people look up to me, listen to me, obey me? It was incredible! And what did you do when you came back? You gave it all away to her ! You want me to answer to some bitch all because you wanted some fucking pussy? Are you insane?" Anthony's voice grew shriller, more unhinged with every word.

"I knew you'd lost your mind then," Anthony spat. "You didn't even realize I knew all about the trafficking, because I worked with Fernando, Simon, and Felipe while you were gone. If it wasn't for that bitch, Julianna, you would have never found them. I hid all the evidence because you couldn't be trusted. All you cared about was what you thought was right, instead of what opportunities and profit could be made. Without you, this famiglia will flourish under my command."

He knew…

He knew about everything.

When we were little, Anthony was my best friend, my confidant. Somewhere, after my parents died, he'd changed. It was just a little, but it was there.

I thought it was because he was grieving, too. He spent so many nights over at our house to get away from his own father that he'd become like a brother to me. But I was so deep in planning everything, their funeral, the future of the famiglia, trying to keep us afloat that I didn't pay attention. I didn't see him, and now, my men and Catalina's familia had suffered because of it.

Catalina squeezed my arm again. "It's not your fault. Don't let that motherfucker make you doubt yourself for one second. You're better than that," she whispered in a sharp voice.

I nodded. She was right. That didn't erase the guilt I felt, but now wasn't the time.

Anthony fired another round of gunshots. Then he stepped into the street. His face was twisted and deranged. Sweat coated his brow, and his grin was wide, like a cat that had caught his prey. But it was the small black object in his hand that made my breath catch in my throat.

It was a detonator.

"You have two options," Anthony yelled. "Since I missed at the penthouse, either you and your bitch come out here and kneel in front of me, so I can make sure I get you both this time, or I press the detonator in my hand and blow up the bunker. It's your choice."

Shit!

Catalina had to stay hidden while I got the detonator away from him. But the bunker was over five-hundred feet away, and there was no way either of us could rush Anthony before he pressed the button.

It was also possible Anthony wasn't alone. If he was working with Felipe, he may have kept the guards at the bunker alive, giving him reinforcements, while ours, at best, were fifteen minutes out.

Catalina's voice cut through my thoughts. "I have an idea."

I turned to her, and the determination on her face chilled me to my core.

"No," I said firmly.

"You don't even know what it is," she hissed back.

"I know it involves you sacrificing yourself. No, Lina."

Catalina's eyes bore into mine. "Marco, do you trust me?"

"Of course I do, but?—"

"He wants me. He wants you to suffer by watching me die. That's why he aimed for me at the penthouse and not you. That's why he keeps mentioning me. If he thought you were on his side, he might let you live."

My jaw clenched. "No, he won't!" I snarled in a whisper. "He's too far gone for that."

Catalina pressed on. "Marco, he still wants you to suffer. He thinks I've replaced him, so he wants the competition out, and he wants to make you beg for my life. Like he said, you're too hard to kill. He's not going to kill me until he knows you'll see him do it. He wants that power over you. That's why he wants us on our knees in front of him."

"Lina—"

I reached for her, but when she took my hand, she slipped a zip tie around it and tightened the cord. Every muscle in my body tightened.

No.

Shock flooded my system. I pulled, trying to free myself, but she'd tied the other end around a bush. I could break the branches, I would break them, but not before she'd put her plan into motion.

"Lina, please. Please, don't do this."

"When you get free, give me a distraction. That's all I need."

"Lina, please. Please !" I yanked on the bush. It bent, but didn't break. I pulled harder and harder, trembling as I strained every muscle trying to move, to stop her, but I couldn't.

Catalina stood, circling around the opposite end of the burning SUV, going back the way we came. The flames casted her in a glow of red, yellow, and orange streaks, like a dragon ready to mow down anyone who stood before her.

But when she turned to me, she wore a soft, sad smile. "I love you, Marco Torrino," she whispered. Then she stepped out into the night.

I opened my mouth to call out for her, to scream, roar, do anything to bring her back to me, but then she held up her hands. "Anthony! I'm coming out!"

Anthony smirked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Well, well, well. Now this is unexpected. I must say I'm shocked. I honestly thought you'd put up more of a fight. Where's Marco?"

"Dead."

I stilled.

Was that her plan?

"You expect me to believe that?"

"I don't really care what you believe, Anthony. I'm here; isn't that what you wanted? Let my people go."

I took a deep breath. I needed to calm down and focus. Catalina didn't have long. She needed me to give her a distraction. If I didn't do it at the right time, her plan would fail.

I patted my pockets for anything that could help me break the tie, then my fingers brushed against something near where Catalina had been lying—A switchblade.

She left it there for me.

I freed myself and circled around a tree, shrouding myself in darkness while I watched them.

I couldn't sneak up on them. Anthony was facing my direction and would spot me before I even got the chance to approach.

So how could I...

Then it hit me.

I'd have to leave her, dash toward the bunker and make enough noise that Anthony would turn toward the sound, giving Catalina the opening she needed. She was small, but her movements were quicker than mine, and damn sure faster than Anthony's.

It could work. But then why didn't she let me go out there and deal with him? Then it donned on me.

She'd told him to let her people go. If this didn't work, she'd take complete responsibility for their lives instead of me. Even now, even when we were so deep in shit that it had taken me a second to get my bearings, she was there, protecting me, watching out for me .

We're going to survive this, and when we do, I swear on every fiber of my being I'm going to spank her ass raw.

But for now, I had to wait. She'd give me a signal somehow, and I would not miss it.

"Remove your weapons," Anthony said.

Slowly, she dropped her guns, knives, even the grenades.

There's one missing.

I counted them one more time to make sure, but I was right. She hadn't removed the tactical blade in her left boot. Her pants were too bulky to see it easily, but I'd watched her slip it there earlier.

Anthony didn't notice. That motherfucker was too busy checking out Catalina's ass as she bent over.

I'll rip out his eyeballs for even thinking about it.

"You know, you're a terrible actress. You claim Marco's dead, but you haven't even shed a tear," Anthony said.

"Clearly I was a great actress, if you thought I gave a shit about him." Her voice was steady, emotionless.

Anthony sneered. "That's fucking bullshit!"

"I didn't ask for his help, he offered. I didn't ask for your family or whatever it is you think he gave me. I didn't ask him for anything." She shrugged. "Matter of fact, I told him multiple times to leave me alone, but he couldn't. He pursued me . He stalked me . And I think you're just angry that the little bit of affection I gave him was enough for him to turn his back on you ." She smirked.

The lie rolled off her tongue expertly. She'd switched back into her fa?ade that had helped her survive all those years with her father.

But Anthony didn't know anything about Catalina, and he'd grossly underestimated my queen .

Rearing back, he punched her in the face. Catalina went down, and it took everything in me not to beat him until his bones caved in and I tore his limbs off with my bare hands.

But that was it—the signal.

I dashed through the forest, drawing Anthony's attention.

"MARCO!" Anthony screamed.

Bullets flew past me as I ran towards the bunker.

Then a different scream pierced the air—a screech of pain and agony.

I whirled around to Catalina kneeling on top of Anthony. Her knife to his throat. Anthony writhed beneath her, blood spewing through the air.

My vicious little queen had cut off his wrist.

I sprinted back to her, relief washing through me the closer I got. Grabbing the detonator, I switched it off, then stalked toward her.

She watched Anthony, her every muscle tense and alert as I approached. "Are you okay?"

"Yes." Even though that was far from the truth. My uncle had killed my parents out of jealousy and hatred, and my cousin had betrayed me, and tried to kill the love of my life. But she was alive, and that was all that mattered.

She held a gun out for me and stood, pinning Anthony down with her boot. "I wanted to kill him. But he's your cousin. If you want?—"

I shot Anthony in the head, and when Catalina stepped back, I emptied a clip into his chest. But his death didn't help the seething rage boiling in my blood.

"Marco..." Catalina's voice was soft now, tender and caring.

I pulled her into my arms, burying my fingers into her hair as I held her head to my chest.

She clung to me, and like a calm to my storm, the fear, anger, and fury slid away until there was nothing but her, my vicious little queen.

Gently, I cradled her head in my hands, brushing away Anthony's blood from her face as I examined her cheek. Nothing was broken, but there would be a nasty bruise tomorrow.

"Do you have any idea how scared I was?"

"I know," she whispered. "I'm sorry, but it was the only way."

"It wasn't and we both know it. You did that, so if something went wrong, I'd be safe. That I wouldn’t be able to blame myself. But mi peque?a reina viciosa, I can live through anything, but I can’t live without you."

“Marco, you’ve gone through enough tonight. I just didn’t want that on you. I… I could handle it.”

I glared at her. “Yes, you did. And you almost got yourself killed. If you think I’m going to just let that go, you have another thing coming.”

“But isn’t that what you did earlier for me?” She grinned innocently, as if she hadn’t almost just given me a heart attack.

“Touché, mi peque?a reina viciosa, just remember that when all of this is done, you will be punished.”

She kissed my cheek. Then her expression turned serious. “We can take a second if you need to process. Our men should be here soon.”

I took a deep breath. Catalina was safe, but we still had a job to do. “No. It’s better for me if I keep moving. Let me call our men to let them know what happened, then we’ll go to the bunker. And any surprises we come across we’ll handle, together .”

She nodded, linking her hand with mine. “Together.”

Catalina and I dashed through the woods, using the dense foliage as cover in case Felipe's men were still alive. Reaching the bunker, we found five bodies strewn across the ground.

Anthony had likely killed them before doubling back to ambush us.

Apparently, he couldn't be loyal to anyone.

Catalina and I exchanged a glance. If Anthony had killed these men, had he killed the women, too?

I fished out the keys from one of the guard's pockets and opened the door.

The stench hit me first—a mixture of piss, shit, blood, and sweat. I stepped inside and when one of the women flinched, another scent became apparent, one that made my stomach churn. She'd been raped recently. And it sickened me even more to think it might have been Anthony's doing.

Dozens of women huddled in the far corner of a large cage, their bodies pressed together in a desperate attempt to hide them from being targeted. They were filthy, their clothes tattered, stained with blood and grime.

But it was their vacant eyes that broke my heart. There was no fear or hope there. But when their gaze slowly moved to Catalina, a flicker of emotion finally crossed their faces. Pity.

They think she’s going to be locked in here with them.

How could anyone do this? What these women had gone through...

"Lina," I whispered, my voice barely audible, "I'll unlock the cages, but I think I should stay outside." The last thing these women needed was another man in their space, even one here to help.

Catalina gulped beside me, then nodded stiffly. Together, we opened the cages, but the women didn't move.

My heart ached as I looked at them. We had saved their bodies, but it would take a long time before they found their souls again.

I stepped outside, leaving Catalina alone with them, and called Carlos.

"Carlos, things here are… they're bad. I need you to get any women who can stomach cases of sexual assault and trauma here to help. Tell them I'll pay them double, triple whatever they earn, anything they need, as long as they'll come. These women… they can't have men around right now."

"Okay." Carlos's voice was tinged with the same agony I felt. He took a deep breath. "Okay," he said again, more firmly this time, "I'll make the calls and have them bring food and water."

"Towels, blankets, and clothing, too."

"Yes, boss. What about the men? They're coming down the road right now."

"Have them get whatever they need to set up a temporary shower, then establish a perimeter. Also, get someone to bring two buses. We'll let them stay in the condos until they're ready to go home."

"Will do, boss."

I hung up with Carlos, listening to Catalina's voice, so soft and soothing as she spoke to the women.

Eventually, someone moved, another woman sobbed, and it felt like the air had gotten easier to breathe.

Whatever Catalina had said had gotten through to them. They finally understood we were here to save them, not hurt them.

Catalina peeked outside of the door.

"Can I stay, or do you need me to leave?"

She shook her head. "No, they're okay with you for now, but the rest of our men might trigger them."

"I know. I told them to stay away, and Carlos is reaching out to anyone we can for women who are willing to come help."

The corners of her lips tipped up, just briefly in thanks, but her eyes were filled with sorrow. "Could you call Joseph too? His mother Ruth told me about everything, and I'm sure we have people who will help."

"I will." I kissed her head gently.

"Marco." She gripped onto the door handle like it was the only way she could stay standing. "This is all… it's terrible. I-I can't even imagine what these women have gone through." She bit her lip, then stared up at me, her eyes pleading. "Do you… do you think one day they'll…"

"Yes, Lina. They will." I didn't need her to finish. I brushed my hand against her cheek. "Whatever help or support they need, we'll get it for them. It will be hard, but one day, they'll be able to smile again. We'll make sure of it, won't we?"

Her eyes filled with tears, but she refused to let them fall, nodding. "We will."

As I kissed her softly, I made a vow to her, these women, and our families . We would dismantle the trafficking ring. We would hunt down every person involved and make them pay for what they'd done. And we would do everything in our power to help these women heal and rebuild their lives. No matter how long it took, we would get them justice.