Rebecca’s story
It’s been three days already since I last saw Dominic and if I said I didn’t miss him, I’d be lying. He had that something that drew me in, leaving aside the Luna and Alpha story. He attracted me because I loved him. And now what should I do with this love? I would disable it and hide it inside me. It was the only option. They have trained me to feel nothing. Why can’t I do that right now?
I had to focus on something else. And I had something to do. I pulled out my phone and called Logan.
“Are you sure we need to go all the way out there?” I asked him, almost shocked to know where Bali was.
“Yes, I’m sure. That’s where he was last seen. And I don’t like it at all that he got this far. We need to get together and see what we have until now. I also have some new info. Can I come over?”
“Of course, I will wait for you”
I didn’t have to wait long for him. If there was one thing that recommended Logan, it was the speed with which he got things done when required. “Welcome, please come in,” I greeted him enthusiastically. The agency had long been on Tom’s trail and now it seemed things were clearing up. I was hoping to unravel this mystery as soon as possible and find out who else was involved. All I was hoping was that it didn’t get messy.
Already Logan had me thinking. What connections did Tom have so far away, on the other side of the world?
“Becca, I have some information you will not like at all,” Logan began bluntly when he hadn’t even stepped into the living room yet. We sat down at the table and he handed me the files to study. It didn’t take me long to catch on, but this shocked me. All that time next to him and he was not at all the man I thought he was. I hadn’t fallen in love with him or anything. I just found it hard to believe he could hide for so long and no one in the agency would suspect anything. Until today.
“Are you saying that Tom and whoever else he was involved with were trafficking people?” I asked, in shock that such individuals still existed. I’ve dealt with cases like this before, but it always impressed me because the victims were just young girls.
“Someone is still doing it, Becca. And it looks like the place of delivery is Bali. Specifically, at an after-party held following a social event.”
“Okay, that means we go undercover. Not that we’re not already.”
***
Bali, or as the lovers would say, Angel’s Paradise, the most exotic place on Earth and I had the enormous pleasure of coming here, but on a mission. Although it was for business purposes, the pleasure still existed. The first thing that caught my attention was the angelic beaches with their palm trees. It was as if heaven had descended to Earth.
Located in Indonesia, the beautiful little island promised to be the most attractive destination in the world. I did a bit of research to know where I was going and I had to admit I was delighted with what I discovered about it.
Even though I knew I wasn’t here to relax, I was still a human being and I couldn’t help but enjoy how beautiful the place was.
What I loved most was the summer sun that soothed all my senses. I was feeling so alive and at the same time enchanted by the surreal beauty of this land. I glimpsed at the beach next to our hotel, the one paid by the agency and the clean, blue water that lured me in a way I just couldn’t resist.
The Grand Majestic Hotel, the one we were staying in, was by far the most beautiful structure I had ever seen. It was not a place I was used to. Logan saw my amazement and tried in his words not to sound so surprised.
“Even though this place is miraculous and I can see it’s left a more than a good impression on you, we mustn’t forget why we’re here, Becca.”
Hearing his voice was like an alarm clock from a reverie I wished would never end.
“Hey, why do you have to ruin my good mood? I know what we’re here for. I haven’t forgotten. But let me just enjoy the view.”
“Okay, I think I can do that. I have an idea. We go to the reception, check in and before we get started, we go get a bite. What do you say?”
“Wonderful idea. See you in an hour?”
After agreeing, we checked in and went up to our rooms.
Mine was simply amazing. In fact, it was an apartment. In the middle of the room, an enormous bed drew me in, a romantic canopy with white curtains around it. The sheets were immaculately white, and a gentle breeze blew across the open terrace. I loved the high wooden ceiling and the chandelier that adorned it. Three other colorful pillows sat in front of the bed in its extended length. The hardwood floor was so inviting, I dropped my sandals to feel it under my bare feet. I was giggling like a child.
I turned my gaze to my right, only to catch a glimpse of a delicate coffee table in the room's corner. It had no chair, just a huge cushion near it. Fresh flowers were everywhere I looked. I headed for the open terrace. Two large glass doors separated it from the main room. I could already imagine myself sipping my late morning coffee.
Only one person was missing from this heavenly paradise, Dominic. My mind wandered wildly. A succession of images of him flashed before my eyes. His imposing posture, his manly scent, his large, gentle hands finding their way down my body, making every particle react under his touch, all of these tormented me. I remembered his hungry mouth devouring mine. A boiling wave ran through me and I realized I needed a bath. It was certainly the way I was sure it would help me relax but also refresh myself after such a long journey.
The small bathroom was so intimate that it did nothing to help me chase away all my sinful thoughts. It was like I could feel him everywhere I went or looked. I filled the bathtub and immersed myself in the hot water. The vanilla-scented foam was perfect for cooling me down. For fifteen minutes, I forgot everything and everyone and just enjoyed this place.
The room the agency rented for me was like a dream. But now I had to let go of that dream and go down as I had promised Logan. We needed to do some research around here before the party started. In the meantime, the invitations for us had arrived.
“Looks like the air here suits you! Or is it water?” Logan laughed softly as he ordered two non-alcoholic cocktails in the hotel lobby.
“Anything more intelligent you can’t comment on? Look, we have the invitations. We’re Mr. and Mrs. White, married for three years and running a successful business, a fashion house. We’ve come to the show because we’re interested in purchasing part of the collection.”
“Wow, this role is looking better and better to me,” Logan joked, with a wide grin from ear to ear.
“Hey, watch your mouth! I’m still your superior!”
“Okay, okay, my bad. Just kidding,” Logan defended himself by raising his hands in surrender. But the smile hadn’t faded from his face.
“I keep thinking how bloody stupid you must be to do what Tom was doing and in such an exotic place” I changed the subject to what we were interested in.
“Your fiancé’s mind was as sick as could be. It’s a good thing you got rid of him after all. Nature helped you.” It was unnecessary to reveal to Logan that Tom got killed by werewolves and that he was hundreds of years old. He wouldn’t believe it, and it would jeopardize our mission. I needed him with a clear head.
“Yeah, whatever… Let’s assume Tom is in a better place where he won’t give us any trouble.”
“The most desperate thing for me is that we don’t know where these girls would be hidden or where the transfer will take place. About tomorrow night's party, we have learned that several big mafia names from all over the world will be present. Undercover, of course. All we have to do is get in and start recognizing them so we can follow them closely. Here are the files on a few of these scam bags who will be there for sure.”
I took the file and found that they were all, at some point, loyal clients of the agency, but we never gathered enough evidence against them to put them away for many years. Now we couldn’t do that either. There were too many innocent people here. The important thing was the girls’ release.
“Serghei Vasilev, right-hand man of the Russian Mafia, Arlo Leonard, Ireland’s representative, Gerino Tofani, Italy and the list goes on. We’ll monitor them all and when their turn comes, we’ll pick them up.”
“Okay, if there’s nothing else to add...”
“Let the fun begin!”