LAST THING

DANTE'S POV

"What exactly did you sell out Adeline for?" I ask Adrian once the atmosphere in the room is a bit emptier and calmer. Al the guys went off to the kitchen to grab something to eat and Liam had to go meet his girlfriend Naomi for a date. He's been spending a lot of time with me recently and I think it's affecting his personal and emotional life,

I know he worries about Adeline but if he wants to keep his relationship with Naomi going, he'll have to act normal with her.

"There are levels to erotica." Adrian answers. Ever since I lied to him about giving him his freedom back if he corporates, He's been very responsive. I have to refrain myself from hurting him every time Adeline crosses my mind, which is literally every second. If I let my anger win, Adrian won't be alive for more than two seconds once I get my hands on him.

"Some girls are trained to be used as sex toys. Others can be bought and taken out of erotica completely. Only the most sinister, wealthy and dangerous men usually have the ability to buy girls. The girls become almost like their wives. Personal slaves for them at the comfort of their homes. That's what I set Adeline up for. I knew it wouldn't be much of a debate because of how pretty she is."

As he explains, sweat trails down my forehead, I tremble in anger and my heart beats in my chest like a drum.

"So if we don't get her out of there fast, some man might get his hands on her, buy her and we'll never see her again?" Adrian bows his head and nods.

"You fucking ruined her life. You ruined her life forever. You realize if we're too late. If veronica doesn't see us soon, you realize we might lose Adeline forever. You know that right?" He nods again and my entire world comes crashing down.

"Fuck!" I swear and kick the chair I was sitting on just a second ago with so much force, it slams against the wall. Adrian flinches in fear.

"We can't count on Veronica. We have to find that place now. We have to find out where she's keeping her." I say pacing back and forth in the room.

"You won't be able to. You couldn't even track Veronica's number. The security there is sophisticated and they're well hidden. I've worked with veronica for years and even I don't know where this place is."

"What about this Colton guy?" I ask desperately.

"He's no good. You think Veronica would leave lose ends? She's very careful. She has to be or they'll kill her." Adrian explains.

"What do you mean they?" I ask him curiously.

"You think this all ends with Veronica and I? Veronica is just another puppet and the people pulling the strings are more dangerous than anyone you've ever met combined. That's why Veronica is s careful. If she makes amistake she will suffer for it and she can't afford that. You want to find Adeline, Veronica honring that meeting with me is your best shot. You're just going to have to be patient, unless you have otjher solutions."

I flare my nostrils, switch off the lights in Adrian's room and walk out, slamming the door shut. I bump into headshot as I leave Adrian's room.

"Whoa! Careful soldier." He says, holding a small plate with sandwich in front of me. "I brought a snack.'

I stare at the food in front of me. I don't remember the last time I ate but everything I taste irritates me. I know I'm going to have to eat at some point but I just can't bring myself to with all that is happening.

"To win a war, a warrior must be strong. Fed." Headshot says. "Don't lose hope now man."

He has a look of pity in his eyes.

"What are the other men doing?" I ask him, grabbing the sandwich from his hands.

"They're in your gym. Everyone's really shaken up by that phone call with Veronica. We all feel bad for your girl man. Everyone has a hard time eating. I can't imagine how cruel people can be."

He walks closer to me and laces a hand on my shoulder. "We'll find her man. We'll give it everything we got. We'll storm that place and we'll burn it to the ground. I know you probably don't trust us yet but I talked to the other guys. We're all with you through and through. We all just met but we're brothers now and we will do anything to get Adeline back. We don't know her and we've never met her but she's like a sister to us all now."

Headshot's words almost bring a tear to my eyes. My entire life I've worked alone. I've distanced myself from society and I made no friends along the way.

I didn't trust anyone because at the end of the day humans are completely and utterly disappointing. Living as a lone ranger was best for me. I didn't want to expect anything from anyone and I didn't want anyone to expect anything from me. I even deprived myself of love because of the kind of life I lived.

And then I met Adeline Fitz. She was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. I fell in love with her beauty the moment I et eyes on her. I should have left her alone. I don't know why I didn't but I couldn't. She made me fall in love with her.

I had never loved anyone until I met her. She was the sunshine in the darkness that was my life. She made me happy. I know Liam hates me but lately, I feel he has grown to tolerate my company.

Getting Adeline back is not for me. It's for Adeline first and then it's for Liam. I don't know if she'll ever forgive me for putting her in danger like that. For lying to her. I was selfish and now she's suffering the consequences. All I want to do is get her out of there and then I'll leave her alone. So she can live a normal life far from the people who would want to hurt her.

It's the least I can do for her after all that I've done.

"Thank you." I say to headshot genuinely as I place a hand on his shoulder. "I hope it's not too much to ask but I have another request." I say.

"What is it?" He asks me curiously.

"I'm going to track down anyone who might have any link to the organization. I can't count on Veronica alone. I want to track down more people that might have an idea of where this place might be. We might find Adeline sooner without even needing to depend on Veronica." As I speak, Headshot nods his head with all the enthusiasm in the world.

"You don't have to ask me twice brother. Anything to torture disgusting dicks." He says and smiles at me. I notice he has a gold tooth on hs incisor.

"You can count on us too." The other guys say as they walk in and jump in on the conversation. "We'll help you with anything you need."

I smile as hope and courage take over my features. I know now that I have a family. I have hope. Adeline has hope. Liam will see his best friend again, even if it is the last thing I do.