“A few years ago I met this amazing man—my Magnus—and together we built Incarnyx so we could help others realize their full potential and find the personal happiness we’ve found. Within in a year, we’d helped thousands of people and had schools across the country. Now we have campuses in the US, Canada, and Mexico. And we are currently looking into expanding into Europe. We’ve helped hundreds of thousands of people, many of whom are now sharing what they learned as our pilots and navigators.”
This was met with applause. Sounded like a pyramid scheme.
Killian arched a brow. “Navigators?” she whispered to Maryl.
“That’s what they call the instructors—like Mina.”
How had she missed that? And what was up with all the flying references?
Shasis wrapped up by assuring them all that they would leave the retreat well into their journey of self-discovery.
“There are also a few spots left in our next module that begins this week. Those spots will be made available to those of you who have made the most progress, and who show the most enthusiasm for continuing your amazing journey.”
And those who can pay, Killian added silently, gritting her teeth.
They broke for lunch when Shasis left the podium. Killian debated going after her, but she had security, and while she might be able to take one or two of them, that wasn’t what she was there for.
She went to her locker and got her phone, then made for her car, dialing Raven as she walked.
Her former cellie picked up almost immediately. “Killy?”
“I just saw Dirty T.” It was a stupid nickname, but appropriate. “She’s running a good game. Everyone around her treats her like she’s Oprah giving out advice rather than cars.”
Raven was silent for a moment. Killian unlocked the Impala and got in.
“Is she running girls out of the business?” Raven asked as the driver’s door closed. Her voice was low, making Killian wonder if maybe she hadn’t told Ilyana what Shasis really was.
“No idea, but I wouldn’t be surprised. And no, I don’t know if either of the sisters is involved. I haven’t seen Lyria yet today, and I haven’t seen Dylan at all.”
“This is not going to be good for Ilyana if one or both of her girls is involved in a prostitution ring.”
“It’s trafficking when they’re not given a choice, and yeah, fucking think of their mother right now instead of them, Rave. That’s awesome.”
“Hey, she told those girls she thought the group was bad news. They paid their dues with her fucking credit card, and it’s her name the press is going to rag on.”
“You’re right, that’s so much worse than being raped a couple times a night.” Killian scowled. “You’re tripping.”
“Bottom line’s still the same, you got to get what Magnus has on them and get those girls out of there.”
Right, Magnus. “Could be that she’s his top.”
“Doesn’t matter. You’re not there to take them down, Killy. The feds are going to do that.”
Killian didn’t respond. She knew the job. Didn’t mean she liked it. She looked out the window at people standing outside smoking. Lunch was going to be served in half an hour, but meanwhile everyone was getting their fix—either nicotine or caffeine or their phones. Her gaze narrowed when a familiar truck pulled into the parking lot. “Hey, can you do me a favor?”
“What?” Raven’s tone was wary.
“Run a check on these plates.” She rhymed off the numbers. “New York State. I wanna know everything you can find out about the asshole driving ’em.”
“Has this got to do with Dylan and Lyria?”
“It might,” she lied, easily, guiltlessly. Just because Raven was paying her didn’t mean she was calling the shots. “Oh, and check out this security company—Secural Solutions. They did a drive-by of the compound when I was there last night. Send me everything you find via the secure server.” One of the first things she’d been given upon joining the Initiative was a login for the server, followed by a flash drive that generated IPs and a bunch of other stuff she only partially understood.
“I wouldn’t send it any other way.” And then: “So how did Tara look?”
“What?”
“How did she look? Good?”
Killian laughed. “You are not seriously asking me that.”
“Get your head out of your pants. I asked because there could be a chance this Magnus is pimping her, too.”
“I doubt it. She talked about them starting Incarnyx together. More than likely they’re partners in every sense of the word. They probably do all the breaking in together, too. If I remember correctly, Tara didn’t care if it was sausage or taco, she just liked to eat.”
Raven made a scoffing sound, but Killian could hear the chuckle in it. “You can be so crude, you know that?”
“You used to like it.” Shit. Shouldn’t have said that. She leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes.
“I did,” Raven replied softly. Then: “You going to be okay up there, or do you want me to send backup?”
Killian could hug her for not making it more awkward. “Nah, I’m good. I’ve got someone I can call if I think I need it.”
“Dash.” There was something in her tone, but Killian didn’t bother trying to analyze it. She didn’t care what Raven thought of her boyfriend.
“Actually, I was thinking Story. This crowd’s mostly women. Not sure what that says about us as a gender.”
“It says we spend a lot of time being put down and trying to pull ourselves back up.”
“And then other women like Shasis take advantage of it,” she remarked absently as she watched Maryl’s man get out of the truck. He was a built fucker, but that just meant he’d fall all the harder when she took him down.
“Dirty T’s not a woman. She’s a fucking shark.”
“True.” She cracked her neck. “Once I get those girls home, she’s fair game, right?”
“I don’t care what you do to her once Ilyana’s daughters are safe. She’s all yours. Just don’t get yourself picked up by the FBI.”
“I’m not stupid, Rave.”
“No, just impulsive. Sometimes there’s not much of a difference. Okay, I gotta go. I’ll email you later. Be careful, Killy.”
“I will.” She hung up and checked for messages. There was a text from Dash asking how everything was going—like any other concerned or caring boyfriend, but really he just wanted to make sure she was still conscious and alive. In their line of work—especially hers—it was a very real concern. She sent him a quick reply so he wouldn’t worry and promised to call later. He’d know something had happened if she didn’t check in again by midnight and would come looking for her.
Nothing from Megan or Shannon, but then she hadn’t expected to hear from them. Hopefully her not being around for the next few days would allow the two of them to work out their drama and tighten up their relationship again. The two of them—and little Willow—were all the blood she had who really mattered, and she really didn’t want to be a point of contention between them.