Straight out of foster care, he'd found his sister only to learn that she was owned by a pimp, working the streets.
But, he'd been too late to save her.
Responsible for her death, his life meant nothing.
Slipping on his fingerless gloves, he toed the kickstand at the sight of the others coming out of the building. He wasn't going to let Josie meet his sister's fate.
Chapter 2
Josie
Robert "Askook" Shaw stepped into the room, speaking with two other men. Josie pressed her shoulder against Cami, signaling her to stop crying. For the last four days, all she'd tried to do was bolster her friend's spirit.
But with each passing hour, Cami grew more despondent.
Beyond terrified for her friend, she needed to stay strong. The worst thing she could do was bring Cami down and feed into the hopelessness of the situation.
Afraid she'd draw the men's attention by talking too loudly, Josie lifted her chin and remained quiet. She'd avoided men like Askook her whole life growing up on the reservation, and for good reasons.
But nine months ago, everything changed thanks to her father. She'd unwillingly got dragged into the corrupt world run by men with more power, more money.
She hated Askook. It was time people like him were punished for their crimes.
He'd left the reservation years ago, leaving behind his mother and sister—who'd attended school with Josie. Askook returned when the family home burnt down, killing his whole family. From that moment, he became evil. He'd forgotten everything taught to him and joined the corruption of those in charge of the casino.
Cami whimpered. Josie shushed her friend under her breath. If they stood any chance of getting out of here, Cami needed to hold it together and help her.
The other two ladies kidnapped by Askook's men sat on the other side of the room, huddled together with their arms tied with rope. Luckily, Cami had peed her pants earlier, and they'd removed her from the group. Josie had caused a scene until they moved her next to Cami—which was her plan all along.
She and Cami had formed a fast friendship when she'd moved to Missoula and ended up renting the apartment beside her. There was nothing she wouldn't do to help her friend. Including going up against the man who ran the sex trafficking ring at the casino and had the power to control the National Indian Gaming Commission to turn a blind eye on the activities done on the reservation.
Askook and the rest of the men all had Blackfoot running in their blood, like her. But money controlled their life. Her people were scared to go up against them.
Gone were the days when they respected their heritage. There were terrible people in every community, and she was looking at three of them.
"Cami, please be quiet," she whispered. "You have to hold it together."
The men moved toward the other group of women. One by one, they untied them.
She swallowed the fear tightening her throat. The women stood while one man used tape to silence them. Neither woman put up a fight or screamed.
She couldn't fault them for not reacting. They were kidnapped over three weeks ago, along with Cami. She could only imagine what they'd been through in the hands of the men.
She also wasn't naive about what was in the future for the women.
Rumors flew around the Rez, surrounding the activities at the casino. Women disappeared more often within the Blackfoot community than in Missoula. Even in the whole state of Montana.
A young mother disappeared, walking back from the store after dinner one night, never to be seen again. A teenage girl disappeared after her boyfriend dropped her off in front of her house after attending one of the ceremonies. A woman strung out on alcohol was last seen sleeping outside the meeting hall, and no one knew what happened to her.
She glanced at Cami. Pushing the thoughts that her friend, too, had probably seen and experienced more than she had under the men's watch.
Would she lose the desire to fight, to gain her freedom, in a week? Two Weeks? Would they keep her that long, or would they get rid of her or sell her—whatever their final plan was?
The two men escorted the other ladies out of the room. Josie's spine stiffened as Askook walked toward her.
She stiffened her back against the wall, unwilling to show fear. He'd ruined her life. She hoped he'd burn alive. Slowly.
Askook squatted in front of her. "Nitána."
She spit in his face. "I am not your daughter."
His nostrils flared, and his eyes narrowed. He took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the spittle off him. After he tucked the bit of cloth back in his pocket, he held his temper.
"In honor of your father, you should respect what he helped build."
"He should've killed you."
Askook cocked his head, amusement lighting his dark eyes. "Instead, he gave me you before I shot him."
She snarled. When she got free. If she got free. She would kill him before ever allowing him to touch her or sell her.
Baring her teeth, she said, "I will rip your black heart out of your body and feed it to the dogs."
He inhaled deeply and reached over and stroked Cami's cheek. "Why can't you be more like this one. So calm and obedient."
"Don't touch her," she blurted.
"Maybe I'll keep her." Askook looked at Josie, his gaze hardening. "You can take her place and go on a little trip with the others."
Her chest squeezed. Wanting to grab hold of Cami and refuse to let her go, she couldn't show any reaction. It would go bad for both of them if Askook realized the power he had over her if he threatened Cami.
She couldn't be separated from Cami. Once one of them left the room, both of their lives would be at stake. If Askook sold her, she would lose her chance at saving Cami.
Askook hooked a strand of her hair and brought it to his nose. Inhaling deeply, he closed his eyes and, for her ears only, said, "Your father was weak, selling you to pay his debt. I did you a favor, killing him."
She vibrated with anger, refusing to say anything.
In the end, Askook would do what he wanted, with or without her fighting. Instead, she needed to bide her time. Someway, somehow, she would get Cami out of here and to safety. All she had to do was get her off the reservation. After they were away from the fingers of Askook, she'd figure out their next step.
It was better that he send her away rather than Cami. The strong friend she admired had hit rock bottom—and she couldn't fault her. She only hoped she had enough strength to survive because she was Cami's only hope of getting out of here.
If something happened to her, all hope was lost.
The Missoula police were forbidden to work on the reservation, and the elders who controlled the tribal police turned a blind eye toward Askook and his men.
Askook stood and walked away from her. Knowing she might not have another chance, she leaned as close to Cami as she dared without being spotted.
"Hold on, Cami. Whatever happens, don't give up," she whispered. "If there's a way to get us out of here, I'll find it. I promise."
Cami's chin lowered to her chest, and she closed her eyes. Josie nudged her with her arm again.
"You can do this." Her heart hammered in her chest, spotting Askook talking to another man who'd entered the room. "Don't give up. There are still things you need to do. R-remember our list? You want to meet the perfect man, have two point five kids, and a house with a picket fence. You want to see the Grand Canyon and travel to Hawaii."