Resist (#2): The Riptide Series Read online

  Resist

  Part Two of The Riptide Series

  Brooke Page

  Copyright 2018

  Brooke Page

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  “Sex trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery in which individuals perform commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion.”

  - Polaris:National Human Trafficking Hotline

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Resources on Sex Trafficking

  Acknowledgements

  Books By Brooke Page

  Chapter One

  Vance

  Lightning flashed behind Marcus, flickering against his tanned skin. His brows were smoothed in a flat line above his eyes, no crinkle of confusion or irritation. Even his jaw stayed stiff, no sign of the devilish plan he was concocting in his head.

  “I’ll ask again, Vance. Where’s my Dove?”

  Crossing my arms, I tilted my chin upward. “I’ll get you your Dove. Just need to work a few kinks out.”

  A sly smile formed on his lips. “Is that what kids are calling it nowadays? If you want to give her a few rides before turning her in, fine. Unless she’s a virgin, then you’re only going to get one shot. Owens would sell for a pretty penny if she hasn’t been broken in yet.”

  My jaw clenched to hear him speak so crudely about Lauren. “Owens isn’t for sale. I have another girl who’s even better. I’ll bring her in next weekend like I promised.”

  Marcus took me in from head to toe, inhaling a deep breath as he pulled a cigar from the pocket inside his black suit. “I think you’re misunderstanding what this operation is all about, Vancy.”

  Putting the stogie in between his lips, he took his time lighting it, puffing it precisely to get it lit. “See, offering to buy the girl a drink, perfectly fine. Driving her home and taking her for a spin, even better. I don’t care if you fuck them, Vance, I really don’t. But--” He pulled the cigar from his mouth. “You can’t keep them for yourself.”

  As cool as a cucumber, I said, “Who says I’m keeping anyone?”

  Marcus smirked. “You’re telling me there isn’t a blonde lying in your bed right now?”

  Crossing my arms, I shook my head and leaned my back against the front door.

  Marcus took another puff of his cigar. “I have eyes everywhere, son. I wouldn’t try to hide important product from me.”

  “I’m not hiding anything from you, Marcus.” I even offered him a smile. “And as far as what’s in my bed, that’s my business.”

  Marcus didn’t like my lackadaisical tone. “Your business is my business. Don’t fuck with it.” He puffed his cigar, glancing at both his bodyguards on either side of me. “You may be my blood, but don’t think I won’t put my foot down when I think it’s necessary.”

  Containing my snarl was damn near impossible, but I did it, knowing the beautiful woman fast asleep in my bed would become a victim if I lost my cool. “I don’t think who I decide to sleep with affects your underground operation.”

  His tone was low and menacing. “Everything in this town affects my business. You’re treading on dangerous waters, son.”

  Without batting an eye, I responded, “I was born in dangerous waters. They don’t scare me.”

  His nostrils flared as he blew smoke from them. “You haven’t seen anything yet, boy. If I want something, I get it. I’ll take Owens myself if I have too.”

  If my blood could boil, it would be bubbling. Leaving my front door, I paced to the railing, gripping the wood with chipped paint forcefully between my palms. I couldn’t look at Marcus right now. He’d be able to see the rage brewing in my eyes.

  Watching the impending storm, I asked, “What draws you to her, anyway?”

  Marcus’ footsteps slid against the sand on the porch concrete when he walked next to me. “She matches the description of what a Vulture wants to a T.” I could sense his shark like smile as he spoke. “Blonde, petite, toned, tan, blue eyes, submissive, young…she possesses a lot of the same qualities as another woman who had both of our hearts for a long time.”

  He was talking about my mother, and it was unacceptable. “You never had her heart,” I muttered. “You only used her.”

  “Love is blind,” he murmured. “She lied to you as much as she lied to me.”

  Spinning to face him, I poked my finger at his chest. “She lied because you drugged her.”

  Marcus only offered me a smirk. I wanted to rip his head off and feed it to the sharks. “I drugged her because she begged for it.”

  “She begged for it because you made her an addict.”

  Marcus sighed, taking another hit from his cigar. “I didn’t come here to discuss your crackhead mother. I came here to light a fire under your ass. I want her. Next Friday. No later.”

  “Who’s the Vulture that wants Lauren so bad?”

  Smoke from Marcus’s cigar fogged across my face. The rich, heady scent caused me to turn my head in the opposite direction. I hated the musky smell of his preferred cigars. Probably because the second the scent hit my nose, I pictured his face. My mother came home with the same smell clinging to her hair and clothes.

  “You’ll find out when you sell her at the Cage. I’m sure he’ll want to thank you personally.”

  I swallowed then stood tall from the railing, facing the monster that was my father. “Only if I can meet him first. I want to make sure he’s a good fit.”

  Instead of backhanding me like I thought he was going to, Marcus stared at me, his jaw ticking with each passing second.

  Finally, he spoke. “You know what? Let’s see if you can handle the choosing part of the business. I’ll introduce you to him at the next meeting. I’ll have a driver pick you up from Tankini’s in the city and bring you to the Cage.”

  My heart raced in my chest, realizing all of the bullshit and evil I’d put up with my whole life was for this moment he was offering. I’d get the location of the Cage, meet the Vultures, and retrieve the information I’d need to take down the entire operation. Including Marcus.

  “I’ll be there.”

  Marcus slapped my shoulder. “Wear a suit. I’ll text you a time the morning of.”

  I nodded, nudging past one of the bodyguards to stand between them and the front door. “If you don’t mind, I’ve got a few spreadsheets to finish for the shop.”

  Marcus grinned, his eyes smirking at me knowingly. “Don’t fall in love, Vancy. It never works out in our line of work. Remember, blood is thicker than the mud the world will drag you through. ”

  “I doubt it’s possible to have genuine feelings toward a spreadsheet.”

  “I’m not talking about that stupid surf shop. I’m talking about the girl, and life.”

  My brow rose in question, but I wasn’t fooling him.

  “Falling in love makes you weak. It takes
away your independence and screws with your decision making. This operation needs you to be at the top of your game, all the time, every moment, of every single day. A woman will fuck with that.”

  “I know,” I responded, wanting him to think I was on his wavelength, but I didn’t agree. Not one bit. The woman in my bed was keeping me alive, helping to steer me in the right direction, but in a positive way and not a vengeful one.

  “I’m not in love.”

  I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince him or myself. Love was a big word, and I’d never felt like I was in love before, but then again Lauren was like a new form of oxygen, giving me breathe I didn’t know existed.

  Marcus put his hands in his pockets. “Right.” Taking the few steps down the stairs, he tilted his head to the side, a signal for his bodyguards to follow him. Stopping at his door, he turned to me, putting his sunglasses over his eyes and throwing the butt of his cigar to the ground. “I’ll be back next week. And I won’t be as nice as I was today. I’ll drag her from your bed, naked and all.”

  I crossed my arms and watched him climbed into his truck and drive away into the storm. The rain pounded down, lightning running across the skyline, thunder booming instantly as it flashed. I fell back into the wicker chair, resting my head in my hands. If I wanted to protect Lauren, I was going to have to go to extremes I didn’t want to do.

  There was one person who was close to Lauren, one person she let abuse her repeatedly, and she would do everything and anything for them. Including leave me, the man who had captured her infatuation in the place that gave her solace.

  Reaching into my pocket, I grabbed my phone, knowing the call I was going to make would crush the only person who made me feel alive. I had to do it; I needed her to go as far away from the Shore as possible.

  The phone rang twice, and I was greeted with a huff. I didn’t expect them to be happy, at least none of my father’s henchmen were, but I didn’t expect him to sound put off for my calling. “I need you to do something.”

  “I assumed. Marcus couldn’t call me himself?” the other person on the line sneered.

  I stood from the chair and paced across the front porch. “I need you to take care of someone for me. And soon.”

  “I’m listening.”

  I closed my eyes, hating myself for allowing the monster deep in my soul to take over, but it was the only way. “You need to give her a big hit.”

  I heard clanking of glasses on the other end of the line. “Big enough to be her last?”

  My body tensed as I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Yes.”

  Chapter Two

  Lauren

  I was floating freely, the warm sun tickling my stomach and legs. The beach towel was cozy underneath me, the cool breeze caressing my bare skin. Every nerve in my body was relaxed; no fear or apprehension was attached to my thoughts. I was on the beach, opening my eyes to see a gorgeous man jogging in my direction, his kite resting in the sand behind him next to his board.

  “You going to join me?” the tanned man flirted, dripping water on my stomach.

  I giggled from the cool, salty liquid dropping on my sensitive skin. “You going to hold the bar for me?”

  His brows wiggled. “I’ll do more than hold the bar.” He reached for my hand, pulling me upright then spun us, pressing kisses along my shoulder.

  Real kisses were being peppered along my bare back, pulling me from the marvelous dream I was entranced in. I groaned appreciatively, rolling so the lips that caressed my back were now nipping at my stomach. Keeping my eyes closed, I ran my hand through Vance’s hair, pleased with the pressure of his mouth moving lower down my abdomen. Just as I thought he was going to tease me with his tongue as he did hours before, he hovered up my body, bringing his mouth to mine. The giggles escaping from my mouth vanished as he deepened the kisses.

  His movements were smooth, yet passionate, a desire he hadn’t expressed with his body. Wrapping his arms underneath my waist, he pulled me as flush to him as he could. He was strong and demanding, but he wasn’t impatient, he was possessive. As if I’d fall through the cracks and disappear if he didn’t hold me tight enough.

  He slowed his kiss, nuzzling his head into the crook of my neck. His weight was heavy on top of me, his erection resting anxiously at my entrance. “Vance…?” I asked through a heavy breath, twisting my fingers into his hair. He only squeezed me tighter.

  “Shh.” He molded his lips with mine once again. Grabbing my thigh, he wrapped it around his waist, entering me slowly.

  I sighed, loving the tenderness of his hips and the delicious pleasure they brought me.

  Our stomachs were sliding against each other’s, sweat forming from the heat of our passion. The intensity of his love making was at a high, almost to the point it scared me. My hands found his jaw. Unclenching my eyes, I found he was gazing at me, his features tight while he inched deeper inside.

  “What am I going to do without you all week?” I sighed, rolling my eyes back when he rotated his hips in a circular motion, then opening them again when he continued the same rhythm he had before. He hadn’t moved his gaze from my face, watching me intently during each subtle stroke.

  “Think about this,” he whispered, pressing his hips down so he was completely filling me. “Remember how good it feels to be so connected.”

  Our breaths mingled while we stayed immobile, bodies clinging to each other. The rain pattered against the window, making music with our short gasps.

  “I don’t think I could ever forget this,” I hummed, running my hands across his shoulders and down his spine.

  “Me either,” he exhaled against my lips, kissing me tenderly. Our tongues danced as he began to move at an agonizingly sluggish rate, rubbing my core, completely intoxicating my senses.

  I came, murmuring his name into the stormy night, clenching him with all of my warmth, but he didn’t stop, he only continued. His hips still moved at the same pace, his eyes never leaving mine, his arms still snuggly tucked under my arched back holding me as close as possible.

  And that was how the night went. He’d build me up again, only for my body to quake with pleasure over and over, until he’d finally gave in, filling me, but never disconnecting our bodies.

  My eyes rolled to the back of my head after he released the second time, my body unable to take any more pleasure. Vance sagged on top of me then rolled to his side, pulling me with him. He was spent as well, but his arms stayed tightly locked around me. I sighed into his clammy chest, resting my sweat-covered forehead against his shoulder. His breathing evened, but the grip he had around me never faded.

  It was the most comforting feeling I’d ever had, and for the first time, I felt safe. I was always paranoid, never sleeping restfully with the fear I’d be woken by my drugged-out mother, or one of the men who paid to support her terrible habits.

  Right here, in Vance’s arms, was my safe haven.

  Chapter Three

  Vance

  As soon as Colt drove into my driveway, I took one last longing, gaze at the woman sleeping in my bed. Her hair was fanned across my pillow, her shoulders relaxed instead of tensed. She appeared peaceful in her sleep, instead of nervous and anxious like she so often was before. My heart beat wildly wondering if I was the one to bring her such tranquility.

  Resisting kissing her one last time, I left her a note and crept out of my bedroom, grabbing my things I’d need for the week.

  Colt was at the door, waiting patiently. A sluggishness to his boxy frame, and a gleam in his half-opened eyes. He rubbed at them when he stepped inside. Most likely he and Marcy were out all night. I warned him to catch up on his sleep, but I was in the same predicament as he was. I couldn’t keep my hands off of Lauren. The fear I’d never be able to get the high she gave me would vanish, and the incredible connection we shared might evaporate forever.

  I was risking all Lauren and I had for revenge, and it should have made my stomach twist more.

  But I hated my fa
ther, and the chance of losing Lauren in the chaos that would take place wasn’t acceptable. She couldn’t fall with him. I wouldn’t let that sick fuck drug her and drag her to the Cage.

  “You ready for this?” he asked when I closed the door and came down from the porch.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  He shrugged his shoulders and put his hands in his pockets. “I’ve never seen you look so… stressed. I mean, you’re always kind of grumpy, but you genuinely seem worried.”

  I set my bag down and scratched my forehead. “I’ve got a lot going on is all.”

  His lip quirked upward. “I won’t let her out of my sight. I know you’re worried about Lauren. You can admit it.” His quirk turned into a full on grin. “I won’t tell Tucker you’ve fallen for a girl.”

  I shot a glare his way and he held his hands up. “Don’t get mad at me for observing.”

  My jaw clenched. “Do you have the itinerary?”

  He patted his pocket. “Yep. First stop, breakfast, then the Surf Shop. We’ll work half the day then head into the city for dinner at...”

  “Monty’s.” I snapped, attempting to hold in my anger for him not memorizing what he was supposed to do.

  He took out a piece of paper from his pocket. “Yeah, that’s it. I’ve got it all right here.”

  I pointed my finger at him. “Don’t let her see.”

  He shoved it back in his pocket. “I’m stealthy, don’t worry.”

  I cocked an eyebrow at him. Yeah, he was pretty good at following directions, until a girl got into his brain. That’s when he’d start to think with the wrong head.

  “Is there more to this I should know? You’re giving off the ‘this is more than he needs to know’ vibe.”

  I covered my eyes with my sunglasses. “That’s because it is. This is serious. You’re working for me now,” I said point blank. “You’re not hunting for girls. You’re keeping Lauren and Marcy safe. Don’t talk to Tucker anymore. I’ll deal with him and get him a new place to stay.” I handed him a wad of cash. “This should be good for the week. I’ll get you more if you need it.”