Just Bring Them

As much as he wanted to take this man out for the betrayal, the Director of Operations wanted him alive. They needed as much information as they could about the situation. "You are going to cooperate with us," Devin said trying his best to be nice and not scratch his lying eyes out. "If you don't-"

"I'll cooperate," Judge Love promised. "I'll let you know everything I know. I'm sorry too, I didn't mean for this to happen. I just wanted a good year, I never meant for the Director to find out about it."

Cameras. Streaming. "Why shouldn't I be angry at Mads?" Devin had to ask. When Devin started to come down on Mads for knowing, he said to ask Judge Love about it. He'd understand why he kept his mouth shut. "Why didn't Mads say anything?"

Judge Love looked around himself again. "I talked to him afterward. Your sister was driving him crazy with some kind of eating thing and he'd left the area. Without him being near the group, the hired dusters didn't reach him. I found him and made him a deal to keep quiet for four years, and in exchange, I would do what I could to protect her."

Devin turned his head to examine him carefully. It didn't seem like he was lying. "Why would any good man ever have to make that deal? Oh, that's right, because you aren't a good man."

"I couldn't expand longer in protection more than four years, the show would start, and I'm not as wolfed out as you gentleman," he reminded them. "When protections bust, that's when she will really need help. Not that she didn't need it now. I did what I could."

"Fantastic. Not much more information," Billy said. "Let's just take the weasel with us."

"Wait, wait, wait! I'm still guarding her and . . .?" Judge Love paused like he wanted to say more. "Look. The deal about the hit is still in that contract. We can talk, but don't remove me far from the house. It's not a good idea. You aren't allowed in yet. You also need everyone here that was involved. Get everyone here, and we'll talk."

"What did the reporter see? What is out here?" Devin asked.

"Just, get everyone here," Judge Love said. "When everyone is here, I'll give you a tour before the show starts rolling."

Billy and Grayson finally put him back down on the ground.

"Is she okay?" Devin asked. "Can she see her family? Is she treated respectfully?" Judge Love could not have looked in a different place any faster. He refused to meet his eyes. "How many are in there?"

"It fluctuates. It's a tough situation to explain," Judge Love tried to say. "I'm sorry."

"You once said, to me, that all women here are treasures," Devin growled. He couldn't help it. "Prizes. Something special. Is she treated anywhere likethat, like you said she should be?"

He still wouldn't meet his eyes. "Used to. Please. Get everyone else. You'll see for yourself when you meet her."

"You can't even look me in the eye." It was already a clear sign. That place was huge. He remembered what Judge Love also said about Den women.

"If it makes you feel better, no one can mess with her physically yet," he promised. "Seriously, if they did, she'd be freed. Those guys don't want that."

If no one could hurt her physically, then did she fall for someone and it didn't work out? Were they abusing her heart? He was holding all the secrets.

"Then why are they hanging around?" Grayson butted in. "If they aren't going to get the woman, I don't see why anyone would hang out in a place like that. For the audience? For the fame?"

"No. The rent and food is free," Judge Love said. "That and some want her as their wife and respect her, while others are just counting down the days. I'm just glad you actually came back. Things were going to get real bad soon. Rules are changing."

"I put Destiny in a real bind." Devin knew it. Physically protected or not, she was clearly not living well in the last four years. Whatever happened to her. Whatever she got stuck into, it was because of him. "I'm going to have to bring Mattie here too." If anyone hurt her, he'd shred them alive, cameras or not. Mission or not.

"Wait. Jill and Lilly Hammer?" Billy asked. "Oh no. That's going to be a problem."

"We'll find them," Grayson assured him. "It's high time we clear the air with those women."

"If you could get them here by tonight, it'd be better," Judge Love said. "The show starts in four days, but certain things start expiring. You want to beat the curve, if you want to help her."

"What about the other women?" Devin asked seriously. "How much danger will they be in?"

"Bring them, and we'll go over things," Judge Love repeated again.

"Okay, I'll tell you what?" Grayson grabbed his arm, while Billy held another. "We are going to leave and get the women, but first we are going to break your arm."

"What?! Come on, guys, seriously!" Judge Love shouted. "Please, please, please don't do that!"

"Count of three or ten?" Billy asked. "I forget. This is wasting time, on three. One. Two."

Judge Love closed his eyes but he didn't say anything else. He opened his eyes and looked back at them all.

"Okay, we have to get them first." Grayson let him go. "Let's hurry. Do you know where Jill and Lily Hammer are at?"

No, but Devin would be able to help find them. "As soon as we get back, you are telling me everything." As soon as possible. "If we have to hunt you down-"

"I know what you are," Judge Love answered. "I'm not screwing around. I'll explain everything, and I'll even let you meet her. Just, go and get the others. It's a condition to tell you anything."

Present Day . . .

"That Destiny woman." Jill remembered her now. She could see why Devin seemed so anxious yet miserable. He had tried to save her, and failed for four years. "Lily is meeting me for lunch, she should be here soon. Where is Mattie?"

Devin propped himself back up. "Mattie's already on the ship. Hurry up and grab Lily by the hand when she comes and let's go. You can explain it to her again."

Jill understood the rush, it sounded like they needed to move. As Lily came in all bubbly for lunch, she grabbed her hand as Devin ducked out the door, leading the way.

"Lily, we have to catch up."

"Oh no," Lily complained. "I just bought this purse and dress."

No time, even Grayson and Billy was bounding after Devin. They both transformed.

Lily grabbed her new purse with her teeth and tried to say, "Wait up!"