Free Trace's Temptation (RARE Series, #3) by Dawn Sullivan Page B

she was moving. 
    Helping Sari step out of the bathtub on her trembling legs, Angel promised her, “Gypsy is very much alive, Sari.  My team is getting her as we speak.”
    “Philip told me she was dead,” Sari whispered raggedly.  “He told me he killed her because I wouldn’t cooperate.  But I did everything he said.  I tried to be good.  I really did.”
    I have clothes, boss, Nico said, his voice full of barely controlled rage.  I’m going to leave them on the floor outside the door and go wait in the hallway so I don’t scare her any more than she already is.
    As soon as she knew Nico was gone, Angel turned and opened the door to the bathroom.  Reaching down, she grabbed Sari’s clothes and quickly shut the door again.  “Here are some clothes, Sari.  Hurry and get dressed so we can get out of here.”
    “Don’t leave me,” Sari burst out as Angel went to open the door again.  Rushing forward, Sari grabbed her stomach crying out in pain.  “Please,” she begged on a sob, “please, don’t leave me.”
    “I won’t go anywhere,” Angel promised as she shut the door and leaned up against it, crossing her arms over her chest.  Waiting for Sari to get ready, Angel frowned and gently entered her mind to try and figure out why she was in so much pain. 
    Angel tightly grasped her arms and smothered a growl when she was swamped with pain, sadness and despair.  From the faint impressions she got, it seemed as if Sari had somehow pissed Perez off recently and he’d repeatedly beaten her, throwing her on the floor and kicking her in the stomach over and over.  When he was done, he left her to fend for herself.  She was alone, in excruciating pain, and scared to death.  Angel was going to kill the bastard slowly, if he wasn’t already dead.
    As soon as Sari was ready, Angel opened the door and motioned for her to follow.  Softly she whispered, “My teammate, Nico, is waiting outside.  He will not hurt you, Sari.  You can trust him.  We will get you out of here.”
    When Sari stopped suddenly and moaned again clutching her stomach, Angel turned and caught her just before she fell to the ground.  Nico, get in here, she ordered.  I need your help.
    Angel put Sari in Nico’s arms when he stepped in the room and they swiftly left heading down the hall.  Are you clear? She asked Jade as they took the stairs leading down to the back entryway.
    I need help with Trace, Jade responded.  He’s having trouble walking and Jinx is carrying Gypsy. 
    Phoenix, if you are done playing with your toys, get your ass in here and get our boy, Angel ordered as they reached the back door. 
    Swinging around, gun raised, she waited patiently after hearing footsteps in the next room.  It’s just us, Flame said as she led the way to where Angel waited. Jinx was right behind her carrying a small, frail, filthy woman who had lost consciousness.  Angel gulped as she saw Jade helping Trace make his way painfully down the hall.  He was so thin and gaunt and was obviously in a lot of pain.  His feet shuffled slowly along the carpet, his arm around Jade’s shoulder.  His head hung low as if he didn’t have the strength to hold it up and his shoulders slumped.  She was really going to kill that fucking bastard, Perez.  No one messed with her family.  No one.  Turning, Angel ran back up the stairs to the second floor entering the first bedroom.  Pulling a blanket off the bed, she quickly returned to Trace and wrapped his naked, shivering form in the warm material.
    I’m here, boss, Phoenix said as the back door opened and he slipped through. One look at Trace and Phoenix was in the room lifting him into his arms. “I can walk dammit,” Trace insisted sluggishly, pushing weakly against Phoenix. 
    “Yeah, well I can run and this place is set to blow soon,” Phoenix replied with a grimace.  “How about we get these women the hell out of here?”  Not able to argue against that logic, Trace gave in