Chapter 694 Chapter 694
The older girls were all in one room. There were seven, all awkwardly huddled on the big bed. “Hi, I’m Deva.” She smiled and tried not to let the emotions show too much on her face. These girls were too thin, their hair scraggly, and their clothes barely fit them. “I’m going to be taking Missy,” she waited for one of them to nod and smiled at her. “Jo and Julia.” Two girls with dark, almost orange hair nodded. “Can you come down and pick out a jacket? If we can’t find one that fits, we’ll stop along the way and buy one as well as boots before we get to the snow.”
“We’re going to where there’s snow?” Jo looked at Julia. “We’ve never seen snow.”
Deva smiled. “Well, then you’re going to be thrilled because back home, we got a lot of it right now.”
Missy was slow to move, so she held out her hand. “I hear you’re going to your uncles?” There was no mistaking she was related to Blair, with her gorgeous eyes and pale hair.
“I don’t know him.” She took Deva’s hand, and Deva squeezed because hers was shaking.
“He’s great. His mate is amazing. You’ll love her.” She started guiding them downstairs.
“Okay,” Missy whispered.
Deva swallowed down the anger that started to fill her. These girls should be worried about clothes, makeup, and anything else, but instead, their only concern was surviving. When they reached the bottom, she motioned to the corner. “Box of coats is over there. Go get one.” She stood there and watched them go over.
“Makes you want to kill something, huh? Seeing how scared they are.”
She turned around to see a shorter woman with dark brown hair standing there.
“I’m Kelii. From the cleanup team.” She smiled. “Illias and I are meeting up with Tait along the way.”
Deva nodded. “Who are you transporting?”
“Four girls. Teens.”
“They’re in the last room upstairs.”
“I’ll get them after I get the van packed. Any idea why we’re moving this soon?”
Deva stepped into the doorway and saw Taggart talking to Calum and nodding. “Some people from Europe tracked down Taggart here.”
“I can’t wait for the day they’re all out of business, and the biggest decision I have to make in a day is what to wear.” She grinned.
“Right now, I can’t think past Christmas.” Taggart caught her attention and nodded.
“It’s going to be a merry one this year.” Kelii turned and went into the kitchen.
Deva went over to Taggart. “You know we’re going now?”
“I do.”
“Okay, I’m going to get the girls, and we can get going.”
He nodded. “I go to van after I see Tripp to thank for help.” Walking over to the corner, he picked up a worn backpack and slung it over his shoulder.
Asher stepped in front of her. “You keep your gun in reach and eyes open wide.” He gave her a concerned look. “We’re not even waiting for Andi. We’re going to pick her up on the way.”
Deva nodded. “I’m starting to think them finding Taggart today was a good thing.”
“Right. I thought that too. Without that happening, we’d be sitting ducks here.” He grasped her shoulder for a second and nodded. “Check-in from time to time. I’ll see you at the Factory when we get there. Journee is going to stay there with Madilyn.”
She could see the worry in his eyes. There was a lot to worry about. Zain missing. Getting the children to the destination without incident. She looked around. “If you see Calla, tell her to check in too. One of us is already missing. We don’t need anymore.”
“Yeah. Be careful.” He turned sideways and went around her in the doorway.
Blowing out a breath, she took a deep breath and went over to the girls. “Did you find one that fits?” They nodded. “Okay. We’re going to get going.”
“Will Tesha be where we’re going?” Missy asked.
“I’m not sure where she’s going right now, but you’ll see her again.” She smiled, even though she honestly felt like there was nothing to smile about. “Taggart is waiting out in the van. We should get going.”
She closed the door and then opened the passenger one. Turning, she looked around and then spotted Amari climbing into their ride. She waved to her and then got in. Getting in, she turned to see the girls all sitting together. “Seatbelts on?” They nodded.
“We ready?”
She looked at Taggart, and even though he was smiling and his tone was easy, she could see the dire serious expression in his eyes. She nodded and then put her seatbelt on. Making sure the girls couldn’t see, she leaned down and picked up her pack and set it between her legs. Reaching in, she felt the holster for her gun and took it out. She set it in the pocket of the door and then turned to see Taggart give her a little nod. “Let’s do this.”