The Concrete Dog

{The Woman you want is the Woman I Need}

Parker paced Jason's hospital room, holding his stomach. The pain medication was slow to act, prolonging his suffering. And the nurses did not care about his constant complaining about it.

Bandages covered Jason's face. Discolored skin indicated a bruise or cut on his dark brown flesh. Trace held nothing back when his fist pummeled his body and ripped the material of his suit.

Jason groaned in pain whenever he moved. Finally, he tried to grab the notebook on his bed. Parker limped to the chair and sat down beside the bed. He slid the tablet closer to Jason, and he began writing.

Parker read his note. "I told the police that some stranger attacked us. We don't need them looking at us."

Jason wrote on his paper. His jaw was injured but not broken, and it hurt too much to speak.

"I have already fired more people. The hiring staff is already looking for more women and workers." Jason asked another question.

Parker looked at his note. "Ambrose knows what happened, and he is working on ways to get her back before his client returns from vacation next month."

Jason sighed and wrote something else.

"No, he does not know where Trace lives. The ex-con used Clancy's address on the application, and Clancy said he never had a reason to go to his house."

Jason shook his head and continued writing.

"We called Jim Pearson, his PO. And he said he would come up with a figure and get back to us."

Jason grunted in anger. "Greedy,"

"It's a shame you can't even find an honest cop to bribe."

Jason wrote another message.

Parker nodded. "Yes, I called Watson, and he and his men are looking for them. Lauren has no idea how valuable she is to us. I don't think either of them knows about our operation. The business is an excellent front for finding the women we need. We can't involve the police because they will look at us instead."

Jason wrote the name Charlotte.

Parker frowned. "I told Watson about her mother. He said he would take care of her."

Jason sighed and laid back against his pillows. Parker leaned back in his chair, still holding his stomach. "Don't worry. We will get her back and take care of Trace Wolf and anybody else trying to take us down."

Trace walked upstairs and found Lauren walking out of the bathroom. He knew she heard him talking to Becky, and he could see the concern on her face about his past.

Lauren could see the anger still on his face. She wondered if more of his gang members would come to their door.

"Was she not someone you wanted to see?" Lauren asked.

Trace shook his head. "She is trying to help her asshole brother recruit me. I am no longer giving my time to a lost cause."

Lauren walked by him. "She was your girlfriend?" Trace turned, and his eyes followed her body in the pink dress as she moved by him.

"No, she wanted to be, but she is on drugs. And Brad is her brother." He said.

She heard the anger in Trace's voice. "What has Brad done?"

Trace looked into her dark brown eyes and saw concern. He did not want her worried about Brad or the new Demons. "Brad is someone we will avoid. He will not come here himself, but he will send people here. I don't want you opening the door for anyone."