That evening, Lena sat across from Owen, reviewing the intel he'd just shared. He had found a man higher up in the trafficking network, a monster who had even sold his own sister for money. But Lena quickly realized that seduction wouldn't work on this one. He was loyal to his wife, a quality that made him a little more difficult to handle.
However, Owen had also given Lena a key detail: the man's brother was a whole different story. He was the one running the street-level operations—reckless, a little perverse, and always on the lookout for a quick fix. He spent his time holed up in front of video games, watching adult films, and hitting on random women. His brother's loyalty didn't extend to the same degree.
Lena listened carefully as Owen outlined the man's habits. "The brother's a walking target," he said. "He roams the city looking for women to flirt with, and when he spots someone he likes, he tries to get them in bed. He doesn't know how to just... let things happen."
Lena smiled as she leaned back, already thinking about her next move. "That's our in," she said. "We can use that to get close."
Owen hesitated, fidgeting with a pen. "You sure? I mean, the guy's not exactly subtle, and he's probably used to women throwing themselves at him."
Lena's eyes glinted as she met Owen's gaze. "No worries. We'll handle him the right way." She tapped her fingers on the table before grabbing her phone. "I'm calling Tara. We'll need her for this one."
As Lena dialed, Owen watched her, his concern evident but his curiosity piqued.
The phone rang a few times before Tara's voice came on the line. There was a noticeable breathlessness in her tone, a small catch that made Lena smirk. "Hey, what's going on?" Tara asked, her voice sultry and distracted.
"Got a new plan," Lena said, keeping her voice steady. "This time, we're going after the brother. He's not as hard to crack as his big brother, but we've got to be smart. Seduction will work... but we need to play it right."
Tara chuckled softly, the sound almost like a purr. "Mmm, sounds fun. But, uh, hold on a sec," she said. Lena could hear the rustle of movement in the background, a shift in her position. "Take it slow... don't talk so fast, babe," Tara added, her voice dropping in pitch, sending a knowing shiver through Lena.
Lena's smirk deepened. She didn't need to see Tara to know exactly what was happening. "I figured you were busy," Lena said dryly, her voice still composed despite the faint recognition of what was going on. "But we need to focus, alright?"
Tara sighed, almost inaudible. "I'm... focused. Just need a second, alright?" The sounds of her breathing grew heavier, and Lena could almost picture her in whatever situation she had found herself in. Tara was always like this—always in control, even in moments like this.
Lena let out a small laugh, "Yeah, I get it. Just make sure you're ready when I'm done with this call. We need you to take down the brother. He's an easy mark, but we've got to be quick."
There was a pause before Tara finally spoke up, her voice clearer, though still laced with an edge. "You know me. I'll be ready. When you're done with this one, let's make sure we finish it right."
Lena felt a small thrill run through her as Tara's words sank in. Tara had always been this way—intense, unpredictable, and always ready for whatever came next. But Lena had no doubt that once she was done with her call, the two of them would be a force to be reckoned with.
"I'm counting on you," Lena said, hanging up after one final exchange. She glanced up at Owen, who had been watching her with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. "We're going to take down the brother. And once we do, the rest of the gang won't know what hit them."
Owen raised an eyebrow. "You're sure you can bait him in?"
Lena grinned. "Absolutely. He thinks he's got control, but we'll make sure he thinks he's the one pulling the strings. He won't even see it coming."
The plan was starting to form in her mind. She had a role to play. Tara would be by her side soon enough, and once they took care of the brother, everything else would fall into place. The trafficking ring would crumble beneath them, one target at a time.
And Lena had no doubt that together, she and Tara could do it.