The problem was Shota didn't think those doubts were unfounded. That was half of why the taunt angered him so much. No matter what he said, he knew that permanently stamping out these kinds of operations, the ones with money behind them that exploited the vulnerable, was unlikely. Another would pop up in a different place with different people and a different MO. He and his colleagues would put a stop to it as many times as it took but putting an end to it for good? That was another matter entirely. One that was much harder to tackle.

They were doubts the captive wouldn't be hearing.

Turning his back on the man, Shota's attention was on Lillie as soon as she spoke. He hurried over to her side. "Almost. People I trust are coming for us."

He crouched beside her, watching her dig in her bag. "Don't worry about me. How do you feel?"

He'd suffered far worse injuries and not let them stop him, and while he'd have to do something about the bleeding eventually, that wasn't right this instant. But she was eager to help, and it would be easier if he didn't have to waste the paramedic's time when they arrived.

Glancing at the spray, Shota offered his arm for her as he waited for an answer, the dark material doing a good job of hiding how much bleeding there was.