44: Ashallia

Ash showered and dressed quickly, knowing they were waiting for her to get things started. She wasn't sure how she felt about their cousin yet, but certainly felt uncomfortable at him just appearing in their room like that. And the way he'd first looked at her. She shuddered at the thought.

'Is that how they usually treat women who aren't theirs?' she wondered, but dismissed it quickly. They'd seemed as bothered as she had, in their own way, about the people being smuggled, and according to the article, most had been young women. The thought of what could have happened to them if the brothers hadn't stepped in still made her feel sick.

She sighed as she finished up, opening the bathroom door and stepping out. They herded her downstairs almost immediately, heading to the restaurant adjoining the hotel. She mostly listened as she ate, wanting to see and hear more of their cousin, but by the time they were done, and he'd pulled a laptop from his backpack, ready to start planning, he wa