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I’ve allowed very few people into my life since Pe
“Sebastian,” Keira warns.
“It’s okay.” I spread my arms, willing to sink or swim, as I drag Sarah into me.
I hug her, waiting for the betrayal, expecting the sharp bite of a blade. It doesn’t come. She rests into me, clinging tight as I glance at Hunter over her shoulder, his glare mutated to an epic level.
“I’m going to take a wild stab in the dark and assume your fiancé doesn’t have the urge to hug this out like you do.”
“Don’t worry about him. He’s still recovering from your scuffle yesterday. He can’t ditch his migraine.” She retreats, her hands falling to her sides. “But he hasn’t breathed a word of this to Cole. That in itself is a huge sign of support despite his unwillingness to voice it.”
Support? I’m still not buying it.
There has to be a catch. A hidden motive.
“There wasn’t a scuffle yesterday, Sarah. That fucking ogre tried to kill me.”
She rolls her eyes. “It sounds like you’ve both exaggerated your side of the story.” She turns her attention to Keira, her expression transforming to a snarl as her arms cross over her chest. “Did you know about the trafficking?”
I glance at Keira, getting caught up in the shock spread across her features. She’s traumatized by the harsh accusation. I have to admit, I am, too.
Sarah is usually the devoted feminist, slaying the dragons that enslave other women. But right here, right now, the only thing she looks eager to slay is an undeserving woman.
“No, she didn’t,” I answer.
“I didn’t ask you. I want to hear it from her.” Sarah levels her tone without quitting the glare. “Did you know they were selling sex slaves? Were you involved?”
Keira raises her chin in defiance and opens her mouth, only to snap it shut again. I can’t tell if she’s about to lash out or cry. I don’t want to see either.
“I said she didn’t know. And if I can believe her, you can, too.” I walk for the front door, despising every second my back is turned to the homicidal fucker in the yard. “Let’s go inside. This is going to be a long conversation that doesn’t need to happen out here.”
I pull the door wide and stare at Sarah, waiting for her to comply.
She takes her sweet-ass time, not hiding her animosity for Keira when she finally strides toward me and kicks off her shoes to leave them by the door. “It will take a lot more than your word to convince me she didn’t know. Especially when she’s the one who set you up.”
I don’t bite. I can’t afford to.
This outcome is far better than the bullet to the brain I expected. But the sight of Keira’s emotional struggle is far more punishing.
Those ocean eyes hold me captive, the pained depths ripping me apart.
“It’s okay,” I mouth.
She scoffs and turns her attention to the front yard. I follow her gaze, yet again finding the ire of one grumpy motherfucker bearing down on me like I encouraged a football team to live stream a group orgy with his mom.
“He doesn’t look happy,” she whispers.
“He’s angry at me. Not you. He’d do anything for you and yours. You know that.”
“That used to be the case.” She starts toward me. “Who knows how he feels now.”
She continues into the house on silent footfalls while I wait outside to see what the eye-gouger will do. Apparently, standing there scowling is all he’s capable of because he doesn’t budge an inch.
“Hey, asshole,” I call out. “Are you coming inside?”
His lip curls. “What was that? I can’t hear you over how stupid you are, you dumb fuck.”
I guess that’s as close as I’m going to get to a temporary cease fire.
I walk inside, locking the door behind me so I’m aware of when Hunt makes his next move. He won’t stay outside for long. He’s stubborn, but he’s also impatient. He’ll want to take action sooner rather than later, and although Sarah claims to be on my side, I’m not letting my guard down.
I make my way into the kitchen and find her at the sink, filling a glass with water from the tap. “Where’s Keira?”
She shrugs. “Don’t know. But it’s best if she keeps her distance for now.”
“Lay off her. She’s gone through enough.”
“Why do you believe her?” She shuts off the water and gulps from her glass. “She’s the one who set you up.”
“I’ve got my reasons.” And I’m too fucking loath to admit all of them revolve around intuition and attraction instead of evidence. “I’ve spent enough time with her to believe she’s i
“Forgive me if I’m not as easily convinced.”
“Isn’t she supposed to be your friend?”
Her eyes harden. “I’ve been fucked over by people far closer to me than her.”
I know that. I wish I didn’t, but I’m well aware of the horrors she’s endured.
“Decker, we only found your information ten hours ago. I’ve spent every minute since reading through those pages. Even on the car ride here. I’m still coming to terms with all of this.”
“And so is she. You need to hear her out.”
She raises a brow. “Or maybe you need to stop letting your dick make decisions.”
I clench my teeth to stop a sharp reply. I breathe. I force calm. “If she’s guilty, then what about Hunter? You have to hold him accountable, too. He’s close as fuck to Torian.”
She narrows her gaze for a spite-filled moment, then turns away, focusing out the kitchen window.
“You know I’m right,” I say into the growing silence.
“Have I said Hunter is i
I straighten with the dawning realization.
Now I understand why Hunt didn’t come up the drive with a barrel pointed at my head—she didn’t let him.
They’re fighting.
She’s taken my side when he clearly hasn’t. And like the lovesick fool he is for this woman, he doesn’t want to upset her by slitting my throat in front of her. Great. All he’s waiting for is privacy.
“Come on, Sarah. You can’t believe he’s in on this.”
“You said it yourself, he’s close to Torian. How could he be clueless?” She grips the counter, her shoulders slumping. “He always knows everything.”
“He had no clue about me.” I approach, moving to stand a few feet away. “He’s capable of some pretty heavy shit. But for as long as I’ve worked with him, he’s never done anything to anyone who wasn’t deserving.”
“I know.” She hangs her head. “I just…”
“What? You don’t trust him anymore?”
She glances over her shoulder, meeting my gaze. “I’ve been working with them, Decker. I’ve been helping a family who should be burning in hell.”
“Not the entire family, Sare. They’re not all responsible.”
She shoves from the counter in frustration. “How do you know?”
“A gut feeling.”
She gives me a look of incredulity. “Like I mentioned before, I think the body part you’re referring to is a little further south.”
“Maybe.” I shrug. “I’ll admit Keira has gotten under my skin. But there’s more to it than that. She’s battling her own demons. And if you can’t trust her, you need to trust me until she proves herself to you.”
“Trust you? The informant?” She laughs. “The guy who has made a life out of lying?”
“You would’ve done the same.”
She nods. “Yeah. I would’ve… And I’m sorry about your sister.”
I stare out the window, unable to stand her pity.
“Our baggage kinda looks the same, doesn’t it?” She cocks her hip against the counter and crosses her arms over her chest. “I understand you a lot more than I did days ago.”