Page 39 of H E R

“Jason, I have to go. Find a way to keep an eye on the farm and send me an update once you do.”

11

Justice

“Did you sleep well?”

Jule’s voice carries a tenderness I’ve never before heard. He places a bowl of oatmeal in front of Macy, who nods shyly at him. She hasn’t said a word. The girl has a permanent darkness that’s permeated throughout her entire tiny frame. I’m short, but Macy is at least two inches shorter than my five-foot-nothing, and her frail body forlorns emptiness—it consumes her. Her boney shoulders lean forward and her sunken eyes look to Piper for support.

“We haven’t felt this safe in forever.” Piper’s barely inaudible words are carried to me by a breathy sigh.

I keep my eyes glued to Jule. If I didn’t know any better, I swear he’s crushing on Macy. He’s taken a stool and positioned himself at a safe distance to carry on a one-sided conversation with her while he drinks what I’m sure is coffee. I’m reminded of how young he is, impressionable, yet eager for adventure. He’s so grown up and still such a baby in my eyes. Jule loves coming home, and I hate taking him back to the trailer junk box.

But we can’t move yet.

Almost. We’re so close to our goal, and I’ve taken up hours at the club to earn five times the amount I normally do.

Just enough for Jule to enroll back into school. He’s going to be a lawyer someday. He’s got the brains, and I won’t let him slip through the cracks.

I can’t hear what he’s telling Macy, but he’s talking with his hands, animatedly, and making her smile. His hair cascades over his eyes, below his ears, and dangerously close to his shoulders. My baby brother needs a haircut, and I’m pulled to a memory from a time where I’d cut his hair for him. Now he just does it himself. He keeps his face shaven, but he’s got some stubble now, and he looks like a young man. My heart gets this odd sensation, like a thousand mosquitos have stung it.

Piper looks the way I feel, and I suddenly understand her eagerness to protect her sister. I’m right alongside her on that one.

I breathe out, realizing that I’d been holding my breath. “What are you going to do? What’s your plan?”

Macy’s back is to us, and for the first time, I see Piper let go. She shoves her hands into her hair and then leans into them, hugging herself. “I have no idea.”

I’m sure there is so much to uncover. In truth, I know nothing about the two women I just helped escape. Who is looking for them? What will happen if they’re found? How long has the abuse been going on and who knows about it? Will it help if she gets a lawyer or reports him?

“Talk to me,” I say suddenly.

She looks at me, stunned by my words, but then stands and cocks her head to the screen door that leads to the back patio. It’s a warm fall morning, but the California breeze promises a blistering high by noon. Piper hugs herself and looks to the lush garden blooming with roses, thanks to Helena. I’m no green thumb. Plants hate me.

I approach slowly and stand beside her, enjoying the view. “You can stay for as long as you need.”

She nods and I hear her swallow. “I don’t know how we can ever repay you.”

I shake my head. “This is what I do, Piper.”

She turns, and her eyes are full of unshed tears. “And here I thought you were just some tween looking to gain followers and get famous on social media,” she chuckles.

“Well, that’s good, I guess. I’m sure that’s what the entire police force thinks.” Up until I got arrested and set them straight.

She nods and dabs at her eyes to clear away any trace of sadness. “Charles, the guy that was with me at the bar, my father thinks he’s one of his trusted minions. But he’s one of mine. He helped me and Mace get out.”

I nod. Charles acted like a bodyguard in love with Piper—I don’t question his allegiance. I’m sure of Piper’s ability to sniff out a rat. She’s been raised by one and is an expert by now at being able to set apart who can be trusted.

Her posture stiffens. “Charles told me that my father requested the force to assign a detective to hunt us down. Like a fucking sport. At first, he just sent his minions, but now, it’s more serious. And wecannotgo back.”

I nod. “Have you ever tried exposing him?”

“You saw what good it did when you released the footage of him at the club. It’s chalked up to be some conspiracy now. No one cares. He’s protected. Too many dirty fuckers backing themselves up, it’s disgusting.”

I look into my mug. The black coffee swirls slowly and the steam rises, then dances away with the breeze. Oddly enough, the darkness reminds me of Dylan’s eyes, and I clench my thighs and grip the mug tighter.

“Charles says the case has been placed on a new detective’s lap. He transferred from I don’t know where, but apparently he’s the best. He’s got a reputation for getting the job done, whatever that means.”

Shit,myrookie is out there looking for Piper and Macy?

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