Page 12 of Invisible Scars
My jaw tightens, fingers flexing against her ear.
“No one gets to hurt you on my watch,” I whisper. “I’ll be keeping an eye on you, Doll.”
Effie rolls her eyes, moving away from my touch.
“Whatever helps you sleep at night, Joe.” But I hear the relieved shakiness in her voice.
Without another word, I leave her, marching outside with a curse pressured out of my chest the minute I’m far enough away from Effie’s office for her to hear.
I’m so preoccupied that I march straight into Micah as he comes out of his office. He takes one look at my face and raises an eyebrow.
“You look angrier than usual. What’s up?”
“Effie.” I grind my teeth. “Someone’s got her scared, and she won’t tell me who or what.”
Micah’s jaw tightens, and he looks to the right, toward Effie’s door a few feet down from his.
“I can try talking to her,” he says, and I nod, tamping down the burning sensation at the thought of Effie choosing to confide in Micah after shutting me out. But this isn’t about me. It’s about Effie’s safety, so whatever works.
I sigh, rubbing a hand over my face. “She’s driving me crazy, trying to pretend she doesn’t need help.”
Micah chuckles and leans against the wall. “Yeah, well, that’soneway she drives you crazy.”
“Fuck off, Mic,” I grumble. “She’s one of us, and now isn’t the time to face adverse situations alone. Not with Harlow running loose, knowing we’re helping Maddie and Sawyer.”
“Question—did youaskher what’s going on, or did youdemandshe tell you?” I purse my lips. “Ah, thought so.”
“Micah—”
“The art of communication. It’s a tricky one, isn’t it?” he continues with a smug smile. He grins, patting my cheek, and it takes everything in me not to break all his fingers. “I’ll give you a pro tip, little bro—next time, try complimenting her hair.”
I scowl at him. “This isn’t a joke, Micah. Effie’s in trouble.”
He sobers, his gaze meeting mine. “Trust me, I take Effie’s safety as seriously as you do.” Then he places his hand on my shoulder. “I’ll talk to her about it, but next time you try having a conversation with her, lead with the hair thing.”
I scoff, still convinced that Micah is yanking my chain. “You’re an asshole, Mic.”
He claps a hand on my shoulder, his eyes filled with amusement. “Yep.”
He walks away, knocks on Effie’s door and enters with a big smile. I can’t hear what he says, but Effie’s laughter rings loud and clear.Fuck. It shouldn’t sting, knowing that she laughs for him.
Frustrated, I leave HQ and go to my Jeep, sitting in the running vehicle for a solid five minutes before calling Andrew.
“Double P!” he answers, and I shake my head with a small smile tugging at my lips.
“Still not a thing, Andrew.”
“Agree to disagree,” he laughs. “What’s up?”
“Good. You up for a two-k?”
There’s silence for a few moments, then Andrew’s worried voice comes from the receiver. “Everything okay, Joe?”
“Yes. Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Cause it’s nine in the morning. You’ve just gotten to work, and you’re looking to get out. Why?”
I heave out a heavy sigh. “Effie’s in some sort of trouble she claims is personal and won’t tell me about, and when I talked to Micah, he said I should compliment her hair.”
