Page 75 of Tear Me to Pieces
It’s also not only happening in Memphis.
From what we were able to discern, while all the power playersarehere in Memphis, they’re abducting women from all across the country. Women like Myra who stood up to awful men. Women like Becca who tried to call out the corruption. It’s a modern-day witch-hunt, but this time it’s not fire they’re facing.
It’s violation.
The men who came to Myra’s house almost got lucky. They almost managed to collect two marks at once. Myra might havebeen their primary target, but Becca’s name was also on the list hidden in their notes.
“We’re not fucking calling Alaskan Security.” Butch paces faster. “I can handle this. I just need a minute to think.”
“We’ve had a minute to think. We know enough to understand this isn’t something we can take on by ourselves.” Tate tries to reason with him. “Men all throughout the prison system are using women like currency. They’re giving them up to this group as punishment. They’re telling these people where to find them in retaliation for putting those fuckers behind bars.”
I fight against the rage bubbling through me. The anger at a man I still wish I could get my hands on.
The list of names I saw was long, and those were just the women they were targeting locally. The number of men like Matthias who are willing to sell these women into a sex trafficking ring to beef up their fucking commissary and dish out their personal vendettas is disgusting. It’s sick.
And it has to end.
The heavy door of the warehouse opens behind me, and I know my time to sway Butch is up. I tried to make him understand, but if he won’t, that’s not my problem.
My problem is keeping Myra safe. At any cost.
Christian strides in, eyes fixed on Butch. “It’s time.”
Butch finally stops his erratic steps and looks between the three of us. The ones tasked with this job. “Time for what?”
Christian pulls in a deep breath. “I called Zeke. His team will be here in a few minutes.”
Butch stares at Christian, open mouthed. After a few heartbeats, he advances on him. “You fucking?—”
Tate and I step in front of Christian. I hold one hand up. “We’re not gonna do that.”
Butch lifts his chin, glare cold as ice. “Fine. Becca and I will be gone when you get back.”
I shake my head. “Becca’s already with Zeke’s team.”
I expect Butch to be pissed about that, but I don’t anticipate the level of rage that pours out of him.
“I’ll fucking kill you.” He swings at me, managing to return the shot I got in on him the other night.
It takes all three of us to get him under control, with most of us sustaining some sort of damage in the process. When we’re finally able to shove him back, everyone’s bruised, battered, and breathing hard.
The four of us stare each other down, years of deception wedged between us.
I only drag my attention away when the door Christian came through opens. Zeke and his team filter in, their sharp gazes snapping around the warehouse. Christian’s friend stops, eyes narrowing. “Where’s Butch?”
“He’s—” I turn to where he was just seconds ago.
“Gone.”
“You might wantto be careful, because I’m pretty sure Becca is going to try to hit you with something way more dangerous than a shoe the next time she sees you.” Myra delivers her warning before I’m even fully in the house.
“It will be worth it if it keeps her safe.” Becca can hate me as much as she wants, as long as it keeps her from ending up abducted. Or worse.
Myra flops down on the sofa now gracing our family room, letting her head fall back against the cushions. “I just feel so bad. Butch is all she really feels like she has, and we just basically tricked her into ditching him.”
I move to sit beside Myra, pulling her close. “She didn’t ditch him. Technically, he ditched her. He could have stayed. He’s the one who chose to take off.” I smooth back her blonde hair, savoring the feel of her in my arms. “And maybe if he would’ve finally been fucking honest for once, we would have known why he didn’t want Alaskan Security involved.” Disappointment joins the nausea I’ve been sporting since hearing Myra scream. “But if he’s not willing to trust us, I’m not willing to trust him.”
Myra leans closer, one hand coming out to grip the front of my shirt like she wants to make sure I’ll stay close. “Do you trust Zeke?”
