Page 85 of Broken Souls

“No, I’m on your side, and that’s why you should go.”

I quirk a brow and follow Alex to his truck. When I’m inside, I finally ask, “Will you tell me what this is about?”

The side of his lips tilt up. “It’s an early Christmas gift. From Freya and me.”

All right. Now, I’m curious.

We drive to Copeland, and Alex stops by a red brick building in an area I’ve never been before.

“There. That’s the gift.” He takes a paper from his wallet and passes it to me.

When I open it, my eyes water. It’s a gift certificate.

“Self-defense courses for women by women. Do not ever feel afraid again.”

“Thank you, Alex.” I try to blink away the tears, but they already started falling, and nothing can stop them now. “Will you come with me?”

“If they’ll let me. Let’s go.” He shuts the engine and jumps out of the car. I take a deep, shuttering breath and take the first step on the road to not being afraid.

ChapterTwenty-Seven

MARK

I sit at my kitchen island, staring out the window and thinking about how I want to go about the information I have in my hands.

I found them.

Both of them.

They live the happy lives of two shitheads and have a reputation of rapists. I asked around after I knew their names, and my assumptions were correct: Alicia wasn’t the first or the last.

Ghost feels my turmoil and places his hand on my lap where I plant my hands, balled into fists. I keep them placed ahead of me, focusing on the pain in my knuckles and trying not to go there on my own and kill them. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I want to kill the fuckers so badly, but I think someone else wants to participate too, and to my utter disgust in myself, I feel like I want to let him be there too, so I pick up the phone and call the number that has been sitting in my phone for who knows how long.

A gruff voice answers on the third ring. “Yeah?”

“Meet me at the same gas station in thirty minutes.” I hang up, hoping I’m not making a mistake.

I go into the garage and think about what we might need. I throw a few items in the trunk and go back home. Ghost’s waiting for me by the door.

“No, boy, you’ll have to stay here and watch the place in case our princess ever wants to come back, all right? She’s gone from the house, but as far as I know, the lease is still under her name. So, let’s hope, all right?” I crouch next to him and kiss him between his eyes. He whines. “I’ll be back soon.”

I walk outside, get in the truck, and leave.

* * *

He’s already waiting for me at the gas station, leaning his back on the hood of his truck. When he sees me, he pushes away and takes his hands out of his pockets.

“All right. Let’s talk.”

“I didn’t call you here to talk, Justin.”

“What the fuck did you call me here for? To fight? I’m up for that too.” He cracks his neck and moves toward me. We’ve been in a few brawls, and I’m usually all in for it, but not today.

“I found them,” I say calmly, making him freeze. I don’t think he’s even breathing.

“Them?” His voice is void of emotion, sort of like the last time we were here, in this very space.

“Yeah.” I nod. “They live in Springfield, and I have their address.”