Page 38

I glanced at Audrey, like I need to make sure she’s still safe, before turning back to Pierce. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, I think this corruption issue is bigger than we expected.” Raking one hand through his hair, he scans his screen. “Is Becca with you? She should be included in this conversation, along with Audrey.” A small smile curved his lips. “But I already know Audrey’s with you.”

I straighten, ignoring the second part of what he said. “Give me a second. I’ll go get Becca.”

Heading out into the hall, I go to Becca’s room a few doors down, knocking quietly because I don’t want to startle her.

She answers relatively quickly, still wearing the same clothes she had on last night. There’s a blended coffee in her hand and the TV is playing in the background.

I get straight to the point. “Pierce wants to talk to you.”

Becca’s brows lift behind her glasses. “Who’s Pierce?”

“He’s the owner of the company I work for.” I tip my head toward the room I share with Audrey. “He’s on a video chat now.”

“Fine.” Becca quickly grabs her room key and follows me down the hall. I walk in to find Audrey wearing more clothes than when I left and my computer facing the wall.

“I moved it so Pierce wouldn’t accidentally get an eye-full of me stripping down.” She smooths down her hair. “I figured that would be a shitty way to start his already shitty morning.”

If it were any other man, I’d say she was more likely to ruin his morning by not accidentally giving him a glimpse, but Pierce is completely and totally in love with his wife Mona.

There could be a beautiful woman standing naked in front of him and he'd just step around her, oblivious to her presence, because Mona is all that exists in his eyes.

Now that I think about it, that’s how most of the men I work with are. I always felt like I was a relatively observant person, but fuck. I’ve missed a lot. Things that would have made me feel better about my own personality and quirky ways.

Becca sucks down a gulp of her drink as she strides toward the computer, flipping it around before looking over the man on the screen. Pulling the straw from her mouth, she narrows her eyes. “You must be Pierce.”

He nods. “I am. And you must be Becca.”

Becca doesn’t acknowledge his assumption, just barrels right into what she wants to know. “Have you found my sister?”

Regret pinches Pierce’s expression. “I have not.” He leans forward. “But I think I have found someone at the Memphis Police Department it will be safe to take this to.”

Becca’s brows lift. “You think ?”

“I wish I could guarantee you he’ll listen and take you seriously, but I can’t. But at this point, he’s the best shot we have. So if he’s unable or unwilling to take this on, things will have to be handled in a different manner.”

Audrey steps in beside Becca. “What does that mean?”

Pierce takes a deep breath, his shoulders lifting. “It means you won’t have the opportunity to see Trevor or anyone affiliated with him prosecuted by the court.”

Becca and Audrey seem to think on that for a minute. Audrey is the first to respond.

“Will you be able to find Becca’s sister if that’s the case?”

Pierce’s expression sharpens, his features turning hard and deadly. “We will find Becca’s sister—and anyone else we identify as a victim—no matter what.”

Becca turns to Audrey, directing her question at the woman beside her. “What does he mean?”

Audrey glances at me, and I give her a slight nod, letting her know it’s okay to speak freely. I think hearing the truth might help Becca with everything that’s going on.

Audrey focuses on the smaller woman. “If they can’t take these men down through the courts, they’ll hunt them down and eliminate them.”

Becca stares at Audrey for a minute, and I start worrying I’ve made a mistake. Maybe she’s not ready for the reality of what I do—what Alaskan Security does—even though she witnessed a small piece of it last night.

Becca turns to Pierce. “Why don’t you just go kill them now?” She sets her drink on the table, leaning both hands against the surface as she lowers her face in front of the camera. “Hell. Give me a gun and I’ll go do it myself.”

If Pierce is surprised by her words, he doesn’t show it. Instead, he calmly says, “If it comes to that, I’m sure we can arrange for you to obtain retribution.”

That seems to satisfy Becca. She picks her coffee back up, sucking down another long drink as she steps back into place.

But Audrey has more questions. “Who is this guy you found? What do you know about him?”

“He’s worked for the department for over a decade as an undercover officer.

A few years ago, he became frustrated with his superiors’ focus on taking down a particular group within the city even though that group was no longer an issue.

Since then, he’s been moved from place to place within the department because he’s now seen as a problem for rocking the boat.

” A slight smirk lifts Pierce’s lips. “Which was a mistake because now he’s angry and wants to expose everyone involved in the corruption. ”

Becca snorts. “He claims he’s angry, but I’ve dealt with enough guys in that department to know they’re so far up each other’s asses they can’t even see the sun.” She shakes her head. “It’s probably just bullshit and he’s trying to set us up.”

Audrey doesn’t seem to be paying attention to Becca. Instead she steps closer to the computer. “Do you believe him?”

“I do.” Pierce’s answer is immediate and unwavering.

Audrey turns to look at me. I know what she’s asking, and I give her another nod.

“Okay then.” Her gaze pauses on Becca before moving back to Pierce. “When are we talking to this guy?”