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“I had to.” Butch leans close, speaking low, like they’re the only two people at the table. “You were going to figure me out. It was only a matter of time before that brilliant brain of yours connected all the dots.”

Becca frowns. “I wouldn’t have told anyone.”

Butch lifts one hand, almost like he’s about to push back the strand of dark hair falling in her face, but then pulls it back. “It wasn’t about you telling people, Becca.”

She studies him, her eyes moving over his face. Her focus is direct and unabashed. She doesn’t try to hide her stare as she scrutinizes every inch of his expression. Finally, she pulls in a deep breath. “Still. I would have liked to know why I never saw you again.”

“I know.” Butch seems genuinely regretful. “I’m sorry. I wish things could have been different.”

The way he says it makes me think there’s a specific sort of different he had in mind.

I must not be the only one who comes to that conclusion, because Luca grabs the chair on Becca’s other side, dragging it loudly across the floor before sitting down, shooting daggers at Butch.

“Are we gonna talk about why we’re here, or are you gonna keep trying to explain why you walked out on her? ”

I lean back at the hostility in Luca’s tone. He’s not as easy going as Maddox, but I’ve never seen the guy this worked up. Not even when he was running from the men trying to get Becca.

“It wasn’t like that.” Butch practically snarls at Luca as he scoots closer to Becca, locked in a stare-down with one of the men who pretty obviously planned to make a play for her when the time was right.

Things are getting really heated, really fast, and it’s not going to be good for anyone. Especially Becca. Both Luca and Butch seem to be about two seconds from whipping it out to mark their territory.

“It doesn’t matter what happened.” I keep my tone calm since I might be the only voice of reason here right now.

Even Maddox is starting to get agitated.

He’s got me pulled in closer, like he’s ready to grab me and bolt the second things get out of hand.

“What matters now is stopping Trevor and getting Becca’s sister back. ”

Luca and Butch glare at each other a few seconds longer before finally breaking eye contact. Neither of them gives up any of their space though, and poor Becca seems almost squished between two broad sets of shoulders.

But there’s only one man holding her attention, and it makes me sad for Luca because it’s pretty obvious he doesn’t stand a chance.

“How long has she been gone?” Butch’s question is directed at Becca.

“Three weeks. She called me once, but couldn’t tell me where she was.” She points at Maddox. “I gave him the number she called me from.”

Butch’s eyes flash to Maddox, moving over where his arm’s wrapped tightly around me, before sliding back to Becca. “And you’re sure Trevor Hawthorne is who has her?”

“I’m sure Trevor is responsible for her disappearance, but I don’t know who has her now.

” Her voice breaks a little. “She could be states away.” Her chin wobbles.

“Or five minutes from where we are now for all I know.” She reaches out to grab Butch’s hand.

“That’s why we need your help. I tried to make the police understand she wasn’t a runaway, but they wouldn’t listen.

You can explain it to them. Make them look for her. ”

Butch’s eyes drop as he leans back in his seat, scrubbing one hand over his face. “Fuck.”

I pull out the chair next to him and sit down. “What’s that mean? What’s wrong?”

“Are you ready to order?” The waitress wedges herself in beside Maddox, oblivious to the tone at the table.

“Give us a few minutes.” Maddox sends her away before turning to Butch. “Are you saying you can’t help us?”

“I’m saying I’m not sure there’s anyone at that station who will help you.

” He glances around, assessing gaze raking over Owen and Luca with suspicion before going back to Maddox.

“There’s a reason no one’s looking into this, and I’m not sure me being involved will do you any good.

” He sighs. “It might actually hurt your odds.”

“It’s because no one wants to touch Trevor.” I want to cry. Want to scream. Want to find some way to get all this frustration and guilt out of my body.

“What?” Butch seems genuinely confused. “No.” He shakes his head. “Trevor’s not the issue.” He drapes his arm across the back of Becca’s chair. “This is way bigger than some pissant state senator.”

“Wait.” I shake my head like it will reorganize my scattered thoughts. “Trevor isn’t in charge of this thing?”

Butch snorts. “Trevor’s a dumbass they’re using as a wall they can hide behind.” He shifts in his seat. “And from what I was able to find before they shut me down, he’s who they plan to throw under the bus if everything goes south.”

“You keep saying they.” Maddox slides into the seat beside me. “Who’s they ?”

“If I knew that, we’d be on our way to find Becca’s sister right now.” Butch shakes his head, one hand fisting tight as his jaw clenches. “Whoever they are, the number of cops they have in their pocket is pretty fucking high.”

I deflate like a balloon. I came into this hoping we were closing in on the end. That a resolution was in sight. I thought Butch would know who could help us take Trevor down and find Becca’s sister.

Maddox exchanges looks with Luca and Owen, unspoken words passing between them. I don’t have to hear it to know what they’re thinking.

Apparently neither does Becca, because she lifts her shoulders in a shrug. “I guess that means we have to find her ourselves and kill everyone who gets in the way.”

Part of me expects Butch to argue with her. To explain murder is against the law and vigilante justice isn’t the way to handle this.

Instead he straightens, hard gaze meeting Maddox’s.

“She’s right. The cops aren’t going to help.

The corruption in the Memphis PD runs deep.

I tried to show them, but they didn't want to see it. Makes me think it goes higher than I thought.” He offers Luca and Owen a look.

“If you want to save Becca’s sister, you’re going to have to handle it carefully and discreetly, because there’s no way to know who’s involved. ”

“You know part of who’s involved.” Maddox studies Butch with an appraising gaze. “Can probably make some educated guesses based on your years working undercover.”

Butch tips his head in a nod. “Probably.”

“Do you think you can stand on both sides of the law for a little while?” Maddox asks.

Butch laughs, the sound almost bitter. “Man, I’ve been standing on both sides of the law for years.”