Page 82 of Eagle

Stepping inside, I felt small and unsure. Looking around, I took in the room–an oval wooden table, photographs of men in DE cuts, a huge tapestry hanging at one side of the room with the same Grim Reaper symbol as was on their cuts, and then some banners with names on the opposite wall.Was this the Church room?

Hawk pulled a chair out and motioned for me to sit. I’d been surrounded by men staring at me as I stripped for years, but I had never felt as naked as I did at that moment.

All the men sat, and as I looked around, it occurred to me that all the officers were present, except Butch. And Jackal was there, but he wasn’t a member of this chapter, or any chapter from my understanding, even though he wore their colors.

“Lacy, relax,” Hawk said as he sat and folded his hands on the table. “You’re not in the hot seat. We just want to find out what happened so we can help.”

“Did you find Butch?” I asked. I hoped he was dead. I knew something was up with him, now I just wish I had told Eagle.

“Not yet. But we will. Have you ever seen the men who grabbed you and your friend?” Hawk asked as everyone looked on intently.

I shook my head. “No. Who were they?”

Hawk went on. “We’re still working that out. Can you tell us about last night? As many details as you can. Take your time.”

Looking down at my own hands, I recounted the prior day up until we made it back to the clubhouse.

“Did they say anything while you were with them? Mention any names, places, anything?”

“No. It was pretty quiet once we were tossed in the backseat. But it felt very targeted. And I don’t think they expected me to have company. Do you think they work for Butch?” One thing about all these guys, including the shitty one, they all seemed to be in charge. The guys that grabbed us seemed to be minions.

“We think it’s more like they all work for the same person or entity. Is there anything at all you can think of?”

“I’m sorry. That’s everything,” I said as I looked around.

Falcon put his hand over mine. “No need to apologize, Lacy. But if you think of anything, just let me know, okay?”

I nodded but didn’t know what to do or if I was dismissed, so I just sat quietly. Falcon stood and put his hand out, but once he helped me up, he immediately let go. I made it to the door and turned back. “Butch was acting strange for a while.”

Hawk and the others straightened in their seats. Hawkasked, “Strange how?”

“Very flirty with me once I was at the club, but in a weird, aggressive kind of way. And he gave Rayne a hard time about walking me outside. Do you think he was trying to…sell me?”

Falcon chimed in. “He tried to take you with him when he left.” Falcon looked over at Hawk and they seemed to be having a silent conversation. After a few nods, Falcon continued. “We think the plane was going to take you ladies somewhere. I’m not sure why he would’ve taken you in the car, but there’s a lot about him that doesn’t make sense now.”

“He told me to just go with him and he wouldn’t kill me. And he had more than enough chances to do it, but he didn’t. I don’t understand.”Why did he try to spare me at the last minute?“So they’re traffickers?” I paused and waited for someone to say anything, but they didn’t. “I’ll take that as a yes. Tony was. I can’t seem to get away from men trying to sell me off,” I said with a roll to my eyes.

Hawk stood up. “We’re doing all we can to stop them. I’m sorry you got dragged into this, but I have to ask that you keep this in this room.”

“The woman that was there…is she okay?”

Falcon said, “We brought her here. She was a little banged up, but she’s fine.”

“And the men?”

They all looked at each other, not saying a word.

“I just need to know if I’m safe.”

Hawk leaned down to look me in the eye. “You’re safe. Now go check on our boy.”

I knew there was a lot they weren’t telling me, but even being in there was unheard of. If there was one thing I believed, it wasthat the men in that room would keep their word and they said I was safe, so I believed them. But if Butch wasn’t in charge, even if they found him, would this all stop?

Falcon followed me, leading me back down to the room with Eddie. “I’ll leave you here.”

“Thank you, Falcon. If you find Butch, I want to know.”

“When we find him, you’ll know. Now go check on Eagle. Oh. We got your car towed to the shop.”

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