Page 163 of Unwrapping Deviance

“Where is she?”

He opens his mouth like he has something to say but thinks better of it. Instead, he snaps his mouth shut and glances over his shoulder.

“I don’t know where she is,” he repeats. “You should talk to the sheriff—”

I put a hand out and stop him from shutting the door. I don’t care how weak it makes me seem. I don’t care what he thinks of me, but I’m ready to beg. I will get down on my knees if he asks.

“Don’t do this,” I grind out. “Please. I will take her place. Just ... please, give her back.”

His brows crease between sharp eyes. “I told you I don’t have—”

“Your brothers then. Just call them. I know—”

“Are you accusing my brothers of something?”

I don’t flinch under the accusation. “We both know it was them. I won’t even press charges. As soon as I get Mira back, we’ll leave and I can promise you, we will never come back.”

“I told you, we don’t know where she is!”

I open my mouth, battling between keeping my calm and losing my shit when a familiar voice breaks in from behind me.

“Daniel?”

I turn, already knowing who I’m going to find.

Lucy.

Older, but still pretty. She seems taller somehow. Maybe it’s the leather boots strapped to her already long legs.

Her big, green eyes take me in with surprise. “Danny.” Her face breaks into a brilliant smile. “I heard you were back in town. How are you?”

“I’m looking for Mira,” I say, ignoring all else. “Where are your brothers?”

Her smile slips. “Dirk and Boyd?” She glances past me at Jameson still standing in the doorway. “I’m guessing they’reabout somewhere, but what on earth would they want with your little friend?”

“They took her,” I say sharply. “From the house. They broke in and took her.”

Lucy gives a weak laugh. “That’s crazy. They would never. Why would they?”

“You know why, Lucy. This isn’t funny. What happened was between us. If you want to blame someone, blame me. Just let her go.”

Her uncertain amusement slips into irritation. “The fact that you think we would do something so ... crazy, is honestly offensive, Daniel. We have no reason to go after Mira, but if you’re saying that she’s missing, we need to start looking. It’s going to get dark soon and these woods are not forgiving.” She marches past me and up the steps. Her brows are pulled low in determination as she turns to me once more. “I’m going to make some calls. We’ll get a search party on the way. James, call the sheriff. If someone did take her, he needs to do his job.”

I stare at her, trying to see the sly, underhanded girl she used to be, but this is a woman with a purpose. I still know her brothers took Mira, but I’m beginning to doubt she had any part in it. Regardless, I’m grateful for her help. Not Brewer or the town would have listened to me or done shit to help. But with Lucy helping, we stood a better chance at finding Mira.

“Thank you,” I murmur.

Lucy gives me a tight-lipped smile and touches my arm. “We’re going to find her, okay? Don’t you worry.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

MIRA

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They take up the entire cabin.

With Christian and Daniel, their massive size made me feel small and protected. With Lucy’s brothers, it’s the exact opposite.

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