Page 174 of Unwrapping Deviance

Mira’s whole body seems to inflate with her deep inhale and deflates with her slow exhale. “Has anyone seen Lucy?”

“She’s being detained until her legal counsel comes in from Mayfield.”

Mira clicks her tongue, still watching her knees and missing Brewer’s hard scowl when she mutters dryly, “I’m glad the woman who actively helped her brothers rape and murder over a dozen girls got her phone call and lawyer.” She swipes absently at the tear sliding down her cheek. “I’d hate for the system to be broken or corrupt.”

There’s no doubt in my mind she’s referring to Christian’s detainment on our first night. I love her for her bravery and loyalty.

Brewer does not feel the same. “Jameson called for her.”

Which is news to me. Granted, after he exposed Lucy, I hadn’t stuck around to hear what happened next. I barely remember anything beyond the hazy memory of closing the distance between us, grabbing Jameson and dragging him to the truck.

He explained nothing during the two-and-a-half-hour drive — at normal speed, I’m sure it would have been longer, but I had the pedal down to the carpet. I blew through every light and tore around every car that got in my way. I was not stopping or slowing for anyone. As a lawyer, I understood. As the man ready to bury him in the ground, I had a different set of feelings.

Still, I followed his directions to the cabin, already fearing the worst; she’d been gone the entire day. A whole day with those monsters.

“Guess she’ll be out by morning, right?” Mira lifts her chin and fixes Brewer with the full focus of her hate. “Time served?”

Patches of color darkens behind Brewer’s leathery skin. “That is not how things work here, young lady.”

Mira doesn’t bat an eye. “Sure, if that helps you sleep at night. Can I go?” she cuts in when Brewer opens his mouth again.

Brewer nods and steps back away from the door. “I’ll swing by tomorrow morning to check on you.”

Mira shakes her head. “That’s not necessary. We’re not staying. I’ve had all I can take of Jefferson’s hospitality.” I reach out to help her slide off the cot. The white paper crinkles with her movement and tears a little when she hops to the floor. “There is one thing I would like. I’d like to see Lucy.”

Three voices immediately object to her request, but Mira never glances away from the Sheriff.

“That is not a good idea,” Brewer attempts to pacify. “Lucy’s currently in holding and for her safety—”

“She can stay in holding. I just want to see her.”

I can understand her desire to face the woman who tried to get her killed, but I don’t want Mira anywhere near Lucy or this town ever again.

Brewer doesn’t seem to have any such compulsion. Maybe it’s the guilt of ignoring everything Chris and I said about Lucy,of burying evidence of our attack, of nearly getting Mira killed for his own lack of foresight, but he agrees. He promises Mira to let her talk to Lucy before we leave. Then he leaves, leaves me to face the tiny creature I don’t know what to do with.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, baby,” I murmur, hoping to change her mind.

“Why?” She turns in my direction and fixes me with her unnerving calm. “She’s behind bars. She can’t hurt me.”

She’s not wrong. I don’t know why I’m reluctant to let her breathe the same air as that conniving bitch, but something feels off.

Still, I lead her back to the truck with Christian behind us and take us back to the house.

Mira says nothing as she immediately hurries upstairs.

I turn to my brother.

“Stop that,” I tell him.

Christian doesn’t even pretend to misunderstand my warning.

“It’s my fault they got her,” he says lamely. “If I hadn’t fallen for that stupid trick...”

“How were you supposed to know it was a trick?”

“I left the front door open. I ran in here ready to ... but I left the door open. That’s my fault. I let them right in. If she’s hurt, if they hurt her ... it’s on me.”

“It’s on them,” I correct sharply. “You can’t pull away from her. She needs us more than ever.”

---