“So anyway, this Regi guy is one of the few leads I have left that could be part of the network. The Detroit mafia weren’t good guys, don’t get me wrong, but they weren’t traffickers. Somebody set me up.”
“Do you have a theory?”
“What if the Directors are linked to all of this?”
“Holy shit,” I whisper. “Why do you think that?” I almost dread the question because I know he’s like a dog with a bone once he’s onto something.
“Willow seems to think they are based in Louisiana, which would make sense if Regi moved here, plus, he has connections. Maybe he got kicked out because of what he was doin’.”
“Wouldn’t the mafia put a bullet in his brain for something like that?”
“What if he got away before that could happen?”
I stroke the side of his cheek. “I hate that they hurt you.”
His face drops and I wish I had said nothing. “It feels less of a burden when I share it with you.”
“Sawyer,” I whisper.
“No, don’t do that.”
I halt my next movement across the gash near his eyebrow. “Don’t do what?”
“Feel sorry for me, not you, Princess.”
“I’m not, I didn’t?—”
He brushes the bangs off my face. “You don’t have to look at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re pitying me.”
I shake my head, hurt washing over me. “I’m allowed to if I want to. I do pity you, or any child who suffered abuse and was taken against their will. Sue me for caring, jeez.” I try to turn away but he grabs me by the elbow.
“I’m sorry.” He pulls me closer, his forehead pressing against mine. “I didn’t mean to upset you. Of course you care about me. That was rude.”
“I just— I can’t even imagine what you went through.”
The silence is deafening, and just like that, Sawyer shuts down again. “I can’t bear it if you’re upset.”
“I’m not.”
He kisses my forehead. “I’m sorry I’m late.”
“About that. What happened at the Shady Skull?”
He pulls back slightly, pointing to his face. “I broke a few arms and ribs and then got a beatin’.”
“From the guys the other night?”
“It doesn’t matter. What matters is that they paid for what they did. I’m also happy to report our friend broke his nose again.”
My eyes bulge. “Sawyer, my god, you are literally insane. That bar is shady as fuck.”
He gives me a pointed look, “Says the woman who went there with two complete strangers.”
I sigh. “Are we really gonna do this again?”