Page 50 of Depths of Destruction

I shamefully admit, "Almost an adult. It's my little sister. I should have noticed her change in attitude. Or how he looked at her or the fear in her eyes when he was in the same room."

He squeezes my hand tighter as the first car we've seen since leaving passes us. "How did you find out?"

"I walked in on them. Emilia was crying and he was on top of her. It had been going on for almost a year. My mom came home from work early, and I was screaming at him."

"What did your mom do?"

"She told us to grab whatever we could, and we left within minutes."

"Your mom sounds like a strong woman."

"She was. We moved in with my aunt. My mother never forgave herself, and Emilia..." I turn away again. My insides shake thinking about it all.

He kisses my hand. "Malin said Gómez's men groped her?"

"She told him?"

"Yes."

"I didn't know she said anything." Surprise fills me.

Since when does Emilia trust a man the moment she meets him to tell him something of that nature?

"That must have been extra traumatizing for her."

I wipe my cheek. "Emilia doesn't feel safe around a lot of men. She's had a hard time dating. I was surprised how comfortable she seemed around Malin. She didn't argue with me about going with him, and I expected her to."

"He'll take care of her. I've known Malin since my first day in the Marines. She's his responsibility now. He'll die before he lets something happen to her."

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. Ever since I discovered what Emilia went through, guilt has riddled me. Whatever I can do to make sure she is physically safe and mentally okay, I will. "Not being near her or knowing where she is right now scares me."

"Malin will bring her to us. You'll see," Andre assures me.

We pass another few cars.

"We must be getting closer to a town," he says.

I push the cap lower on my head. "I wonder how far we are from the border."

"Hopefully, we'll pass some signs for the town we're approaching."

"Does that mean I need to know geography?"

Andre laughs, "Bonus, if you do."

"What do I get for my prize?"

A cocky grin crosses his face, and he licks his lips. "To be determined."

Little flutters erupt in my stomach.

The road gets busier with traffic. Signs for Punta Gorda pop up, and my flutters turn from excited to nervous. "Punta Gorda is the most southern town in Belize along the coast. Once you get past there, it's all jungle again."

"So you do know some geography," he teases.

"Get ready for my reward."

He cockily smirks. "I'm always ready to give."