Page 169 of Marks of Rebellion

"How?"

"The little things that frustrated me about my family, he would blow up into a bigger deal than they were. Anytime I had plans, something more important would come up that I was required to be at with him. When my family would be upset about me missing our event, he would stir the pot. He insisted they didn't understand the importance of what his role for the country was and the sacrifice we needed to make."

"This was before or after you knew about the Global Leaders?"

"Before. He waited until I had no family or friends left before he brought me into that."

"So, what happened with your family?"

"An incident happened, and my brothers and father had it out with Carlos. They knew he wasn't good and could see what I couldn't. My father told me to choose." A tear falls, and she wipes it away.

"You chose him?"

She nods and turns away. "It was before he hurt me. I didn't understand why my family hated him. The men in my family are pretty macho, and it's always bugged me, so I thought they were just trying to tell me what to do again."

I roll her on top of me. "When this is over, and it's safe to go back to Belize, we'll go see your family."

Her tear falls on my chest. "No. They don't want anything to do with me."

"I don't believe that. They've probably been worried about you."

"They've never reached out."

"You don't know that. I'm sure Carlos wouldn't have given you those messages. And I'm positive they want to know you're alive."

"You weren't there, Hunter. The last time I saw them..." She blows air out. "It was horrible."

"I'm sure. But when the time is right, and it's safe, we'll work on repairing your relationship with your family and Mary, okay?"

"What if they won't forgive me?"

"They will."

"How do you know?"

"Are they good people?"

"Yes."

"Then I bet they are sick with worry about where you are and if you're okay."

"I don't know."

"When the time is right, we'll work on repairing these relationships."

"But what if you're wrong?"

"Then you tried. That's all you can do. And if you try and they don't want to make amends, then that's on them, but at least you tried."

"I don't know."

"Do you miss them?"

More tears fall. "Yeah. Every day."

"Then we'll try. But don't worry about this right now. We can figure this out when the time comes."

She looks unsure and a bit stressed, so I kiss her.