Page 14 of The Hero’s Bride (Unbreakable SEALs #2)
T en hours had never passed so quickly. Red was at ease with Thalia, and the conversation flowed naturally.
He was grateful she’d opened up about her feelings and knew they came from different worlds.
She might trust him on the surface, but it would take time and effort to show her he was committed to their friendship, no matter where it led.
He enjoyed getting to know more about her and was enraptured by her attention on the ride.
Sully had slept like the dead, and they’d had to turn up the radio to drown out the sound of his snoring.
They had driven around Nuevo Laredo, not wanting to stop due to increased cartel crime, and traveled up to Piedras Negras, Coahuila.
The area was generally a safer border town where they could spend the night, or a few, if needed.
When Jude gave them the all clear, they could cross into Texas through Eagle Pass.
He and Sully had both come in and out of Mexico through the town before and he chose a modest hotel that was an international chain, preferring the security offered.
“Wake up, sunshine,” Red called into the back as he parked the Jeep close to the main entrance of the hotel.
His teammate sat up, rubbing the top of his hair with one hand and covering a yawn with the other. “You drove the whole way through?”
“Went by fast. I had good company.” He smiled at Thalia, meaning every word.
He slid out of the driver’s seat and rounded the car, taking Thalia’s hand as she stepped out.
Sully followed as they walked into the lobby.
A blast of conditioned air welcomed them into the open space, and they booked two connecting rooms at the desk.
“Each room has double beds,” Sully said as they took the elevator to the fourth floor. “Red and I can bunk together, and you can take the other.” With a jerk, the elevator stopped, and the doors slid open.
They walked out onto the carpeted hallway, and he scanned the room numbers to ensure they were headed in the right direction. “We’ll keep the door between unlocked, in case we need to get to you quickly.” Again, her chin tucked to her chest.
He’d learned by her expressions that Thalia was sensitive to others perceiving her as weak or needing help.
In a way, he’d often felt like less in the eyes of his parents but never by the community surrounding him.
He couldn’t pretend to know how it felt to be let down by society as a whole.
To be ignored or even vulnerable because you weren’t fortunate enough to have clean clothes or a place to call home.
What it was like to exist to serve others because there was no other choice.
The Days had a daughter around the same age as Thalia, but they didn’t see her as a teenager with dreams and aspirations.
They simply saw her as their property. He wanted to help Thalia regain her autonomy.
For her, that wouldn’t happen through praise or compliments, although he wanted to give her those, too.
Her self-worth was reliant on her ability to contribute and make choices.
To feel like she had control over her environment.
“And if you feel like something’s off or notice anything, you can help Sully and me by giving us a heads-up. ”
She nodded, holding herself a little straighter. “I appreciate you both and everything you’ve done to help.”
“None of that.” Sully grinned and swiped the key card. “I’ll clear the rooms this time.”
“Sully is right, Thalia. You don’t need to thank us. We might’ve been the ones to help you initially, but now we’re all on the same team working together to get over the border safely.”
Her eyes widened with an incredulous look.
He inwardly cursed himself for not seeing how important it was for Thalia to take an active role in her freedom.
From here on out, this was no longer a rescue mission but getting their team of three to the United States.
A vibration along his outer thigh startled him, and realizing it was his phone, he fished it out of his pocket and checked the screen.
“Jude’s calling. I’ll put him on speaker. ”
Sully nodded and walked farther into the room. He stopped by a small couch beside the bed, leaning against the arm while Thalia settled on the adjacent cushion.
Deciding to stand, he answered the call and placed the phone on the coffee table. “You’re on speaker. We just arrived in Piedras Negras.”
“Run into any more trouble?” Jude’s deep voice filled the room.
“No. But then again, we stayed off the main roads and didn’t make many stops.” Sully ran the flat of his palm over his cropped blond hair.
The phone crackled. “I did some digging into Mateo Estrada. He’s a drug lord with strong ties to local and state government, especially the police force.
I received intel from one of our informants who reported a possible trafficking situation of a young woman.
The chief of police in one of the border towns is a cousin of Estrada and arranged for the transfer of Thalia to Colima.
No idea if this was shit luck or pre-arranged with Donald Day. ”
“If Estrada arranged to have Thalia brought to him, why was she held for nearly a month in various locations?” The question had been bothering him since they’d overheard the police at the boatyard talking about Estrada.
He glanced at Thalia and took in the stubborn tilt of her chin.
Her eyes glittered with the sharp edge of anger when the drug lord’s name was mentioned.
Even though many had tried to snuff out her flame, it still kindled boldly in her intelligent green eyes.
It struck him again how incredibly brave she had been in a horrible situation.
Despite her exhaustion, she’d walked out of the jungle on her own.
When the safe house was breached, she did exactly what he said without complaint or hysterics.
She was strong and he vowed to help her see that.
“While I don’t know his reasoning, I have intel suggesting that two of Estrada’s trusted lieutenants double-crossed him. It’s possible that he was unsure who he could trust and wanted to see to Thalia personally when his affairs were in order.”
Red scrubbed his hands over his face, a sense of unease lifting the fine hairs on the back of his neck. “I’ll be happy when we’re finally out of Mexico.”
“Me too,” Jude responded. “Got the paperwork moving along. If you could send some engagement pictures of you and Thalia by tonight, I’ll be able to process everything tomorrow and meet you at the Eagle Pass the following day.”
He noticed the way her brow furrowed when she looked down at her clothing, but didn’t want to give her any reason to doubt him. “That won’t be a problem.”
“Anything else?” Sully asked.
“Only to stay vigilant and get in touch with Iron if you have time. His woman has been dying to talk to Thalia since we told her the mission to find her was successful.”
“Will do,” Red acknowledged, making a mental note to get in touch with Iron either tonight or tomorrow.
“Listen, Thalia,” Jude said over the line. “I want to be transparent and let you know that the danger isn’t all in Mexico.”
Sully’s head jerked back in what he imagined was a mirror image of his own expression.
“What do you mean?” She leaned forward on the couch, eyes wary.
“You might have a target on your back in Mexico, but there’s a larger case at stake once you cross the border.
We have reason to believe you were transported to the United States by an ongoing trafficking organization that has brought thousands into the country promising a better life.
I’m talking high-profile clientele like members of congress, celebrities, and judges.
If you testify, you’ll be putting yourself in danger.
” Jude waited and tension ballooned in the room.
Thalia’s back straightened before he had a chance to say anything on her behalf. “If someone stands to be helped by what I’m able to remember, then I wouldn’t dream of backing out.”
Red clenched his jaw as a mix of frustration and pride coursed through him.
Frustration because he didn’t want Thalia used as a pawn.
Pride because her courage was undeniable.
She wanted to help others even when most of them hadn’t given a shit about her.
That not only spoke to her bravery but also to her good nature.
Deep down, he knew that Thalia needed to be part of this investigation for her own closure, but that didn’t mean he wanted her anywhere near the investigation into a large trafficking ring that she may or may not have been part of.
He was eager to get back to the United States and to his home in California where he could keep her safe.
He glanced up to find them both watching him as he said his goodbyes to Jude.
He ended the call and pocketed his cell phone. Red gripped the back of his neck, massaging the tension there. “So, I guess things are coming together more quickly than I anticipated. Sully, congrats. You’ve been hired as our official engagement photographer.”
Thalia grimaced slightly—whether that was nerves or second thoughts, he wasn’t sure.
He only knew that he was determined to make the most of their faux engagement pictures.
That meant making sure Thalia was comfortable in the process.
Something she wouldn’t be wearing was his shorts and an oversized T-shirt.
“There’s something I need to do quickly. Won’t take me long, and I’ll bring food back. We can have dinner, then take our pictures when the sun sets.”
Sully dipped his chin in agreement, while Thalia worried her bottom lip with her teeth. He offered her a smile and turned to leave.
“Mason.”