Page 22 of The Hero’s Bride (Unbreakable SEALs #2)
W hen the two agents walked into the hotel room accompanied by Jude, her stomach tightened with nerves.
Most of her life was spent simply avoiding anyone with a badge.
She’d never wanted to be caught taking food from the dumpsters outside of the resorts, and her father had warned her that many members of law enforcement had been bought by the cartel.
Once she realized that Mason was able to stay, the nervous energy tangling in her gut subsided.
She wanted, no needed, to tell her story if it would help others stuck in the same situation as she had been.
Lured into a false sense of security with promises of education, money, and a better life.
The agents began asking her about her background and her family life in Colima.
As she spoke, she concentrated on the feel of Mason’s outer thigh touching hers.
The way he seemed to cast out a protective bubble that enveloped her.
She answered questions about her mother and her father, absorbing strength from Mason’s reassuring squeezes.
“Were there any unusual circumstances that led you to work in the Day estate?”
Pain tightened her throat at the selfless decision her father had made.
“My father told me he was ill and that he wanted a better life for me. He’d met a man who was taking a group of young students across the border for work.
” She took a shaky breath when a prickle of heat hit her eyes.
“After Mason and Sully rescued me several days ago, we discovered new information that my father may have been desperate to send me away to spare me from falling into a worse situation with the cartel.”
A hard look passed over Jude’s face. “Estrada?”
“Yes.” She nodded, going on to share the events leading to what they’d overheard from the police officers at the end of the dock.
She tucked her free hand beneath her outer thigh to stop from trembling with anger at the decision her father had been forced to make.
Tears built and clung to the cusp of her lower lids, and Mason let go of her hand to wrap his arm around her shoulders.
The weight of his embrace reminded her she wasn’t alone.
Agent Brown jotted something on her notepad, then lowered the lined book to her lap, leaning forward in her seat. “Were you ever able to meet the individual taking you across the border?”
She shook her head. “Not until the day I was driven out of the city. I suspected something was wrong right after we crossed the border into the United States.”
“Can you share what happened to make you feel that way?” Agent Simpson’s face remained impassive.
It was easier to answer Agent Brown’s questions because some of the attention was diverted from her as the woman took notes.
Agent Simpson’s direct gaze always remained on her as she answered his questions.
“The man told my father his name was Paulo, but I was able to catch a glimpse of his identification during the drive. The name listed on the license was Dennis. I had forgotten about that until now.”
“Take your time.” Agent Simpson clasped his hands together. “You might remember more than you think. Do you think you might recognize him if you saw him again?”
She closed her eyes, remembering the scent of hay and manure that lingered in the stagnant air of the truck.
“I’m not sure. I think he worked on a ranch.
He wore heavy work boots, and his face was tan and lined, like he spent a lot of time in the sun.
I remember thinking that he was too young to appear so weathered.
Other women sat in the bed of the truck and one more sat in the cab with me, but we were told not to speak.
His hair was light brown and thinning, and his skin was pocked with old scars.
” The agents continued to ask her questions, covering everything from the way her movements were controlled to the things she was promised in exchange for working at the Day estate.
“Did you notice others who seem to be in a similar situation?”
“Yes.” She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to breathe past the knot in her gut.
She’d never gotten to know the other servants.
They had seemed resentful of her at first, but it wasn’t until she had been there for a few weeks that she understood.
A new servant coming into the home meant they needed to share their meager resources of food and sleep space with an additional person.
“There were twelve others living in the staff quarters. Because we were required to be available to the family at different times, we took turns sharing the cots.” A dull ache resonated in her chest. Had they escaped?
Gotten harmed in one of the property raids?
Her vision blurred as she continued to stare at the agents.
Jude had been quiet for most of the interview, more of a silent observer than a participant.
Sully had brought her a fragrant cup of tea at some point, but the warmth of the jasmine-scented steam did more to lull her than it did to energize.
She couldn’t imagine how she was still tired after she’d slept so well with the knowledge she was safe and could let her guard down.
Now, she was beginning to feel fuzzy and would’ve given anything to have them leave so she could lie down, preferably with the man offering her steady support.
After what seemed like several hours of questioning, Mason cleared his throat and directed his gaze at the agent.
“She’s given you a good deal of information.
How long do you intend to continue the interview? ”
“We’ll go ahead and follow up on these leads.
If we have additional questions, we can set up a secure video line.
Once a court date is set, we’d like you to testify against Agatha and Donald Day.
We are prepared to offer immigration relief to ease your transition into the country.
In addition, if we’re able to discover the main players of the trafficking ring, we can provide witness protection in exchange for your statement in court.
This would allow you the opportunity to start a new life within the country, with a new identity. ”
Mason stiffened beside her just as her stomach clenched.
She hoped his reaction was one of disappointment rather than relief.
It wasn’t fair of her to wish they were still anchored by their situation.
If a fiancé visa was no longer needed, though, there was nothing tying her to Mason.
The thought that he might walk away made her heart drop into her stomach.
The rest of the formalities seemed to fade around her.
She should be grateful that the FBI had the power to allow her to stay in the country.
The fact that they could help her begin a new life free of danger, though, didn’t seem to matter unless she was with Mason.
How Mason had become vital to her so quickly, she wasn’t sure, but when she made a decision, she rarely went back on her choice. This decision wasn’t hers alone though, and she couldn’t discount that Mason’s feelings might differ from hers.
Sully had been watching Mason closely. He’d fallen silent as they said goodbye to Jude and the agents.
What she wouldn’t give to know what was going through his mind.
Relief at not having to pretend to be her fiancé or was it like the sorrow she was experiencing?
The way he rubbed his hands over his face and blew out a slow breath gave her hope that maybe he felt the same.
He offered her a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “You must be incredibly drained after that. You were amazing.”
“Thank you for supporting me. Both of you,” she added, seeking out Sully, too.
“We could get some fresh air,” Mason suggested. “You might not feel like talking right now, but I know Iron mentioned Vivienne would love to video-chat with you.”
Despite feeling like something very important was being grounded before it had a chance to take flight, she was desperate to see for herself that Vivienne was all right.
The last time they’d seen each other, Vivienne’s father had dragged Thalia away with the threats of deportation and violence.
She’d complied, and yet still experienced both.
Vivienne’s wide-eyed terror as she’d pleaded for Thalia’s safety would forever be etched into her mind.
“Yes, please. It feels like so long since I’ve seen her.”
Mason gave her a smile, but it seemed flat, and her stomach dropped.
“All right, let me get it set up for you.” Mason turned and walked away.
Oh, she knew he was simply going down the hall, but she’d become accustomed to his warm smiles and light touches.
This morning, after what they’d shared, she felt closer to him than she’d ever felt to another human.
“How do you feel knowing you might not have to be engaged to Mason after all?” Sully asked coming up beside her.
It was on the edge of her tongue to offer a noncommittal response, but she was desperate to know Sully’s perspective.
That and she owed him and Mason her life.
She had no doubt that if the men hadn’t found her, she’d have died at the hands of violence.
“I guess I should be relieved.” She paused and took a breath.
“But?” Sully asked leaning against the arm of the sofa.
She clenched her jaw, feeling ridiculous when tears filled her eyes. “I’m feeling the loss of something special slipping through my fingers before I ever really got a chance to hold on to it.”