Page 8 of The Hero’s Bride (Unbreakable SEALs #2)
P ain wedged in Thalia’s throat as she stood beneath the stream of water, her tears mixing with the spray.
Sorrow for her father. Fear at being sought by a man with no moral values who had law enforcement on his payroll.
Then there was a warring sense of wonder that Mason was the man who had come to her rescue.
Their paths had crossed twice, at a time they both desperately needed each other.
She couldn’t remember when she’d stopped believing that good things happened to good people…
maybe shortly after her mother died and along with her the fairy tales she used to weave at bedtime.
What would her mother have to say about her grown daughter now?
She hated to think she’d be disappointed her only child had given up on wishing for happiness.
Seeing Mason, though, learning that he’d kept his promise to her for nearly twenty years, made a small glow of…
something, unfurl in her chest. Something that felt a lot like hope.
A reminder that good people did exist. She’d found that in Vivienne, who befriended her despite their differences in social status.
She willed her muscles to relax with the knowledge that her friend had been rescued, too.
After rinsing her hair and body clean, she turned off the shower, not wanting to leave the water cold for Sully and Mason.
She dried off and put on the robe that was folded on the vanity, but not before eyeing the myriad of bruises over her body.
She winced at the reflection of her face in the mirror.
One side was swollen and purple from her attack earlier that day.
She startled at the gentle knock on the door and took a breath through her nose to slow her heart.
“Thalia, it’s Mason. Your clothes are in the wash, and I thought you might want to borrow some.” She eased the door open and glanced down at the clothes he was offering. “Just some shorts and a T-shirt. I should’ve thought to pack you a few essentials.”
She shook her head, and a giggle of disbelief broke past her lips. “You saved my life . Even if I had to walk around naked, I wouldn’t complain. If I take these, will you have clean clothing left?”
A strange expression passed over his face, across his indigo eyes. At first, she thought his expression had something to do with her statement about walking around naked, but when he continued to ponder her words, she knew it must be more. “What is it?” She tilted her head, waiting for a response.
“I don’t think I’ve ever helped someone more considerate.
Not that I think any less of the hostages we’ve helped rescue.
Most went through terrible ordeals and recognized that we were there to get them to safety and take care of their needs.
I’m not used to someone thinking about me in the middle of a mission. ”
Mission. Why did that word make her feel disappointed?
She was lucky he’d found her at all. It wasn’t like he’d realized a girl he met once in childhood was in peril and decided to go on a quest to find her.
He was only here because Vivienne convinced the man who’d rescued her to send them.
She was just a mission, and that was okay.
“I’d feel terrible if I took your last change of clothes,” she murmured.
“And I’d feel terrible if you didn’t.” He smiled. “But these aren’t my last, so please take them.”
The afternoon had left her shaken and feeling exposed. She couldn’t deny she’d feel more covered having the shorts and shirt on under the robe.
“After you change and I take a quick shower, we should talk if you’re up to it.” For the first time, uncertainty clouded his gaze.
“Yes.” She nodded and headed past him into one of the bedrooms, slipping off the robe to put on Mason’s clothes.
She tied the waist of the shorts tight to keep them from falling, then belted the robe once more.
When she walked into the hall, she followed the voices coming from the front of the house and found Sully at the kitchen counter slicing a mango and papaya.
She had no idea how Mason showered so quickly, but his hair was damp, darkening the close-cut strands.
Mason twisted on the barstool and pulled out the seat next to him, indicating for her to sit.
The moment she did, Sully placed a plate of fruit on the table.
The tropical scents made her mouth water, but she wasn’t about to start eating until they’d had their fill.
At the Day estate, she’d learned to take what she was offered and nothing more.
Mason lifted a brow and nudged the plate closer to her. “You need to eat. Your body needs energy. After that, let’s get some ice on your cheek.”
She gave herself a mental slap. Mason wasn’t playing a trick on her so he could justify delivering a punishment like Donald or Agatha Day had in the past. “Will you eat?” She hesitated.
“There’s plenty for all three of us and the rice is almost done.” Mason gave her an encouraging smile and it struck her how beautiful he was.
For the first time, she noticed the covered pot on the stove and her stomach grumbled.
She took a slice of mango and sank her teeth in, letting the juice trickle over her tongue.
Mason and Sully continued to make light conversation while she devoured more fruit, then the rice was served.
She quickly grew full, given how little she’d eaten since she was taken.
Mason cleared his throat and placed his fork on the now empty plate in front of him. “Why don’t we head into the living room to talk.” Mason glanced at Sully, who tipped his chin. “I’m going to make up an ice pack, and I’ll be right in.”
Her whole body was heavy from the food and the exhaustion of the day, and when she got up to follow Sully, it was as if her arms and legs were being towed down by weights.
“You look dead on your feet,” Sully commented as she slumped down on the couch. “Makes sense after the day you’ve had. Feel free to lie on the couch if you’d like.”
“If I lie down, I’ll be asleep before we have a chance to talk.”
Sully smiled. “Fair enough.”
She felt Mason’s presence before he came into her line of sight.
He crossed the room in a few long strides and crouched at her feet.
“Here,” he said lifting a bag of ice wrapped by a towel.
“This should ease the swelling. Are any of your other injuries bothering you?” He continued to hold the cold fabric to the side of her face, eyes brimming with concern.
“Only some bruising. It will go away in time.” She lifted her hand to hold the ice in place, brushing her fingers against his in the process.
Tingles raced over her skin. Maybe she was deliriously tired.
Mason stared at her for another moment before getting to his feet and settling on the couch beside her.
“Let’s talk about next steps.” Sully was sitting in a corner chair, his feet planted wide on the tile floor.
“It will be at least two days of car travel for us to get to the border crossing.” Mason directed his attention to her.
“Earlier you mentioned citizenship. You don’t show up on any U.S.
database, so the answer to that is no. The Day family would’ve purposely kept you off the radar.
If they helped you apply for a visa, people would’ve started asking why a minor was suddenly working at their estate. ”
She blew out a breath. Her heart was beating at a rapid clip and the food she’d eaten sat heavy in her gut.
Even if she couldn’t cross the border with them, they’d helped her more than she had imagined anyone would.
She could change her appearance and disappear into Mexico, even though it was no longer home here.
Light pressure on her forearm made her focus on the man in front of her.
She didn’t want to lean on him, on anyone, but his sincere expression and steady eyes grounded her.
Thalia clung to his gaze, hanging on his words.
“We are not crossing the border without you.” Mason’s voice didn’t waver. “We have a plan, but you’re not going to like it. I wish there was another way for your sake, but this is the fastest route to getting back into the U.S.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to say she wouldn’t like anything if she were dead, but the way his jaw tightened, and his lips pressed into a thin line made the words dissolve before they were spoken. “If it leads to my freedom, it can’t be so bad.”
Sully leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
“We spoke with our former teammate Jude who works for the Department of Homeland Security, on a team that specializes in dismantling human trafficking rings. There are visas for trafficking victims, but immigration services handle the number available per month, which Jude has no part in.”
Mason drew in a breath. “But he thinks he can expedite the paperwork for a fiancé visa and I’m going to sponsor you. Once we get to the United States, Jude will be in touch with the district attorney to work on a deal in exchange for your help.”
She wasn’t sure where to start her questions with so many bombarding her thoughts. “What does your friend think I’ll be able to help him find?”
While she’d asked the question of Mason, it was Sully who responded first. “Evidence that the Day family was knowingly employing victims of labor trafficking. The FBI is working on a much bigger case that might be connected.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be much help, but I’m happy to try.”
“You might know more than you think. Sometimes the smallest detail is the most important,” Mason added.