Page 79 of Betraying Bexley

“Yes.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek. “You had the information for a sex trafficking ring. A man in Mexico is going to shut it down. Another man from R.O.O.T. is on his way to Texas right now to help.”

“B-But I--”

“You also had a few other things we were looking for too.” Alé chuckled. “Jesus, Bex, you were sitting on a treasure trove of information. Do you understand what I'm telling you? You've singlehandedly taken down three syndicates. Three fucking cartels. All by your hands.”

She blinked. “I-I d-don't understand.”

“You will.” He grinned. His brown eyes sparkled with pride and... No, it couldn't be love. Yet, the longer she stared at him, the more she realized he was telling her the truth. “Get some rest, mami. We have tons to talk about when you feel up to it.” He leaned over her bed then brushed her lips with his. “I love you, Bexley. Bronx does too. She's been an absolute mess since you were taken. Do me a solid and cut her some slack, okay?”

Emotions clogged her throat. Bex nodded. “Ok-kay.”

“Good. See you soon.” He kissed once more then strode from the room.

Bex stared after him. She saved people? She blinked several times trying to understand what was happening. Nothing made sense. She'd been prepared to hate everyone around her and walk away, now... She doubted her resolve. She was a fool. They were never after her, they wanted her father because of all the bad things he'd done. People worried about her? Were still worrying about her? She made Bronx cry? Guilt assailed her. She didn't know what she was supposed to do.

“Hey, Bex.” Dr. Rae joined her. “How are you feeling?”

“Hurts,” Bex murmured. “Everything.”

Doc Rae nodded. “You were in a violent accident and then the trauma of being tied up.” She pulled up a chair next to Bex’s bed. “We have a new therapist at the base. I can have him come speak with you, if you wish.”

Bex fiddled with the blankets covering her. “I'd l-like that.”

“Good. You want to tell me whose blood was on you?”

“I-I k-killed t-them,” Bex sobbed. “I-I d-don't k-know w-why.”

“I do.” She hadn't even seen Asher enter the room. “Instinct kicked in. You didn't want to be a victim anymore.”

Bex let out a soft sob as she continued to cry. Her hands clenched at the blankets while reliving the whole incident from the moment Enzo released the knife from her cast to the minute she buried it into the second man's chest. “S-So m-much b-b-blood.”

“Look, Bex, there are times in your life where you'll have to stand up for yourself and do things you might not want to, including killing people. In those few seconds, you wanted to live. I am so fucking happy you're still with us. You've got grit kid.” Asher placed his hand on Doc Rae's shoulder. “Jamie and I have both talked when you're healed and ready, we'd like to offer you a position with SRT. I think your skills would be invaluable to the team. You're a wiz with numbers and you understand people more than what you think you do. However, there is one stipulation, you follow Doc Rae's orders and you see our new therapist, Marcus Joiner. Got it?”

Bex stared at Asher. She wasn't going to jail? “W-Why?”

“Why?” Asher chuckled and this time, the warm sound, eased away Bex's tension. “Don't you want a family, kid?”

She did with a single-minded desperation. “Y-Yes.”

“I'm offering you a family. I'm offering you a chance to do something important with your life. I see potential in you, Bexley. I think whatever you decide to do with your life, you're destined to do great things. I just hoped you'd stay with us, so I didn't have to steal you later.” He winked at her.

Bex looked to Dr. Rae. “He's a persistent asshole, but he's telling you the truth. He'll take care of you. Once you're part of our family, we’ll always have your six.”

“Ok-k-kay.” She stared up at Asher. “I'll do it.”

“Outstanding. I'll have everything prepared for you.” He turned then. “Get some rest, Bexley. Because, when we get started, you'll be begging for sleep.”

“Asher Rainer, don't you dare scare her!” Dr. Rae shouted.

“I'm not scaring her. I'm telling her the truth.” Asher smirked. “Oh, we're going to need a parent's signature because you're not over the age of twenty-one. Do you mind if Mateo and Noah sign off?”

Bex's eyes went wide. “W-What?”

Asher turned to face her. “Oh yeah, Mateo and Noah might have said something about becoming your guardian. Something about Mateo wanted you to have a real family too.” He shrugged. “I told him you'd have us, but he was adamant about this.”

“I-I don't understand.” Confusion filled her. Why would they want her? Sure, she dreamed of having Mr. Aquino in her life, but this... She couldn't comprehend what was happening to her.

“I think you're overwhelming her, Asher,” Dr. Rae said. “Maybe one step at a time.”

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