Page 87 of Betraying Bexley

“Are they c-connected?” Bex flipped to the information the detective provided.

“The police department believes so. Detective Higgins stated in our initial introduction with Wolf, one of Tex’s associates, and Jamie, there is a Molly ring in the school. Those who can’t pay their debts are indentured to the dealers. Some have disappeared. Where they go is anyone’s guess, because there is never a trail left and no one is talking.”

“Does Sergio believe his sister is part of this?” Alex asked.

“He does. He told Detective Higgins the last time he saw her, she was scared. She said she felt trapped and then two days later she disappeared. Their parents are kind of flaky. They’re rich so they spend more time away from home than there,” Asher replied. “So, you’ll have your hands full.”

The whole situation left Bex uneasy. If it’d been Raul’s cartel, the women would have been placed in a sex trafficking ring and never heard from again. The thought repulsed her. A year ago, it could have been her. She understood Sergio before she even met him. The fear and worry alone must have ate away at him. Then to have parents who were gone more than home. Anxiety didn’t even cut what he must have felt.

“When do we leave?” Alé hedged.

“Tonight. Pack your shit and get ready to go. The quicker we can get you on the ground and embedded in the school the better off all of you will be. Alé you’re on point with this. AJ and Scotty are going with you. Noah will be your commander for the mission. Mateo will be in constant contact with Mr. Appleton. Noah and Mateo will be running the op from here.”

“Remember, to take your time. For this mission, your contact knows you’re coming. It’ll be easier to get him to talk. All information you receive from him, run it by Scotty and AJ first. Any other questions?” Noah stated.

When no one said anything, Asher dismissed them. Bex started for the apartment so she could pack, but stopped when Asher called her name. She turned, waiting until they were alone to address the leader of R.O.O.T.. “Y-Yes, sir?”

“Did you receive something from Noah today?” He cocked a brow.

She grinned. “My t-tags.”

“Yes,” he replied. “Welcome to the team. For this mission, your job is to run the numbers. I also want you to watch your teams back. This assignment can go bad fast. Anytime you have to attend one of those parties, I want you in a perch relaying real time information, which also means carrying your rifle with you, understand?”

“I do.” Bex stood a little taller. “I’ve got their back.” The trust he instilled in her, had a welling of pride bursting through her chest. She was still new at all of this, but she trained hard and was determined to prove herself.

“Good to hear. You have three hours to be ready to leave. Make sure you have everything you’ll need. Good luck.” Asher held out his hand to her. “I know you’ll make your parents proud.”

She shook his hand. “Thank you. I hope so.”

When she returned to her apartment, Mateo and Noah were waiting for her. Both appeared worried. Were they concerned about her? Silly question, of course, they were. They always worried about her. “Hey.”

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay doing this?” Mateo said jumping the gun when she joined them.

“I am, dad. I think this is perfect.” Since she’d also been seeing Doc Joiner, she’d been receiving speech therapy to help her speak without her stutter. Some days were better than others.

“You’ll be careful?”

She smiled. “Always. I plan on not putting myself at risk or my t-team.”

“Mateo’s reaction is normal,” Noah said, taking the edge off. “He says the same to me whenever I leave.”

“It’s her first mission. I am allowed to be worried.” Mateo tugged her into his embrace. “For four years I have watched over you the best I could. Now, I can’t be there to protect you.”

She breathed in his fresh scent and the spice of his cologne Noah helped her pick out for Father’s Day. Mateo loved her as much as he would a biological child. For her love was new. She hadn’t understood it until Bronx and Alé, and now, Mateo and Noah. “Bear and you will be watching m-me. F-From a distance. I-I’ll Skype or whatever w-when I can.”

“We’re both extremely proud of you, Bexley,” Noah said. “You’ve come a long way.”

“He’s right, we are.” Mateo placed a kiss to the crown of her head. “When do you leave?”

“Three hours is what Asher said.” Three hours and she’d be leaving the safety of the base for the first time in what felt like forever.

“You know how Asher feels about the rules. He likes the whole dark thing when it comes to taking off. It keeps our place safe.” Noah went to the kitchen. “Which means Bex has enough time to pack and have dinner.”

“Then go pack, mija. We’ll get everything ready for you.” Mateo let her go and for some reason, she didn’t want him to.

Bex held onto his arms a moment longer then went to her room to pack. This was her new life. Her new set of challenges. She didn’t know how long they’d be gone, but she knew every day she was away from her family, she’d miss her parents, and she’d look forward to coming home too. Because this time, she had a home to come back to with loving parents and friends who cared about her.

Three hours later, Noah and Mateo saw her off. She climbed into the ass of the C-130 and waited at the ramp as the doors closed. When she turned around, her friends were with her. Mr. Escobar was with them. They would be staying at his home in Los Angeles. The primered Impala she’d crashed several months ago, had been strapped in as well. It was Alé’s prized possession. She’d spent almost as much time helping him repair it as she did training. All it needed was a paint job, something Jacolbi planned on hooking Alé up with when they got to L.A..

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