Page 72 of Maddox

“So you weren’t contacted by anyone while you were in El Salvador, Ms. Douglas?” the attorney asked and I’d answered the question at least five times.

“Are you talking about the bad men who tossed a hood over my head, shackled my wrists and ankles, and tossed me into a vehicle before dumping me into a prison with several other women? Or are you talking about the big, strapping Navy SEAL who came to save me? Or maybe Alfaro himself?”

Mr. Smith certainly didn’t seem to appreciate what I’d just said.

Did I feel bad? Not in the least.

“I think you need to take this more seriously, Ms. Douglas.”

“Why? Do you consider me a criminal?”

“That remains to be seen.” He spit out the words and I could tell he instantly regretted them. At least I now knew what I was dealing with.

“Do I need to contact my own attorney, Mr. Smith?” I asked instead of playing his game.

“You’re certainly allowed to do so. If you feel that’s necessary. If you have something to hide.”

I’d finally had enough. I’d all but been accused of espionage. The attorney wasn’t very cautious about doing so either. He acted like I was an enemy.

Granted, I hadn’t mentioned a word about the jump drive or the fact I’d been approached by someone who’d sent me cryptic messages. However, given the attorney’s attitude, it would appear it was expected I’d turn over something inflammatory.

I was placing my full trust in Maddox that he wouldn’t divulge or hand over the drive. I might not know the man very well, but I had a feeling he wasn’t keen on being used under any circumstances.

A part of me wondered whether he felt as if I’d been using him.

That wasn’t the case, but it was possible I’d never get the opportunity to tell him that. He didn’t owe me anything any longer. He’d been paid to do a job and he’d done so, bringing me safely back to the United States.

He was free to go.

Even if he’d told me he’d wait.

Maybe I was a fool for caring about him at all, but I felt close to him. We’d been through a lot.

“Mr. Smith. If you’ve done your due diligence, you are well aware of the types of stories I produce and report on. There are millions of children in the world who need our help. Often, the only way they can feed those kids is through donations. You know, the kindness of strangers. But they can’t do that unless someone gives an accurate depiction of their plight. In addition,many children are being exploited, being sold off like cattle to the highest bidder. That’s what I was reporting on. Speaking of which, I need to contact my editor. He’ll be worried about me. I also need to contact my parents who made arrangements for my safe return.”

“I assure you that both your editor and your parents are well aware of the circumstances of your extraction,” he countered with a smirk on his face. “Given what you stated, you just happened to be kidnapped in the middle of broad daylight by a notorious criminal. I find that… extremely bad luck.”

Oh, God. His arrogance was incredible. I sucked in my breath to keep from telling him off. They hadn’t mentioned the women who’d been kidnapped before me, which meant they didn’t care about their welfare. “That’s exactly what happened.” I moved closer to the man. “Have you ever seen anyone killed, Mr. Smith?”

“Fortunately, I have not.” His face was smug and I’d love to wipe the expression off with my fist.

“Well, good for you. When a bullet hits a person in the head, especially from close range and depending on the caliber of the weapon and ammunition used, the force of the trajectory is such that blood and brain matter explodes from an exit wound. Sometimes, their bodies don’t immediately respond, their nerves still working, their blood cells full of adrenaline. That’s when you see the loss of life in their eyes. As it fades, you’re wondering if they’d been allowed to have any last thoughts, thoughts of loved ones or the lives they were losing the chance to experience.”

I was pushing certain pressure points on purpose because the bastard had obviously never lived through anything horrible in his manufactured and meticulous life.

The smugness turned into a scowl as he glared at me, remaining silent.

“What I continued to hear was the whizzing sound of the bullets and the hard impact as my friends were shot dead in front of me. Shot because they believed in the same things I did. In humanity. Children who don’t have a voice of their own. I don’t know what else I can add other than that I want the bodies of my friends brought back. They deserve a decent funeral and burial. Their families deserve that. Can you assure me that will happen?”

“All I can tell you is that I’ll see what I can do.”

“Of course, that’s all you’d say. I don’t know what the purpose of this interrogation is. I was told I’d be debriefed, but it’s cut and dried. I was kidnapped and my friends were gunned down. We were just trying to do our jobs. Now, it’s time for me to go.”

“We’re not finished yet.”

“You heard the lady. She is leaving. With me.” The deep voice suddenly exploding into the room brought a smile to my face and a rush of heat directly into my core.

Maddox.

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