Page 9 of The Hero's Bride
His was already analyzing possible scenarios and outcomes as they dialed their former teammate.
“Everything okay?” Jude asked brusquely. Footsteps were audible over the line, and he could picture the former SEAL pacing down a crowded San Diego street, hating every second of being surrounded by people.
“Thalia’s been located and she’s with us, but we ran into some problems this afternoon. She’s on the cartel’s radar.”
“What the fuck?” Jude bit out.
“She wanted to investigate her father while we were in Colima. Didn’t take long for someone to report a sighting of her to the local police.” He continued to tell Jude everything, releasing a long breath once he’d ran out of words.
“Well, that complicates things. I was trying to push through a special visa for trafficking victims, but the wait will still be longer than we can afford with a target on her back. Hate to say it, but if we can prove urgent humanitarian reasons, we could get an expedited fiancé visa. She’d need someone to sponsor her though, and if we can’t mitigate the danger within ninety days of her arrival, a wedding will need to take place to keep her here. If she can give us enough to nail the Day family on trafficking charges, that could help provide evidence for the FBI to solidify an even larger case.”
“Shit.” Sully scrubbed his hands over his face. “What a cluster.”
A heavy silence hung in the room, before he broke it. “Jude, get the paperwork going for the fiancé visa. Put my name as the sponsor.”
Lines creased over Sully’s forehead as he raised his brows. “You think she’ll go for that?”
He gripped the back of his neck, squeezing the tension there. “Right now, it’s the best viable option to get her out of danger. We have a history, albeit brief, but I’ll convince her.”
“Make sure she’s aware that I’m doing what I can on my end to work out a more viable solution.”
He wasn’t sure what it was about Jude’s last statement that didn’t sit well. It wasn’t like he and Thalia would be engaged. They were complete strangers, and yet, he liked and respected what he did know about her. Maybe it was guilt over playing the system or perhaps tying her to him the way so many others had that left him restless. He ignored the empty sensation in his gut and focused on moving the plan forward.
Chapter Five
Pain wedged inThalia’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 mylife. 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.
