“That was my dad,” said Joey. “They’re at the apartment and will try to find some information about these people. We’re going to find a place to lay low for a while.”
“Where? We’re in the middle of nowhere.”
“The team back home is working on it for us. We should be able to rent a vacation home so we’re not walking through lobbies with cameras in them.”
“I would have never even thought of that,” she frowned staring down at the plate of pancakes, bacon, and eggs. Or at least what was left of it.
“You were hungry. When was the last time you ate?” he asked.
“Yesterday morning,” she said. “I live in a horrible little studio apartment near the club. We’re watched all day, every day.”
“Are there other girls that live there?” asked Joey.
“Yes. Some don’t want to be there. They were forced, just like me. Others seem to like the life or at least have resigned themselves to the life. How did I make such a mess, Joey? I mean, I know who we are, who our parents are. Why wouldn’t I have swallowed my pride and called them?”
“I can’t answer that, babe. We are all young and stupid at some point in our lives. Some of us just did it earlier than you,” he smirked.
“I don’t remember you doing anything stupid,” she said taking a bite of bacon.
“That’s because I wasn’t home when it happened. I was in Ranger school and finished the first two phases. We went to a bar and this girl came onto me. I was drunk and lonely and, well, I went home with her.”
“You were single, Joey. I get it.”
“That’s not all. A few weeks later she said she was pregnant and I was the father. I was so afraid of what mom and dad would say, I was prepared to marry her and just announce it to the family.”
“What happened?”
“I called great-grandpa. He and Trak came right away. Told the girl she had to take a paternity test. She refused and they said she had to at least do a sonogram. Turns out, she wasthree weeks further along than the date we met. The guy that got her pregnant deployed and she didn’t know his last name.”
“Geez, I’m so sorry,” she said genuinely emotional about the situation. “But it proves what a good man you are, Joey. You were ready to throw your life away for a woman you didn’t know.”
“Maybe,” he said shaking his head. “I don’t know if I could have gone through with it. It’s hard to pretend to love someone when you know you’re in love with someone else.”
“Joey,” she whispered. “Why couldn’t we have told one another what we were feeling, what was happening? I should have called you, gone to you when I first got worried.”
“None of it matters now. We’re going to fix this and we’re going to help those other women.”
CHAPTER NINE
“Colonel, you asked to see us?” said Red.
“Sit down,” he said pointing to the chairs in the outer office conference room. The men filed in, taking a seat and then the colonel looked up seeing something he didn’t like at all.
“Colonel Dunston. Nice to see you again,” smirked Ham.
“What is he doing here? I want him out!”
“I don’t think you do,” said Ham. “These men are helping a family member, protecting her and him. I’d like to know why you’re demanding to see the woman.”
“You have no jurisdiction here, McDonald.”
“I can change that if you want,” said Ham. The three men just looked at Ham, then back at the colonel. “Alright. The hard way.”
Ham turned, opening the door to let Gator in with base command. The colonel sat back in his chair and his face visibly paled. His hands began to shake as Gator took a seat, the base commander staring down at him.
“What do you want with the girl?” he asked.
“N-nothing.”
