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I smile and hold my hand out toward Gia, who doesn’t hesitate and runs, jumping into my arms. I close my eyes and inhale her sweet scent into my lungs.
“You stink,” she comments, and Julian roars with laughter.
“We both do, I would imagine.” Julian holds his hand out and Carrie takes it, allowing him to help her from the car.
Gia glances at me and then back to the woman we rescued.
“She was looking for her sister and ran into some trouble,” I offer. “I think her sister might have been one of the girls taken by Abatangelo’s associates.”
“Oh!” Gia slides her fingers through mine, gripping them tightly. “What’s your name?”
“Carrie Gilbert,” she whispers, moving closer to Julian.
“I’m Gia Fielding, please come inside.” Gia grips my hand and indicates for Carrie to follow us.
She does but parker is standing in the doorway, not looking happy, and when I turn to glance at Julian I realize why. Julian has his arm around the young woman as he helps her into the house. I shake my head at Parker, trying to let her know that it isn’t how it seems.
In truth, I’ve no idea how it seems because as far as I’m aware nothing is going on between Parker and Julian regardless of what Parker wants. It’s damn tiring.
Spotting Gia’s father moving toward us, I introduce, “Jarrod, Carrie Gilbert. She’s in need of our help. But I think a shower, clean clothes, and some food would go a long way first.”
“You look of similar size to me so why don’t I find you some yoga pants and shirt?” Gia offers with a soft smile.
“I’d appreciate that.” Carrie slowly moves to follow after Gia.
Before I can say anything against Gia being alone with Carrie, Julian says, “I’ll go up and help.”
Gia turns to me, frowning, but at my nod she smiles and continues leading Carrie up the stairs.
To Parker and Jarrod, I say, “Let’s go into the kitchen and I’ll fill you both in.”
Seated with a steaming mug of coffee nestled between my hands, I tell them the little bit of information I know about Carrie and her sister, hoping that they’ll be back down soon so that Carrie can tell us more.
“She’s taken with Julian,” Parker comments, under her breath.
“Julian was the one to carry her out of the dive we where in at the time. I think she trusts him more than she does me.” I shrug.
Parker glances out of the kitchen window, ignoring Jarrod and I.
Jarrod shakes his head and joins me at the table. “Do you believe she’s told you the truth?”
“Yeah.” I pass my cell with the pictures on that Colin sent through and Carrie looks the same as her DMV picture, once you remove the smeared make up that she was caked in. “I’m hoping that she’ll be able to tell us something to help find the asshole. She had marks around her wrists. It looks like she’s been held against her will. Whatever happened to her, it wasn’t pleasant.” I glance at Parker and know she’s listening.
“Parker,” she sighs and turns to face me, so I continue now that I know I have her attention, “she could do with a friend.”
Parker swallows, nodding her head stiffly.
Her heart doesn’t look to be in it but I have a feeling that has more to do with Julian than Carrie.
20
Gia
As Carrie stepped out of the shower, she’d ended up collapsing to the bathroom floor. Luckily for us, Julian was on hand to pick her up and carry her into the bedroom. I quickly cover her with a towel once Julian has settled her on the bed. He then quickly moves and watches from the doorway.
“Do you need me to help you dry?” I ask, feeling unsure about what she wants me to do.
“I should be okay. I’m just unsteady when I’m on my feet. They made me drink lots of vodka before I was allowed into the bar.” Tears slip from the corner of her eyes. “I keep thinking that something is going to happen. I mean it was so easy to get out of there. I don’t understand.”
