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I wasn’t asking because of Emerson. I knew she was fine with him. I was asking because of Sosa. Seeing him had to be hard for her. She could keep most of her thoughts to herself, but I knew underneath her shell she wasn’t happy about his appearance.
“And what about Goliath?”
Her lips pressed into a thin line. I could tell she didn’t want to answer me. “Look, I’m not happy, but I get it. Isoget it. He’s family. No matter what he does he’ll always be your family. And I can respect that. It is a little hard to be around him. My cop instincts want to kick in, but I’m doing okay. Right now, I’m not a cop. That’s how I’m getting through this. Right now, I’m Carter the tracker, and the goal is to survive. That’s what I’m trying to do.”
“You’re so strong, Julia. I’m right here with you. You’ll get through this. Whatever way you need to do it is fine with me. I didn’t know Sosa was going to come here.”
She shrugged. “Well, here he is. And it’s fortuitous. We need his help. I can deal with it, even if I dislike it.”
I hated to leave, but I needed to talk to Sosa. “Are you going to be okay here for a while? I should spend time with the others.”
“Yeah, I’m going to lie down and maybe get some rest for a bit. I’m wiped.”
I smiled faintly. “I can relate. I’ll be back later.”
“Okay.”
I gave her a quick kiss before leaving. She didn’t seem to mind the intimate gesture, which I took as a good sign. I headed back for the mess hall and caught Sosa just as they were leaving. He sent me a questioning look, but I didn’t acknowledge it. I wouldn’t until we were alone.
Reuben was leading them to some guest quarters. I followed them, and Reuben showed them the three rooms that the six guests would be sharing. Sosa thanked him and dismissed his men into the two other rooms, leaving Asher and me with him in the third room.
Asher dropped into a chair when the door closed, and he laughed. “Man, E, you’re certainly keeping interesting company.”
I couldn’t help but laugh with him. “Yeah, I suppose so.”
Sosa sat down on the floor with his back against the wall. “So? What was that display at dinner?”
I scratched at my dreads. “It’s a long story. They were putting on a show for the crew. Emerson has had some trouble in the past with his crew accosting women on board. The two of them aren’t a thing. Most of the time they can barely stand each other.”
Sosa grinned. “I knew it. They put on a good show, don’t get me wrong, but they lack real chemistry. Unlike the two of you, who kept exchanging intimate glances throughout dinner,” he added pointedly.
I shrugged and sat down on the bed. “I guess we did, didn’t we? I wanted to be sure she was okay. Your presence wasn’t exactly thrilling for her.”
“Also gathered that. What’s her deal? She’s all chummy with a mercenary, but a gang member is beyond her tolerance?”
“It’s more complicated than that.”
“Then enlighten us.”
Holding back a sigh, I nodded. “She has a long history with drugs. They destroyed her family. I can’t blame her for her feelings.”
Sosa shrugged. “Maybe not. But we’re brothers. She’s going to have to accept that.”
“Well, right now she’s willing to accept it because her survival depends on it. She’s relying on a lot of criminals to keep her safe, and that wears on her. She’s an independent woman. Cut her a little slack.”
Asher crossed his legs. “I’m all for it. I think it’s about time you found anamitulo. Whatever her occupation.”
Sosa sighed. “I agree. But I also have a lot of people depending on me. This affects them too.”
I felt a hint of annoyance churn in my stomach, and I tried to squash it. “That’s why you came, isn’t it? To determine if Julia is a threat to the gang?”
“That’s part of it, I won’t lie. But I’m also here because I care about you and wanted to see if I could help. If you guys didn’t want to finish this thing out with Captain Emerson we’ll take you to Viridis right now, no questions or hesitations.”
“Julia would never go for it.”
“Because I’m Goliath,” Sosa sneered.
I felt the urge to punch him, but I quelled it. I hated it when he got self-righteous. “No, not because you’re Goliath. Because she already gave Emerson her word. Because no matter how much she denies it, she and Emerson are friends. She wouldn’t leave him in a lurch, even with someone chasing her and trying to kill her. She won’t take the easy way out.”
