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“I’m going to go brush my teeth,” I said, forcing myself to sit. Pain in my shoulders and back had me moving slowly. I wasn’t sure if it was from Jonathon’s treatment or the floor. My guess was a mixture of both.
“Bad dream,” I mumbled to my brother as I headed for the hall. The glare was only half there. It was more annoyance as he sipped his coffee and I fled. Damn, I hoped he didn’t think anything happened. I couldn’t bear the thought of my brother trying to imagine that. It was probably good we were leaving. In Washington, all we’d have to worry about was staff and they kept to themselves outside of meal times.
My feet carried me faster at the thought. Me, Master, together. Heat rolled from my body and I couldn’t stop my knees from turning weak. I gripped the restroom door, pausing before finally walking in. How long had I dreamed of this? It didn’t seem real. I’d spent so long convincing myself it could never happen. That my brother would forbid the mere thought of it. He didn’t. He was giving Zain a job for crying out loud. This could work. I could finally have the happily, albeit twisted, ever after I’d dreamed of since a child.
Visions of how Zain and I would be clouded my vision as I went through my morning routine. It didn’t take me long from the excitement I felt. The getting dressed part was easy enough. A black, high-neckline dress that was form fitting, but not too tight, ending just above the knees, stockings, black stilettos, a pearl necklace, and earrings. My hair was already drying as I twisted it up and placed in the pins. As I walked into the living area, I froze.
A tall man with dark hair wearing a black suit stopped talking to look at me. Even the make-up I wore couldn’t cover the train wreck of my face. His eyes narrowed with what looked to be anger, only to dissipate into something unreadable.
“Ms. Roberts,” he said, walking forward. “My name is Agent Gaige Sullivan. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
My hand extended to meet his as I looked toward Zain and my brother. Both appeared relaxed, not afraid of whom this man was. My sins, my guilt, had me shaking his hand rather stiffly.
“Pleasure’s mine, Agent Sullivan.”
Pieces of my brother’s conversation while I was kidnapped filtered through and I could remember him saying something about working with a man from the FBI. If that was so, could I be truthful, or was there information I needed to withhold?
“How are you?” He seemed generally concerned as he stared at my face. I shrugged, trying to downplay what I knew had to look terrible.
“I’m okay. A little banged up, but I’ll heal.”
He frowned. “No, how are you? Here,” he said, tapping against his head. “You okay? You’ve been through quite the ordeal. Twice. That can’t be good for your state of mind.”
Zain’s eyes cut over to me and I could see his own concern. He was listening. Taking in my answers. My gaze lowered and I let the question sink in, considering his words.
“I’m…still not sure yet.”
When I came back to look at Agent Sullivan, he was studying me. “Do you have someone to talk to? I know a therapist. She’s very good. She helped my wife.” He lowered his voice. “I trust her and you can, too, with whatever you might want to tell her.”
Therapist hadn’t always been on my side. I hadn’t talked to mine for over a year and there was really no desire to see her again. But, should I find someone? The nightmares had been pretty frightening. They drove me into Zain’s arms. But if things went like last night, he wouldn’t always be there to comfort me. And I needed to be strong for myself.
“Your wife was kidnapped?”
Gaige gestured to a small circular table for two by the window. I led the way as he followed. Zain was still speaking to Slade, but his attention stayed on me as I sat down across the room.
“Elle, my wife, was kidnapped when she was in high school. I knew her back then, very well. She dated my brother.” Gaige’s hands interlaced on top of the table. “The man who took her, killed my brother. For over ten years, she was gone. Before I joined the FBI, I was a different sort of Agent. One who went really deep undercover. That’s how I found her. Not intentionally. I was quite surprised to come across her supposedly married to the man I was investigating. She’d been taken to be sold as a sex slave. The man who abducted her decided to keep her instead, but he never stopped his crimes. He beat her regularly, amongst other things. I know what that sort of trauma can cause. I just want you to know that if you need anyone, someone who helps with your sort of experiences, I know a therapist. Or, if you’d prefer, my wife would love to help in any way she can. She’s not a therapist, but her presence in the community to stop human trafficking is great.”
My stare was pulled to the surrounding city, to the people in the distance walking along the sidewalks. They were living their lives so unaware of what was happening all around them. I suddenly felt rocked. The whole situation, this Agent’s story, left me looking at the bigger picture. I knew I wasn’t the only one this had happened to. I’d held the girls’ hands who died in front of me…or in my lap. So, why hadn’t I ever thought to reach out and actually try to do something about it? Even if it was volunteering or helping another woman in need who’d been in a situation similar to my own? I had means, money. I could contribute. Help with food or shelter. Maybe even by giving jobs to a selective few.
“May I have her number, Agent Sullivan? I think I’d like to speak to your wife.”
A smile came to his face and he pulled out a business card, scribbling on the back. “You can call her anytime. She’d be happy to be of assistance.” He stood. “Anyway, I should be going. There were some people found murdered not too far away. We have reason to believe they were tied to the cartel trafficking in this area, too. It was probably them.” He winked at me and my lips separated in surprise. Holy shit. He was going to make sure we walked away from this without any problems. Tears came to my eyes and I stood as he did.
“Thank you so much. I won’t forget this.”
He smiled, leading me back to the men. “I have to get going. Keep in touch. If any of you ever need anything, you have my number.”
Slade shook his hand and walked him to the door. The moment it closed, I took a deep breath. “He’s covering for us. Dear God. I can’t believe this. Why would he do that?”
Zain patted the chair and I didn’t hesitate to step up to the barstool.
“Your brother has amazing connections,” he said, pushing a plate of fruit in my direction. “We’ll talk about that later, though. Time to eat. We have a helicopter to catch.”
The bright color of his eyes darkened and my breath hitched in my throat. Even after everything we’d been through, me being taken, him killing his father…my Master was still present behind the exterior. And so composed. How was he, really?
“Are you packed?”
I bit into a strawberry, hesitating as his stare zeroed in on my mouth. Slowly, I brought the end down and placed it on the plate. It was almost impossible to swallow. “Yes, I took care of it last night. Marcio already has my bags. What about you? Can you get into your apartment yet?”
