David laughed and the sound lifted her heart. “I think you might be right.”
***
It took a while to sort out the rental car and to clean David’s graze, but once it was done, they cleared customs quickly and were settled in the plane by midday. Zita had called Carmen to tell her they were on their way home. Manuela still looked a little shell-shocked and Johanna hadn’t stopped thanking Zita. But Zita wouldn’t fully relax until they were in the air. They would definitely be safe then.
David had been silent the whole time. She was worried about him, but there was no privacy to talk.
Finally, the plane was cleared for takeoff and they were in the air.
When the captain announced they could now walk around the cabin, David said, “Zita, can I talk to you for a minute?” He stood and walked toward the bedroom.
She followed him. “What’s wrong?”
He shut the door behind her and pulled her roughly into his arms.
“David?” She held onto him as he started to shake.
“Jesus, Zita. I don’t want you to ever do that again.” The anguish in his voice was clear.
Her heart melted as she rubbed his back. “It’s all right. We’re all safe.”
His eyes were full of horror. “That place was hell. All those girls in there were miserable or defeated. How can those places actually exist in the world?”
She couldn’t be angry with him. Not when he was so distressed. She kissed his cheek. “We’re working on it. Fernando almost has enough evidence to shut it down.”
“It’s not right.” Tears poured down his face. “Teresa was there, wasn’t she? And Manuela... it could have easily been another man who’d hired her.”
Zita held him tightly. She’d heard more than just Teresa’s story, she knew these places existed, and while the reality of it had still been a shock, she had been prepared.
David hadn’t. Not really. But he’d managed to keep it together until they were safe.
“You did so well,” she said.
He grimaced, wiping the tears away and let out a deep breath. “I was not leaving that place without Manuela.”
It would be best for him to talk about it. “What happened when you got into the hostel room?”
“She was terrified. She wouldn’t come near me, wouldn’t read the note you wrote, so I had to read it out to her quietly.” He shook his head. “I’m taking Spanish lessons when I get home. I’m pretty sure I murdered the language, but she seemed to understand, particularly when I showed her the photo of Teresa. She climbed out the window and I followed. Then we waited for you.”
Zita hugged him. “Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“It was my fault you had to come. If I hadn’t kept the damned file, if I’d listened to what my father was saying, rather than hearing what I wanted.” He squeezed his eyes shut. “When Carmen told me you’d come here on your own...” He shook his head. “I was terrified I wasn’t going to see you again.” He reached for her. “I was stupid. Please forgive me.”
Zita stepped away. She had to be clear, she had to explain. “I trusted you, David. I convinced my sisters to let you in, to share their stories with you. You broke not only my trust, but Beatriz and Teresa’s as well.”
“I know. I can’t tell you how sorry I am.”
She sighed. It wasn’t his fault. It was Bob’s. “I forgive you, but you need to apologize to Teresa and Beatriz as well.”
“Of course. As soon as I get back.” He took her hand. “Zita, I’m sorry I asked you to sit through that stupid dinner. I invited you because it was a family event, and for me that meant you had to be there.”
What was he saying— that he considered her family?
“I love you, Zita, and I wanted my family to accept you, the way yours has embraced me.”
Her breath caught in her throat. “What?” She sat on the bed.
He crouched down next to her. “I love you. I’ve known since Vegas and I should have told you right away.”
