“Can you tell him I’m taking a shower? I need some time…”
“We’ll take care of it,” Dr. Meyers assured her.
“I’ll get your blood work when I put in your IV. Do you want to shower before I get you settled?” Kassie asked.
“We can give you something to help you relax,” Dr. Meyers offered.
“No, I’m fine,” she insisted. “Let’s get these pictures done and over with. I’ll go down for the tests. Then, I’ll shower and checkon the women. When I return, you can hook me up to the IV,” Rebecca ordered, unwilling to let go of her control.
The women nodded and Kassie took several photos, inspected her skin, and ordered antibiotics for an infected cut. Rebecca gritted her teeth while they did their job. When they finally finished, Kassie pointed to the bathroom. “I have fresh pajamas and a robe waiting for you. Tomorrow, I’ll have clothing ready for all the women. Do you need anything else?”
Shaking her head, Rebecca waited until they left before walking into the bathroom. She glanced at her image in the mirror, seeing a mere shell of herself. She disrobed slowly, taking in the cuts and bruises. The robe fell the rest of the way to the floor, and she turned sideways to view her shame. The brand on her thigh seemed to sear her skin like it did the night they held her down, permanently branding her like cattle. Turning, Rebecca held her long blonde hair to the side as she inspected herself for any trackers. Kassie traced along her skin, searching for anything embedded, but she didn’t trust the bastards.
Dr. Meyers didn’t press her too severely. The doctor seemed professional as she prescribed anxiety medication and gave her a list of things to watch for to protect her mental well-being. The hot steam filled the room as she stepped inside the shower. The lavender shower bomb relaxed her as she took her time washing her hair, adding conditioner, and scrubbing the filth from her body. Reminding herself, she’d never have to feel Jim’s hands on her again.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Julio paced in the hallway, waiting for the nurses and counselors to come out. Glancing up, he saw Leo walk through the entrance with his team. He hurried toward the man and Leo tilted his head toward one of the conference rooms.
Leo’s men stood outside, and Julio sensed Leo wanted a private word.
When he entered, Leo shook his hand and gave him a manly hug.
“How’s Rebecca?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” he answered. “They took her down for some tests. We didn’t get to talk much on the plane and she’s avoided me ever since. One of the teens, Kara, asked me to hold her hand while she fell asleep.” Julio raked his hand through his hair.
Leo nodded, appearing grave. “Like all the other women, Rebecca went through something unimaginable. She’s not the same woman you knew a year ago.”
Julio glanced at his friend. “You think I don’t know it?”
“Knowing it and accepting it are two different things. She’s changed. Will you be able to handle having her in Texas?” Leo asked, concerned.
“What the hell do you mean?” Julio growled. “Whatever happened to her, we’ll deal with it together. We’re a team.”
“You know damn well you’re more than a team,” Leo pushed back. “You’ve searched for her for almost a year. Don’t think I don’t know how you and Jameson narrowed in on her location. You didn’t exactly go by the book.”
Julio swiped at his jaw, hoping to put off this conversation. It appeared Leo and he were having it out in the middle of the hospital. His mind raced as he considered his options for a new job once Leo learned of his actions. “They don’t work by a damn book. It’s why I quit the FBI. Between the traitors, politics, and red tape, we can’t touch these assholes. Do you think I can invite them to tea, and they’ll tell me their secrets?”
“Damn it, you know better,” Leo said, groaning. “Your actions reflect on my teams. Not to mention, Kassie and Doc bankroll these operations. Considering where you’ve spent the last six months, they deserve to know how you’re getting your information and if they want to stay part of it.”
“You fight fire with fire,” Julio reminded him. “Did you get a peek at those poor kids? If not, take a gander at Kara, four rooms on the right. Sixteen years old and needed me to hold her hand as she fell asleep. They don’t play fair. They have money and the power to protect themselves. We’ve seen them use fear and do awful things to keep their prisoners in line. I’m aware you don’t like I went into the grey areas. But we didn’t make progress until I did. Damn it, Leo, it took me eleven months and twelve days to find her. I did things…you know,” Julio’s voice lowered as emotion overtook him. “I’d do worse if it meant getting to her a day earlier. Fuck, even an hour earlier.”
“How far will you go?” Leo gritted out. “You’re my friend first and foremost, Julio. Walking into the grey area may sendyouinto the darkness. Are you willing to risk your relationship with Rebecca for your vengeance? Will you put everything Doc and Kassie have worked for in jeopardy to go after these men?”
“If it means we save innocents like today. Did you see Rebecca? They have to pay, Leo. She held a poker to a man’s dick and shot a man today without even blinking. I’m aware she’s changed, but I won’t give up on what we shared. Nor will I let those bastards win,” Julio vowed.
Leo sighed. “There’s not a single man in this hospital who wouldn’t kill for their woman. Not to mention a few women who will castrate a man without blinking if you harm their family. It’s only fair we give them the option to stick it out. We have families to consider. I saw the expression on your face when you left with Rebecca. I’m not stupid. You’re not letting this go.”
“They took a little girl named Megan. Rebecca seemed upset about it and I don’t know the story there. What about the others? A woman helped Jameson find Rebecca and disappeared. Do you want us to abandon her since we got what we wanted?” Julio asked, feeling the rage build inside his chest.
Leo leaned over the conference table. “We don’t leave anyone behind. When we discussed this team, we planned to rescue known victims. This puts us in a different arena. These men won’t stop. We’re still building your team. None of us expected it to take almost a year to find Rebecca. We’re headed to the Middle East soon. You’ll need to build the team, support Rebecca, and locate the victims. It’s only fair we tell Kassie and Doc what they signed up for. We might want to bring Victoria and Ivan in on it. They can advise them on what operating in the grey means and what all they’ll be risking if they decide to go forward.”
“Then, we’ll need to speak with them tonight. Kassie said she planned to send one of the nurse practitioners to Texas until we find someone more permanent. Anyone in need of prolonged medical care will stay here until they can fly to Texas,” Julio informed him.
“I’ll call a meeting. What about you? Will you keep a level head if I leave you in charge?” Leo asked earnestly.
“I’ll keep it as level as you might if someone kidnapped your wife, Catherine,” Julio challenged, peering at Leo.
