Julio watched as the meds took effect. Rebecca’s features softened as her muscles relaxed. Her eyes fought the inevitable until he stroked her hand and whispered, “It’s all right, I’m not leaving you unguarded. No one will get to you without going through me first.”
Her eyes closed as if he said some magical words. When, in fact, he struggled to say anything right. They mostly sat in silence before Dr. Meyers entered and spoke softly to Rebecca. A few minutes later, a nurse entered and added something to the IV.
Rebecca turned and clutched her pillow to her chest. She cried out softly in her sleep. The sheet twisted around her hip and her hospital gown rode up. He took in her busted lip and the bruises around her neck and chest. He rose to untangle the blankets when he saw the brand on her hip, two circles connected with a key. Fury filled him as he leaned down and inspected it, searing it into his memory and promising retribution. No one touched the woman he loved. He covered her gently and sat in the dark.
Julio desperately wanted to peel the covers back and see all her injuries for himself, but he refused to invade her privacy while she remained drugged. Her hair desperately needed trimming, she sported bruises on her neck, and what he saw of her chest. The side of her head contained an old injury. Julio’s imagination ran wild.
He didn’t know how long he watched her sleep. A soft click of the handle made him turn toward the door. Kara’s head peeked around the corner. Her eyes appeared as big as saucers as she glanced at the bed. She slid along the wall and closed the door.
Julio rose, startling the young teen. “What’s the matter, Kara?” he whispered.
She whimpered and pressed herself closer to the wall. Her hands covered her body as if he planned to attack her.
Julio stopped moving. “It’s me, Julio,” he reminded her. “Did you need Rebecca? They gave her something to help her sleep. I promised to watch over her.”
She nodded jerkily. “I can’t sleep. There are too many people walking back and forth in the hall,” she whispered frantically as if she were in trouble.
“Why don’t you take my bed? Then I can watch over both of you,” he offered. “I’ll ask the nurses to bring in another one.”
Kara shook her head while tears glistened in her eyes. “I…I wondered if Rebecca might let me sleep with her. She always slept beside Megan and me.”
Turning, he slowly lowered the bedrail facing Rebecca’s back. “I’m sure she’ll like the company.”
Kara scurried toward the bed, gently pressing against Rebecca’s back.
Julio put up the rail and used his blankets to cover the two of them. “Goodnight, Kara,” he whispered. “I’ll let the nurses know you’re in here with us before they sound an alarm. Then, I’ll be right back.”
Slipping into the hall, he informed the nurse’s station and grabbed a couple more blankets and an extra pillow. The teen melted his heart the moment he saw her sneaking inside the room.
Returning, he noticed Rebecca turned in her sleep and wrapped her arms around the teen, who seemed to have relaxed in the comfort of Becca’s embrace.
He tossed the blankets on the recliner and placed the pillow beside Kara in case she woke. Making up his bed, he lay back and watched over them. Sleep refused to come. Julio worried if he closed his eyes, he’d discover finding her was only a dream… one in which he never wanted to relive. His mind flipped through the day’s events and the atrocities he witnessed. It only fueled his desire to cripple the trafficking ring. One way or another, he planned to end it and send them all to hell.
Rebecca stirredas the morning light filtered through the curtains. Glancing down, she noticed Kara curled into her shoulder, gripping the covers.
“Morning, Becca,” Julio greeted her. “She snuck in here last night and I didn’t have the heart to send her back.”
“It’s all right,” she said, caressing the teen’s head. “She must’ve disconnected the IV,” she said, noticing Kara’s arm.
“We can have the nurses restart it when she wakes up,” he suggested. “She needed to feel safe.”
“Yeah,” she agreed. “Do you know the time?”
Julio glanced at the clock to her left. “It’s 0730,” he whispered. “Do you want a cup of coffee?”
She gave him a half smile. He remembered she didn’t function without a cup of Joe in her hand. “Yes, please.”
Julio rose and left the room. A few minutes later, he returned with two steaming cups. Rebecca took the one he offered, bringing it to her nose and inhaling the heavenly scent. “I can’t remember when coffee smelled this good.”
“Then enjoy it. Matthew texted. We’ll fly down later this morning. Did you have anything to add to the grocery list?” he asked, sipping his drink.
“I’m sure whatever he supplied for the women will suffice,” she assured him.
Julio halted mid-sip and gazed at her. “We have the cabins fully stocked. I’m talking about our house.”
Rebecca swallowed and glanced away. “The women need me. They’ll feel more comfortable if I’m there with them.”
“Becca,” he softly admonished. “We have counselors coming and medical personnel. They’re well provided for. We haven’t spent any time alone. I’m sure both of us have questions, and if I’m honest, I want you close.”
