“Easy, Becca. Stop and think. I’m not like those other men. It’s taking everything I have to keep from wrapping my arms around you and holding you tight. I won’t because you asked menot to touch you. The feel of you against my chest makes me feel relieved,” Julio whispered as he held the reins with both hands to keep her from falling off.
She gripped the horn in front of her and closed her eyes. “I feel like such an idiot.”
“No. You’re a smart, capable woman who has gone through something traumatic,” Julio soothed.
“I’m not a victim,” she insisted. “I did my job. I kept them safe until you arrived. All except Megan and Ebony. They locked us in a cage and I couldn’t do anything for Hillary. I need to notify her parents. They deserve to know she loved them to the very end.”
“We’ll contact them,” he assured her as the mess hall came in sight.
Rebecca struggled against him, trying to jump down. He stopped Satan and braced her while she leapt from the horse. “No, damn it. I’ll make the notification. I saw her last. You weren’t there to watch the poor girl take her last breath.”
Julio gazed at her, patiently listening to her rant. “You’re right. You’ll give them some closure. As soon as we have their information, I’ll take you there.”
Rebecca turned, stalking toward the mess hall. Seeing children playing ball with some of the aides toward the front of the building, she entered through the back.
Kara ran to her, wrapping her arms around her neck. “Where did you go? I thought someone took you,” she accused.
“I’m sorry,” Rebecca apologized while she stroked the teen’s hair. Her body trembled while the teen buried her head in her shoulder and cried. She must remain strong for the others. How long would it take for her to forget the multiple hands grabbing at her? Would she ever feel safe again? “Let’s return to our cabin.”
Julio watchedRebecca walk Kara to the cabin. Frustration filled him. Jameson still remained dark. The social workers reported some of the kids’ parents were deceased, which meant if they didn’t find a family member, the child must be entered into the system. He didn’t dare tell Rebecca at this stage. Most of all, it killed him to watch the woman he loved shrink from his touch. The fear showed in her eyes, and he didn’t know how to erase it. Leo’s warning about Rebecca echoed in his mind even louder.
Mounting Satan, he took him to the barn. He removed his saddle, replaced his water, and brushed him down. His mind remained on Rebecca. Did love disappear when trauma occurred, or did it need time to heal? It didn’t matter. When Rebecca felt ready, he’ll reclaim her heart and their future.
The women they saved appeared haunted and wary every time a man came within walking distance. They ordered the guards to keep their distance while they figured it all out. Since bringing people to the ranch, they identified areas for improvement. Even the staff in Serenity seemed to scramble to meet the needs. Knowing the Winters family, they probably held a meeting and developed a plan on how to keep this from occurring for the next round of victims.
He scanned the barn and walked outside, letting the cold air hit him. His staff consisted of Matthew Cartwright, and his fiancée, Rachel, Mac, the ranch hand, and Delaney, the cook for the trafficking side of the ranch. Even with the group of hands, social workers, and borrowed aides, Julio knew they sorely lacked the people needed to carry out their mission.
The little girl with blonde hair and blue eyes haunted his dreams. Where did they take her? And how were Rebecca and her connected?
Recalling Dr. Meyer’s advice to give Rebecca time, Julio vowed to read a book on trauma and its effects on individuals. The doctor slipped it to him while Patch distracted Rebecca. It might help with all the questions he wanted to ask her. What did the man, Jim, do to deserve a poker to the dick? His imagination ran wild, already guessing the answer but wanting to hear it from her. Not because he wanted to bring her even more pain, Julio needed to know what she survived. It fueled the flame of fury he needed to send them all to hell.
Seeing Matthew striding toward him, Julio vowed to get his shit straight. Putting everything on hold while he searched for Rebecca bit him in the ass. Matthew interviewed and hired men with Leo’s help. As he scanned the ranch, Julio felt a sense of calm float over him. He was meant to live here. He needed to step up and get the ranch on its feet. If Sparky guessed right about the two trafficking rings, they needed to get the staff in place at the ranch and teams hired to go after the traffickers. He must find Megan for Rebecca’s sanity. Then, he’d find a way to reach Rebecca.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Five Days After the Rescue
Julio hired six more men to patrol the ranch. With the help of social services, they reunited fourteen children with their parents, and four more went home to family members. It left three minors in their care. Seven of the nine women transferred to the Stanton mansion near Corpus Christi to meet with their families, ensuring the ranch remained secret. Watching the reunions made Julio more determined to locate the bastards.
Glancing at his watch, he put on his cowboy hat and drove down to the mess hall. Rebecca and Kara seemed to venture out only at meal times and during therapy sessions. Entering the building, his eyes scanned the area until they landed on Rebecca, who picked at her food while Kara huddled with two other teens, chatting away.
Julio grabbed a tray and selected a chicken salad sandwich and a bag of chips. He walked toward the table.
“May I sit here, ladies?” he asked the teens. Kara seemed to have adopted him and deemed him safe. She scooted her chair over, making room for him across the table.
Rebecca stared up in surprise. He smiled at her as he sat down.
“How’s the soup?” he asked. “Delaney sent over one of her sandwiches. The woman needs her own restaurant. I still can’t figure out the seasoning in the chicken salad,” he said, trying to make light conversation.
“It’s good.” Rebecca licked her lips. “It’s curry seasoning,” she said softly.
“Really? I’ll be damned. I would’ve never guessed,” he said before biting into the sandwich.
“Rebecca, the counselors asked if we wanted to go for a nature walk with them. I thought I might go with the others,” Kara said hesitantly, glancing at the two teens Julio saw her speaking with earlier.
“It’s a great idea,” Rebecca said, encouraging her. “I’ll see you at the cabin. Have fun.”
“You sure?” Kara gazed at her warily.
