“Shhh,” Julio said, holding her tightly. Even his eyes filled with tears as he imagined the fear Rebecca and the sweet child must’ve felt. “We’ll find her. Then, she’ll return home to her parents and make sure she gets the best therapy,” he promised.
“Parent,” she corrected. “They killed her father in front of her.”
“We’ll do whatever it takes to get her reunited with her mom,” he promised. “Then we’ll watch over her.”
Rebecca didn’t feel like talking anymore. She only wanted the nightmare to end, not only for her, but for all the people she met along the way.
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
Ivan’s men drove them to his estate. Everyone greeted their leader and his guests. The man appeared like royalty as he stopped to ask about a family member, offer advice, or give a hug.
He escorted them into a lush dining room. The table was laden with breakfast food, hot coffee, fresh pastries, and tea.
The flight took twenty hours plus fueling stops. Jameson finally felt good enough to sit at the table and chew soft foods. They went over everything Jameson discovered. He only grew quiet when they discussed Caroline.
Rebecca recalled the flight to New York before her kidnapping. Something bothered her enough that she placed the information on a flash drive and hid it. If she only recalled what caught her attention.
“When will we meet this agent?” Julio asked, anxious to return home and find Megan.
“He’ll be delivered in a couple of hours,” Ivan assured him. “After we eat, you can freshen up and meet with him. Once you’ve made your decision on what to do with him, then I’ll head back to Serenity. I’ll leave the bigger jet for you,” he informedthem. “I’ve instructed my pilot to take you wherever you want to go.”
“Thank you, Ivan. For everything,” Rebecca said as she poured a cup of coffee, added sugar, and savored it.
“You’re welcome. I hope you’ll visit here in the summer. This year, the Serenity Mountain family will visit here. Victoria and I alternate between Ireland and Russia. I’m excited to bring all the grandchildren,” he said, glowing with pride.
“I appreciate the offer and one day, we’ll take you up on it. Right now, we have to get our lives together and send some people to hell,” Julio said casually.
Rebecca glanced at the usually gentle man. Her kidnapping changed him as much as her.
When they finished breakfast, Ivan’s man took them to an opulent bedroom with a large bathroom. Rebecca turned to Julio, her mouth agape.
“It’s like living in a castle,” she said. “My entire apartment will fit in the bathroom alone.”
“It can’t be too impressive,” Julio said as he entered the room. “Ivan lives in the woods in a three-bedroom cabin. He’s very happy there with Victoria, and they adopted a boy named Nick. He has a brother José’s age and they joined the Navy together.”
“I’ve missed so much,” Rebecca said sadly.
“We’ll make up for it,” Julio assured her. “Why don’t you take a shower first?”
Rebecca took her bag and opened it. Inside, she pulled out a blanket with yellow roses crocheted on it. She opened the letter attached to it.
Rebecca,
Julio told me your favorite color, and I thought this fit you. I picked the white blanket, and Delaney helped me add the flowers. If you’re not sure of the origin of the yellow roseof Texas, it refers to Emily West, an indentured servant who distracted General Santa Anna, helping the Texans win their independence. We’ve heard the stories of how you distracted guards to keep the women from getting punished, how you protected them, and it’s only fitting you have a blanket to remind you of how you helped them gain their independence. P.S. You’re not a victim. You’re a survivor. Now, go kick some ass and return home. You’re needed here.—Rachel.
Tears fell as she held the soft material to her chest. They all considered her a hero, yet she slept peacefully for the first time on a plane with Julio’s arms around her. His constant presence made her feel like she’d somehow cope with the last year and come out on the other side. She gently folded the blanket and placed it in her bag. Rachel’s note gave her the courage to face a rogue agent and bring him to justice for all the harm he caused.
When they showered and dressed, a man returned to retrieve their luggage and return it to the plane. They needed to finish this in New York before returning home.
Ivan led them down a long staircase and knocked on a heavy door. It opened and he entered first, followed by Julio and her.
The dim light barely let them see the prisoner sitting in a chair. Ivan motioned for the lights and the room instantly brightened. Rebecca gasped and jumped back as she recognized the agent glaring at her.
“What’s the matter?” Julio said, shielding her view of the man.
“He’s…he’s my ex-partner, Warren Harrison,” she said, shaking.
“He’s not the man I met in your apartment,” Julio said, glancing back. “In Afghanistan, he introduced himself as Agent Keenes.”
