Two men dressed in suits enter the room, and my heart sinks when they flash their badges. Growing up with my father, I was taught two things, never betray his trust and never trust the police.
“Sergeant Cunningham. Miss Del Marco, my name is Agent Morales. I would like to speak to you about the statement you gave our initial agents.”
Morales takes a seat in the chair next to me.
“Thank you for your time, Miss Del Marco. I know the last twenty-four hours have been difficult for you.”
“Please, call me Selena or Miss Allen but do not call me Del Marco.”
“Very well, Miss Allen. You told one of our agents you were kidnapped from your mother at the age of ten,” Agent Morales says.
“Yes.”
“Do you remember where you were taken from?”
“It was a small town outside of Des Moines called Porter.”
The agent makes a note on his notepad.
My chest burns with curiosity and fear. “Can you please tell me what’s going on?”
His eyes lift from his tiny notepad back to mine. “We believe your father was not only into smuggling drugs but may also have had his hand in human trafficking. After speaking with one of the victims, who claimed she was being prepared for sale, we have uncovered some evidence that could potentially lead us to the main seller,” Morales says. “Were you aware of this?”
“No, when it came to my father’s dealings he wasn’t open with me about them. I kept my head down and did what I was told.” My hands tremble, fear squeezing the muscles in my throat.
Agent Morales nods then stands. “I appreciate your time, Miss Allen. Is there a way we can get in touch with you, in case we have more questions?”
“She’s staying with me,” Justin states sternly.
The agent nods.
He reaches out to shake Justin’s hand then pulls a card from his wallet. “I have all of your information. I’ll be in touch when I know more.”
The men leave the room. Only then am I able to breathe a sigh of relief.
Justin’s brows furrow with concern. “You all right?”
Am I?
I’m here. I’m alive. That’s the most I can ask for at this point.
“I don’t know. Being here now, free from him, it all seems so unreal. I have to wonder if I’ll ever overcome the last nine years. I don’t know how I ever made it through some of those dark days. But here I am. Free. Free from him and that life. All because of you.”
His eyes hold mine for three solid heartbeats before they move to my lips. An unfamiliar urge ripples through my body. My breasts grow heavy, and I swallow hard trying to catch my breath before licking my dry lips in response to the sudden thirst. Miraculously, I summon the words I am searching for.
“Thank you for saving me.”
It’s all I have to offer and it hardly seems like enough for what he’s done for me.
“Come here.”
The soft, gentle command has me rising to my feet, moving toward him. I don’t know what it is about this man that draws me to him but it’s as if he has a direct line to my heart.
His hand reaches for mine, guiding me the rest of the way to perch on the edge of the bed, and my heart flutters to life inside of my chest, the wings expanding so much I find it hard to breathe.
I take the opportunity to drink him in.
The strong set of his jaw.
