Page 22 of Unspoken Passions

They turned as two officers led a furious Aida out of the warehouse. The woman was screaming profanities as she was escorted to the sheriff’s cruiser. A moment later, the four goons who had backed up Aida were led outside as well, all in handcuffs and all looking grim. They were placed in separate cruisers.

Ella watched all of this from the circle of Mick’s arms. And something occurred to her. “You need to go help, don’t you?”

“I’m here for you,” he assured her.

She smiled up at him. “That’s one of the many reasons I love you, Mick,” she whispered, lifting onto her toes to kiss him. “But I also love you for needing to help out around here. Go,” she assured him. “I’m fine. They didn’t hurt me.”

He looked uncertain. “What about…?”

“Go,” she urged, stopping his argument with her finger to his lips. “You can make sure that I’m completely okay tonight.”

Seven hours later, Mick left the conference room looking exhausted. Ella had gone home to change back into non-red-dress clothes, and had rushed back to town and organized her staff to start brewing coffee. She kept all of the agents, support staff, SWAT team members, and deputies jolted on good coffee and as many pastries she could bake. She called Tom at the pub and he brought in platters of food as well. In fact, as soon as the word spread about the arrest and the rescue of over forty women, the entire town kicked into overdrive.

The rescued women were taken to the hospital to be checked out and treated. Many of them had sexually transmitted diseases and six were treated for the drugs that the kidnappers had used to control them. Being drugged was a powerful threat in this industry. When they were coherent, at least they knew what was happening to them. When their kidnappers drugged them, the women had no recollection of what they’d endured. Some might think that would be better, but when one’s imagination comes into play, the possibilities become overwhelmingly terrifying.

A bus arrived and transported the women, minus those that needed to stay overnight at the hospital, to the local high school gym where townspeople organized cots and supplies. Bags of clothes, all oversized, comfortable pieces that gave the women control over who could see their bodies, were delivered and the women sifted through the large sweatshirts and men’s shirts, covering every inch of their skin possible. Some women even asked for hats. Because it was summer, no one had thought to bring hats, but with one phone call, a dozen winter hats were delivered.

It was a long time before anyone managed to sleep. The women kept looking fearfully around as if they needed reassurance that they were safe.

Plus, there were interviews and statements; some of the women didn’t speak English so translators needed to be brought in.

It was absolute chaos until around midnight when the town quieted down.

Ella had finished prepping the shop for the next morning, aching for a break. Then Mick walked into her shop, looking just as exhausted as she felt.

“You ready to go?” he asked softly.

She looked at him and, without hesitation, stepped into his arms.

“How are you doing?” she asked softly, laying her cheek against his chest.

“Better now that I can see you,” he admitted, but the fatigue was in his voice. “Will you stay at my place tonight?” he asked. “I know that you’ve been independent for a long time,” he started off, pulling away and gazing down at her. “But I need to hold you tonight. I need you in my arms and…” Mick sighed. “Hell, I want you in my arms forever, Ella. But if you can endure just tonight, I could–”

“I want that too,” she whispered, interrupting whatever he was about to say.

He froze, his dark eyes narrowing. “You know what that means, right?”

“Not really. But it’s how I feel, Mick.”

“I want marriage. And a couple of days ago, I think I heard you say something about babies and kids and…” he groaned when she pulled his head down, kissing him.

“Yep,” she replied.

He groaned. “This was not the romantic proposal that I had planned after last night. But I won’t let you take it back.”

She laughed and leaned into him. “I wouldn’t take it back, Mick. I’ve loved you for so long. And now I’m going to hold you to your word.”

“I love you too, Ella. You have to know that, right?”

She stopped, blinking back the tears. “You don’t have to say it, Mick. I know that our relationship has transitioned pretty quickly.”

He chuckled. “I love the way you sneak extra donuts to the homeless shelter every Saturday,” he started off. “I love the way you know every person’s order as soon as they come into the shop. I love the way you smile, the way you greet everyone as if they are a long, lost friend.”

“That’s my job, Mick. Do you know who I am as a person? When I’m not working?”

“I know that you suck at mowing your grass, but I love watching you cuss as you try to start that ancient mower. I know that you love sunshine, which is why I built the pergola in my backyard. And the kitchen?”

“Yeah?” she replied warily.

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