Page 91 of Unleash You

“Mom told me the good news.” Derek patted me hard on the back. “I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks. Did you know about this brunch?”

“Nope. Valentina told me about it ten minutes ago, before we came down.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Maybe they’re right? We work too much.”

“Maybe. I could do with a morning off.” I scanned the many faces until I spotted Anabelle talking to Valentina, Rebecca, and Ela. Every now and then, she’d peeked at me over the rim of her champagne glass. Was she like me, counting the minutes until we were free to go home again?

“Man, you got it bad.” Derek chuckled, then added two hard pats on my back for good measure before he headed back to the drinks table.

Matt cheered my glass. “You and Anabelle deserve to be happy. I meant to say that back at Tyler’s place.”

“Thanks, man.”

Dad placed his arm around my shoulder and Matt’s. “If Mom asks, can we maybe not mention that I had any involvement with the letters? Three years is a long time to hide something from your spouse.”

I snorted a laugh. “I don’t know, Dad. I can’t lie to Mom. You know that.”

“She’s been grilling me about it. She wants to understand how it all happened.”

I still didn’t understand it. But Dad was on to something. It had all started with the letters.

“Your secret is safe with me. If it hadn’t been for you, I would’ve had a rougher time in the jungle.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. That was the first time I’d mentioned my time in the jungle to him. Talking about it was getting easier.

Dad’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, as if he’d never considered the effect our time with the corps had on all of us. “I’m glad I was able to help. If you ever need to talk, I’m here. That goes for you too, Matt.”

Both Matt and I nodded, exchanging a glance. The mission wasn’t over until it was over. If only I’d known that Charlie would be at Mia’s warehouse along with Marcel, I would’ve asked Matt for help. He knew that, which was why he’d decided not to chew my ass out after I told him Marcel had gotten away.

“Sorry to interrupt.” Zack wedged himself between Dad and me, gripping my shoulder. “Dad, Mom sent me to get you. She says if you don’t get in there, she’ll cut the pork shoulder her way.”

Dad clicked his teeth, then mumbled as he walked off. “She means the wrong way.”

“That looked like it was getting heavy. You all right?” Zack surveyed my face before he looked over to Matt. “How are the nightmares?”

“Better.”

“Talking about it isn’t a miracle cure, but it helps.”

“It does help. Thanks for being there.” I gave him a sincere smile. Things were better.

“Anytime, bro.” He inhaled. “So…is this thing with the Venezuelan cartel? Is it really over? I got the feeling Rebecca was downplaying the gravity of the situation.”

“I don’t know. Tyler is in a good position to let us know if things start bubbling up again. But with Marcel, I just don’t know.” I wished I had a better answer, or at least a plan.

“I was surprised to see him get his hands dirty.” Matt scratched his beard. “He may not be the leader type, but there’s always someone willing to take over the reins.”

I didn’t want to think about Venezuela or Marcel, but Matt and Zack were right. This wasn’t the time to let our guards down. For now, the human trafficking ring had been dismantled on both ends. But how long before Marcel found a replacement to fill the vacant spot Charlie left behind?

“Everyone, please eat.” Mom ushered Anabelle and me toward a chair at the long table.

As much as Derek and I belly-ached about not being allowed to go to the office, we both enjoyed the brunch. Derek even took Valentina’s son down to the soccer field to play ball. Mom was beside herself with these many people eating her food. This house and the renovation had done the miracle she’d been praying for—the family back together.

Anabelle squeezed my thigh and leaned forward. “You guys had such serious faces earlier. Anything I need to know?”

“I’ll tell you about it later. We all need to stay alert.” I laced my fingers through hers. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Okay, go. Lilly just went back inside.” She jumped out of her seat and pulled me behind her.

We rushed down the steps and didn’t slow down until we reached the cover of the gardens. I followed her in silence as she strolled along the winding gravel path. I swore the flowers had a more vibrant color today, the cedar-and-pine scent a little sweeter.

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