Page 75 of Taming Georgia

“And this Kylie person works for the government or some other organization with any sort of authority?”

“No, she’s a human rights activist. She travels all over, trying to help those in need.”

He drops his chin in an abrupt nod. “Right. She sounds completely qualified.” Sarcasm lines his voice. “Do you realize what kind of people work in sex trafficking? I’ll give you a clue—not good ones.”

He grabs his phone and starts frantically typing on the screen. “Here we go.” He reads from his phone, “Colima, Mexico, has the highest per capita murder rate out of the entire country. That’s a fun fact. Look!It’s been mainly taken over by drug cartels, producing a majority of the methamphetamines in the country.” He taps his lips with his finger as he continues to scroll across his phone with his other hand. “We have more here about murders, kidnappings, drugs, cartels.” His face jolts up from his phone, his blue eyes wide with anger. “Sounds like an amazing place for you to go hang out.”

Fully dressed now, I stand and take a few steps toward him, attempting to close the gap between us. But every time I move closer, he moves away.

I throw up my hands in defeat. “You’re not telling me anything I don’t already know. Of course it’s a dangerous place. It’s number one in human trafficking. It’s only to be expected that there would be some other issues there. I’m not a stranger to dangerous situations, Wyatt. I’ve been to many questionable places. I’ll be fine.”

“You don’t know that.” He shakes his head, his eyes narrowed. “Please help me understand why you feel like you have to do this. I really want to get it, but I don’t. To me, this is reckless and fucking stupid.”

“I just feel like I have to. There’s a need, and I can do something to help.”

“What can you do? Get yourself killed? You’re not the goddamn Special Forces, Georgia. You’re just a girl.”

I hate how my name sounds like a curse as it rolls off of his lips. I miss the jovial way he says his nickname for me. I can’t stand this angry version of Wyatt I see before me. Sure, he’s upset. But why can’t he understand that this is important to me? This is who I was before I came here to stay with Paige. I’m not just going to change who I am.

“This is me. Why can’t you understand that?” I plead.

“You’re what? A person who puts herself in dangerous situations? Someone who leaves as soon as they start getting comfortable? Someone who’s constantly running away?”

“I’m not running away!” I protest, my voice shaking with frustration. “I’m helping people. Someone has to help them.”

He shakes his head, and sadness fills his eyes. “What are you afraid of?”

“Nothing. I’m not afraid of anything. I just want to help.”

“No, you’re terrified, and that’s why you’re running.” His chest rises as he pulls in a deep breath, and he bites his lip.

“I am not scared. Why would I be going to Mexico if I was?”

“You’re scared of real life. Getting comfortable. Letting people in.”

“That’s not true. I let you in.”

He scoffs, “No, you haven’t. Things between us are finally getting good. I’ve dropped my walls. We’re happy, or so I thought. So, now, you decide you need to leave the country? One doesn’t have to be a psychologist to figure you out. You’re scared, and now, you’re running. I was stupid for ever thinking you’d stay.”

Wyatt throws open the door and steps over Cooper, who is waiting right outside it. I follow.

“I’ll be back,” I say to him as he walks away.

Reaching the kitchen, he takes a glass from the cupboard and fills it with water before downing it all. The glass is set on the countertop. Wyatt leans against the granite surface and crosses his arms over his chest.

“I always knew you’d do this. I’m not sure why, but I felt you would. You were always going to leave.”

“I told you that I’ll come back,” I say softly.

“When?”

I shrug. “I don’t know.”

“You might be back, and you might not. Don’t you realize that one of these little adventures of yours is going to get you killed someday?”

“I could walk out of this house and get run over by a car and die. I can’t let fear of death stop me from helping, Wyatt. That’s not who I am.”

“There are countless people right here who need help. If you want to help stop human trafficking, Michigan is number two in the country, right behind Nevada. Think of that. Fifty states, and you’re living in number two. You can help here. You do help every day. You save lives by rescuing dogs that would otherwise starve or be beaten or mauled to death.” He shakes his head. “And that’s not enough? Their lives aren’t enough?”

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