Page 28 of Soldier, Tailor, Spy

Hannah snorted. “Can’t be any worse than what I’ve already been through, right?” Besides, working with kids had become a passion for her. For years, she’d helped the less fortunate while being held captive with Raul. She learned sign language and also helped those who couldn’t help themselves.

“True.” Jaqueline faced her. “Do you ever have a moment where you’re like, wow...”

Had she ever. “Yes. All the time. More so in the beginning, though. Now, sometimes, I feel like I’m being watched. I’m sure it’s all just paranoia.”

“True,” Jaqueline agreed. “After ten years of being held captive, relearning how not to look over your shoulder for whatever reason must be hard.”

Hannah nodded. “I still have bad dreams. Having Hugo has helped. I can focus on him now instead of the trauma.”

“I still can’t believe you kept him a secret.”

Panic had been the reason Hannah hadn’t said anything. Fear was the second. She worried if news got around she was pregnant with Santiago’s child, it would put both of them out in the open, allowing Raul’s men to either take them. Worse, kill them. No, she couldn’t do that to herself or Santiago.

“I had my reasons. Still do.” Even after three years had passed, Santiago still didn’t know about his son. Guilt ate away at her. She should have told him about their baby. But, how? Besides not wanting to be caught, she also didn’t know how to contact Santiago. She also doubted her brother would help her, either. Yes, R.O.O.T. found out the truth about what happened within the club, but knowing Murray, he’d believe Santiago used Hannah. He’d never understand what it was like being stuck in that building day after day. Month after month. Year after year. Santiago was her bright spot.

“I get it,” Jaqueline replied, holding up her hands in defense. “It’s good you’re about to come out of hiding. I was—well, technically we were—worried about you.”

Hannah understood. It wasn’t like she hadn’t kicked her own ass during her darkest times. Even though she had good reason, she also used those reasons as a blanket to pity herself. She was free and Raul was dead. No one would ever come after her again. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for Hugo and me. To be honest, I was worried about me too. It’s hard acclimating to being normal after being held captive all that time. There are still days I dread hearing a knock at my bedroom door.”

“I can’t even imagine.” Jaqueline shook her head then looked at her brother. “I think sometimes your brother and I also feel helpless. Like we can’t fix any of it.”

“Well, you shouldn’t.” Hannah grinned. “Christian and me, we’re getting better every day.”

The timer in the kitchen went off and Jaqueline stood. “Looks like lunch is ready. Hopefully, Murray will join us.” She strode into the kitchen, leaving Hannah with her son and Christian.

Even though Christian said little about his time at the Emporium, she knew he’d been abused sexually and physically. The fact he didn’t want to talk about it didn’t surprise her. There were more instances than not that she didn’t want to remember either. As the days and months had gone by, the more withdrawn he’d become until Murray got him in to see a therapist. She couldn’t imagine the trauma, for Christian, reliving everything caused.

“Hey,” she said while signing to Christian, “I know you’re listening to us. You okay?”

He blinked a few times, then nodded, going back to whatever cartoon was on.

“You sure?” Hannah prodded.

He nodded again, not saying a word.

“I miss hearing your voice and talking to you, Christian. You were one of the few people who kept me sane.” She rubbed his arm. “Come back when you’re ready.”

She stood to help Jaqueline in the kitchen when the squeal of tires outside caught her attention. A few seconds later, the door was beat down with a battering ram, shattering the happy little bubble they’d built for themselves. Three men in head to toe black ran into the house, going straight for Hannah. She screamed, calling for her brother and Jaqueline, hoping they’d be able to stop the men while kicking and elbowing the guy holding her. Everything slowed down as Christian screamed, and Hugo cried and shouted for his mommy. The man backhanded Hugo, knocking him to the ground while the other did the same to Christian.

A crash of the basement door opened caught Hannah’s attention as Murray came running, Jaqueline hot on his tail. He pulled a gun on the three assailants, demanding they let her go. But before she could collapse in their arms and get loose on her own, the man holding her injected something into her neck. Within a matter of seconds, the room spun, and her vision went blurry. Her limbs were heavy, and all she wanted to do was sleep. The crack of a gun sounded so far away to her and then she was falling to the ground. Was she hit? Was she dying? Her eyes slowly closed as she was hefted up into the arms of someone else. Her body was jostled as the person ran but she didn’t care as sleep tugged at the corners of her consciousness.

The last thought she had as everything narrowed around her into pinpoints was, maybe they hadn’t done such a good job of hiding after all. Maybe they should have stayed in Mexico. At least there, they had places no one could find them.

Chapter 7

Promenade, Virginia Beach, VA...

Bexley stood in the middle of the shopping plaza watching the street shows and doing a little shopping with Bronx and Alé. Their team had been given some downtime and while most were at their apartment relaxing, she went exploring. The idea was still new to her. After everything she’d been through, she’d spent months honing her body so she wouldn’t be so anxious all the time.

In the end, her work paid off.

For her first solo mission, she’d gone undercover to find Salvador Marroquín’s daughter. The job had been pretty simple for her. Be herself—or, well—her old self. The shy, clumsy girl no one ever gave a second glance at. The broken girl who had nothing and no one to live for. Some days, it was still hard to put those feelings aside and remember how strong she’d become mentally and physically. Like Dr. Joiner told her, she couldn’t heal properly until she could love the weak little girl who only knew how to survive, because that’s all she’d understood for so long.

Standing there now, with her boyfriend and her girlfriend, a whole new world of opportunities was opening up to them. Since Asher absorbed SRT—Strategic Reinforcement Team—they’d begun a new training regime not specifically used for high school incursions. Their new education would allow them to branch out, learn how to go undercover for different assignment types. Bexley loved the classes more than she’d loved any kind of school work. The courses were challenging and made her think on her feet, which she’d needed while in Florida.

“Hey, Mami,” Alé murmured in her ear. “Whatchu thinking ‘bout?”

Bexley turned in his embrace and wrapped her arms around his neck. “How much fun I’m having.”

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