Page 15 of Ranch's Resolve

“Okay, but first, how about something to eat? We can order something in, or you’re welcome to what I have here,” I say, gesturing toward the pile of snacks. Tiny toddles over to the table and grabs a mozzarella stick; she hands it to Selena, who opens it for her and returns it. The little girl takes a big bite before sitting in front of the Barbie Dreamhouse. Soon, she’s engrossed in play. Selena grabs another cheese stick and a sleeve of crackers. She peels off a piece of cheese to pair it with a cracker. Deion opens a can of Ginger Ale and hands it to her.

“I’m not sure where to start,” Selena says with a glance at Santina. “I was living in Santa Ana when I met Santina’s father. He came from a wealthy family, and I was flattered he noticed me. He took me out to dinner and bought me nice clothes and jewelry. He paid for an apartment so I could move out on my own. He even helped me get a job. I thought he was amazing, and he made me very happy.”

“Did he separate you from friends and family?” Killian asks, but Selena smiles and shakes her head.

“No. The opposite. Carlos helped my family. A few months after we started dating, my father lost his job. He found him a new one that paid more than his previous job. My parents loved him. I loved him.”

Selena pauses to take a drink of soda. She glances at her daughter and speaks low so only we can hear her. “We talked about getting married. My parents supported our plan, and I was excited to become Mrs. Carlos Roma. Then I discovered I was pregnant.” Her breath hitches at the end.

“Did he become upset?” Deion asks when she pauses.

“No. Carlos was happy. But he changed. I don’t know how else to put it. He didn’t want me to tell my parents. I assumed it was because he didn’t want to upset them. My parents are very religious. I thought he was worried about their reaction to learning that their daughter had become pregnant out of wedlock. I agreed because he promised to marry me. I assumed he meant right away. He told me to pack my things. I did. However, instead of driving to a church, he drove us here. He said he wanted the baby born in the United States. He wanted the baby to be a US citizen so we could all become citizens.”

I frown at her statement because gaining citizenship requires more steps than having a baby in the country. But rather than interrupt, I wait for her to continue.

“How did you get across the border?” Killian asks.

“Carlos had some friends who smuggled us over in the middle of the night. I was so scared we’d get caught, but we weren’t. He brought me to San Diego, where we stayed with his other friends until I gave birth. We stayed in a small studio apartment. I think it used to be a hotel room. It didn’t have a full kitchen. He wouldn’t let me leave the apartment. He kept telling me I’d be putting myself and the baby at risk. I believed him, but I was so lonely. I missed my parents and my friends. After I gave birth, I was busy but still lonely. Carlos stopped coming around because he couldn’t handle the crying. He would get angry when I couldn’t get her to stop.”

“Did he hurt you?” Deion asks.

Selena slaps her hand over her mouth as a small sob escapes. A single tear escapes. Deion snags a tissue and dries it for her. “You’re safe here. I promise. I won’t let anything happen to you. Do you want to stop now?”

She shakes her head and offers him a small smile as she takes the tissue from him. “I want to finish it. I woke up one day and decided to take Santina and leave. I didn’t have any money because Carlos never gave me any. He or one of his friends would drop off what we needed. I didn’t have a clear plan. The only plan I could come up with was to turn myself in to the authorities and tell them I was kidnapped and brought across the border against my will. I hoped they’d send me back to my parents. Pretty desperate and naive, huh?”

“What happened?” I ask.

“Carlos kept the door locked, but I was able to open the window. We were in an end unit. I couldn’t see anything but a road. That’s why I thought we could escape and find a police officer. However, several men spotted us and forced us back into the apartment. Carlos arrived a few minutes later, and he was furious. That was the first time he hit me. After he put Santina into her crib, he backhanded me. Then he screamed at me and punched me in the stomach. He told me if I ever tried to leave again, he’d break my legs. I didn’t try to escape again. Not until yesterday.”

“Because he hurt your daughter?” I ask.

She nods, tears streaming down her face now, the tissue forgotten in her hand. “For over two years, we’ve lived in that apartment. I couldn’t take Tiny outside. Carlos stopped by once or twice a week. He’d bring her toys, but he ignored me. Santina started begging him to let her go outside. She said she wanted to play with other girls like on television. When he told her no, she began to cry. He lost his temper and snapped her arm. I lost control and attacked him. That’s when he turned on me. After hetook his temper out on us, he realized he needed to take her to the hospital so they could set the arm. A nurse helped us escape. She gave me some money and told me to run. I didn’t know where to go, but I ran. I had decided to go to the police when I spotted Carlos’s car. That’s when I snuck into your garage.”

Deion squeezes Selena’s hand.

“You want help to get back to Santa Ana?” I ask. Deion’s face tightens at my suggestion.

“I don’t know. I’m afraid he may look for us there,” Selena says.

“I was thinking you could ask Caitlin about giving her a place to stay at Crossroads. She’ll be safe there until we figure something out,” Deion says.

I nod slowly as I consider his request. “I can call her and ask. Her father and her sister are both doctors. You and Santina would be in good hands.”

“I don’t know if I should…” Selena starts, then startles when someone knocks on my door.

CHAPTER NINE: RANCH

I know Athena’s office closes at five-thirty, so she should be home, but I don’t see her car when I drive by. So, I swing by her office. The parking lot is empty except for three vehicles. Her car and another parked beside it along the back wall. A third sits in the furthest corner under a large tree. It’s a black SUV that blends into the shadows. I park near the front door. After I disembark, I study the third vehicle as I remove my helmet. The black tinted windows make it impossible to see if anyone is inside. The hairs on the back of my neck tell me someone has eyes on me. It could be ICE agents monitoring Athena, but I don’t think so. A bit of sunlight hits the hood, and I swear I see purple.

When I reach her office door, it is closed and locked. Leaning my ear against the door, I can hear the murmur of voices, so I knock. A loud gasp and a flurry of activity from inside prompt me to raise my boot to kick in the door, but it opens. Athena steps into the hall, closing the door behind her.

“Ranch. What are you doing here?”

“I came to talk to you about something. Is everything okay?”

“Yes. Everything is fine. I finished with my last client and was in the middle of packing up so I could head home.”

“Are you alone? I thought I heard voices.”

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