Page 16 of The Hero's Bride
“Sully is right, Thalia. You don’t need to thank us. We might’ve been the ones to help you initially, but now we’re all on the same team working together to get over the border safely.”
Her eyes widened with an incredulous look. He inwardly cursed himself for not seeing how important it was for Thalia to take an active role in her freedom. From here on out, this was no longer a rescue mission but getting their team of three to the United States. A vibration along his outer thigh startled him, and realizing it was his phone, he fished it out of his pocket and checked the screen. “Jude’s calling. I’ll put him on speaker.”
Sully nodded and walked farther into the room. He stopped by a small couch beside the bed, leaning against the arm while Thalia settled on the adjacent cushion.
Deciding to stand, he answered the call and placed the phone on the coffee table. “You’re on speaker. We just arrived in Piedras Negras.”
“Run into any more trouble?” Jude’s deep voice filled the room.
“No. But then again, we stayed off the main roads and didn’t make many stops.” Sully ran the flat of his palm over his cropped blond hair.
The phone crackled. “I did some digging into Mateo Estrada. He’s a drug lord with strong ties to local and state government, especially the police force. I received intel from one of our informants who reported a possible trafficking situation of a young woman. The chief of police in one of the border towns is a cousin of Estrada and arranged for the transfer of Thalia to Colima. No idea if this was shit luck or pre-arranged with Donald Day.”
“If Estrada arranged to have Thalia brought to him, why was she held for nearly a month in various locations?” The question had been bothering him since they’d overheard the police at the boatyard talking about Estrada. He glanced at Thalia and took in the stubborn tilt of her chin. Her eyes glittered with the sharp edge of anger when the drug lord’s name was mentioned. Even though many had tried to snuff out her flame, it still kindled boldly in her intelligent green eyes. It struck him again how incredibly brave she had been in a horrible situation. Despite her exhaustion, she’d walked out of the jungle on her own. When the safe house was breached, she did exactly what he said without complaint or hysterics. She was strong and he vowed to help her see that.
“While I don’t know his reasoning, I have intel suggesting that two of Estrada’s trusted lieutenants double-crossed him. It’s possible that he was unsure who he could trust and wanted to see to Thalia personally when his affairs were in order.”
Red scrubbed his hands over his face, a sense of unease lifting the fine hairs on the back of his neck. “I’ll be happy when we’re finally out of Mexico.”
“Me too,” Jude responded. “Got the paperwork moving along. If you could send some engagement pictures of you and Thalia by tonight, I’ll be able to process everything tomorrow and meet you at the Eagle Pass the following day.”
He noticed the way her brow furrowed when she looked down at her clothing, but didn’t want to give her any reason to doubt him. “That won’t be a problem.”
“Anything else?” Sully asked.
“Only to stay vigilant and get in touch with Iron if you have time. His woman has been dying to talk to Thalia since we told her the mission to find her was successful.”
“Will do,” Red acknowledged, making a mental note to get in touch with Iron either tonight or tomorrow.
“Listen, Thalia,” Jude said over the line. “I want to be transparent and let you know that the danger isn’t all in Mexico.”
Sully’s head jerked back in what he imagined was a mirror image of his own expression.
“What do you mean?” She leaned forward on the couch, eyes wary.
“You might have a target on your back in Mexico, but there’s a larger case at stake once you cross the border. We have reason to believe you were transported to the United States by an ongoing trafficking organization that has brought thousands into the country promising a better life. I’m talking high-profile clientele like members of congress, celebrities, and judges. If you testify, you’ll be putting yourself in danger.” Jude waited and tension ballooned in the room.
Thalia’s back straightened before he had a chance to say anything on her behalf. “If someone stands to be helped by what I’m able to remember, then I wouldn’t dream of backing out.”
Red clenched his jaw as a mix of frustration and pride coursed through him. Frustration because he didn’t want Thalia used as a pawn. Pride because her courage was undeniable. She wanted to help others even when most of them hadn’t given a shit about her. That not only spoke to her bravery but also to her good nature. Deep down, he knew that Thalia needed to be part of this investigation for her own closure, but that didn’t mean he wanted her anywhere near the investigation into a large trafficking ring that she may or may not have been part of. He was eager to get back to the United States and to his home in California where he could keep her safe. He glanced up to find them both watching him as he said his goodbyes to Jude.
He ended the call and pocketed his cell phone. Red gripped the back of his neck, massaging the tension there. “So, I guess things are coming together more quickly than I anticipated. Sully, congrats. You’ve been hired as our official engagement photographer.”
Thalia grimaced slightly—whether that was nerves or second thoughts, he wasn’t sure. He only knew that he was determined to make the most of their faux engagement pictures. That meant making sure Thalia was comfortable in the process. Something she wouldn’t be wearing was his shorts and an oversized T-shirt.
“There’s something I need to do quickly. Won’t take me long, and I’ll bring food back. We can have dinner, then take our pictures when the sun sets.”
Sully dipped his chin in agreement, while Thalia worried her bottom lip with her teeth. He offered her a smile and turned to leave.
“Mason.”
Thalia’s soft voice hit him as he closed his hand around the cold metal doorknob. He turned, capturing her gaze. In his oversize clothes, with her hair loose around her shoulders, she looked adorable. Longing struck him hard. He wanted to see her just like this in his apartment, in clothing she was comfortable to steal out of his dresser. Moments kicking back on his couch, drinking a beer, flipping through channels. He didn’t want to entertain anything beyond friendship at the moment, but the brief vision of burying his hands into her thick hair and kissing the hell out of her made his cock jump. She held his gaze for a moment longer, then opened her mouth and closed it again. “Please be safe.” Her voice trailed off into a whisper meant just for him. His pulse pounded at the base of his throat as affection flooded him.
“You too,” he said just as softly and stepped over the threshold, closing the door behind him.
Her words were on his mind as he walked through the lobby and exited the hotel. He wasn’t sure what about the simple request to be careful warmed his heart, but it had all the same. Maybe it was growing up knowing that his parents would never show up for him. Of the bone-deep knowledge that even if he followed in their footsteps to be the drummer or guitar player they’d wanted him to be, their own dreams and aspirations would always come before him.
Mason slipped on his sunglasses and navigated past stores and street vendors. The heat was at its peak, rising from the pavement and hanging thickly in the air. His thoughts continued to drift back to a sweet smile and large green eyes. He’d only just reconnected with Thalia and felt more care and concern from her than he’d ever received growing up. When his parents were on tour, each weekly call was dominated by talk of the parties they’d been to or some crazy stunt a fan pulled to get close to them. No inquiries into his emotions or well-being. They either didn’t care, or assumed he’d always just be there waiting patiently. Each time he hung up the phone, he was left hollowed out, wondering why his parents had even had a child.
