Chapter 1 #2
When he’d checked the company files, before he brought Melody and his daughters to the airport, he wasn’t surprised to see that Silas Stroud was no longer an employee.
He’d waited until this morning, after Sarah had left the house, to send the info to HR that he had on the man because he feared he’d take out his anger on his wife or daughter.
Sarah Stroud was pretty and petite but, as many abused women did, she looked exhausted.
She was smiling at her daughter but it was strained.
Her gaze flickered from side to side, as if looking for danger around every corner, something she was probably doing unconsciously.
It would take a while to break that habit, but Tex hoped with time, she’d be able to let her guard down a little.
Tex pushed off the side of his car and walked toward the sidewalk. Sarah looked up—and it took everything in Tex not to swear long and loud at the black eye she’d tried to conceal with makeup. One more thing Silas would pay for.
“My name is John Keegan,” he said quickly, when Sarah stopped in her tracks and stared at him with wary eyes. “I’m not going to hurt you. I’m here to help.” He held his arms slightly out to his sides to show her that he was unarmed.
Sarah pushed Simone behind her and took a step backward.
Tex spoke quickly, knowing she was about to bolt.
“I know Silas. I know what he’s done to you, because he did it to me too.
Was working for someone who took from my wife and two daughters because he was mad at me.
I’m safe today because I have amazing friends who did what it took to find me and get me to safety. I’d like to do the same for you.”
Thankfully, his words had the skittish woman in front of him stopping her slow retreat. “I don’t understand.”
Tex wasn’t sure which part she was referring to, specifically, but set about clearing things up.
“Your husband isn’t a good man. I think you know that.
You wouldn’t have a bank account that you’ve kept hidden from him if you thought he was the same man you married.
I can help you get away from him. Scot-free.
Start over with your daughter. Somewhere safe where he can’t touch you. ”
She wanted that. The hope was easy to read in her expression. But she wasn’t taking him at his word. Not yet. “Why? I don’t know who you are. And how do you know about my account?”
She was suspicious and even more wary now, as she should be.
“As I said, my name is John Keegan. I’m a former Navy SEAL.
And my specialty is computers. Specifically, finding out information that people generally try to hide.
I use my skills for good. To help find missing military members and their loved ones.
To make sure the evil people in this world don’t win.
“What your husband has done, both to you and to me, goes against every code my fellow SEALs and I vowed to uphold. He’s tarnished our name, which is unacceptable.
I can handle him beating on me, but taking his fists to his wife?
Hurting her and his own flesh and blood?
” Tex’s gaze briefly lowered to look at Simone, who was cowering behind her mom, hugging her leg as if her life depended on it.
He took a deep breath and met Sarah’s gaze once more.
“I was able to escape my own version of hell because of good friends. I want to do the same for you. I won’t ask you to trust me, as we just met, but I will ask that you at least give me the benefit of the doubt.
Check the balance in your bank account. I put some money in there this morning.
Enough to get you and Simone away from him. ”
“You accessed my account?” She sounded panicked. As if she was afraid Tex might have stolen her money, instead. He didn’t, of course. But she wouldn’t know that for sure until she actually logged into her account and saw the new balance.
“I did. Please, Sarah. Just check it. You have an app, right?”
She stared at him for a long moment before nodding.
Tex took a few steps back, giving her more space. “I’ll wait over here while you do that. I’m not lying to you. I really am here to help you.”
“Why?” she asked again.
“Because you deserve more. Your daughter does too. And because your husband is a piece of shit who joined forces with the wrong man. Do you love him?”
Sarah snorted. “No.”
Satisfaction swam through Tex’s veins. He nodded. “Check your balance.”
She stared at him for a beat, then reached into her back pocket and pulled out her phone.
Tex waited patiently as she clicked on the screen. The moment she saw the new balance in her account, she gasped and her head whipped up. “What? How… Holy crap! John, right? I don’t think I can accept this.”
“Yes, you can. Those friends I mentioned before? When a ransom was made for my release, they came through in a big way. Trust me, I can afford to give you that money. You’ll need it to make a new life elsewhere.”
“I…I d-don’t know what to say,” Sarah said, stumbling over her words.
“Say yes. That you’ll come with me. I’ve got more friends waiting to get you and Simone on a plane right now. A private plane.”
“But…our things.”
“Is there anything you have to have back at your house?”
“Um…Simone’s birth certificate, maybe.”
“I can get a replacement for you.”
“Pictures?”
Tex nodded. “I’ll make sure to get those for you as well. You’ve got plenty in your account to get new clothes for you and your daughter, and toys, books, rent…all of it. This is your shot, Sarah, I’m urging you to take it. To get away from him once and for all.”
The hope on her face was almost painful to see. “He’ll come after us. He swore he’d kill me if I even thought of leaving.”
“He won’t ever touch you again. I guarantee it.”
She stared at him, and Tex forced himself not to flinch.
He didn’t think she’d care too much if she knew what her husband’s fate would be, but he wasn’t going to inform her that the reason Silas would never touch her again was because he’d be dead before the day was out.
She needed a new start. A new city. A place where her asshole of a husband’s friends weren’t around every corner. And he could give that to her.
“Okay.”
Relief almost made Tex sway on his feet. Part one of his mission was complete.
“But I don’t want to leave my coworkers in a lurch. I need to talk to them. Tell them I’m leaving.”
She was a good person. Most people would take one look at the amount of money in their bank account and leave without a second thought. But Sarah wasn’t most people.
“I’ll take care of it. I’ll tell them you inherited money from a distant relative and that you’re moving to make sure Simone is safe. I’m sure they have an idea of your situation. Even if you haven’t told them details, they’re not stupid.”
She winced. “They know,” she said quietly.
Tex nodded. “You’re making the right decision,” he told her.
“Come on. I’ve got some friends waiting on you.
They’ll bring you to the airport and give you all the details about where you’re going and what to do when you get there.
I’ll arrange to have your things from the house sent to you.
You’ll be met when you land and brought to a new apartment.
There will be a vehicle waiting there as well. A gift.”
“I have to be dreaming,” Sarah whispered.
“Tomorrow you’ll wake up and feel safe again.
This isn’t a dream. It’s real, and you deserve it.
I’m sorry you had to get mixed up with someone less than honorable.
You didn’t sign up to be abused when you married him.
He’s done nothing but disrespect you and make you fear him.
That’s not what the SEALs are about. So that’s done. You and Simone are starting over.”
“Thank you,” she said quietly, a lone tear escaping her eye and trailing down her cheek.
“You’re welcome,” Tex said simply, for once not feeling irritated at being thanked. Ever since he’d been kidnapped, he understood just how important it was for some people to say those two words.
He gestured for Sarah and Simone to follow him, and they walked toward a parking lot where his contact was waiting.
The woman was in her sixties and as nonthreatening as she could possibly be, which was Tex’s goal.
But looks could be deceiving. The older woman, who was smiling as they approached, was currently armed to the teeth and one of the best shots at the gun range she frequented.
She worked for an underground network of people who helped abused spouses and their children get away from their abusers.
“Aren’t you pretty!” she exclaimed. “Come along, we’ll get you and the little one situated. You’re safe now.”
Tex nodded at his contact and turned to head to his own vehicle, but Sarah’s voice stopped him.
“He’ll claim I kidnapped Simone. He’ll file a missing person’s report and lie to the police,” she said, sounding terrified once more. “He told me that if I tried to leave him, he’d take Simone and hide her where I’d never find her again.”
Tex turned back around and shook his head.
“I took the liberty of collecting all the hospital reports on you and Simone, as well, as proof of his longtime abuse against both of you. The police are well aware of what a piece of crap your husband is, thanks to all the calls made by neighbors when they overheard him screaming at you. The cops will be happy you’re away from him.
I promised that you’d be safe, and I meant it.
From him, from being blamed for whatever happens to him after this point, from ever having to see him again. You’re free, Sarah.”
“It feels too good to be true.”
“It’s not,” Tex told her.
“Honey, if Tex says he’s taken care of things, he has.”
Sarah stared at him for a moment longer, then nodded.
Simone pulled on her mom’s shirt, and Tex waited as the woman leaned down to listen to whatever her daughter was saying, then she nodded.