Chapter Seventeen #2
She slightly shook her head, but Julio’s eyes watched her every move. Her body language betrayed her as she realized she gripped the tree. Her knee bent, ready to take off running. Her breaths became shallow and fast the more he closed the distance between them.
“I can’t begin to imagine what you’ve gone through,” Julio murmured. “You’ll never have a reason to fear me.”
Rebecca glanced around her as he stopped three feet before her. “Julio, I can’t do this now. Kara’s waiting for me and I don’t want her to worry. She’s concerned her mom won’t want her after everything.”
“If she doesn’t, it’s her loss. Kara’s a great kid,” he said angrily.
“What if we can’t find all the parents? What will they do with the kids? When we discussed the goals for this team, we didn’t consider children staying here for very long,” she asked, stepping around the tree, placing a barrier between them.
Julio stared at the ground and sighed deeply.
“They have eleven kids matched already with missing children reports. Matthew and one of the social workers spent the morning contacting parents. They’re setting up counseling and other services.
It’ll be a long process. We’ll do whatever it takes to get them home. ”
“Oh, good,” she said, relieved. “What about the teens and women?”
“Two of them called home before we left Serenity,” he informed her. “A few have expressed interest in staying for medical care. The rest will meet with counselors today.”
“It seems you have it all under control,” she said, staring at his massive arms and broad, muscled chest.
Julio chuckled. “Not all things are what they seem. It’s massive chaos. I’m surprised Rachel Foster hasn’t run from the mess hall, pulling her hair out. She’s not a fan of children.”
Rebecca smirked. “If I recall correctly, she only seemed to have eyes for Doctor Chase Winters.”
Julio threw his head back and laughed. “I forgot you don’t know.
Matthew and Rachel carried on a secret affair while in Serenity.
She followed him to Embers. From his reports, she turned into a pain in his ass.
Then, all of a sudden, bam. They’re in love.
I’ve only seen her a couple of times and she’s changed. ”
“Ha,” Rebecca exclaimed. “She considers herself above the rest of us and I’ve personally seen her rudeness.”
“Love can change people,” he reminded her. “Maybe she needed someone to show her how to care.”
Rebecca blinked back the tears. Julio taught her about love. He patiently waited while she struggled to toe the line between friends and lovers, and between FBI and CIA agents. They agreed to keep their affair secret and now, it almost relieved her that no one knew.
“Becca, let me take you back to the mess hall,” he coaxed. “You’ve walked a long way and it’s getting colder. Kara’s waiting for me to find you.”
“I…I don’t know if I can handle you touching me,” she admitted. “I know in my head you won’t hurt me…”
“I’ll lead Satan. You ride,” he compromised.
“No. You said it’s a long way. I’ll…suck it up,” she said, acting braver than she felt. “Keep your hands where I can see them and don’t make any sudden moves.”
“I’ll do whatever you need to feel comfortable,” he assured her. “Can you get on Satan without my help?”
“I guess we’ll see. Can you walk ahead of me?” she asked, peering at his face. She must sound like the biggest chicken ever, but she learned men like to attack from behind.
Julio turned and walked to his horse and held his bridle while she approached.
Cautiously checking his position, she put her foot in the stirrup and lifted herself.
She struggled to throw her leg over the saddle.
The lack of food and inactivity made it feel impossible. Each attempt made her feel weaker.
“Becca,” Julio said softly. “Let me help you. I’ll put my hands on your waist and lift you high enough for you to get your leg over. I’ll ride behind you and keep my hands where you can see them. You know me. I’ll never hurt you.”
The lump in her throat grew thicker as she stared at the horse’s saddle. “Maybe it’s better if I walk,” she said, panicking.
“You’re already cold. I see goosebumps on your skin. If you prefer, I’ll get on Satan, and you can give me your hand to pull you up,” he suggested. “Then you can see my hands.”
She nodded, tentatively, and Julio mounted his horse.
Holding out his hand, he waited for her to take it.
It seemed like it took her forever to reach for him.
Her arm trembled as she raised it. Julio’s fingers grasped her hand and slowly pulled her up, maneuvering his body to keep from touching her.
“I’m grabbing the reins,” he said close to her ear as his arms went around her, caging her in. She held her breath as he turned Satan in the direction of the mess hall. His left hand dropped to his side as Satan followed the path, giving her space.
“Why didn’t I know about Satan?” she asked out of curiosity.
“He stayed at my parents’ ranch in West Texas. They have several horses to keep him company. When Jameson heard about your supposed whereabouts, I asked my brother to bring him over,” Julio said, steering Satan to the left.
The horse leisurely made his way down the slight hill, making her back connect to Julio’s chest. The leather scent of cologne lulled her into safety as she leaned against him. Rebecca felt Julio stiffen and she bolted upright.
“I’m sorry,” she blurted, scooting away from him.
“Easy, Becca. Stop and think. I’m not like those other men.
It’s taking everything I have to keep from wrapping my arms around you and holding you tight.
I won’t because you asked me not to touch you.
The feel of you against my chest makes me feel relieved,” Julio whispered as he held the reins with both hands to keep her from falling off.
She gripped the horn in front of her and closed her eyes. “I feel like such an idiot.”
“No. You’re a smart, capable woman who has gone through something traumatic,” Julio soothed.
“I’m not a victim,” she insisted. “I did my job. I kept them safe until you arrived. All except Megan and Ebony. They locked us in a cage and I couldn’t do anything for Hillary. I need to notify her parents. They deserve to know she loved them to the very end.”
“We’ll contact them,” he assured her as the mess hall came in sight.
Rebecca struggled against him, trying to jump down. He stopped Satan and braced her while she leapt from the horse. “No, damn it. I’ll make the notification. I saw her last. You weren’t there to watch the poor girl take her last breath.”
Julio gazed at her, patiently listening to her rant. “You’re right. You’ll give them some closure. As soon as we have their information, I’ll take you there.”
Rebecca turned, stalking toward the mess hall. Seeing children playing ball with some of the aides toward the front of the building, she entered through the back.
Kara ran to her, wrapping her arms around her neck. “Where did you go? I thought someone took you,” she accused.
“I’m sorry,” Rebecca apologized while she stroked the teen’s hair.
Her body trembled while the teen buried her head in her shoulder and cried.
She must remain strong for the others. How long would it take for her to forget the multiple hands grabbing at her?
Would she ever feel safe again? “Let’s return to our cabin. ”
Julio watched Rebecca walk Kara to the cabin.
Frustration filled him. Jameson still remained dark.
The social workers reported some of the kids’ parents were deceased, which meant if they didn’t find a family member, the child must be entered into the system.
He didn’t dare tell Rebecca at this stage.
Most of all, it killed him to watch the woman he loved shrink from his touch.
The fear showed in her eyes, and he didn’t know how to erase it.
Leo’s warning about Rebecca echoed in his mind even louder.
Mounting Satan, he took him to the barn. He removed his saddle, replaced his water, and brushed him down. His mind remained on Rebecca. Did love disappear when trauma occurred, or did it need time to heal? It didn’t matter. When Rebecca felt ready, he’ll reclaim her heart and their future.
The women they saved appeared haunted and wary every time a man came within walking distance.
They ordered the guards to keep their distance while they figured it all out.
Since bringing people to the ranch, they identified areas for improvement.
Even the staff in Serenity seemed to scramble to meet the needs.
Knowing the Winters family, they probably held a meeting and developed a plan on how to keep this from occurring for the next round of victims.
He scanned the barn and walked outside, letting the cold air hit him.
His staff consisted of Matthew Cartwright, and his fiancée, Rachel, Mac, the ranch hand, and Delaney, the cook for the trafficking side of the ranch.
Even with the group of hands, social workers, and borrowed aides, Julio knew they sorely lacked the people needed to carry out their mission.
The little girl with blonde hair and blue eyes haunted his dreams. Where did they take her? And how were Rebecca and her connected?
Recalling Dr. Meyer’s advice to give Rebecca time, Julio vowed to read a book on trauma and its effects on individuals.
The doctor slipped it to him while Patch distracted Rebecca.
It might help with all the questions he wanted to ask her.
What did the man, Jim, do to deserve a poker to the dick?
His imagination ran wild, already guessing the answer but wanting to hear it from her.
Not because he wanted to bring her even more pain, Julio needed to know what she survived.
It fueled the flame of fury he needed to send them all to hell.
Seeing Matthew striding toward him, Julio vowed to get his shit straight.
Putting everything on hold while he searched for Rebecca bit him in the ass.
Matthew interviewed and hired men with Leo’s help.
As he scanned the ranch, Julio felt a sense of calm float over him.
He was meant to live here. He needed to step up and get the ranch on its feet.
If Sparky guessed right about the two trafficking rings, they needed to get the staff in place at the ranch and teams hired to go after the traffickers.
He must find Megan for Rebecca’s sanity. Then, he’d find a way to reach Rebecca.