Epilogue
Nine Months After the Rescue
Rebecca sat in the chair on the balcony watching Julio and Megan play.
“Higher,” the little girl squealed as he pushed the swing.
“All right, are you ready?” he called out, spreading his arms wide.
Rebecca held her breath as Megan let go of the ropes and jumped into Julio’s arms. He pretended to fall on the ground and tickled her with the scruff along his jaw.
Megan erupted into laughter, making Rebecca smile.
The haunted little girl came out of her shell a little more each day.
Surrounded in the safety of a loving home and more protective uncles than a girl needed, Megan thrived.
Her weight improved with each weekly check-in.
The nightmares lessened. When she experienced a bad night, Julio or Rebecca slept on the floor beside Megan’s bed, always letting her know they’d be there in the darkness to chase away the monsters.
Rachel entered the balcony and smiled at the scene. “He’s totally in love with her,” she said wistfully. “What time do you want me and Matthew to pick her up for movie night? Kara’s meeting us there with her folks.”
“How about four? It’ll give me time to get dinner prepped.”
Rachel rolled her eyes. “So that’s what we’re calling it now?” she teased. “Do you feel ready?”
Rebecca watched as Julio placed Megan on his shoulder and ran in circles as she extended her arms, pretending to fly like a bird.
“Yeah. I’m ready,” she said, smiling at her future husband.
“I’ll see you then,” Rachel said, leaving.
She watched the scene below and she felt full of love.
The anger, fear, and anxiety slowly dissipated each day.
Julio proved he didn’t care about the men who claimed her body against her will.
He showed up when she suffered a bad day, and he provided tough love when she got into her head.
They worked as partners on the job and planned a future together.
Taking out her phone, Rebecca texted Julio.
Rachel’s picking Megan up at four. Be prepared and bring your FBI skills. We have an undercover mission.
Rebecca peered at Julio, biting her lip as his phone dinged, and he pulled it from his pocket. His eyebrow arched as he read the message. She pulled back into the shadows of the house as he glanced toward the balcony.
Do I need my go bag?
Nope. I’m CIA, I’ll be running the detail. We both know I’m better.
Oh? Then why do you need my FBI skills?
Rebecca paused. Julio gave her time and attended sessions. She felt ready. But even if she changed her mind, Rebecca knew Julio would still be there in the morning.
You’re the best at frisking suspects. I happen to have one who needs special handling.
She hit send.
Julio shielded his eyes, searching for her. When he didn’t see her, he texted.
Does she have any weapons on her?
Yeah.
She texted and then added a picture of the lingerie she purchased for the special occasion. It didn’t show much, but the blue satin reminded her of the last night they spent together, and she desperately wanted to recapture the moment.
When he didn’t reply, Rebecca put her phone away and leaned over the rail to discover Julio and Megan missing. Feeling disappointed, he turned her down again, Rebecca entered the bedroom. She pulled the tie from her hair and let the mass tumble over her shoulder as she grabbed her brush.
Julio smiled as he watched from the doorway as she brushed her hair to one side. He stealthily moved into the room, placing a gentle kiss on her shoulder.
She leaned against his chest, recognizing his leather scent. “Where did you go? Where’s Megan?” she whispered as his hand stroked her arm.
“Uncle Matthew and Uncle Mac offered to take her for a pony ride,” he murmured.
“But Rachel planned on taking her later,” she insisted.
“I used my skills as their boss and coerced them to take her. I got a suspicious text about a suspect wearing something under her clothes. It seems my FBI frisking skills were needed immediately,” he said, kissing her.
Rebecca turned and unbuttoned his shirt. His hand covered hers. “We’ll go as far as you want, with no pressure,” he reminded her.
“Shhh, I’m concentrating,” she teased. “If I recall, you have a weapon that hasn’t discharged lately, and I can feel it’s locked and loaded.”
Julio chuckled as she grinned at him cheekily. She tugged his shirt from his arms, allowing it to fall to the floor.
He cupped her cheek and kissed her softly.
The ordeal changed them, but somehow, they survived.
Her hand trembled slightly, but the fighter in her seemed determined.
It didn’t matter if it happened tonight or ten years.
He had what mattered most. Julio reclaimed Rebecca’s heart and together, they’d reclaim their future.