11. Chapter 11
Chapter eleven
Isla woke up encased in a pair of muscular arms, her head lying on a warm chest. The room was dark and the only sound she could hear was the sound of Mitch’s heartbeat and of the traffic on the highway outside their door.
She felt comfortable and safe in his embrace.
Everything about this man felt right. But she refused to read more into this night than what it really was.
Having sex with Mitch was only a way to forget about the mess her life was in.
In the dark of night, they had fulfilled each other’s needs.
This wasn’t love, it couldn’t be. They had only known each other for a little over two weeks.
Days that felt like a dream with nightmares included.
Her own life, the one that she had worked so hard for, was back in Pittsburgh—not here in a motel in the middle of nowhere.
Not even in the beautiful mountains of Virginia.
Would she ever be able to live that life again?
These feelings couldn’t be real. Who was she kidding? Mitch couldn’t have feelings for her. His career meant so much to him. He definitely wasn’t in the market for a girlfriend.
Whatever life she was living, Isla was sure it was a mess.
God only knew where she would be next year—let alone next week.
It felt like being back in foster care. Not knowing when she’d be moved to a new house.
Trying to forget her old life so she could survive the new circumstances.
Maybe that’s what she could do with her life in Pittsburgh.
Push it away until she forgot. Commit herself to living day by day, location change to location change.
As Isla listened to Mitch breathe, she thought, Maybe I should just run. Everyone she cared about was in danger because of her. If she left now, everyone’s life would go back to normal, and if Marcus Hernandez did find her, then it would be over and her loved ones would be safe, either way.
She slipped from Mitch’s arms and went into the bathroom.
She stepped under the warm spray of a much-needed shower.
She would walk out of this motel room this morning as if nothing happened.
She knew whatever this was couldn’t continue.
It wasn’t meant to be, and she needed to accept the fact. This ended right here, right now.
Isla let the spray of the water pound down on her shoulders.
The knots had returned, and her anxiety was threatening to take over.
Her body trembled and the tears fell as sobs racked her body.
She fell to the floor of the shower and hugged her knees.
If she wanted to survive this, she had to come up with a plan that would keep everyone safe. Was she strong enough?
The first thing Mitch felt when he woke up was the empty space next to him. It was as if Isla had always been there. Like she was supposed to be there in his bed for his whole life. And now she was gone. The space she left was unbearable.
He heard the shower running and got out of bed.
He opened the shower curtain and found Isla on the floor.
She was curled into herself, sobs tearing through her body.
He turned the water off and lifted her up off the floor.
Grabbing a towel, he carried her to the bed and wrapped it around her as she buried herself in his chest.
“Hey, what’s this?” he asked as he kissed the top of her head.
“I can’t do this anymore,” she sobbed. “I can’t let this whole mess endanger everyone around me.
My testifying isn’t going to change the ways of the world, and thinking my testimony will do just that is ignorant on my part.
There are more Hernandez’s out there to take his place.
You and I both know that, so why am I doing this?
Who is it for? We’ll never make a difference. ”
Mitch paused for a moment. If only she knew how many times in his career he felt this way.
How many bad people had walked free. How many dangerous situations good people were put in.
“Listen, every criminal we take out saves someone’s life.
Someone who is loved by someone. Everyone has his or her own story.
We can’t stop trying or evil will win. The sex trafficker that steals the innocence of women and children needs to be stopped.
The drug dealer who sells poison to people who feel that their life is worthless needs to be stopped.
The whys outnumber the what-ifs. If we stop fighting there is nothing worth fighting for.
” He smoothed her hair from her face. “Let life take its course? If we did, evil would win. That’s not an option.
I will fight until I can’t fight anymore.
If one person’s life has been saved because of what I have done or do then it is worth it.
For just one person to be reunited with their family, it is worth it.
I’m willing to risk my life for that to happen.
If I lose my life fighting for good, so be it.
I will go to my maker knowing I did the right thing. ”
Isla sobs evened out into cries. She was listening.
He looked into her eyes. “Now enough of this. You’re a strong, independent woman.
Don’t let Hernandez take that away from you.
You’ll get through this. Be patient. It won’t happen today or even tomorrow, but it will happen and when it does, I want to be a part of it, if you’ll let me.
I felt a connection last night. I’m not going to lie to you, I’ve felt something for you since the moment we met.
I don’t want you to tell me how you feel about us.
When this is all over, we can sit down and have that conversation.
Right now, my biggest concern is to keep you safe. You’re too important to me.”
Isla shook her head, fear in her eyes. “I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you, because of me.”
“Let’s get you dressed and back to the compound. You’ll feel better once we’re there. Right now, you’re just feeling vulnerable out in the open like we are. When this is all over, you’ll see that what you are doing was the right thing to do.”
Mitch lifted her off his lap and set her beside him. He pulled her bag over to her and pulled out the clean clothes she had packed back at the compound. He handed them to her, and she took them.
Finally she spoke, “I will do the right thing. I’ve come too far to run now. Give me a few minutes to get dressed. Lara and Colt will be here any minute and I don’t want them to find me looking the mess I am.”
“Take your time,” Mitch said. “I’ll get dressed out here.”
Isla went into the bathroom and closed the door. Ten minutes later, the Isla he knew came through the door. The beautiful, strong, confident woman he had come to know. With a shy smile she walked over to him and put her arms around his waist.
“Thank you for helping me find myself again. I lost her for a little while there. It won’t happen again.”
“Isla, you’re only human. Give yourself some credit. I see a warm, caring person before me with the strength of ten people.”
She smiled at him and said, “Thank you for seeing that. And thank you for calling me Isla.”
“Why not break one more rule?” he said with a grin.
There was a tap on the door and a whistle. “That’s probably Lara and Colt. Still, stand behind me.” Mitch pulled his service revolver out of his holster and answered the door.
“Breakfast is served.” Colt smiled as he held out the fragrant bag from the diner down the street. “How did you two sleep? I talked to the team, the compound has not been breached. And Curt’s team has been scouting the area and town. We can head on home.”
Mitch tore into his breakfast sandwich. Isla was right—he was always hungry.
“All right, so we have two new SUV’s waiting for us in the underground parking ramp on Eighth Street.
Once we’ve acquired the new vehicles, we will exit the garage and travel to the mall parking lot on the highway.
Then we’ll circle the parking lot to make sure we don’t have a tail and travel to the next entrance to the highway instead of the one we are closest to.
Lara and Colt, you will travel behind us.
As soon as we enter Virginia, Dirk and Max will join us and lead us to the compound.
If we are discovered, we go to Plan B and meet at the new safe house. Are we all on the same page?”
“We are. Does everyone have their burner phones, charged and ready?” Lara asked.
“All set,” Colt and Mitch said in unison.
They sat and ate their breakfast. Gone was the comfortable comradery they all felt at the compound. Everyone was on edge and with good reason. Safety came first and Isla was precious cargo. They would all fight to the death for her.
“Okay, bathroom breaks and let’s hit the road. I want to be back at the compound by noon. Keep alert, anything that seems off, you let me know. We’re not stopping for anyone or anything. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, sir.” Colt and Lara saluted their superior. They were on the job.
They left the motel as discussed and with no difficulties met up at the garage to exchange cars. Colt and Lara had gone over the new vehicles with a fine-tooth comb and declared the all clear. They pulled out into the sunshine and made their way to the highway.
Isla was Molly once more with her blue eyes masking who she really was.
Mitch had changed into a sports jersey and ball cap with sunglasses hiding his eyes.
Just before they crossed over the state line into Virginia, a dark SUV merged onto the highway and drove alongside them.
Max and Dirk had come to take them the rest of the way.
As they drove through town, Isla began to breathe a little easier.
Her heart had been up in her throat since she woke up that morning.
She wouldn’t feel safe again until the gate closed behind them and they were in the safety of Curt’s house.
The twenty miles to the compound seemed to take forever.
When they turned into the driveway, she sighed in relief.
Mitch took her hand in his and squeezed it.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m just glad we’re home.” She smiled. “I can breathe again.”
Mitch smiled and pulled her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles.
They pulled into the garage. Mitch got out and opened her door, then helped her out. “Let’s get you inside. We’ll all have lunch and while the team and I debrief, you can go up and take a nap. You’re exhausted and don’t say you’re not. The dark circles under your eyes don’t lie.”
“I could probably sleep the rest of the day away. But promise you’ll wake me at four. I want to start dinner.”
“You don’t need to make dinner. One of us can make dinner.”
“Mitch, I need to make dinner. Promise you’ll wake me.”
He looked like he wanted to say something to her. Then he shook his head and said, “Okay, I promise.”
The last SUV pulled into the garage and they all went into the house. Sledge and Kip were sitting at the kitchen island.
“So, how did it go? Any problems we need to know about?”
“All’s well. We’re not aware of being followed. Can the two of you stay for our debriefing? I’d like your input on a few things.”
“We’re all yours. How are you, Molly?” Kip asked.
“I’ll be fine once I get some sleep.”
Kip nodded. “Stella sent over lunch—grab some goulash before you sleep.” He turned to Mitch, saying, “Jax and Nick are on the ATVs, scouting the area. They should be here soon.”
“Perfect,” Mitch said. “When this is all over, drinks are on me.”
Isla mouthed a thank you to her team, then went upstairs to recharge.