Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 52338 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 262(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52338 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 262(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
The warm night air fills my lungs when we finally exit the building. Tears of relief slide down my cheeks as Trent carries me to his car. He puts me on my feet long enough to open the passenger door and gestures for me to get in.
“Sit tight. I’ll be right back,” he says, closing the door.
I watch him jog over to a group of men before they talk for a few moments and return inside the building. My head falls back against the headrest as I close my eyes, a tsunami of overwhelming emotions crashing into me at once. Just moments ago, I thought I was done for. I thought I was going to be sent overseas, never to be heard from again. I’m not sure how Trent found me or if he was even trying to, but I’ve never been so thankful in my life to have a protector like him.
Flashing red and blue lights cause me to open my eyes, and I look over to see multiple police cars pulling into the parking lot. I watch as Trent and his men come out with all of the women who were in the cellar with me, and I can’t help but cry at the relief on their faces. They’ll be able to go back home to their families after being gone for god knows how long, able to try to create a life after the nightmare they’ve endured. SWAT members march out with the men unlucky enough to escape death, taking the handcuffed men and putting them in the back of armored vehicles. But even as all of this is happening around me, only one thought takes over my mind.
It’s finally over.
The thought is both a relief and one of uncertainty. With the threat eliminated, I’m not sure what’ll happen with Trent and me. He’d said he already had another job that he’s assigned to, which meant my time with him may be limited. Sadness fills my chest at the thought of not seeing him again, but maybe it’s better that way. After what I’ve gone through tonight, I now understand why he wanted to keep his distance. Being with him means I’ll always be at risk, but if I’m honest, I’m not sure if that’s a complete dealbreaker for me. I know how he makes me feel, and I know I’m safer with him than I would be without him.
Getting him to see that may be easier said than done, though.
Once the scene is wrapped up, Trent takes me back to my house. My dad jumps up from the couch when I walk into the house.
“Thank god,” he breathes as he rushes over to me.
I run into his arms and hug him tight, sobbing softly into his chest. I never thought I’d see the day when I was this happy to see my dad. To know I was so close to never seeing him again—whether due to trafficking or being killed—makes me so much more grateful of the time I have left with him. So many things could’ve gone differently if Trent and his team hadn’t found me in time, and I definitely won’t take anything in my life for granted again.
My dad pulls back and looks me over. “Are you okay? Are you hurt? Did they do anything to you?” he asks.
I shook my head. “No, I’m okay,” I reply and look back at Trent. “Trent came just in time.”
My father looks at him with glassy eyes. “I can never repay you for what you’ve done for my daughter and me,” he says, his voice cracking a little. “Thank you.”
Trent nods. “I said I’d keep her safe, so I did what I said I would.”
“Well, we appreciate it.” My dad rubs my shoulder. “So? The person responsible? What happens to them?”
“They’re dead.” Trent’s voice is tight, his entire body stiffening. He’s been wound up since we left the scene, hardly talking on the way to my house.
“So it’s over then?”
“Yes, unless you continue doing business with mob bosses who want you dead.”
“What?” I exclaim and look up at my father’s confused expression.
“The BMP makeup company you had Morgan doing promo for? It’s owned by the Rosario family, the same family that originally approached you about a shady deal you turned down. All of this was simply to get back at you for interfering with their dealings,” Trent explains.
“Jesus.” My dad runs a hand through his hair and shakes his head. “But why target Morgan? Why not just come after me?”
Trent shrugs. “Probably to devastate you before he killed you as well,” he proposes. “Either way, he’s no longer a problem, and the hit has been voided.”
“Well, thank you for what you’ve done for us. I know we had a bit of a rocky start, but I’m grateful for your work here,” my dad says, holding out his hand. Trent gives it a firm shake as he nods.