Healing Love: Saints Protection & Investigation (22 page)

Marc continued, “Once that’s done, they’ll fly us to Virginia. They’ll arrange for your family to meet us, again at an undisclosed location. Cam? You want your family brought in as well?”

He shook his head. “Nah, they know I’ve been working. I’ll call them when we touch down in Texas and let them know.”

At the mention of family Miriam jerked up, asking, “My family! Does my family know we’re out?”

“Soon as we cross into the United States, I’ll give the go ahead to let them know,” Marc replied.

Nodding, she settled back into her seat and into Cam’s embrace.

“Once back in Virginia, you’ll still be questioned…and protected,” Alberto added. He did not add more after a pointed glance from Cam. The three men knew that her ordeal was far from over, but were determined to protect her as best they could at the moment.

Miriam rested her head on Cam’s shoulder, occasionally looking out of the window at the scenery below.
How different from when I flew into Mexico last month.
What had seemed an adventure had turned into a nightmare.
A nightmare that hopefully is over!

W
hen Marc called
out that they had crossed into US airspace, Cam gave Miriam a shoulder squeeze and was rewarded with a huge smile that lit her tired face.

She watched as they landed, an hour later, at an isolated airstrip with several large hangars around. The landing was easy and she appreciated Marc’s piloting skills. Once the fear of still being within the cartel’s reach had diminished, she allowed her mind to take in the reality of their rescue.

Marc and Alberto have been in Mexico ready to get us out, putting their own lives in danger. And Cam—he endured the ultimate risk without even knowing me.
Tears stung the back of her eyes as she pulled in a sharp breath.

Cam looked at her face, realizing tears were soon coming and knew she was overwhelmed. Keeping one arm around her shoulders, he leaned forward and cupped the back of her head with his other hand, pulling her face into his chest. Holding her tightly, he offered her his warmth…comfort.

“Thank you, Superman,” she said softly into his shirt.

“I’m no Superman, sweetheart.”

She leaned her head back and peered into his eyes. “You’re my Superman,” she said simply.

His heart skipped a beat as he continued to hold her tightly.

She stayed there for a moment as the plane taxied into one of the large hangars and the heavy doors were closed behind them. Sucking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly, she managed to control her tears. Wiping her face quickly, she offered a weak smile to Cam as he loosened his hold to unbuckle her seatbelt.

The door to the small aircraft was opened and they saw a group of people standing around. Nerves hit her and she stood woodenly instead of exiting the plane.

Cam reached over, linking his fingers with hers, offering his strength. Alberto stepped out first onto the pontoon and then quickly hopped to the concrete floor. Cam followed but, as soon as his feet touched the pontoon, he turned and swept Miriam up into his arms. She clung to his shoulders as he made the jump to the ground and then gently lowered her to a standing position. Marc followed, landing right next to them.

She jumped when the small assembly began clapping and tears sprung to her eyes once more. Overwhelmed, she allowed Cam to turn her into his embrace again. Sucking in a huge breath, she pulled back and then walked over to Marc and Alberto.

“I haven’t thanked you enough…for everything,” she said, her voice wobbly. Turning to Alberto, she added, “I have no idea what you do, but just shooting at the men in the boat so that I had time to get to the plane…” her voice hitched, “saved our lives.” She rose on her toes and kissed his cheek.

His eyes were warm as he said, “My brave Miriam. You, my dear, have my deepest admiration.”

Pulling herself together, she then turned and looked up into Marc’s kind face, his green eyes filled with warmth. His dark hair was longer than Cam’s and a lock fell over his forehead. No longer in the cockpit, he appeared much larger than she had imagined. “Cam spoke of you, so I know you’re friends. I…thank you,” she cried, unable to hold back any longer now that her feet were once more on American soil.

Marc took her slight weight, allowing her to cling to him as he folded his huge arms gently around her body. Holding her there for a moment until he could tell her shaking had subsided, he then turned her toward Cam’s embrace.

Cam pressed kisses to the top of her head while murmuring assurances against her hair. She finally pulled back, her watery face looking up at his. Offering her a smile, he then looked beyond her at the gathering. “Got some more friends I want you to meet.”

She turned in his arms and watched as three handsome men approached, smiles filling their faces as well.

“These are more of my co-workers, Miriam. I’d like you to meet Blaise, Bart, and Monty. They’ve just finished up another case with Jack and came here to meet us.”

The blond Nordic god, Blaise, came forward and shook her hand, smiling a panty-melting smile that Miriam was sure had worked on many women. She caught the twinkle in his blue eyes as they darted between her and Cam, causing an even larger smile to break out on his face. Bart was simply huge, like Cam, only with sandy-blond hair. As he took her hand in a sincere greeting, she continued to get the feeling that he was amused at seeing Cam’s arm around her shoulders. Then Monty approached. Tall, dark haired, distinguished. Just as gorgeous, but more suave.

After the three greeted her, they immediately turned their attention to Cam who let go of her only long enough to accept their man-hugs and congratulations on a successful mission.

Another Hispanic man approached Alberto and pulled him into a hug as well. “You kept this one a secret, man. I had no idea what was going on until we got your message that you were in the air.”

Alberto smiled, saying, “We had to keep this mission from getting out but, thank God, it was successful.”

The two men chatted for a few minutes until Cam walked over and Alberto introduced him to Manuel Reyes.

“Cam, I’ve known Manuel for a long time. He’ll take good care of Miriam.”

A voice cleared behind the group and, turning, Cam knew that the welcome was over. Stepping back to Miriam, he placed his hands on her shoulders and peered down into her questioning face. Heaving a sigh, he looked back down, saying, “It’s time,
cariña
.”

She understood and wiped her tears with her fingers. Facing the small assembly, she nodded and said, “I’m ready.”

*

Two hours later
Cam sat with Bart, Blaise, Monty, Marc and Alberto at a table while they ate, waiting impatiently for Miriam.

“Bro, she’ll be out soon. Go ahead and eat before you have to be interviewed,” Bart suggested.

“Not eating before she gets out here.” He rubbed his hand through his hair. His medical examination had gone quickly—he had lost a couple of pounds and needed fluids, which they said would be taken care of with his meals. His eyes cut to the door leading to the makeshift examination room where they took Miriam. “What the fuck is taking so long?”

Marc and Alberto shared a glance, before Marc softly asked, “Cam? Did she say anything? About being…” His voice trailed off and Cam’s gaze jerked over to his.

“Sexually assaulted?” Cam growled. Gaining Marc’s nod, he let out a deep sigh. “No. She didn’t say anything and her actions never seemed like there was a problem.” He looked down at his food and let his mind wander over what she had explained to him. “The offer was there…to become the mistress of whoever the fuck was in charge of that area of the cartel…and the fuckin’ doctor also.”

“Jesus,” Marc bit out, at the same time as the other men had the same reaction.

“She said that was what one of the other nurses was doing. The one from California. That’s why I only got Miriam out. I know that she was the mission, but I would have gotten out anyone I could.”

None of the Saints said anything, knowing the man in front of them would have tried to rescue anyone possible.

“When I got there, it was just Miriam, the older nun nurse, and the other one who was literally at death’s door. The nun didn’t want to go anywhere, knowing the other nurse was dying. She told Miriam to go with me.”

He allowed his eyes to travel over his friend’s faces, knowing there was something they were not telling him. “You all just show up to give us a warm welcome?”

Blaise spoke first. “Partially…yeah. You’ve had a time of it and we wanted to make sure you were all right. We finished the last major case and Jack sent us here to keep an eye on you and Miriam.”

“Think there’s gonna be trouble?”

“Don’t know,” Bart stated. “Blaise is gonna get a feel from the DEA questioning her as to whether or not she may need protecting.”

“Fuck,” Cam breathed.

“She might not,” Monty added. The former FBI agent was cautious by nature, but did not want to be an alarmist.

Just then, the door opened and Miriam walked out, her long hair hanging damp, wearing clean jeans that were slightly baggy and a t-shirt that was two sizes too large. Her eyes darted nervously around until they landed on Cam and then he was gifted with one of her smiles.

Next to him, he heard his friends murmur under their breaths and in the back of his mind, he knew they were appreciating the view, which shot a bolt of jealously through him. Glancing around, he knew for sure the other men in the assembly had the same appreciation. Taking his gaze back to hers, he saw…she only had eyes for him.

Standing, he moved over, stopping directly in front of her, watching her head lean way back as she held his gaze.

“You okay?” he asked.

She heard the concern in his voice. Nodding, she said, “Yeah.” Giving her shoulders a little shrug, she added, “I got the full examination. They’re concerned about the weight loss and dehydration, so they gave me some IV fluids for a bit.” She looked down at her clothes and giggled. “I’m afraid I will have to buy some clothes in a couple of sizes smaller than when I left.”

Tagging her hand, he led her over to the table. “You hungry?”

Looking at the table loaded with deli meat, fresh vegetables and fruit, as well as several types of bread, she nodded enthusiastically. “Oh my God, I could eat everything.”

He assisted her into a seat between his and Blaise, and across from the other men, all who greeted her kindly. “Gotta eat a bit at a time and slowly,
cariña
.”

“I know,” she agreed, but dug in heartily nonetheless. She saw the looks by the DEA agents in the room and she knew they were chomping at the bit to get her to finish so they could begin their questions. Determined to eat her fill, she just smiled at them and dug into the food, ignoring the churning of her stomach.

*

By that evening,
Miriam wished that she had just kept eating and not stopped to deal with the DEA. The questions had continued until she thought she would scream. Separated from Cam, she knew he was also being questioned, but his were more about the operation that he had witnessed. Hers was about the kidnapping, their containment, who she saw, who she interacted with, the doctor, the visit to the leader’s house…
on and on!

She answered every question as thoroughly as she could but exhaustion set in and her head was pounding. The door to the room flew open and before anyone could speak, Cam stalked through.

“She’s done,” he growled.

“Now hold on,” one of the DEA investigators spoke, “We’re not—”

“Yeah, you are. She’s fuckin’ exhausted and has given you everything she’s got to give. You need to cut her a fuckin’ break.”

Not sure what was expected, she glanced back at the three men at the table and then back up to Cam. Before she could speak, he scooted her chair back and leaned down to take her hand. He was moving away, giving her no choice but to follow.

As she allowed him to lead her away, he called over his shoulder, “We’re heading to Virginia in an hour. Ya’ll are gonna be on the plane with us, so I reckon that gives you another crack at her for about four hours. Then she’s gonna have a reunion with her family and you’d better be finished ’cause she’s gonna be getting back to her life.”