Breaking Point

by Allison Brennan

  “I had a heart-to-heart with the assistant director last night. He called me to apologize—I was stunned, to say the least. I didn’t expect it.”

  Lucy had no idea that Rick was going to call Rachel.

  “He apologized for undermining my authority and authorizing you to work for the task force without going through me. He explained that you and he had a personal as well as professional relationship and he trusts you explicitly. He told me about his relationship with JT Caruso, that they go way back to Navy boot camp, and that because RCK has high security clearance and has worked for the government from time to time, that he sometimes bends the rules when they ask for help. I was—well, I guess there is no better word than stunned. I knew most of what he said, but I appreciated his honesty.”

  “I’m glad.”

  “He told me you sent him an email.”

  Lucy froze. Why would Rick mention that?

  “That you asked that he not put you in this position again, that any requests for your official assistance should come through your direct supervisor. He didn’t go so far as to say he would always do so, but he did acknowledge that he should have looped me in earlier. I appreciate you standing up for me.”

  “You said something earlier that resonated. It was about trust. You don’t trust me, and I reflected that I didn’t trust you—not because of anything specific that you did, but because you never gave me an opportunity. I don’t trust easily, and I realized that I didn’t give you any opportunity to earn my trust. We both made mistakes.” Lucy wasn’t going to take all the blame in this, but she certainly had her fair share. “And I want to fix it.”

  “Consider it fixed. When you return on Monday, clean slate.”

  Lucy didn’t want to look a gift horse in the mouth. “I appreciate it.”

  “Can I ask you something off the record?”

  Lucy didn’t know if she could trust her—yet didn’t they just have the conversation that they needed to work on that? “Yes.”

  “Did you go to Mexico to rescue Baby Joshua last year?”

  “I’ll answer that question honestly, but first I want to know why it’s so important to you.”

  “Because all the official reports said you weren’t down there, but you were missing for two days. No one knew where you were—and everything about that rescue has been classified. When you surfaced, you were in the hospital in McAllen overnight for undisclosed injuries. At the same hospital that Baby Joshua was taken to.”

  What should she say? She couldn’t lie—not when they were so close to having a good working relationship. But she couldn’t tell her the entire truth.

  “Off the record,” Lucy said, and waited for her nod. “I didn’t go to Mexico to rescue Baby Joshua. However, I was there for an unrelated reason. The reason the files are redacted is to protect innocent people.” As well as others, but Lucy would never talk about what happened in the Rogan family. “I ended up on the same military transport out of Guadalajara as Baby Joshua. That’s probably more than I should say, but it is the truth.”

  Rachel nodded. “Thank you.”

  “I appreciate you understanding why I need to go to Seattle. When I return, I’ll have the report and be ready to get back to work.”

  “I’m sure there’ll be plenty to do.” She handed Lucy a folder.

  Lucy took it, but didn’t open it.

  “I read over all your reports again,” Rachel said. “You’re not a part of the Hostage Rescue Team, yet you have worked several hostage negotiations over the last year—and even two prior to your assignment in San Antonio. Perhaps more than two—that’s all that was in your file.”

  If she was waiting for Lucy to expand, she would be disappointed.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “I talked to Leo Proctor. In addition to being a decorated SWAT captain, he’s the head of our local HRT. He recommended you for a spot on his team. To be honest, I planned on recommending another agent. So I requested the transcript of the hostage negotiation in San Diego. It was flawless, but you had a personal connection because of the victims, so I wanted another case to analyze. So I pulled your other files. You, Brad Donnelly, and three civilians were held hostage in a private residence. That included two children who were in immediate danger. You were calm enough to manipulate the suspect into walking into the sniper’s line of sight. It’s a rare skill set that you have. So I ended up passing your name up the ladder. The next four-week training program is at Quantico starting May fifteenth. If you pass, you’ll be certified and can be called out or loaned out as needed. There’s a small stipend, but I sense you wouldn’t care about that.”

  “No, ma’am.”

  “Will you do it?”

  “Yes.” She didn’t even have to think about it. She’d been considering asking for a spot on the ERT—Evidence Response Team—because she had experience with processing crime scenes. But hostage negotiation was something she found herself not only good at, but she felt like she really could make a difference.

  “Good. Go home and get ready for your trip.”

  “Thank you, ma’am. I appreciate you giving me another chance to earn your trust and respect.” She got up and had her hand on the doorknob.

  “Lucy?”

  She turned and faced her boss.

  “You earned it.”

  * * *

  Though Sean detested flying commercial, it would have taken far too long to get to Seattle in his Cessna and they’d have had to stop to refuel. Nate was staying at the house with Bandit. Sean wanted to bring the dog, but the sole direct flight they could get out of San Antonio that afternoon would have insisted he be crated in the cargo hold. Sean didn’t want to do that to his dog.

  The benefit of commercial flying, however, was the opportunity to relax. Sean bought first-class tickets, and Lucy didn’t complain. She leaned back and closed her eyes.

  “So Rachel finally came to her senses.”

  “Sean.” She took his hand.

  “I know, I know, we talked about it. But you can’t expect me to get over how she treated you.”

  “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.”

  He leaned over and kissed her. “You’re strong enough for two.”

  “It was really sweet of you to let Jason and his family stay at the house this weekend. I didn’t know he was in a studio apartment.”

  “Well, I was hard on him.”

  “We both were.”

  “I talked to my realtor and she’s going to find him a few places to look at, take some of the stress off. I know what it’s like being separated from the love of my life, I can’t imagine living without you for four months.”

  “What are you going to do with yourself when I’m at Quantico for a month?”

  “Annoy the hell out of Patrick.” Sean grinned and leaned back in the wide, comfortable first-class seat. “Seriously, though, now that I’m back with RCK I have plenty to do, though I’m going to be traveling a bit more than I like.”

  “Because there’s no one else who can do what you do.”

  One of Sean’s key talents was breaking into secure buildings. RCK often was hired by businesses and governments to test their security. Sean worked with his brother Duke and Lucy’s brother Patrick to develop better security protocols. Sean often admitted to Lucy that he loved that part of his job. Unfortunately, it required him to be gone for days, sometimes a week, at a time.

  “I’ll double up the jobs while you’re gone so I don’t pine away,” Sean teased. “It’ll be good for you to reconnect with Patrick and Elle.”

  Lucy glared at him. “Stop.”

  “She’s not that bad. And Patrick loves her.”

  “I don’t get it.”

  “I do.”

  Lucy looked at him. “Why?”

  “Elle keeps Patrick on his toes. She’s both smart and physical. She never stops moving. And she has a huge heart.”

  “Too big sometimes. And the jury is still out on the smarts.”

  �
��Ouch.”

  “She’s book smart, but she has no common sense. And Patrick is constantly cleaning up her messes.”

  “Maybe he likes to do it.”

  Lucy hadn’t really thought about it that way. “As long as he’s happy,” she relented.

  “That’s what we all want.” He rubbed his finger on her palm. “I’m happy, Lucy. We’ve been married for five months, we have a dog, a house, jobs we love, and each other.”

  “Please don’t jinx it.”

  “I’m not. I’m going to be grateful every day I wake up with you, and thankful every night when I go to sleep.”

  “You’re lucky you mentioned you’re happy with me before you mentioned Bandit. I swear, I’m going to get jealous over an animal.”

  “There’s room in my heart for both of you.” He laughed and kissed her.

  She swatted him, then leaned over and put her head on his shoulder. “How’s JT? I didn’t see him after we left the hospital yesterday morning.”

  “He’s going to stay in Seattle with Bella for a while. Taking time off from RCK. I don’t think he’s had a vacation in—well, ever.”

  “Family is complicated. But they need each other.”

  They sat in silence for a long time, and Lucy thought Sean had fallen asleep. She wished she could, but she had a difficult time sleeping on planes, or anywhere in public.

  “Luce?” Sean said quietly.

  “I’m awake.”

  “Are you really okay?”

  She sat up. He was looking at her with the love and affection she’d grown to cherish, and with a hint of worry she always feared.

  “I am.”

  “This case hit much closer to, well, everything you’ve been through. And yet you’re going to Seattle to talk to Hope and the other girls.”

  “Because I can help them. And by helping I feel … free. Empowered. I can’t explain it, not really, but I know I can do some good there. I am so impressed with the work that Laura and Adam Dixon have done, they’re the real heroes in this.”

  “Well, for what it’s worth, you’re going to give Wonder Woman a run for her money in the heroism department.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  Friday

  Bella had missed Washington. She’d missed the peace of Bainbridge Island, she’d missed the salt air, the green trees and cool breeze and morning fog.

  She sat on the deck of Ruth’s House, her hands wrapped around a mug of hot coffee. Morning was her favorite time. A new day, new opportunities, a fresh start. The hint of dawn creeped over the Cascades.

  But she may have blown all her new beginnings. She’d had to confess to everything she’d done over the last year, and it wasn’t easy. She felt both pride and shame and she didn’t know how she was going to get through it.

  She’d been independent her entire life. Even before her father gave her to Sergio, she’d run the house. Her mother was hardly capable of taking care of herself, let alone a child. JT was so much older. She didn’t blame him for leaving—he thought she was in good hands with their grandmother.

  And for a time, it had been bliss. Her grandmother was funny and wise and a great cook.

  She was sad that she’d raised a drug addict for a daughter who had married a brute of a man. She’d died not knowing if Bella was dead or alive, and that had haunted Bella for two decades. That, more than anything, had driven her to search for Hope. When she looked at Hope’s grandparents and saw the love and fear on their old faces, she didn’t want them to die not knowing the truth.

  Adam came out onto the deck. He still walked with a cane—he always would. He’d been shot multiple times five years ago overseas and barely survived. But it was the bullet that shattered his knee that had caused the permanent limp. He didn’t work overseas anymore, though he raised money and managed Genesis stateside. He’d been such a tough Navy SEAL. Like her brother, Bella couldn’t imagine anything could hurt Adam. They were soldiers, they were strong, they were tough as nails.

  But she’d seen the soft side, the deep need to right wrongs. And the love. Love she’d turned her back on because, deep down, she didn’t think she deserved it.

  Adam sat down on the chair next to her, looked out at the lake.

  “I’m sorry,” she said. Apologizing was hard for her. She didn’t say the words lightly. She didn’t give fake promises or capitulations. She was sincerely, deeply sorry that she had hurt Adam and Laura. They had loved her unconditionally, but she had imagined conditions that weren’t there and built up her walls. Because she didn’t know how to give love back.

  “All is forgiven.”

  Her eyes watered. She didn’t cry—she hated crying. Tears were for the weak. Tears solved nothing.

  But still, her eyes were damp. Adam and Laura were quietly religious people. It sometimes bothered her growing up, and she didn’t know why. Now she did. She’d never felt herself worthy of any sort of unconditional love, and that’s what they had. They loved without reservation. They loved without barriers. They loved each other and they loved her and they loved everything that God created.

  Bella had said many hurtful things to them over the years about a distant and unloving God. She’d seen evil. She’d faced evil. She’d battled evil. She’d never been able to reconcile their faith with her reality.

  Until now.

  There was evil, but there was also good. Amazing good that Bella had doubted until now. She didn’t know if she’d have their faith, but that was okay. She had a kernel of hope that maybe—just maybe—good would triumph over evil. And with that, she could move on.

  A rare peace washed over her. Her past would always be a part of her. But it was her past.

  She wanted a future.

  She sat there with Adam and felt his forgiveness. She hadn’t realized how much she needed it.

  They finished their coffee in silence and watched the sunrise over Seattle.

  An anguished cry came from the house. She started to get up.

  “Lucy is with her,” Adam said.

  Giving up control was hard, but Bella leaned back into the chair. “Fifteen months,” she said. “It’s going to be so hard for her. They had her on uppers and downers and everything in between.”

  “She’s strong. The withdrawals will pass.”

  “I’d like to stay for awhile.”

  “This is your home forever, whether you’re here or not.”

  “I don’t know what to do with myself,” she admitted. “JT wants me to work at RCK. I love my brother, but I don’t know if I can work for him.”

  “Not for him. With him.”

  “I don’t know if that would work.”

  “They have a DC office. One of the Kincaids runs it.”

  Bella nodded. JT said she could work in Sacramento with him, Duke, and Jack Kincaid, in DC with Patrick Kincaid, or in Texas with Sean and Kane. He was giving her options. She just didn’t know if that’s where she was supposed to be.

  “What if it doesn’t work out?”

  “Then it doesn’t.”

  “I just—I don’t know. I don’t know what I can do. I can’t be a cop again. I thought about it, but even if they’d take me back, I don’t want to be there. Not knowing everything that I know.”

  “You’ll find the right path. There is always a place for you with Genesis, but I know it’s not right for you.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you will never accept that you can’t save everyone.”

  “I know that.”

  “No, you don’t, and that’s okay. It hurts you too much to watch those we can’t save slip away.”

  “How do you do it?” She couldn’t believe she’d never asked him that before. It seemed like such an obvious question.

  “Faith. It’s not the answer you want, but it’s the only answer I have. We make a difference. I know that. Laura and I will do this work for the rest of our lives. It’s our calling. Before you came here, when I was still in the Navy, I was a proud man. Too proud sometimes.
I was a SEAL, I was strong, I relished the idea that my men and I were heroes. That we were the mightiest warriors trained on earth. But even back then I felt that I was there temporarily, that there was something for me just out of my reach.

  “When my SEAL team was assigned to extract an operative in Thailand, I saw firsthand the tragedy of human trafficking. The commercial sex trade with underage girls and boys, the forced labor camps, the despair and sorrow it forged. Some people call it a vision. A message from God. Or for people who don’t believe, a lightbulb moment. I knew I could save one person. And then one more. And then one more. That God didn’t want me to fight for my country, but He wanted me to fight for humanity. I’m a patriot, am proud of my Naval career, but at that moment I knew I had another calling.

  “So I do it because of what I always said to you. If not me, who? If not now, when? Every person matters. Each and every one.”

  From the moment Bella arrived at Ruth’s House eighteen years ago, when JT brought her here because he didn’t know how to help her, Laura and Adam had told her in their own way that she mattered. That she was loved. She never really believed it until now. With all the mistakes she’d made, with all the heartbreak she’d caused JT, Laura, and Adam, she didn’t think she deserved anything good.

  But she mattered. She, too, made a difference.

  “I love you, Adam.”

  She’d never told him before. She’d never said I love you to anyone, not to her mother, not to JT, not to Laura or Adam. She did—she always had—but she’d never recognized it because she was so angry inside she had no love to share. She kept it buried, she kept it separate from who she thought she was.

  No more.

  “We love you as if you were our own daughter,” Adam said, his voice cracking.

  Now the tears fell freely, tears that hadn’t fallen in years. She got up and hugged Adam tightly.

  She was home. And someday, she would know her true path.

  That day wasn’t today.

  And that was okay.

  Read on for an excerpt from

  SHATTERED

  by Allison Brennan

  Available in hardcover from Minotaur Books