Cassie backed toward the side fence. There was nowhere for her to go. The huge backyard was enclosed with this fence, but Brooks had purposely designed the only entrance to be through the back door of the house so no one, like these men, would have access to the children when they were out playing.
The men were approaching quickly. Three looked furious at their frustrated attempt to secure a large group of children, but the one in the lead had an evil smirk on his face. “Bella Americana,” he greeted her, bowing slightly.
Cassie wanted to bury her face in the child’s hair. Instead, she set the girl behind her, straightened, and faced them. She’d taken her self-defense training seriously, and she had her favorite pepper spray in her pocket, as she always did. The spray had taken down Jed, who was tougher than these traffickers. She might not be able to fight her way free, but she could at least delay them until Camila got the police here. José was still probably a couple hours away.
“We need your help getting in the house,” the man said in accented English.
“I’ll never help you.” She reached into her pocket and put her hand around the canister of pepper spray, inserting her finger into the right spot. The little girl was crying behind her, and Cassie’s heart was pounding so hard she could hear it in her eardrums and feel it in her forehead.
He pulled out a knife and grinned. “La niña’s screams will open it.”
Cassie’s stomach revolted at the horror of what he was implying. He’d cut the little girl to get Camila to open the door. Cassie didn’t think Camila would open that door for anyone, but she hated to think if their roles were reversed. How she would react to a child being tortured? She pushed it from her mind. She wouldn’t let it happen. It was time to act.
The men crept closer as the girl whimpered behind Cassie. Cassie yanked out the pepper spray, held it level, and pressed the button. It hit the first man square in the face, and he was quickly bent over, coughing. Cassie took aim and pushed the lever two more times. She got one more man dead-on, and the others might have been hit by the overspray, or maybe they were just smart enough to know what was coming, as their eyes were squeezed shut and their faces turned away.
Cassie turned, grabbed the girl with her left arm, and yanked her onto her hip. The child was screaming in terror but thankfully wrapped her arms around Cassie’s neck to hold on. Cassie made a wide arc around the men and kept pumping pepper spray their direction as she shuffled her way steadily toward the back door of the house. Hopefully Camila or the guard would be there to open the door for her.
One of the men lunged toward her. She screamed and pressed the canister again. Nothing came out. She chucked it at him, then turned and ran for the house, holding the child against her chest with her left arm and pumping her right arm.
Someone rammed into her ankles, and she flew forward. She tried to cushion the child by twisting to the right. She bounced on her right shoulder, skidding to a stop on the grass. Shoving the child to her feet, she yelled, “Run! Corre!” She thought that was the right word.
The man had a grip on her right ankle. Cassie kicked him hard with her left, connecting with his jaw. He howled in pain but didn’t release her leg. She sat up and sank her fingernails into his hand, clawing at him. Again, he yelled, but he was hanging on to her tight.
The other men were still down, coughing and bent over. The little girl was running for the back door, but she was still too far away. Cassie leaned close to the man, released her fingernails from his arm, and punched him as hard as she could in the throat. He gagged and released her.
She scrambled away from him, jumped up, and ran. Swooping the girl off the ground again, they made it almost to the back porch.
“Cassie!” a man’s voice yelled.
She whipped around and stared. Past the fence, coming around the house, were … “Jed? Gav?”
Cassie’s strength gave out then. Her legs faltered and she tripped, going down in a heap on the grass with the poor little girl tangled up in her arms. The child cried out.
“Cassie!”
She heard pounding footsteps and looked up to see Jed and Gavin sprinting for the ladder at the back of the yard. She couldn’t believe they were here. Relief poured over her. Jed and Gavin had come for her. How could they possibly have known that she needed them?
She cradled the little girl in her arms, stood, and staggered toward the house, whispering, “It’s okay, it’s okay.” This time, she actually meant it.
Jed scaled the ladder and flipped himself onto the grass, followed shortly by Gavin. They both pounded her direction. She heard the man coming behind her again. Whipping around, she saw that he was gaining on her. One of the other men was straightening and blinking his eyes; he must not have gotten a direct hit either.
She reached the patio, and thankfully the door sprang open. She shoved the little girl into Camila’s arms.
“Get in here,” Camila hissed.
“No.” She pointed at Jed and Gavin approaching and then ran toward both of them.
Camila groaned but shut the door again.
Jed caught her in his arms and squeezed her close for a brief second before swinging her behind him. Gavin rushed past and slammed into the man who was behind her. They went down hard, and Gavin started pummeling the man with his fists. Jed released her and sprinted across the grass to the man who was struggling to his feet, blinking furiously, and staggering their direction. Jed knocked him down with one clean punch. The man hit the ground and didn’t even attempt to get up again.
“Police,” Jed barked. “You’re under arrest.”
“No!” one of the men moaned between coughs.
Sirens wailed through the air, and Cassie’s shoulders lowered. The police were here for real. They could haul these scum away, and she could simply let Jed hold her—after she helped comfort thirty-two children. Jed and Gavin had come for her. The children were okay. That was all that mattered, but horror of what could have happened slapped her in the face.
Doors slammed, and men’s voices and footsteps echoed from out front.
Gavin stood, leaving the man lying curled into a ball on the ground, and hurried back to Cassie’s side. Jed also eased back toward her. He caught Cassie’s eye, and her heart was going almost as fast as it had been when she’d been fighting the men. Jed was here. The weight of the world was off her shoulders. It was so miraculous that she wanted to weep.
Gavin wrapped his arm around her and tilted his head toward her. “Hey, sis.”
“Oh, Gav.” She hugged him tight around the middle. “How’d you know to come?”
His reply was cut off by the back door flinging open and yells of “Polícia! Polícia!” and a bunch of other words that Cassie could only partially catch. She thought she heard “hands” in the mix. Jed and Gavin both put their hands in the air, so she followed suit. Camila was talking rapidly to the police with a baby on her hip, pointing and explaining.
When the police grabbed Jed and Gavin, wrenching their hands behind their backs, Cassie yelled, “No, no! Camila, no! This is my brother and my … boyfriend.”
Camila stared at her. It took a second for it to register; then she started speaking rapidly again.
“It’s okay,” Jed said soothingly to her, giving her a soft smile. “They have to arrest us. We can sort it out at the station.”
She noticed neither Jed or Gavin were fighting back, but the thought of the police hauling them off made her want to fall in a heap and bawl. She’d fought those men so instinctively and was proud of herself for protecting the little girl, but now that her support was here, she just wanted Jed to hold her and protect her. She was exhausted, and she was done.
The police were now cuffing the men on the ground. Some of them were fighting, but they were pretty beat up.
Camila turned to her. “They have to take them in, but they know they’re not the traffickers. I didn’t dare open the front door when they banged over and over again on it, calling for you. I didn’t know. Yo
ur family came for you?”
“Yes. Please don’t let the police take them in.”
“They have to. José will be here shortly. They know José and Meester Hoffman well. They will release your brother and boyfriend to him when he comes and sorts the mess out.”
One of the policemen had Gavin and Jed each by their elbow and was directing them back toward the house. Cassie couldn’t take watching them being hauled away. They’d come for her, and she needed them as much now as she had during the attack. Maybe more.
She ran at them, flinging herself against Jed and wrapping her arms tight around his waist. “Please, no,” she begged the policeman. “Don’t take them.” She thought hard and said the words, “No los llave, por favor!”
Jed couldn’t hold her close, but he rested his chin against her hair and murmured, “Sweet Cassie. It’s okay. We’ll be back soon. I promise.”
“No.” Cassie whimpered and stared up into his bright blue eyes. “Please don’t leave me. I love you,” she said, desperate and needing him so much.
Jed’s eyes widened. “You … love me?”
“Cassie.” Gavin’s voice was sharper. She loved her brother, loved that he’d come for her, but she couldn’t pull her gaze from Jed right now. “We won’t be gone long. Focus on the children. They’re going to need you.”
A policeman tugged at Jed. Camila wrapped her arm around Cassie’s waist and said, “They’ll be back soon.”
Jed gave her a reassuring smile. “I’ll see you soon.” There was a promise in his voice that gave her strength.
He was hauled away, and she heard Gavin say, “It’s okay, Cass. Take care of the children.”
“Thanks, Gav.” She knew he was right, but it didn’t make it any easier.
Jed and Gavin were tugged through the back door and out of sight. Cassie and Camila stepped back as the policemen took the other men. One of the policemen stayed behind and spoke rapidly to Camila. Cassie caught a few words here and there. Something about staying.
Camila translated for her. “Two officers will check the house thoroughly, and then stay outside and monitor the perimeter until José comes.”
Cassie nodded wearily. “Where’s the other guard?” she asked.
“He definitely caught the sickness Katie has. I couldn’t get him to move no matter how hard I pushed or loud I screamed.”
They followed the men into the house, down the wide back hallway, and into the great room. They were instantly surrounded by children clamoring for attention. Cassie was more concerned about the children who were hanging back or cowering in a corner. She and Camila got to work, comforting, explaining, and holding. Luckily, only one baby had woken up.
Cassie checked out the front windows every few seconds, hoping for Jed and Gavin to reappear. She was still in a semi-shocked state, and the children kept her too busy to think too much about the attack. Gavin and Jed had shown up, and then … Had she really told Jed she loved him? She clutched the little girl who’d been stranded outside with her, Izzy. Izzy had been shivering in a corner when Cassie found her, and she hadn’t left Cassie’s lap since.
A gray sport utility pulled up to the front of the orphanage. Cassie stood with Izzy in her arms, craning to see who got out. Two women and several children got out and headed for the front door. Another woman lifted a baby from a car seat and followed them.
“Nessie!” Camila called happily as she saw who it was. Cassie gave her a questioning glance. “José’s wife,” she explained.
If José’s wife was here, that meant he was hopefully getting Jed and Gavin out.
The policemen met the women on the front porch and cleared them with Camila. The security guard still hadn’t gotten out of bed. Camila promised him they’d get a doctor here as soon as everything calmed down.
The women came in with hugs and reassurance that more help was coming. Camila told Cassie that Nessie had brought her sisters and their husbands from Mexico City when Sydnee had told them how short-staffed they were. The men were with José. It was a huge relief to let these three smiling women help out with the children and get dinner going. Cassie basically sat and held little Izzy. How long would it take for José to get Jed and Gavin cleared?
Time passed achingly slow, and when night fell and the men still weren’t there, Cassie felt like she was having a panic attack. She couldn’t feel her fingers or catch a full breath, and her heart was racing out of control. How had she been strong alone for so long, and now she needed Jed more than she needed food?
She couldn’t stomach any dinner, but she helped feed the children and stayed close to Izzy. After dinner, Izzy fell asleep in her arms as Cassie read a Christmas Nativity book to the children. Cassie finished the book and carried Izzy down the hallway to the girls’ dormitory. Settling the little girl into bed, she brushed her hair back from her face. She looked so beautiful and peaceful. Cassie hoped the attack wouldn’t leave permanent emotional scars. Izzy was young enough that it might not.
She leaned against the wall in the dormitory and closed her eyes. Tears leaked out through her closed lids as she replayed the attack in her mind, and then she remembered Jed and Gavin coming for her. She loved Jed, and she loved her brother. She didn’t want to stay here anymore. She wanted to be home, safe in Colorado, hugging Jed next to Mama’s Christmas tree and fireplace, laughing at Austin’s antics.
What about her life purpose? She’d been so certain this was it. Why was she wearing down and terrified to go on her next trip to Honduras? Was she just getting old and wanting her own home, her own family, or were the repeated attacks too much? She’d always thought she was strong, like her family and her family name, but she felt anything but strong right now.
“Cassie?” Jed’s voice was a whisper, his breath kissing her skin.
Her eyes flew open, and there he was. Her heart leapt and the air rushed out of her.
“Sweet Cassie, are you all right?” He opened his arms, those irresistible, strong arms. She collapsed against his chest, unable to answer with anything but a sniffle as more tears came. “Oh, Cassie.” He stroked his hands down her back. “I’m here. You’re okay.”
She wasn’t sure if she was okay, but at least he was here, holding her. Sobs racked her body.
He simply held her until she calmed a little bit. Pulling slightly back, he said, “You were so brave, so incredible, fighting off four men and rescuing all the children.”
She let out a breathy chortle. “I’m not brave, Jed. Not at all. I just want to go home. I just want to be with you.”
Jed smiled. “I’m going to have to fight with you about the first and second sentences, but wholeheartedly agree on the third and fourth.”
Cassie relaxed and smiled up at him. “Thank you for coming. How did you know to come?"
“I got back to the house, and Gav cussed me for not coming with you in the first place.”
She lifted her eyebrows. “I wouldn’t have asked that of you.”
“Why not?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. This isn’t your job; it’s mine, and I didn’t want to lead you on when I know I can’t be with you like we both want.”
“You have me confused. You just said you want to be with me, you want to go home, but you still don’t think we can be together?”
Cassie forced herself out of his arms. She glanced over at Izzy, still sleeping peacefully. Tilting her head, she said, “Let’s go across the hall.”
Jed nodded. His blue eyes were concerned.
Cassie closed the girls’ door behind her as she heard loud voices and shouts from the entryway floating down the hallway. Part of her wanted to investigate; most of her wanted to run. Jed stood close by her side, putting a comforting arm around her shoulders. She leaned against him, sighing with relief. Even if she couldn’t be with him, he’d still be here for her. How she loved him. That was insane, wasn’t it? To love him this strongly. It was quick, but it was real.
In silent agreement that they should probably see
what was going on, they walked slowly toward the source of noise. The main living area and dining room were bustling with children and adults alike. Cassie recognized José and several other men with him. She saw Gavin going toe to toe with none other than Brooks Hoffman.
Sydnee was at Brooks’s side, pleading with him. “Calm down, love, calm down. He’s only protecting his sister.”
“You are not bugging her right now,” Gavin declared.
“I need to see and thank that little angel who protected my children,” Brooks demanded. He was huge and muscular, but Gavin was no wimp. They stood almost chest to chest.
Gavin jutted out his chin. “She should never have been in that situation. What kind of an orphanage are you running that you’d allow these children, and my sister, to be attacked by traffickers?”
Cassie stayed close to Jed’s side, almost hoping they wouldn’t notice her.
“It was the perfect storm of nightmare, my friend,” Brooks pushed out. “We thought we had ample security for the help we left here for Christmas, but then Rosmerta had her baby and Katie got the flu. Apparently one of my security men was bought off, one got sick, and the others were attacked. I’m so sorry this happened to Cassie, but oh so grateful she was here.”
“She’s a special angel, my sister.” Gavin’s voice broke.
“That she is,” Brooks agreed.
“Gav,” Cassie choked out, overwhelmed by his words and the emotion in his voice.
His head whipped around, and then he was running her direction.
“There she is!” she heard Brooks exclaim.
Jed released her as Gavin reached her. Her oldest brother swept her off her feet and held her as if she were a small child, much to her shock. Gavin only gave her brief hugs; she couldn’t remember him ever just holding her like this. The tears came back again, and she clung to him.
When he set her on her feet, he stared down at her. “Cassie. I’m so proud of you and so relieved you’re okay.”
The Strong Family Romance Collection Page 58
