Chapter 38

Evangelina

“I’m fine,” I insist to the paramedic, trying to steady my trembling voice. The metallic taste of blood still lingers in my mouth, and my head feels like it's filled with cotton, but I don’t want to go to the hospital. I want answers, not another round of tests and questions.

The paramedic’s brow furrows with concern. “We’d really like to take you to the hospital to have you checked out. You could have internal injuries or a concussion.”

I shake my head vigorously, wincing at the sharp pain that shoots through my skull. “No. I said I’m fine. I just need to… I need to understand what’s happening.”

At that moment, Benedict and another man walk over toward me. They’re both wearing vests with the letters FBI emblazoned on them. The sight of them brings a flicker of relief, but also a surge of fear.

“How are you?” Benedict asks, his voice laced with concern, though his face is a mask of controlled professionalism.

I try to speak, but my voice cracks and falters. I’m overwhelmed with a jumble of thoughts and emotions—shock, fear, confusion. And I’ve got so many questions. I can’t seem to get my words to come out right. “I…I…” I stammer, struggling to form a coherent thought.

The word “Christopher” is all I manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper. The name is heavy on my tongue.

Benedict and the other agent exchange a look, a silent communication that doesn’t need words. Their faces betray their knowledge. Christopher got away. The realization crashes over me like a wave, pulling me under. I close my eyes briefly, trying to block out the horror of it all. He’s still out there, somewhere, and the sense of dread is suffocating.

Benedict’s eyes meet mine again, filled with a mix of determination and empathy. He seems to understand the depth of my fear, but there’s little he can say right now to ease it. “We’re going to find him,” he says softly. “We’ll make sure he’s brought to justice.”

I nod, though the promise doesn’t fully soothe the panic clawing at my insides. I look around at the chaotic scene—the flashing lights, the distant shouts of law enforcement, the crowd of rescued women—and feel a hollow emptiness. The nightmare is over, but the fight isn’t done. Not until Christopher is caught.

And then it’s like the floodgates open. The questions spill out uncontrollably, each one more desperate than the last. “Where’s Nate? Are you an FBI agent? Why did you lie to me? Are you even a priest at all?”

The other agent gives Benedict a brief nod before turning away, leaving us alone amidst the chaos.

“Nate’s being picked up right now as we speak. Jessica had him at her mother’s,” Benedict says, his voice steady but tinged with exhaustion. He gazes down at me with an earnest intensity, and the paramedics give us some space, their work momentarily paused.

Benedict takes a deep breath, his chest rising and falling with the effort. “I’ve been undercover at the church for a long time. We’ve been investigating the Delgados because we had reason to believe they were involved in trafficking women. We’re still trying to piece together everything that happened tonight.”

The weight of his words sinks in slowly, and I can’t help but stare at him in disbelief. “So, you’re not a priest?” I ask, my voice trembling as the reality sets in.

Benedict shakes his head slowly, his eyes meeting mine with a mixture of regret and resolve. “I’m not a priest,” he confirms.

My heart plummets, and a cold rush of confusion and betrayal washes over me. I feel like the ground has shifted beneath my feet. All this time, I believed in a lie, trusted someone who was playing a part. The man I thought was my ally, my confidant, was someone else entirely. I’m overwhelmed by a whirlwind of emotions—anger, hurt, and a profound sense of disillusionment.

I look away, trying to process this new reality. The questions keep racing through my mind, but for now, they’re tangled with the shock of the revelation. I want to know why Benedict had to deceive me, why he couldn’t be honest from the start. But more than that, I want to understand what happens next.

Benedict’s gaze softens as he watches me grapple with the truth. “Eva, I know this is a lot to take in, and I’m sorry for the deception. My priority was always to keep you and Nate safe. I needed to stay undercover to get close to the Delgados and stop what they were doing. I didn’t want to risk blowing my cover or endangering you both.”

I nod, though the motion feels mechanical. The anger and confusion churn inside me, making it hard to focus. Nate’s safety is my main concern, and knowing he’s being picked up gives me a small measure of relief. But the overwhelming sense of betrayal is hard to shake.

As I try to collect myself, I look back at Benedict, hoping for some clarity amidst the storm of emotions. “So, what happens now?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper. “What do we do?”

Benedict’s expression is serious, but there’s a flicker of reassurance in his eyes. “We get you and Nate to safety first,” he says, his tone steady and authoritative. “Then we need to find Christopher and Enzo.”

“Why Enzo?” I ask, my voice quivering as I try to make sense of everything.

Benedict’s gaze turns more focused, his brows furrowing slightly. “Enzo was working with Christopher to betray the Delgados. He’s crucial to understanding the full extent of the operation and the danger still at play.”

I feel a wave of confusion and betrayal wash over me. “Benedict, wait, is that even really your name?” The question escapes me before I can stop it, a mix of disbelief and frustration coloring my voice.

He looks at me with a wry smile that catches me off guard. For a moment, the harsh reality of the situation softens, and I’m reminded of the man I’ve seen behind the facade. There’s something undeniably compelling about him. “Yes, it’s really my name,” he says, the smile lingering as if it’s meant to offer some comfort.

The smile is unexpected, and it throws me off balance. I can’t deny that he’s strikingly handsome, with an intensity in his eyes that speaks of both pain and determination.

As I look at him, trying to reconcile the man before me with the image I had of him, I’m left with a tumult of emotions. The urgency of our situation snaps me back to reality. “I need to see Nate,” I say, my voice firm despite the tremor in my hands.

Benedict nods, his expression resolute. “You will. We’ll get through this, Eva. For now, let’s focus on getting you and Nate to safety and then we’ll tackle the rest.”

“Mommy,” Nate cries out, his voice a mix of relief and desperation as he sprints toward me with all the speed his little legs can muster.

I bend down with as much care as I can manage, despite the pain radiating through my body. My arms, still weak from the ordeal, reach out to gather him in a tight embrace. Benedict stands close by, steadying me with a reassuring hand on my back as I struggle to hold my son.

“I missed you so much,” I whisper, my voice breaking with emotion as I cling to Nate, feeling the warmth and familiarity of him against my chest. My heart aches with both love and the relief of finally being reunited.

Benedict clears his throat, his gaze steady but filled with a hint of empathy. “With the ongoing case against Christopher and his clear involvement in the trafficking ring, we’re pushing to get an order of protection for Nate against Christopher. We’re working on it as fast as we can.”

The words barely register over the rush of tears welling up in my eyes. I hold Nate tighter, the security of his small body in my arms providing a balm to my frayed nerves. It’s a bittersweet moment of relief amidst the chaos, knowing that my son is safe and that there is a path forward for us.

We’re currently nestled in a safe house, a modest yet secure refuge in a small town just outside Saint Pierce. The house is discreet, its walls thick enough to keep us protected from any potential threats. The small town offers a layer of anonymity, and for now, it feels like a sanctuary.

The sound of Nate’s heartbeat against mine is a soothing rhythm that helps ground me amidst the whirlwind of recent events. As Benedict and the rest of the team work to locate Enzo and Christopher, I sit here and hold my son.

I gently guide Nate toward the back bedroom and lay him down on the bed. He looks so small and tired, his little eyes heavy with exhaustion.

As I pull the covers up around him, he gazes up at me with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. “Mommy, where’s Daddy?”

The question pierces my heart, and I struggle to find the right words. I manage a soft, reassuring smile, hoping to provide some comfort. “Daddy had to go away for a bit, so you’re going to be staying with me for now. We’re going to go home as soon as it’s safe.”

“Why’s it not safe?” His voice is small, and I can see the weariness in his eyes.

I swallow hard, fighting back tears as I brush a stray lock of hair from his forehead. “Mommy just needs to figure a few things out. But don’t worry, because maybe tomorrow we’ll get some ice cream.”

His eyes brighten at the mention of ice cream, even though he’s clearly exhausted. “Can I have strawberry?”

I raise an eyebrow playfully. “I thought chocolate was your favorite flavor?”

He shakes his head earnestly. “No, I want to be like you and eat strawberry.”

My heart swells, tears escaping down my cheeks. “Nate, you’re already so much like me. You can eat whatever flavor you like best.”

He snuggles deeper into the pillow, clutching his favorite teddy bear tightly. “Okay, maybe I’ll have a scoop of each.”

I sit beside him, gently smoothing the covers and watching as he drifts off to sleep.

As Nate’s breathing slows and he falls into a peaceful sleep, I let myself indulge in a few more tears. They’re tears of relief, sorrow, and hope. For now, the promise of ice cream and the soft rhythm of my son’s breathing are all I need to hold onto.