Their bond was deep, unmistakable, and moving.
Together, he and Kane closed around them, both to stop the sisters from fleeing and to block any prying eyes. Trees exchanged a glance with the other operative. In Kane’s expression, he saw their shared knowledge that the women had only survived a difficult and cruel world because they had each other.
“Are you all right?” Laila murmured.
“Yes. How did you escape the house?” Valeria cradled her son, feverishly kissing his little head.
Laila explained her scuffle with the two intruders and her getaway through the neighbor’s yard. She was both clever and resourceful—something Trees should probably keep in mind.
Valeria looked horrified. “Are you certain it was Victor?”
Hate burned in Laila’s expression. “If anyone knows that bastard—”
“It is you.” Valeria’s pity told Trees that Victor had hurt Laila in the past. “How did you get away from him when he had a gun pointed at you and Jorge?”
Just what Trees wanted to know, but—
“Ladies, here and now isn’t the time for this conversation. Talk later on the phone.” Kane took the words out of his mouth as he nudged Valeria and Jorge toward the van.
Laila held fast. “You should have fled the area once you realized our house had been compromised. That was our agreement.”
Valeria shook her head and swiped at her tears. “I could not leave you and Jorge to fend for yourselves.”
“She refused to go anywhere without you,” Kane confirmed.
“I would not leave you behind, either,” Laila vowed. “Ever.”
Trees had never had family willing to go to the mat for him. Not that they didn’t love him; they simply hadn’t had time. They’d been too busy surviving. His dad had worked constantly to feed the ten mouths in their house, and his mother had been continually overwhelmed by his seven younger siblings. As the oldest, if he’d had problems, he had been expected to handle them.
“It’s time to go. We’re too pinned in and vulnerable here. If the cartel finds you and fires their weapons…” Trees glanced meaningfully at Jorge.
Valeria clutched her son tighter. “You are right. We must leave.”
“I am coming with you,” Laila insisted.
Trees shook his head. “It’s too risky.”
She ignored him. “We were apart for nearly two years, hermana. No more.”
“Just while we travel. Just for a short time. Once we reach our destination safely, we will be together as a family. No one will separate us again.” Valeria squeezed her sister’s hand. “Please…”
Laila scowled, then sighed in frustration. “Fine. Only while we travel.” She turned and glared his way. “Tell me now. When will I see her again? Where?”
“I can’t say for sure.” There were too many variables, too many plans left to make.
“You cannot or you will not?” She pinned Valeria with a displeased stare. “You hear this nonsense, yes? How do you know this is not a trap?”
“It is not,” her sister promised. “They will get us to safety. Trust them.” When Laila huffed like pigs would fly first, Valeria tried again. “Trust me.”
“You’ll see her soon,” Kane swore. “And you’ll still be in the States. That’s all we can say now.”
“It will be fine,” Valeria reassured her sister.
“Will it? They are strangers. Men. Twice they have relocated us. Both times, the cartel has discovered us. Think about it, Valeria. They must be the reason our location has been compromised.”
As much as Trees hated Laila’s mistrust, he understood it.
An older woman who probably ran the shelter emerged from the back door, standing just inside the dim light. “I’m sorry, but you must leave. We can’t attract any negative attention when we have so many women in need here.”
“Sorry. Of course.” Trees nodded, then turned to the sisters. “Let’s head out.”
Valeria gripped her sister’s hand and sent her a brave smile. “Go with him. We will talk soon.”
Laila’s expression made it clear she wasn’t in favor of this plan. “You still have your phone, yes?”
“I do. What happened to yours? I assumed it was charging when Victor and his henchman broke in, but then I found it broken…”
“They smashed it.”
“I’ll get you a new one at our first stop,” Trees promised. “Let’s clear the alley.”
Kane nodded and urged Valeria and her son into the van. “The longer we stand here, the less safe we are.”
Valeria turned back to brush one last kiss on her sister’s cheek. “Call me.”
Laila held her sister tight and pressed her forehead to her nephew’s for a long, silent moment. Then Valeria sat, and Kane slid the van door shut. Laila froze, worry and tears pooling in her eyes.
Her face told him she was wondering if she would ever see them alive again.
“Stay safe and in touch,” Kane said to Trees as he hopped in the driver’s seat, locked the vehicle, and pulled away, slowly rolling down the alley with his lights off until he turned onto the road and disappeared from sight.