Chapter 13
Scott’s heart melted when that little sob escaped her chest. He was flooded with a feelings of love so intense he was sure that Marissa should be able to feel it. “Hey, turn around and look at me,” he said, turning her around in his arms and tipping her chin up so he could look her in the eyes.
He looked at her for a few seconds, all the love he felt making it hard for him to speak, but finally he found his voice. “I never meant for it to sound cavalier when I said that I love you. It’s just that I’ve loved you since the day we got married, it’s become such a part of who I am I just forgot to tell you,” he said, catching a tear that had leaked from her eye with his thumb.
“I love you too, Scott. I’m sorry I got so upset, but I needed to hear that. This happened so fast sometimes it doesn’t seem real. It’s only been a couple of months, but I can’t imagine my life without you,” she said, searching his eyes for understanding.
“Now you understand why I don’t want you putting yourself in danger,” he said, making her look down guiltily. He tipped her chin up again. “But I can promise you this, I’m going to tell you that I love you so much that you’re going to get tired of hearing it.”
“I can promise you that will never happen,” she said, tears flowing down her face. “I’ll never get tired of hearing it. I love you so much it hurts sometimes.”
Scott rocked her in his arms. “I know, sweetheart, me too.”
When the tears finally subsided, Marissa said, “Let’s go home tonight. I don’t want to stay here.”
“If that’s what you want, but I’ve been looking forward to peeling that dress off of you all night,” he said, his green eyes suddenly full of passion when he looked at her.
Marissa was immediately lost in those green eyes, her heart thumping as it always did when Scott looked at her that way. “Well, I wasn’t planning on wearing it home, so I might need some help.”
“I’d be happy to help you with that,” he said. They did head home that night, but not for several hours.
The weeks passed in a whirlwind of activity as they finished the house and spent weekends searching estate sales and auctions for furniture. By the first of November, the house was finished and Scott had sent the men out to work on the barn and outbuildings; those that couldn’t be saved were rebuilt based on styles of the period. When the property was finished, it would look just like it had in the 30s on the outside, but inside Scott had incorporated as many modern conveniences as he could.
Marissa was thrilled with the result of the renovations. The house looked exactly like she’d imagined except for the big man who lived there with her. But with the holidays coming, she knew that it was time to deal with the charity which she’d been running quietly from home. Scott knew that she was doing it, but he ignored the problem willing to wait for Marissa to approach the subject.
She finally she did one morning after breakfast. They didn’t have any plans for the day, so it seemed like the perfect time, and she wanted to make a round of visits before the holidays which were a difficult time for some of the people she helped. While Scott was drinking his last cup of coffee, she gathered all her files and set them down on the kitchen table.
“It’s time we talked about the charity,” she said, pointing to the files.
Scott picked up the file on top of the stack. “This doesn’t look too bad, you’ve been supporting after school programs in Oklahoma and Nebraska,” he said, setting it back on the table.
“I don’t necessarily visit places like that. Even if I did, I don’t see any danger there,” she said, putting the file to the side.
“No, I’d have to agree, but you know those may be the places you’re going to have to start visiting,” Scott said, thinking that might be a perfect solution to the problem. Marissa could still be out in the trenches, but they’d be much safer trenches.
Marissa considered this for a few minutes watching while Scott took another file off the pile. “I don’t know if I’m willing to give up that much yet. There has to be a way for me to still go and for you to not worry,” she said, carefully making her wishes known.
After several hours of discussion, they’d made three piles of files on the table: a pile of places that posed no risk, a pile of places Scott would feel comfortable with her visiting as long as she had company, and finally a list of places he was dead set against her visiting ever again. There were only three files in the third pile, but they were the women’s shelters in the three worst neighborhoods in the country.
“The only way I’m letting you go into these neighborhoods is with a bodyguard, preferably me,” Scott said, tapping the pile.
“I’m willing to concede to a bodyguard, but it can’t be you. We’d only attract more attention if you were following me around. It has to be someone who fits into the neighborhood. In fact, it would be best if it was someone from the neighborhood, someone who knows the streets,” she said, thinking it through.
“Marissa, you need someone who’s trained to defend you, not some street thug,” Scott countered.
“No, Scott, think about it. It makes perfect sense, who else would know about what’s happening on the streets? It’s not like they’re going to have to defend me against a sniper or something. We need someone who can give me protection in the streets,” She said, searching her mind for the right person.
“I have to admit that you’re making some sense, but I don’t know how we’ll ever find someone like that,” Scott said. “I don’t know how you advertise for something like that.”
Then Marissa thought of the perfect person. “I know exactly who we should call,” she said, pulling out her phone. “Just let me make a phone call.”
When she hung up, she’d arranged for someone named Angel to come out and meet Scott. He was skeptical when she told him about Angel who she’d met at one of the women’s shelters when he was only 14. He’d brought his mother in after a boyfriend had nearly killed her. He and his mother had spent six months at the shelter, and Marissa had gotten close to both of them. Angel had graduated from high school a few years ago but stayed close to home.
“But he’s just a kid, Marissa,” Scott said, not sure about her plan.
“That’s true, but he knows the neighborhood, he grew up there. He’s street smart, Scott. Isn’t that what we need?” Marissa countered.
Scott couldn’t help but admit that she was right. “Okay, I’ll meet him and consider the idea. When will he be here?”
“Tomorrow. I hired a car to bring him out here. We’re going to have to explain all this to him. He had no idea who I really am, they all think I’m a social worker. I’m afraid it’s going to be a shock,” Marissa said, stacking the files back up to put them away.
When the car pulled up in the front yard the next afternoon, Angel stepped out of the car looking confused, but when he saw Marissa coming out of the house, a big smile spread across his face. “Amanda, my mom said you wanted me to meet you in California so I came, but what’s going on? This place is crazy, I feel like I’ve stepped back in time,” he said, looking around him.
“Well, I’m glad you’re here, but I have a lot to explain to you. Come inside and I’ll get you something to eat. You must be starving, it’s a long trip from Florida,” she said, then gave him a hug, which seemed to reassure him, some of the wariness disappearing.
After, she showed him the house, which he immediately fell in love with. “I’ve always dreamed of getting out of the city,” he said, looking out the big front window at the mountains in the distance.
“Well, this is about as far from the city as you can get.” Marissa laughed, leading him back to the kitchen where she got him a snack and herself a cup of coffee.
Once he was settled, he looked at her and asked, “Amanda, what’s going on?”
“Well, the first thing I have to tell you is that my name isn’t Amanda. It’s Marissa,” she said, giving him a second to absorb that fact.
“I’m pretty sure you’re not a social worker either,” he said. “So, who are you?”
Marissa launched into her explanation, starting all the way back to her first visit to Houston, and finishing with her new husband’s desire that she stop her charade. “I can’t keep running around on my own, it’s not safe, but, Angel, I love visiting the shelter and the neighborhood, so we’ve come up with a compromise,” she finished, sitting back to give Angel time to process that information.
“And that’s where I come in,” Angel said, never one to miss anything.
“Exactly. What would you think about watching over me when I’m in tricky neighborhoods like yours?” she asked, not wanting to use the words body guard.
“You want me to be your bodyguard?” he asked, shocked. “I don’t know how to be a bodyguard.”
“I think you would be the perfect person. All I need is someone to get me safely between the shelter and the hotel where I’ll be staying. Once people find out who I really am, I might become a target, I can’t deny that, but if I’m protected by someone who knows how to handle themselves on the street I think I’ll be fine,” Marissa explained to him.
“Can I have some time to think about this?” Angel asked, looking a little stunned.
“Of course. While you’re thinking, I’d like you to meet my husband. He’s out in the barn with his new horse, it just got here this morning. I haven’t seen him all day, but he wants to meet you,” Marissa said, getting to her feet.
She knew that Angel was stunned by all that had been revealed to him, but there’d been no other way to do it, quick and to the point seemed best for all of them. She left Scott and Angel standing at the fence that surrounded the new pasture watching the horse grazing and talking about horses. Angel seemed relaxed and Scott was taking a surprising gentle path with Angel.
By the time they came in for dinner, they were laughing like old friends. Scott was clearly impressed with the young man. “Angel has decided he wants to stay with us for a few days so we can discuss our plans. He’s going to take the job,” Scott said once they’d sat down to eat.
“Scott and I decided that I should go with you all the time, not just to the women’s shelter,” Angel said importantly.
“Oh, you did? And what if I don’t like that idea?” she asked, not at all surprised that it had come to that.
“Then we’ll have to compromise, but, Marissa, now that I know the truth, I think it would be safer,” he said, so serious that Marissa decided to let him off the hook.
“Don’t worry, Angel, I’m not going to fight you on this. I know when I’m out numbered,” she said, then shot Scott a look that said cheater. He’d known that she wouldn’t be able to resist Angel.
“Good, then that’s settled,” Angel said, then stuffed a big bite of steak into his mouth. He chewed the bite then added, “This is almost as good as my mom’s.”
When Marissa was finally ready for her trip, Angel was right at her side, prepared to defend her if necessary. He’d gone home for Thanksgiving, but returned a few days ago for the trip, looking proud to have been entrusted with Marissa’s safety. Once they were settled on the plane, he got out a guide book and began reading about some of the places they were going to visit.
“I’ve never been anywhere,” Angel said, excited by the all the new things he’d be seeing.
“Well, now you’re going to go from one side of the country and back. By the time we’re done a week from now, you’ll be so happy to get home,” Marissa said wisely.
The week went smoothly. Angel not only proved a great traveling companion but did provide her with an increased sense of security. Even in the neighborhoods that he didn’t know, the way he carried himself and interacted with people made it clear that he was one of them. The truth about her identity turned out not to be that big of a deal, most people waving the news off, then moving on to the business of helping people.
They boarded the plane for the last leg of their trip exhausted but feeling like they’d accomplished a lot. Marissa was sad to see the trip end, but knew that she’d pushed Angel about as far as she could. On her own, she would have stayed out longer, but this was his first trip and traveling was exhausting. When he slumped down in his seat and fell asleep almost immediately, Marissa realized just how attached she’d become to him over the last week; he was like a little brother.
When the plane landed in Florida, Angel was immediately awake. “Can you smell that?” he asked Marissa, looking out the window at the swamps passing beneath them. “It smells like home.”
“I told you that you’d be happy to get home,” she said, taking her bag from him as they walked off the plane.
“I am happy to be home, but I really enjoyed the trip,” he said, practically running to the car that was waiting for them. She had the car drop her at the hotel and sent Angel home promising not to leave her room until he returned for her the next morning.
Marissa was just as tired as Angel was and she was missing Scott, questioning her decision not to let him come with them for the hundredth time as she ordered room service. When he called later that night, she had a hard time not letting her emotions get the better of her but Scott could hear it in her voice.
“What’s the matter?” he asked, after she’d given him an update on their day.
“I miss you. I should have let you come with me,” she said, sniffing.
“Oh, sweetheart, I miss you too. Do you want me to fly out there? I could be there by morning,” he said, already pulling up flights on his computer.
“No, I’ll be home day after tomorrow, I can wait that long to see you,” she said, sounding resigned.
“Okay, but if you change your mind, I can be on a flight in a couple of hours,” he said again.
“I’m tempted to tell you to get on a plane, but then we’d just have to fly home,” she said, trying to sound more upbeat. “I’m just tired, I’ll feel better after a good night’s sleep.”
“I love you, Marissa, and I’ll see you at the airport. Be careful,” Scott said, wishing she’d let him come to her.
“I love you too. Don’t worry, only a few days and next time you’re coming with me.”
The next day, Marissa did feel better but not for long. When she got to the shelter, the director pulled her back into her office. She had a stack of files on her desk which she slid across to Marissa, who looked through them. Each was the file of a young woman who had come to the shelter to get away from an abusing boyfriend, none of them had kids or any family. Marissa was familiar with the pattern of abuse that was so common in the slums of the big cities and didn’t see anything special about the girls.
Marissa looked to the director for an explanation. “I’m worried about these girls. They’ve all disappeared over the last month,” the woman said, getting up to pace the little office.
“But it’s not that uncommon for girls like these to move on. They don’t have any ties here,” Marissa said, confused. These girls looked like so many that came through the doors of the shelter.
“That’s the thing though, all of these girls had begun to build ties to the community. All of them had enrolled in school and found jobs. They were making new lives for themselves here. It just doesn’t make sense that they’d disappear without a word. Maybe one or two, but there are ten files there.”
“Have you talked to the cops?” Marissa asked, getting a bad feeling in her stomach. Human traffickers often preyed on the women from shelter, especially the young ones, they were so much easier to control.
“Yeah, but they just shrugged me off. I couldn’t even get them to look at the files. Word on the street is that there’s a whole boatload of girls going out tonight, but the cops wouldn’t listen to that either. It’s so frustrating,” the woman said, sinking back down into her chair.
“Is everyone here and accounted for?” Marissa asked, looking at the roster posted on the wall of the office.
“Most everyone is here for the Christmas celebration, but there are a few girls out working.”
“Get a hold of them and let them know that Angel will be there to pick them up from work,” Marissa said. “I’ll make some phone calls and see if I can get any better results.”
By the middle of the afternoon, the shelter was decked out for Christmas, a huge tree in the entryway. The kids were all excited about the visit from Santa that would be the main event of the party, a tradition that Marissa had started years ago. But Marissa wasn’t feeling the Christmas spirit. In fact, she was frustrated and angry. None of her phone calls had gotten any results, the police just as dismissive to her as they’d been to the director.
“Well, that was a waste of time,” she said, hanging up from the last phone call.
“I told you, they just don’t care,” the director said.
“It’s so frustrating, either no one would listen or they said that they couldn’t discuss ongoing investigations,” Marissa said, picking up her phone again. “Now, I have to call my husband who’s going to have a big fit when he hears what’s going on.”
“I’m sorry, I should have let you know before you came, but I didn’t know...I mean you hear rumors all the time, but when I started really thinking about it, it just seemed like maybe they weren’t rumors.”
“Don’t worry, you couldn’t have known that this would happen. I’m going to send Angel out to see what he can find out. Let’s see what the word on the street is, maybe it’s just a coincidence that those girls took off,” Marissa said hopefully, deciding to wait until Angel got back to call Scott.
When Angel got back, the news wasn’t good. The neighborhood was on high alert. Several girls had gone missing that week, girls who wouldn’t have left home on their own. Rumors of the slave trade were everywhere, and he’d heard the same rumor that there was a transport scheduled for that night.
“Marissa, people are staying inside and locking their doors. Something big is happening, but I can’t quite get my finger on it,” Angel said, then added, “You shouldn’t be here.”
“I can’t just leave, the Christmas party is tonight. We’ll be safe enough here, I’ll even stay the night. Will that help?”
“I guess, but Scott’s not going to like this,” Angel said, “You better call him.”
Marissa suppressed the urge to smile at Angel, he sounded so grown up all of the sudden. “I’ll call him right now,” she promised.
Scott reacted just as she’d thought he would. “Don’t leave the shelter, keep Angel close. I’ll be on the next plane,” he said, then added, “I love you, Marissa. Don’t do anything stupid.”
“I’m staying right here where it’s safe. I love you too. I’ll see you when you get here,” she said, hanging up the phone. She’d been tempted to tell him not to come, but since he hadn’t said I told you so like so many men would have, she kept her mouth shut.