BROKEN VOWS (Broken Redemption Book 1)

Chapter 23

Emilia

He's alive!

Where do I even begin to process what this means? That he never reached out to let me know he was okay or to warn me of the hell that might rain down on me? It's enough to make me question if I really ever knew the man I married.

But then again, didn't he try to warn me? That day, three years ago, when he tore my world apart by declaring he was done with our life and our marriage. How is this possible when I was so sure that behind his ugly words, I knew the kind of man he was? The dedicated FBI agent who'd do anything for the cause, including giving us up so he could go all in on his quest to make the world a safer place. How could I've gotten it so wrong?

Racing to my car, I jump into the driver's seat in time to let the tears fall. I can't believe this. None of what was said in that room makes any sense. For starters, Creed would never, ever betray the agency he's dedicated his life to. He'd never go against his principles, especially when it comes to this. Human trafficking? Never would he get involved with that type of organization, not after what they did to his sister and not after dedicating his entire career to her memory. Why the hell would the FBI think otherwise, especially after everything he's done? After everything, he's sacrificed.

And that I'm under some type of surveillance is even more insane, given I've had no contact with him since he disappeared. If they are listening and keeping tabs on me, shouldn't they know that? Shouldn't they see what a mess I've been since this all began?

And how the hell am I supposed to act normal? Knowing what I know, how am I supposed to just go on with my life as if everything I thought I knew about the man I married, about the federal agency he served, hell, about my family's safety and security is no longer as it once appeared?

"What am I going to do?" I sob out the words between painful breaths. "What the hell am I supposed to do?"

"Trust us." It's what Lucas said I needed to do, but that's just it. I have trusted. In my husband. In the FBI. At one time even in Lucas, and time and time again I've learned that my blind trust is never reciprocated. Demonstrated once again when Lucas walked out on me when I needed him just now. And that Ben doesn't see the flight risk Lucas is, doesn't bode well for my trust in him either.

No.

There is no trust to be found.

Not in these men. Not when it comes to my family's safety or my freedom. The only person I should count on to get me through this is me.

Not caring that I'm crying, I reach for my phone to call the last person I thought I would need. While she may have betrayed me, she is the only person I know with the legal knowledge to guide me through what I need to do next.

"Nic," her name comes out sounding more like a whimper as I fight through the overwhelming fear. "I-I need to see you."

"Emi, what's wrong? Are you all right?"

"No. Something's happened. Can I come over?" I answer between sobs.

"Gosh, Em. Yes! Of course, anything. I was on my way to the office, but I'll turn around and meet you there. Give me ten minutes."

Hanging up, I set my phone on the passenger seat. With adrenaline coursing through me, I'm shaking all over. That's why it takes a few tries to get the key into the ignition and get the car going. Wasting no time, I back out of the parking space. I need to get as far away from this place as I can, so I gun the accelerator, entering the intersection without giving incoming traffic a second thought.

By the grace of God, I make it onto Main Street safely, while chastising myself for being so damn naïve. If what Ben and Lucas say is true, how did I miss all the signs? Why didn't I push the FBI harder and demand the hard answers? Maybe if I had, I wouldn't be considered an accomplice to whatever my husband's involved in. Creed is alive and all indications point to him abandoning our family without so much as a backward glance. Just as he tried to tell me, it shows he no longer cares. Why the hell didn't I listen?