Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
For now, though, she’s out of that hellhole. And that’s one small victory. But it’s not over. Not yet.
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.