Read Online aHunter4Life (aHunter4Hire) by Cynthia Clement - Free Book Online Page B

was
defensive. “You knew that there were things I couldn’t talk about.”
    “True,
but I thought I could trust you.” Nikki shook her head. “I let you take care of
my baby and gave you a home to live in. The least you could have done was be
truthful.”
    “I
was honest.” Selena’s voice shook. “I told you I had escaped from a horrible
life in Columbia. You said you didn’t want to hear about it.”
    Nikki
shrugged. “You made it sound as if you were the victim. I was already upset
enough about having to leave Gates with a nanny. If I’d known you were one of
the perpetrators I would never have let you in my home.”
    “I’m
not guilty of what the FBI is accusing me of.” Selena’s voice rose as she put
emphasis on each word. “I never hurt anyone.”
    “What
about Tarrin’s father?” Nikki’s words hung in the
room for a few seconds before she continued. “You swear you were an innocent,
but you lived in your brother’s home. That means the only men you would have
met were those that worked for him.”
    Selena’s
breath caught in her throat. “Why are you asking me this now?”
    “Maybe Tarrin’s father is ruthless enough to kidnap him.”
    “He
doesn’t know he has a son.”
    Selena’s
voice was low. The memory of the torment she’d gone through when she’d found
herself pregnant threatened to overwhelm her. She was alone and without a job.
Nikki’s offer of employment had been heaven sent. Nikki and Steve were just starting
out in their careers and lived quietly. The fame and paparazzi had come later.
    “Who
is he?” Nikki’s voice was strident. “We need to know so the FBI can investigate
him.”
    “I
suppose the FBI has already suggested him as a suspect?”
    “They’re
very thorough.” Steve spoke from the couch. “Especially when it comes to
background checks. I’ve learned a lot from them.”
    “He
betrayed me and I left. I found out I was pregnant after I was living here. He
doesn’t have any idea about Tarrin . If he did, he
would be here helping to find him.”
    “I
suppose we’ll have to take your word for that.” Nikki crossed her arms. “Did
you have any enemies in Columbia?”
    “Everyone
is fighting each other.” Selena sighed. “Do you really want to know about the
life I lived in Columbia? I’ll tell you every detail, but I can promise that
neither Juan, nor Tarrin’s father, had anything to do
with this abduction.”
    Nikki
bit her lip. “I don’t want to listen to your horror stories. It was bad enough
learning that you were involved with mercenaries and have a brother who is now
a drug lord.”
    “We
don’t know that for certain.” Selena shook her head. “Juan believes he is doing
what is right for his country. I don’t agree. That’s why I left.”
    Nikki
raised an eyebrow. “You’ve told us yourself that you are not the same person
you were in the past. You don’t know who your brother is now, or what he is
capable of.”
    Selena
sighed. “True. I still don’t believe he would kidnap family.”
    “Well
the FBI think Juan is responsible. That’s why there isn’t a huge concern over
saving Tarrin . He’s not in danger, but Gates is.”
    Selena’s
hands clenched into fists. “I sense he is in danger. I’ve always had an
instinctive connection with Tarrin . He is afraid.
That’s why I called in the Hunters. You need to let them help.”
    Nikki
looked at Steve, who shook his head. She shrugged and looked back at her.
“We’re going with the FBI.”
    A
sense of defeat flooded Selena. There was no point in arguing. Nikki never
changed her mind once she made a decision. She was on her own now because the
FBI weren’t looking for Tarrin . She had to trust that
the Hunters would get her boy back alive.
    “For
the boys’ sakes, I hope you’re right.” Selena turned toward the door. “I don’t
believe the FBI will be successful.”
    She
left the room. All her years of happy memories had been wiped out in one week
and there was