Read Online Healing Love: Saints Protection & Investigation by Maryann Jordan - Free Book Online Page A

opportunity comes to get her outta there.”
    “Right,” Marc answered. “Good luck and let me hear as soon as you can.”
    With that the two men disconnected. Allowing the breeze to continue to blow on his face, cooling the sweat that had been pouring off of him, Cam felt the first sense of freedom in a week. Knowing Miriam had to be feeling the shackles of imprisonment, he wanted that sense of freedom for her too. And wanted to be the one to give it to her.
    *
    Miriam started her morning managing to get Sister Genovia alone, wanting to question her further about the events of last night. Finding the older woman in the supply tent counting the stock, she picked up a bag of makeshift bandages and began to sort them.
    Whispering, she asked, “What happened last night?”
    “It appears the doctor and the…man in charge…were seeking female companionship and hoping to impress us at the same time.”
    Miriam’s eyes grew wide as she stared dumbly at the nun. “Female companionship? Their wives were with them.”
    “With these men, the bounds of marriage mean little. And their wives are quite content to be taken care of.”
    “But…but…”
    “And the dinner was an exhibition of their wealth. And power.”
    “But why?” Miriam asked, her confusion even greater than before.
    Sister Genovia turned to her, a kind expression on her face. “My dear, I have worked among these men for a while. It was my calling to bring God’s grace to whomever I could and if I could save anyone from the clutches of their evil…then that is what I have tried to do.”
    Miriam looked down at the bandages as a guard walked passed the door to the tent. As she heard him move by, she turned her questioning gaze back to the nun.
    “I am not a threat, my child. They know that. I am protected by the veil and they know I will not try to escape. Nor am I impressed by their wealth or power. Those earthly, ill-gotten gains mean nothing to me. But having me along with you last night gave the illusion that it was just a friendly meal.”
    “But they kidnapped us. They keep us under lock and key!” Miriam whispered harshly. “How can they think we want to be captives?”
    “Look around. Are we not kept safe by the men with guns at our door? Are we not fed better than the workers? You see, in their minds, we are being treated well and as a reward for our service here for the cartel, they are willing to bestow upon you some of their wealth. And if you become a mistress to someone higher up at the same time…so much the better for them.”
    Miriam dropped the bundle, clutching the table in front of her until her knuckles were white. Feeling light-headed, she sucked in a huge breath letting it out slowly. “This is madness,” she barely whispered.
    She felt Sister Genovia’s hand cover hers and squeeze. “Yes, but this is the madness they live in.”
    Miriam turned her face back to the older woman and said, “What do I do?”
    She felt the nun’s piercing gaze and held it. Never wavering.
    Sister Genovia nodded. “That’s good. You’re not enticed by the lure of what is here. Sharon is. You cannot persuade her differently and do not try. Leave that to me. They will expect it of me but will look suspiciously at you if you try to talk her out of the path she has decided to go on. But,” she squeezed Miriam’s hand for emphasis, “do no talk in front of Sharon. She will quickly become an informant if she thinks it will make her road easier. For now, take care of Lorainne. She is ill and becoming weaker. Do what you’re told and keep your wits about you.”
    Lickings her lips nervously, Miriam nodded and then turned her sad gaze back to the nun’s. “I’m never leaving, am I? I’ll never see my family again, will I?” She battled the tears threatening to fall, blinking furiously.
    Another squeeze. “My child, you never know what God has in store for us. But I pray for your deliverance and the deliverance of the others.”
    “It would