Page 88 of Everything We Found

“This has to do with his mother. That’s why he left.”

“How so?”

“He’s trading himself for her.”

Cammy frowned as if considering Nadia’s conclusion. Then she swore. “I think you might be right.”

Nadia’s legs weakened. She sank onto the couch as her imagination did a number on her. Images of what the Hidalgos had done to Phil plagued her mind. The letter carved into his stomach. The missing hands and feet. Was that what awaited Thomas? She pressed the back of her hand to her mouth, willing herself not to be sick, her eyes closing. But the images didn’t stop. Now it was Thomas, bound and bleeding. She could picture his defiance. He’d fight them. He’d refuse to scream even as they tortured him. He’d face death without flinching if it meant saving Claire.

“Stop thinking about it,” Cammy said, her dread softening the sound of her words. “He’s bound to show up on the FBI’s radar. They have the truck’s plate number.”

“I’m supposed to just sit here until then?” The words came out sharper than Nadia intended, hardened by the fear and anger they wouldn’t find him until it was too late. “While he walks straight into his own execution?”

“So you stay alive? Yes.” Cammy moved to stand in front of her. In a tone that brooked no room for argument, she said,“Let’s be realistic. I want to find him and talk some sense into him as much as you do. But do you think he’d listen to me? I wouldn’t get through that thick skull of his, and neither would you. We both know how he is. We’d only slow the inevitable, putting our lives at risk in the process. The last thing Tommy would want is you dead.”

Nadia stared straight ahead, Cammy’s truth burrowing deep. Even if she could somehow find Thomas, what could she say to change his mind? The man had rearranged his entire life to protect her, to protect his family. He’d given up the focus of his college studies so she kept a roof over her head. He’d fabricated his brother’s death, surrendered his career, lived with the disdain of everyone he cared about. He’d do it all again without hesitation. So what power did she have against the weight of a lifetime of sacrifice?

There had to be something she could do, and in a flash she knew.

Only one person could get through to him.

“I know who he’ll listen to,” she announced, straightening her spine.

Cammy lifted a brow.

“James. He’s the only one who might convince him to change his mind.” To let the professionals do their jobs. But even as she said it, doubt crept in. James had refused Thomas’s calls for days. Would he even care Thomas was walking to his death? Would he see it as the ultimate atonement for the years he’d lost because of Thomas?

She had to try.

“Reach out to your source and see if he can get a message to James for us,” Nadia said, standing abruptly. “Thomas had to have said something in one of those dozens of messages he’d left him. James might know where he’s headed or what he’s up to. I’ll try from my end.”

“Agreed.” Cammy woke up her phone. “That’s about the best we can do right now.”

It wasn’t as much action as Nadia would have liked, but it was better than doing nothing. She clung to that tendril of hope.

Aimee had James’s number, and the thought of calling her after their fallout the other day made Nadia’s stomach churn. But Thomas’s life was on the line.

She brought up Aimee’s number. The phone rang once, twice, then went straight to voicemail. She hung up and quickly typed a series of texts.

I’m the last person you want to hear from, but Thomas is in danger.

I need to warn James.

Please call me back.

Text James’s number instead.

Please.

We don’t even have to talk.

She watched the screen, impatiently waiting for the three bubbles to appear. But the messages went unread. In fact, they didn’t even show as delivered. Not like her previous messages to Aimee.

“She blocked me,” Nadia murmured.

“What’s that, dear?”

“Nothing.” The stab of rejection was too fresh to acknowledge.