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“We get it.” Ashton sighed dramatically. “Call them. Confirm what you’ve read on the paper.”
Ball’s lips pressed tightly in a firm line before he motioned for Williams to follow him. Declan watched them walk down the hallway with their cell phones in their hands. Once they disappeared from sight, he turned back to Mac and Ashton.
“I appreciate you coming.” He nodded to both of them. It meant a lot to him that he could call on his brothers and knew they’d be there without asking a question.
“You don’t have to thank me,” Mac muttered. He moved from where he stood and strode over to the living room window.
“You know the whole team has your back. One word, and the whole team is here,” Ashton said.
Declan glanced down at Aspen, seeing confusion lining her face. “Are you all right?”
“I’m just confused at what is going on.” She shook her head and let loose a sigh. She stepped away from him and flopped down on the sofa. “I just want this to be over. I’m tired of hiding. I’m tired of having to be protected. I just want my life back.”
Declan moved to her and took a seat on the coffee table in front of her, resting his hands on her knees. She turned her sad eyes to him, and his heart lurched. He gently rubbed her soft skin with a small smile on his lips.
“What you are doing is brave.” He’d given Mac a little background on what was going on and he was sure Mac had filled Ashton in before they’d arrived. “Just think of all the people who were affected by Ray Acosta. He hurt so many with his greed. You testifying will bring him to justice.”
She blew out a deep breath and gazed up at the ceiling. “That’s the thing that keeps me going. How could he do it? I’ve known him practically my entire life. Considered him an uncle, and not only did he murder a man in cold blood in front of me, but he stole money from not just my father’s company but all the employees’ retirement funds. Some of them were devastated by him.”
It pained him to hear the quiver in her voice. Her chest rose rapidly as she tried to regain composure of herself. She lowered her gaze to his, and he was proud at the strength that radiated from her eyes.
“How well do you know those agents?” he asked, keeping his voice low.
Her eyes widened, and she swallowed nervously. “Well, they’ve been keeping me safe since I was taken from my home and put in witness protection.” She glanced around the room before focusing on him. “Agent Ball is the one I deal with the most. He was the one who chose this location and was trying to help me have as normal a life while in hiding as possible.”
Declan nodded then sat back. “And the other one?”
“He comes and goes. When he’s around I know it’s time for me to be moved.” She tucked her hair behind her ear.
Declan watched the tremor in her hands.
She was nervous and scared.
“Why did you have to move last time?” Ashton asked. “If you were hidden well, you could have stayed in one place until you were needed back in Cali.”
“Umm…the last town I was in was located in Texas. I was at a diner, and the news came on about the case. I was taught that if someone says I look familiar or asks me if I’m Aspen Irwin, I have to report it to Agent Ball.”
“You were recognized?” Declan asked. He couldn’t begin to imagine what she was going through.
“Not in so many words. But it was too close, and they made the decision to move me here.” She looked around the room with a shake of her head. “Moving is getting old. I thought Columbia was going to be the final spot until I testified. I have to take the stand.”
“We’re going to make sure you get on that stand,” Mac growled.
“Damn straight,” Ashton agreed.
She turned her attention to them and blew out a deep breath. Her lips turned into a small smile.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“You’re welcome, baby,” Declan murmured, his eyes locked on hers.
“I do have a question,” Ashton announced.
Declan turned and glanced over his shoulder at him.
“Are you seriously okay with your woman wearing an Army t-shirt?”
The marshals returnedfrom the back with grim expressions. Declan stood from his perch on the table and placed his body between her and the feds. She stood and moved so she could see Ball. She knew the look on his face. The pit of her stomach fell out.
