Betrayal of Innocence (A New Adventure Begins - Star Elite 1)

“Over there,” she whispered with a nod toward the farthest corner of the room. “There is some water. Please? I am thirsty.”

Oliver quickly poured some of the water Reuben had brought with him and knelt beside her. He held the cup to her lips while she drank thirstily and helped her remain upright so she could focus on Justin. It was clear to them all she was weak and had been traumatised by what had happened to her.

“Jemima is here,” she whispered.

“Where?” Niall asked.

“Here,” Angus growled in answer.

Together with Aaron, he eased the terrified woman out of the narrow crypt which had been furrowed deep into the wall. The rattle of old bones hitting the floor as Jemima was slid free of the confined space sounded horrifyingly loud and emphasised the shocking nature of the women’s ordeal.

“Good God,” Justin whispered, more appalled than he had ever been.

He knew his colleagues were equally stunned as they worked quickly and quietly to do whatever they could to help the victims. Nobody paid Reuben any attention whatsoever.

“Where is Vanessa?” Justin demanded, more disturbed than ever when it became evident she wasn’t in any of the disturbed crypts.

Geraldine looked at her with wide, horrified eyes. She shook her head as though she had no idea. “I didn’t realise he had her,” she whispered.

Justin cursed.

“She is over there,” Jemima piped up having taken a healthy drink from the goblet Niall held to her lips. Justin followed the direction of her shaking finger and hurried into the room next door.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

It didn’t take him long to find her. His heart was pounding by the time he placed his hands on her shoulders. He gave one almighty yank and hauled her bodily out of the crypt in one swift motion that swung her into his arms.

His hands shook as, together with Phillip, he slid her onto the ground so he could take a closer look at her.

“Thank God,” he whispered when he saw her beloved face.

Hauling her into his arms, he held her tightly while Phillip removed her gag and released her wrists.

Once she was free, Vanessa slid her arms around Justin and held on tight.

“Are you hurt anywhere?” Phillip demanded, his face stern.

Vanessa shook her head. “Just bruised here and there,” she assured him.

“God, I am so glad you are alive,” Justin hissed.

“I didn’t think I would see you again,” she whispered tearfully.

Justin, fuelled by the heady realisation she was safe, wasted no time assuring himself she was alright. Resting his head against hers, he savoured her faint breath as it brushed over his cheeks. He was truly lost for words. Rather than try to speak, he decided to show her, and poured every ounce of the love he felt for her into the kiss he gave her, and hoped she understood.

“I am sorry,” she whispered when he eventually lifted his head and began to pepper kisses down her cheek. “I should have listened to you.”

“You should have, but you are here now, so let us not go over that,” Justin whispered. “I don’t know about you, but I will be glad to be able to put this whole mess behind me.”

Vanessa couldn’t help it. She began to cry.

“I shouldn’t have let you out of my sight,” he whispered. “I am sorry. This was my fault.”

“You are here to do your job,” she whispered. “I understand.”

Her heart broke because she knew that the men from the Star Elite would move on just as soon as they had found the rest of the missing people. What that meant for her and Justin, Vanessa had no idea. She was scared of losing him, but couldn’t offer him anything except for herself, and that didn’t seem enough. Vanessa knew she couldn’t compete with the enormity of his job. He saved people like her, people who were drawn into the sick workings of other’s minds through no fault of their own, and often died because of it. It was not for her to expect Justin to stop ridding the streets of such heinous individuals, just so she could have happiness, and a

life with the man she suspected she loved.