Page 58 of Hostile Witness
“What do you actuallydoat your second job?”
“I work for a privately funded outfit named Sanctuary, Inc. They are separate from but work in conjunction with the government. We rescue people from human trafficking situations and return them to their families, if they have them and want to go home.”
Stunned, she remained absolutely motionless for a second. “Rescuing people is risky business, Ethan.”
“Tell me about it.” His gaze was as soft as a caress.
“Does that mean I’ll read about you and this Sanctuary organization in the news?”
“No. We operate under the radar. If we close down a trafficking ring, we let the Feds take credit for it.”
“So you’re vigilantes?”
“No, we’re sanctioned by the powers that be. But we get in, do the rescue, and get out. We don’t brag about it. Everyone in Sanctuary has a day job and a life in their community.”
“But how do you do both demanding jobs?”
“My Sanctuary unit is on call eight days a month. It isn’t full-time.”
“Does my uncle . . . ”
Ethan raised his palm. “He knows. So does Earl. And now, you know.”
Awkwardly, Tia cleared her throat. “I won’t say a word.” She stroked Flynn’s head. He must’ve felt the tension during their conversation and had placed his head in her lap. “Let’s go back to those rescued people. What if they don’t want to go home?”
“Then we help them resettle in another part of the country.”
She considered him a moment. “I’m still bothered that the Feds watched my house and installed cameras on my property. How did that happen?”
“My Sanctuary team had an op that night, and I told Mac I couldn’t go, because you needed protection. The Feds needed me as part of the op, so they sent a couple of agents over to watch the house while I was away. I asked them to install the cameras.”
She pretended to scribble on a pad. “I should write you up for that.” Although it hadn’t escaped her that he would’ve skipped the op that night to protect her.
He cocked his head. “Well, you’ve already kicked my ass, andsomethinghappened that night, because your house was blazing with lights at three thirty a.m.”
Ohhh. He knew about that? “I had a bad dream; that’s all. Is that why you showed up with doughnuts so early?”
“Sort of. I’d planned on relieving the Feds anyway, and instead of waiting outside, I wanted to share my doughnuts with you. It was a last-minute thing, and I knew you were awake.”
“So that’s why you shaved your beard off... for the op?” She’d never forget the smooth feel of his freshly shaven face against her lips for the first time, and oddly enough, he hadn’t let it grow back.
Ethan leaned back in his chair. “Exactly. I’m also very motivated these days to keep shaving.” He punctuated the statement with a subtle wink.
Their waitress arrived with a tray and set their food in front of them. “I brought tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, extra Old Bay seasoning, and lemon wedges.” She tucked the tray under one arm and set her free hand on Ethan’s shoulder. “Can I bring you anything else?”
Ethan scanned the table and raised an eyebrow at Tia.
She shook her head.
He peered up at the waitress, glanced at her hand on his shoulder, and smiled. “My lady here says we’re good, so we’re all set. Thank you.”
The waitress nodded and sauntered away.
Tia chuckled. “She’s been gunning for you ever since we arrived.”
“I know. This place can be a meat market, but I’m not on the prowl. I have exactly who I want sitting across the table from me.”
Oh.Thank goodness she hadn’t fixed him up with Susan at school. Her heartbeat ticked up with a giddy sense of pleasure as she broke Flynn’s huge hamburger into pieces.