Page 27 of Deadly Lies

Grant now laughed at me. “You’ve met Joaquín, right? He’s not going to tell you shit.”

He was right. Fuck it.

I’d let the FBI handle it.

All I cared about now was seeing my daughter.

We pulled up at the police station and I ran in, Ashley running behind me.

“I’m Mitch Martinez. I’m here to pick up my daughter.”

After another agonizing wait. Sienna ran out to me. I grabbed her so tight; I never wanted to go.

“Daddy! I was so scared! I’m so ugly now, I look like a boy.”

“No, you aren’t princess. You are the most beautiful girl in the world.”

14

Mia

SIENNA’S LITTLE ARMS WRAPPED AROUND Mitch’s neck. Pressure built in my chest. I knew exactly how he felt at this very moment. I’d felt the same the first time I’d held Julián in my arms. Warmth, joy, fear.

My peace had been shattered forever. After losing my child, I would always worry constantly that he could be taken from me again at any second. But sometimes, I could get lost in Julián’s smell and remind myself that he was mine, and we had found our way back to each other. Finally, after all these years, a part of me that was lost was found.

Grant, on the other hand, was not thrilled that I had seen Joaquín.

He glared at me. “I can’t believe you saw Joaquín again.”

I nodded. “Of course I did. I told you I was going to. And I’m glad I did. Had we not gone, Ashley wouldn’t have found Sienna. So clearly, seeing Joaquín was a brilliant idea. My idea.”

“Of course I’m thrilled she found Sienna. That’s not the point, Mia.”

I got in his face. “Then what is it? Why can’t I see my brother? What is your problem?” But I understood why he was upset. He still thought Joaquín raped me. He rescued me from Joaquín when he was about to rape me again. I knew why Grant didn’t want me to see my brother.

But he didn’t know the truth—yet.

“Don’t you see? He’s clearly involved with some dangerous people. The girl who had Sienna visited him. Ashley thinks that girl is Tiffany. Tiffany’s mother had Julián. Your son. Our son. Don’t you get it?”

He had a point. But it didn’t matter. I was more certain than ever that Joaquín was innocent. And ultimately, it was my choice if I saw my brother.

But I didn’t want to fight. Definitely not now when the focus was on Sienna. I walked away from Grant, trying to keep my cool.

The FBI took Mitch into the back room. I pulled Ashley outside of the building.

“Now what? What’s our plan?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know. Should we go back to the jail and talk to Joaquín again?”

I paused. As much as I was dying to confront my brother, find out what was up, I knew that he wouldn’t tell me anything. Even worse, I didn’t blame him.

There were cameras watching and microphones recording his every move and word. And besides, why would he be open and honest with me? I was an NCIS agent now.

What could he possibly be involved in?

Did I even want to know?

“No. I don’t think so. Joaquín didn’t tell me anything. At all. He was just preaching religion. He even gave me a bible. I’m sure the police and FBI will follow up on the girl who looked like Tiffany. Find out who she is. Why she visited Joaquín. I think, at the moment, we have no choice but to focus on Sienna.”