Hidden Impact (Safeguard #1)(77)

Her little sister was sitting up in bed, green eyes blinking away tears.

Without being asked, Gabe pushed her wheelchair forward until she was within reach and leaned forward to lock the wheels. Maylin surged out of the chair and stumbled forward, wrapping her little sister in a careful hug.

An-mei’s arms tightened around her in return. “You found me. You found me. You found me.”

“We did.” Maylin kissed her sister’s hair and rubbed her back, surprised at how thin she had become. She didn’t want to ask what had happened to her in captivity. Not yet. “Do you think you could eat something?”

An-mei made a choking sound, somewhere between crying and laughing. “It is so good to hear you ask.”

Maylin released her from the hug and drew back to look her over. “We should both have something to eat, and I’m guessing there are medications they’d like us to take too.”

Shadows darkened An-mei’s gaze and her slender shoulders stiffened under Maylin’s hands.

“You’re safe here.” Maylin wasn’t sure how to give her sister the reassurance she’d need. “These are the people who helped me find you, got you out.”

Giving her sister time, Maylin shifted to sit on the edge of the bed and turned to hold out a hand for Gabe.

Gabe took a step forward and placed his hand in hers. His grip was firm, steadying, and he rubbed his thumb over her fingers comfortingly.

“This is Gabriel Diaz of the Centurion Corporation.” Maylin figured now was as good a time as any for formal introductions. “He led the fire team that went in to save you.”

Recognition replaced the shadows in An-mei’s eyes. “You were there. You came and got me out.”

Gabe nodded. “This is real. This isn’t a new way of trying to trick you into doing their work for them. This is really your sister and you are really out of that place.”

An-mei balled her hands into fists, the sheets caught up in her grip. “They drugged me, had an actress come in trying to pretend to be my sister. But I knew it wasn’t her. Knew it.”

Maylin reached out hesitantly, unsure if her touch was welcome despite the initial hug. “How did you know? How do I help you now?”

A tired smile appeared on her tear-streaked face. “Their imposter always asked me to take medicine and never, ever mentioned I should have something to eat, until I stopped eating because I realized they were drugging my food.”

Maylin bit her lip. This was probably the least of the things they’d done to her.

“There could be addiction to deal with,” Gabe said quietly. “Can we take some blood samples? Our medical team has the resources to do a full workup and find out what’s currently in your system.”

An-mei considered for a long moment, then nodded.

Gabe gave Maylin’s hand a squeeze then released it. He took out a smartphone and showed it to both of them before he slipped it into Maylin’s robe pocket. “I’ll go let our medics know and leave you two alone to talk for a while. I’m just a phone call away.”

An-mei had been keeping her attention on Gabe from the moment she recognized him. When he left, she watched him go. Then she finally looked at Maylin.

Maylin had no idea how to prove to her sister she was who she was. All she could think of to do was wait, patiently, and meet An-mei’s searching gaze with as open a return gaze as possible.

“I’m so afraid this is another one of their tricks. Their mind games to get me to do the research they wanted,” An-mei whispered.

Maylin ached for her. “No one here is going to ask you to do anything. You’re safe.”

An-mei licked her lips and swallowed. “Can we go outside?”

“I think so.” Maylin blinked and glanced back at the wheelchair. “I’m pretty sure I can walk, whether he thinks I should or not. Do you think you can? If you do, let’s find a robe for you and make a break for it. It’s all green and wooded outside. Nice for a walk. I know where there’s a decent kitchen and I can make you some congee. Easy on your stomach.”

The tension melted out of An-mei and she lay back against the raised back of her hospital bed. “It is you. Food is the way you heal everything.”

Relief filtered through Maylin with her little sister’s acceptance. “The right food can make anything better.”

An-mei sighed. “Next time, you go to China and I’ll stay home. They had I don’t know how many kinds of dumplings you’d want to try.”

“Okay.” Maylin huffed out a laugh. “I think we’ve both had a lot of adventure lately, though. Maybe hold off on any more continent-hopping until we’ve had a chance to catch our breath.”

“You’re going to be right here with me, for the next few days?” An-mei’s voice got small and timid again. “The medics said I should stay at least that long and that there’d be people to talk to about what happened to me. What happens next.”

“I’ll be here as long as you need me.” Maylin gave her a smile. “I promise.”

“What about your catering company?” Her sister bit her lip.

Maylin took a deep breath. Of course her sister would think about it. It was the reason Maylin hadn’t been with her in China in the first place. “Well, I’ve taken a leave of absence and they can do without me a while longer. So you have my undivided attention.”