The Bodyguard: A BWWM Bad Body Romance(10)
“Miss Brown,” Simmons glanced briefly at Compton before speaking. “I’m sure you know just how large a blow it would be to the drug community for us to bring down the Aguiler family - Solomon and Caesar Aguiler in particular. It would mean a lot to us if you could help us to fill in the blanks in our ongoing investigation.”
“What kind of information would you need?” Juliet didn’t hesitate. If the FBI brought the Aguilers into custody, it would mean her safety and security - the one thing she had always wanted.
“Anything you could provide for us. Names, dates, addresses. Of course, we don’t know how deeply you were involved with Solomon-”
“Deep enough.” Juliet cut him off bitterly. “I’ll tell you everything I know. I just...I need a bit of time to come to terms with...everything.” She didn’t think she could stand another interrogation from her hospital bed. What Juliet wanted, more than anything, was a bit of privacy and time to reflect. She was free for the first time in eight years and the only emotions she had time to feel were fear and suspicion.
“Of course.” Simmons eyes were surprisingly kind. “We can provide you with housing and a small stipend while you get back on your feet. Additionally, there’ll be a watch on you twenty-four seven, and you’ll be dealing directly with our lead agent on the case.” He gestured to Hank and Juliet’s stomach clenched. She had just managed to escape a den of dangerous men. The last thing she wanted was to be confined with another one. “Hank is one of our best men. He has a history with the Aguilers - he’ll ensure that no harm comes to you.”
A history with them? “No offense, Mr. Simmons,” Juliet spoke while pointedly avoiding eye contact with Hank. “But people who’ve been affiliated with the Aguilers can seldom be trusted.”
She could all but feel him bristle, even from across the room. Simmons, however, only chuckled at the obvious animosity between them. “I think you mistake his affiliation. Unfortunately, Hank has never had the pleasure of getting up close and personal with anyone in the inner circle.”
“Lucky for them.” Juliet jumped at the low, antagonized growl from across the room. Though she had expected Compton’s voice might reflect his character, she hadn’t expected such a grating, baritone snarl.
“Now, Hank. I’m sure Miss Brown is just looking after her own interests.”
“And how do we know one of those interests isn’t to report back to her lover?” Hank demanded, gray eyes glinting dangerously. The moment the words left his mouth, Juliet was struggling upright to meet him with an expression just as acidic.
“He isn’t my lover,” she spat, her stomach in knots. “I’ve been his fucking prisoner for the past eight years. You won’t find someone who hates Solomon Aguiler more than I do.”
“Somehow, I doubt that.”
All at once, being turned out onto the streets seemed far more preferable than being entrusted to this man. It was on the tip of Juliet’s tongue to tell Simmons that she didn’t want their help or protection...but she knew that would be suicide. “Miss Brown,” She forced her attention back to Simmons who, to his benefit, looked somewhat apologetic. “No one doubts that you’ve been through a traumatic experience and your presence in the hospital attests to that.” He seemed to be speaking as much to her as he was the man behind him, and Hank stiffened at the admonition. Juliet couldn’t help but think that if Simmons entrusted her to him, Hank was just as likely to harm her as he was to hurt her. “I assure you, your safety will be the highest priority. Despite my colleague’s volatility,” He shot Hank a warning look that the younger man seemed to disregard completely. “He’s extremely qualified for this assignment, and I can assure you that he will remain cordial. Won’t you, Hank?”
If the look on Compton’s face was any indication, the last thing he wanted was cordiality. But instead of protesting, he merely fixed a painfully neutral expression onto his face, nodding once, sharply.
“There we have it.” Though Simmons seemed reassured, Juliet still eyed the man near the door warily. “Once you’re discharged, Hank will accompany you to the safehouse, where he’ll be watching over you when we aren’t working with him to find Solomon and his family. As soon as you feel up to it, we’ll speak with you and figure out where we start.”
If she wanted out, this was her last chance to protest. She took one last look at Hank and wondered, blatantly, what exactly his connection with the Aguilers was. Whatever grudge he held, he seemed to think it was license to lump her in with the people who had kept her locked away for a good third of her life.
She was going to have to do her best to dissuade him of that notion. “Sounds good to me. I’m discharged tomorrow.”
“Excellent. Hank will be waiting.”
Simmons rose from the bed to extend his hand once more. “We thank you in advance for your cooperation, Miss Brown.”
“Please, call me Juliet.” The young woman managed a small smile. Even if it wasn’t under ideal circumstances, at least she had a place to call home for a while. That left her far better off than she’d been twenty minutes ago, regardless of the company she’d have to keep.
“Juliet. Get some rest. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
It wasn’t until both he and his lapdog had left that Juliet was actually able to breathe a sigh of relief.