Free Fighting Hard by Marysol James Page B

dining room table. He had obviously noticed that the stacks of papers and printed pages and piles of books were all steadily growing. They had spilled on to the floor now and covered her two smaller tables.
    “Hey, Mia. What’s all this?”
    She walked over. “My research and notes for my next book.”
    “There’s a lot here… what’s it going to be about?”
    “Something a bit different for me. I’ll be writing about PIP – The Protect Innocence Project.”
    “What’s that?”
    She sighed. “A Colorado-based group trying to end human trafficking. They focus mostly on the sexual exploitation of kids.”
    “So, what? They work with the groups you know in Asia? Is there some connection?”
    “Oh, no. They’re working locally.”
    “Wait. They’re trying to stop the sex trafficking of kids… in Colorado? ”
    “Yes. Here in Denver, mostly. And I’m not talking about kids from Vietnam or Cambodia being imported for sex… this is all about American kids.”
    Nick stared at the piles of paper. “I didn’t know there was such a thing here. I mean, Denver is tame compared to Hong Kong or Bangkok, right?”
    “Well, sure. I guess these things can be considered relative. If we look at the problem in terms of numbers, then yeah, Colorado is no biggie. But to those kids? It’s hell on earth.”
    Nick looked at her, standing there so beautiful and fierce. He shook his head.
    “Are you saying that you’re looking in to kiddie porn and prostitution rings right here in this city?”
    “I am. I’ve been to see Tom Devinger twice already – he works with PIP. He’s been helpful about giving me information.”
    Nick was silent for a few seconds. “OK, look… I know this is your work and you love it and it’s important. But – you’re being careful, right? I mean, these people won’t find it too hard to figure out you’re going around and asking questions.”
    Mia smiled. “I’m working with PIP, Nick. They’re watching my back.”
    “And you won’t go out on your own?”
    “Of course I will. I have to. People will talk to me more openly if I’m not with anyone from an official organization. But I’ll be careful.”
    He went over to her and put his arms around her. “So, you don’t want me coming along with you? Acting as bouncer and bodyguard?”
    She kissed him. “Isn’t Adam the bouncer? And you’re the bartender?”
    “Come on, Mia. I’m serious now.”
    She pulled back and studied him; his face was tight and hard.
    “Nick, I swear I’m fine. I’m not looking to put myself in harm’s way, and I know what I’m doing.”
    “OK, OK. But if you need someone with you when you go out and do your research? You just ask. You promise me?”
    “I promise.”
    Nick stared down at her as a strange feeling rose in his chest. He realized that it was genuine concern, real worry for her. OK, yes, she was smart as hell – far smarter than he was, no doubt about that – and her work proved that she was no amateur. Mia wasn’t some naïve tourist wandering around foreign countries and bad neighborhoods looking for ‘real’ experiences or some kind of thrill. She was serious and committed and tough. But he was struggling with the knowledge that she was out there most days, trying to shine a spotlight on things that were sunk deep in shadow and which were happier staying in the dark. She was in danger, he knew.
    He ran his fingers through her hair. “I worry.”
    Her breath caught in her chest as she looked at his gorgeous face. “Nick…”
    “No. I worry. You just let me do that for you, alright?”
    “Alright.”
    Nick touched her cheek, her mouth. Her lips parted slightly and her eyes turned warm. And just like that, he wanted her. He needed her to be close to him. He had to have her again.
    “Is there maybe something else I can do for you, babe?”
    She arched as his fingers trailed between her breasts, down her stomach. “Umm. Maybe.”
    “Yeah?” Nick’s hand was between her legs