Water

by Anna Petrovich

  “Children, Mr. Dubois wants to take you to get ice cream. Is that alright, Ethan?” The man stood, looking at her with a surprised expression.

  “Of course, get jackets though.” They took off into the house, leaving the man and the woman on the lawn. “Have you made your decision?”

  “I keep thinking that this is a mistake. You and me, together. Even if it works out for us, what about the children? They need a father, Ethan.” The man flinched, the pain crossing his face like a dark cloud. He opened his mouth to speak, then his eyes met the watching woman in the car. She couldn’t look away, realizing that this was the first time that her father had seen his daughter in twenty years.

  “Get inside, out the back door. Antione’s place!” The woman fled back into the house, her skirt brushing the porch and tripping her up. He turned to face the observer, just in time to catch her arm before it landed on his shoulder. As he bent to block a blow from her knee, she stabbed a syringe into his side and sent the liquid flooding into the nervous system. It disoriented him for a moment, giving her an opening to strike his head with the palm of her hand. He staggered into the house, using a frying pan to keep her at bay. Then inside the living room, he fell to his knees before losing consciousness. She used the duck-tape from the vehicle’s compartment to secure him to a chair before doing a sweep of the house. Neat, orderly, obviously a man’s quarters with some signs of a woman and children recently moving in. As his eyes opened, his focus was blurred and shaky. “Amber…” The words crossed his lips, a sudden fear gripping his heart.

  “Nice house.” She said, flicking a knife open before using it to trace a thin line of blood across his cheek.

  “Stay away from my family.” Her curiosity was raised, wondering at the double values of the man who she had been told to call father by the laws of nature.

  “You want to protect them. What about the one you abandoned to the desert?” The venom in her voice was numbed by the wave of shock that went through his mind. They survived? But…the fire…A’isha…the child…not possible.

  “My wife and daughter were killed in a fire twenty years ago, there was nothing I could do to protect them.” She sat on the couch, examining his face and deciphering whether there was truth in his statement. “Now, tell me what this is all about.” As if you don’t know, you left me to die and have the audacity to ask me this question?

  “You abandoned me.” There was both anger and longing in her voice, the tears welling up in her eyes in spite of herself. “I grew up with the man who started the fire that killed my mother.” His face was a haggard grey, breath coming in short spurts.

  “You…this can’t be happening. I’m sorry…I don’t remember your name.” His words were like a knife in her heart, tearing her to pieces.

  “You forgot about me, your own daughter!” The tone of voice was nearly a scream of anger and sadness. “How could you?” She aimed the gun at his chest, finger trembling on the trigger.

  “It’s not like that…Zara. Put the gun down, we can talk through this. You have a brother…a sister…don’t go after revenge.”

  “Shut up!” Her anger flooded her vision, blinding her to the door opening behind her. Antione gripped the gun with a firm hand, twisting it out of her grasp.

  “I’ll take that for safe keeping, Madamesoille.” Amber rushed over and slit the bonds that held Ethan to the chair, helping him to his feet.

  “Zara. Daughter of the desert. That’s what your mother wanted.” His hand rested lightly on the young woman’s arm, eyes meeting her own in an intense gaze. “You’ve grown up to be…so like her. I’m so sorry.” Then she was in his arms, sobbing out the anger and longing. After all these years, she’d found her home, her father…and he loved her. Then she turned to look around at the people who were the family that he had spoken about. A woman who was smiling tenderly at her, an old man who was holding the young boy in his arms, and a young girl who was clinging to the neck of a beautiful dog.

 

  “Welcome home, darling.” Amber suddenly embraced the younger woman who stiffened, then melted into the motherly touch. It had been so long since a woman had attempted to be a mother to her. She sighed contentedly, resting in the knowledge that finally, she was home.

  16

  The sunlight poured in the kitchen window, revealing the figure on the porch with his face to the light. There was a sad, yet content look on his face that reflected the emotions surging in his chest. He had found one member of his family, yet was on the verge of losing three who had captured his heart. The most difficult part was that he understood with Amber’s fears, even agreeing with them. I won’t hurt you…intentionally. But something might happen. Maybe you should leave…it could be safer for you, alone. It was making him sick with the suspense, a constant ache in the back of his mind. The door opened behind him, a light step hitting the boards of the porch. “Good morning, Zara.” She stood there, looking out over the city before meeting his gaze.

  “I’m sorry…about yesterday, it wasn’t supposed to go that far.” Her eyes shifted, the thought that maybe it could have ended with his death chilling her despite the warmth of the sun.

  “You weren’t sure what you wanted.” Ethan said, a knowing look in the blue eyes that had seen so much violence and sorrow. “I understand. Everything in your life had been turned upside down. After the fire…losing you and your mother…it…” His voice faltered before continuing on. “The war gave me purpose. Then finding the man that had betrayed my unit gave me something to live for. Now…it’s Amber and the children. And…you. What do you want to do now, Zara?” She took a deep breath, gathering the thoughts that had haunted her all night long.

  “Ahmed raised me to succeed the family business.” Ethan’s head snapped around, looking at her, his eyes disapproving.

  “Arms dealing to terrorists and crime lords all over the world.” She winced at his tone of voice, thinking that it was harsh.

  “The child of her father should not disapprove of his decisions.” She retorted, pulling out a cigarette. He reached over, taking it out of her fingers and tossing it into the grass below them.

  “That’s typical. Don’t give the children a choice, they might not want to follow in your footsteps. That would be a tragedy.” His voice was bitter, dripping with an angry sarcasm that confused her. “I asked you, what do you want, Zara? Not Ahmed, not me, not anyone else. You.”

  “I…don’t know!” She said, struggling to let go of the responsibility put on her by the man who had raised her. “The company was our life, selling weapons and negotiating deals. There wasn’t anything else.” Her hands pulled the blonde hair from her face, dropping to her sides. “I…I…I just want a family.” Tears slid down her cheeks, revealing the childish longing in the blue eyes. Ethan was stepping toward her, when Amber came out of the kitchen and enveloped the girl with a gentle embrace. Their eyes met over the girl’s head, telegraphing the message. A decision had to be made immediately.

  They stood in the kitchen, watching Zara playing with the kids who had manipulated her into playing a game of Go Fish. Amber began to wipe down the counter, trembling from fear and nervousness. He wanted to wrap his arms around her, hug the fear away, but hesitated. “Antione offered to make dinner for tonight.” The words felt hollow and empty. She nodded, folding the towel to lay over the sink. “We can’t keep doing this, Amber. It’s not fair to the children. It’s not fair to you. You need to be safe. If that’s not with me, fine. But those children can’t be thinking that I’ll be there for them…unless that’s what you want.”

  Amber leaned against the counter, looking at the children who were laughing as the dog tried to knock over their card pile. “Ethan…the children need a father, but I don’t know what that looks like. Show me…be a father to them…please.” Her arms were around his neck, cheek against his heart and listening to the calming beat. He gently kissed the top of her hair, a smile growing on his lips.

  “Is that a yes?” Laughing, she
looked up into his eyes and pulled him in for a real kiss. This time, his arms felt safe, a shelter from the demons that had chased her across the country. Her eyes were closed, relaxing in the secure grip that felt warm on her back. Something cold touch her hand, the brown eyes fluttering open to see a slim gold band sliding onto her finger. Then the tears came, sliding down her face. Happiness was flooding her heart, overflowing into an uncontrollable sobbing intermingled with laughter. It occurred to her that there had never been a ring during the first marriage, Wade had never cared enough to buy one. Their lips met again in a long kiss that carried a great deal of meaning – love, security, and a promise.

  17

  Morgen walked through the door, exhausted from the day’s work and worried about her roommate’s decision to work with Carlson’s organization. Her muscles ached, creating a painful spot in the back of her mind. The light was on in the living room, but it was quiet in the apartment. She walked into the kitchen, pulling open the fridge and looking for a drink. There was a knock on the door, short and polite. Sighing heavily, she went to answer it without a smile on her face. It was Logan, Tessa’s boyfriend, his suit damp from the misty rain that had started in the afternoon. “Hey, Almira, is Tessa home?”

  “I just got home, but didn’t see her.” She said, gesturing for him to follow her inside. “You going out on a date?”

  “Yeah, she said that we were supposed to meet here at eight.” They both looked at the clock on the wall in concern, fifteen minutes past eight. “Strange, she’s not usually late.”

  “No, that’s your problem.” Morgen said, drily, pulling out a can of pop and pouring it into a glass. The young man laughed, his eyes crinkling up and nose wrinkling. “I’ll go check the bedrooms.” There weren’t any lights on in the apartment, so she began flipping the switches. Inside Tessa’s bedroom, she stopped and stared at the wreckage. Blood was on the carpet; the chair had been knocked over. Her training kicked in, forcing her to think analytically about the situation. Then the phone rang.

  “Colonel Morgen. I’m disappointed in you.” It was the terrible breathless wispy voice of the man from the barn. “We had hoped that you would lead us to the man who stole my wife, but apparently the report was false. Either bring me the soldier or the lawyer dies. Alert the authorities and she’ll die.” The click sent her world crashing into shambles, the tears that had been held back for months bursting out. Logan came running in, saw the blood and began to scream. He pulled out his cell, dialing the three numbers with a trembling hand. Morgen ripped it out of his hands, unable to explain because of the sobs that wracked her body. Finally, they both calmed down enough to sit at the counter to talk.

  “The men who kidnapped us while we were searching for Ethan, have her, Logan.” She explained, trying to utilize her training in this situation. “Alerting the authorities will get her killed. I’m going to make sure she gets out safely, but you need to help me.”

  “Of course, anything.” His eyes were pleading with her to help him, unsure of what to do and fearing the worst.

  “Go home, get a change of clothes and don’t tell anybody where you are going. Come back here and we’ll start meeting their demands, alright.” The door slammed after the young man who was eager to get started on a mission to save his girlfriend. Meanwhile, Morgen’s mind was in a turmoil – arguing with itself. Surely, you aren’t going to betray the man who you love. Yes, he broke my heart and Tessa can’t die. Clothes went automatically into the backpack, the gun sliding into its holster easily.

  Logan came back, his suit changed for a black t-shirt and jeans. “How are we going to do this?” His voice was trembling from uncertainty.

  “You aren’t going to do anything, but drive. The most difficult part will be getting Ethan Ryde to comply with our demands.” They sped down the road toward the house where a newly engaged couple and their children were celebrating with an old friend.

  The family was seated around a table, enjoying the love that was present in the room. Ethan looked at his soon-to-be wife with sparkling blue eyes, marveling that she could spend a life with him. She was leaning over, allowing his daughter to examine the ring and talk about wedding dresses. There was a lightness in her eyes and voice that hadn’t been there before.

  “A toast to the new couple!” Antione said, pouring wine into the adult’s glasses and grape juice into the children’s. They joined in, sipping the liquids and laughing. Amber was blushing from embarrassment and happiness, leaning against Ethan’s arm. “To a lovely woman, Ethan. You are a lucky man.”

  “I know it.” Ethan leaned his head down, kissing the top of her head and smiling. “The children are lucky to have such a lovely mother.” His daughter smiled at them from across the table, but there was pained glint in her eyes. It was difficult to see her father with another woman, even though she couldn’t remember her own mother. Still, this woman had agreed to accept her as a daughter without any questions.

  A knock on the door made Ethan slide, his muscles suddenly tense. There was something about it that sent off alarm bells. The door opened, Morgen stepped in and stared down the empty hallway. Then she was grabbed by the collar, the gun ripped out of its holster and pressed against her side. “I told you to stay away from my family and out this mess. This is the next time.” The shot echoed in the hallway, her scream muffled by his hand. Her leg ached, the blood seeping out of the wound. “Leave us alone, get to a hospital.” As he let her go, she collapsed on the floor, gasping from the pain.

  “Ethan, wait…that girl…they have her.” Her words were confused, scattered, but it arrested his steps. He turned around, the implications beginning to dawn on his face. “They told us to turn you over to them or she dies.”

  “So, you decided to walk in and take me hostage to save your friend. Got any other daft ideas.” Ethan jerked her onto one leg, then shoved her out of the doorway. “Give me the phone that he contacted you with.” She tried to pull it out of her pocket, wincing as he ripped it out of her hand and twisted her around towards the vehicle. “You, driver. Take this woman to a hospital. If you value your friend’s life, don’t come back. She’ll be taken care of.” The young man was petrified, face blanching into a pasty white and nearly dropping Morgen in his attempt to get her into the vehicle. As the vehicle pulled away from the curb, the ex-soldier slid the handgun into a trash can before re-entering the house.

  Two steps in the door, he was met by Amber who was kneeling on the floor and staring at the blood with a horrified look on her face. “Was it Wade?” Her entire body was trembling, suddenly leaning into him as he knelt beside her. It reminded him that there was still a sense of fear lingering in her heart, despite his attempts to drive it away.

  “No, darling, but there is something that I have to tell.” He felt the tense of her muscles against his chest, the fear that was radiating off of her body. “He has a young woman held hostage, my life for hers. I have to stop this.” Her reaction surprised him, the relaxing into his chest before slumping over. Ethan realized that the stress had been too much for her to stand up against for so many days, her breaking point had been reached. Gently, he carried her into the bedroom and laid her down. Returning to the dining room, he whispered something into Zara’s ear before taking a seat. She nodded, sliding out of her chair to help the exhausted woman.

  “Is there something wrong, my friend?” Antoine poured some wine into a glass, handing it to the young man who attempted a smile.

  “Hey, kids, why don’t you go out and play with Sasha?” Ethan said, watching as the children took off without any encouragement, their happy shouts following them out into the yard. “You’ll take care of them, won’t you…Father.” The Frenchman set his glass down hard, this was the first time that he’d been called “father” by anyone. There was something in the young man’s face that frightened him, a sense of suicidal determination that was accentuated by the icy blue of the eyes.

  “What has happened, Ethan?” Antione poured himself another
serving of wine, draining it in a gulp to steady his nerves.

  “There’s a young girl who’s going to lose her life if I don’t comply with Amber’s ex-husband’s demands. That can’t happen. But they’ll need someone to look after them…especially if I don’t…come back.” His voice was low, the tears threatening to break the dam and spill over onto his cheeks. Antoine couldn’t speak, only put a wrinkled hand on the other man’s arm to show his willingness to help. They sat there in the light of the dining room, trying to understand how the insanity of one man could affect so many lives. Ethan felt numb, hollow because of the helplessness of the situation. He’d found happiness, only to lose her again by following the strict code of honor imposed on his life by the military and the memory of his mother. For a brief moment, the selfish impulse to stay and let the girl die tried to break down his resolve. No. The girl was a civilian who deserved to be defended by the man who’d risked his life in a war for her freedom.

  “She’s asleep, what’s going on?” Zara sat down, looking her father in the eyes and trying to read his thoughts. It was impossible, a blank look met her own.

  “Nothing, can you get the kids to bed? They’ll be tired after everything.” She opened her mouth to argue, then obeyed silently.