She managed to inhale deeply in acknowledgment before he returned to fight with his men. She dared to stare at the man sprawled on the floor, a dark blotch growing on the front of his shirt. Massoud continued to breathe. Tessa hunkered back down behind the table. Bonnie cowered there, as well, with knees drawn up tight and a blanket pulled across her midsection and mouth. The little ones covered their ears until Tessa joined them. As she settled on the floor, the children scrambled to cover her with trembling arms and legs. To reassure them, Tessa whispered in their ears one by one, hoping they could hear over the shouts of the Kyrgyz and gunfire.
A sudden realization washed over her. The deafening noise had halted to complete silence. Men stood rigid at the windows and door, staring out into the light washing over the dusty street and uneven land beyond. Another sweeter sound, occurred, the whump, whump of rotary blades from helicopters.
With Arzo in her arms, Tessa struggled to her feet. She grabbed the hands of two of the children. She passed Arzo to Bonnie as she helped the other children.
The woman frowned at Arzo. “I’m not carrying this child. She’ll slow me down!” She put the little legs on the floor then took Arzo’s hand. “She can run faster than me anyway.”
Tessa dropped down to face Arzo. “Can you run, daughter? I need you to run like Darya’s horse. Yes?”
Arzo’s head bobbed up and down with her promise. “I can!”
“Good girl.” Tessa kissed her cheek.
The room clattered with the noise of making ready to leave. She eased from behind the overturned table when Darya motioned for them. When she reached him, he slipped a satchel over his head, along with a canteen. He checked both revolvers and slung his rifle over one shoulder. “Toiluk makes the horses ready,” he informed her.
Outside the window, the Taliban had turned their guns on the helicopters. A machine gun plowed up the ground through an open door of the Black Hawk. The confusion of Taliban screams mixed with gunfire gave the Kyrgyz time to escape.
“We’re going to make it.” Darya extended his hand to rest on her shoulder. “My friends and I will ride out, and you will run behind them. We can hold off any Taliban who escape.”
“Are your friends coming with us?”
“No. That would leave their horses to the Taliban. These animals are part of their wealth. They will ride home, after we lift off.”
Tessa grabbed the front of Darya’s shirt. “You listen to me. Go with your friends. If the military catch you, you’ll go to prison.”
Darya’s eyes twinkled as he slipped a hand to the back of her neck and pulled her mouth to his where he forced a long, hard kiss. “Some things are worth going to prison for. Wait for us to swing around the front. We’re bigger targets. We can form a wall of protection for you and the children.” Small hands tugged at his pant leg. Arzo wrinkled her nose up at him as she gave a sniff. He scooped her up in his arms then planted a kiss on her forehead. “Can you show me how fast you can run, my sweet Arzo?”
“Scared.”
“What?” Darya landed his free fist on his chest with a thud. “How can you be scared with me as your protector?” He frowned and touched her nose with his. She took both her hands and patted each side of his face then hugged his neck so tight Darya faked a choke. “Do not shame me, daughter. Run like the wind when your mother says to go.”
“This is madness.” Bonnie bristled then put her hands on her hips. “Let’s wait for the soldiers to come get us.”
“Those helicopters are going to blast this place apart in ten minutes. If Captain Hunter made it to the ridge, he called for more help. He marked this building before he took off.”
Tessa jerked her chin up in a show of disbelief. “Then he must be alive since there are three birds.”
Darya shoved past Bonnie. “Stay or go. I don’t care. But my wife and children will do as I say.” He stopped at the back door and turned to scowl at the State Department woman. “Do not let anything happen to Arzo. You do not want me as your enemy.”
Tessa heard Bonnie’s usual disapproving huff as she came up beside her. She continued to stare out the window when a moan from the other side of the room drew both women’s attention. The wounded Massoud, now covered in his own blood, coughed as if he were taking his last breath.
“What are you doing?” Tessa asked as Bonnie moved toward Massoud and let out a cackling laugh.
“If you don’t want to be incinerated, you’d better get out.” She watched him open his feverish eye then nod. In a quick retreat, Bonnie returned to Tessa’s side.
“Are you thinking he can somehow help you down the road if he lives? You’re unbelievable.”
“I don’t have the luxury of having two American badasses at my beck and call like you.” Tessa rolled her eyes to the sudden dust cloud sweeping their way.
“You go first, Tessa.” Bonnie peeked around her as the thunder of hooves reached their ears. “Someone is going to pay for putting me in this kind of danger.” Her voice resembled the scratching on a blackboard. “I will make…”
“Shut up, Bonnie,” Tessa bit out. “Not another word. This is your fault. If you hadn’t made a pact with the ambassador for a piece of the drug market, Massoud wouldn’t even know about us. It’s not hard to figure out the ambassador wanted you out of the picture.”
A piercing whistle drew Tessa’s attention to horses prancing outside their door. Darya motioned for them to follow as the sounds of gunfire continued from the helicopters and Taliban in the distance. She lifted the scarf over her head but shed the wrap. Her exposed jeans revealed some rips and holes absent days earlier or had it been weeks? The white tunic hung lopsided over one shoulder.
Moving outside from the safety of the shack, Tessa felt a morning breeze, raw with the hint of an early fall, brush against her exposed neck and shoulder. Shivering, she noticed two more horses thundering down the street toward them— Captain Hunter and Zoric. The captain pulled back on the reins, making the horse rear a few feet from her. The bottom part of his face, wrapped in a blue rag, created the appearance of an outlaw from the old West. His horse continued to prance as he pulled down the covering and glared at her.
In that moment, Tessa realized where her alliances lay. All the confusion, fear, and fog surrounding her for so many days became clear as the streams flowing through the Wakhan Valley. This man had promised to always protect her, find her then drag her kicking and screaming from any trouble she’d gotten herself into. He’d done it on several occasions. Her heart raced as he danced his horse in circles like some mating ritual. This man also meant peril. Even though he tore his dark eyes from her after a few seconds, Captain Hunter was as dangerous as Darya. She’d have to consider her propensity for such men later.
The horses lunged forward as the Kyrgyz and Americans shot at the Taliban as they ventured back into view. This gave two of the Black Hawks enough time to land. Soldiers jumped free and took up positions to protect their passengers trying to run toward them.
Later, Tessa would remember the children did not call out in fear or cry. They ran toward their future with determination. When they fell, they bounded back to their feet. They turned loose of the adult’s hands, and even Shirin could not keep her sister confined.
Bonnie cried out as her ankle turned against a rock. Even so, she picked up speed, letting Arzo’s hand go free. The little girl fell with Bonnie but missed hopping up like the others. Blood poured from scratches on her face and arms. The child opened her mouth as if to cry, but nothing came out but puffs of white vapor on the morning breeze. She stood alone, looking at her hands while gunfire pounded the ground all around her.
The soldiers tossed the children one by one into the helicopter where they were caught by other sure hands. Bonnie shoved one of the soldiers aside as she plowed into the opening, landing on her stomach. Someone pulled her the rest of the way inside.
“Where’s Arzo!” Tessa screamed at Bonnie over the sounds of the blades of the helicopters. Bonnie point
ed out into the field.
Tessa whirled around to see the orphan confused, lost, and alone. She took a step toward rescue when one of the soldiers grabbed her arm. “We’ll get her. Time to leave!”
“No.” Tessa jerked free, knowing the first helicopter would lift off without her. She ran toward Arzo, calling her name and waving for her to run.
The Taliban continued to fight, but their attention shifted from the helicopters to the tribesmen on the ground. One bird remained in the air and fired a missile exploding the shack where a few Taliban escaped for cover then aimed at the shack where Massoud lay bleeding. Tessa shoved Arzo to the ground and covered her body against flying debris. She rose up when someone yanked her to her feet. A Taliban shook her violently. His sour breath filled her face as he spun her around.
Tessa had become the man’s human shield.
“Arzo. Run!” She screamed the command over and over until she saw the child get up and stumble toward the remaining helicopter. Before she could run more than ten feet another Taliban scooped her up and pressed her to his chest with one arm. Arzo squirmed but received a smack upside the head for the effort.
Sinking her teeth into the arm around the neck, Tessa heard the man yelp as he stepped back. His next movement pulled a club from his belt. Lifting it over his head with both hands he growled undistinguishable words. As the club fell, Tessa dropped to the ground.
Chapter 27
D arya carried the reins of his horse between his teeth as he rode, firing his weapon. The beast moved beneath the press of his knees whenever Darya indicated to turn and pull up short. On one such turn, he saw Arzo had not made it to the helicopter lifting off with the other children. He watched Tessa run toward the child with several Taliban in hot pursuit. The whoosh of the released missile followed by an explosion caused his horse to rear then bolt toward safety. Reining the animal in took a great deal of strength and balance since he decided to try and buck his rider to the ground.
After gaining control once again, Darya watched Tessa crab crawl backwards away from a Taliban fighter prepared to club her into paradise. His heart leaped into his throat as Arzo’s screams paralyzed his reasoning processes. In a split second he watched the child get a severe smack from her captor as he swung her under his arm. Darya fired off a shot at the Taliban’s shoulder. When he dropped Arzo, she hopped up like a jackrabbit and raced back toward Tessa.
Darya put the reins back between his teeth and squeezed his knees into the sides of his horse. The animal lunged forward. Tessa’s attacker swung the club, but she rolled away in time. The man overbalanced, staggering forward. He regained some control before rushing Tessa again, this time getting closer and aiming his club. Darya could hear the man’s yell of victory as he reared back once more. Arzo had covered a lot of ground and was within yards of Tessa when she turned to see the child.
He slowed the horse, but Darya could only raise his gun enough to try and shoot the Taliban somewhere that would halt him long enough for Tessa to escape. He didn’t want to miss his target and make her the casualty. Someone grabbed the bridle, dragging horse and Darya to the ground as a Taliban fighter pushed his rifle into the horse’s head then pulled the trigger. The animal died instantly, pinning Darya beneath the bulk. The Taliban fighter jumped back as Darya yelled out in grief, knowing he’d failed another wife and child. He managed to catch an awkward hold of the fighter’s pant leg, the man laughing as he shoved the barrel of the rifle in Darya’s chest.
A shot rang out and blood squirted from the Taliban’s neck, toppling him across the head of the horse. Captain Hunter thundered his horse past. He leaned forward in the saddle with his rifle raised, much like a Kyrgyz defending what he loved. Tessa. The captain might get to her in time. He could ponder why the captain saved his life later.
~ ~ ~
This time, Tessa couldn’t outmaneuver the man with the club. He landed his boot on her leg, causing her to cry out in pain. Yet, she wiggled to free herself, using her elbows to push herself away. From the corner of her eye, she could see Arzo trying to reach her. The last thing the orphan needed to see was a Taliban fighter clubbing her second mother to death.
Please, God! Save Arzo from seeing what’s about to happen.
Another shot echoed, throwing the Taliban back as he dropped the club on her stomach. He held up his bloody fist at the stampeding horse barreling toward him. Tessa caught a gasp in her throat as the muscled power of the beast mowed him down to the ground.
Tessa jumped up as Chase positioned the horse between her and the fighter. Without another thought for her safety, she ran toward Arzo. As she scooped up the girl into her arms, another shot rang out from Chase’s rifle. Turning back she could see her attacker lying on the ground beneath Chase’s horse. The sound of rotary blades of the second helicopter turned her attention to escape. She spotted Darya’s downed horse, fearing the worst. A sob caught in her throat, knowing she must choose between saving Darya or Arzo.
The third helicopter appeared to be herding the Taliban away from them. Tessa hobbled forward when she heard the sound of a galloping horse once more. Chase stopped his horse next to her and extended his hand. When she handed Arzo up first, Chase placed her in front of him. The next time his arm extended, he leaned out from the saddle.
“Let’s go.” His warm gaze embraced her soul. When she hesitated, he leaned even farther out and touched her face with a chapped hand. “I’m taking you home.”
Tessa grabbed his arm and let him swing her up behind him. As his horse pranced under the added weight, she turned her attention to Darya’s horse lying lifeless on the ground. Zoric stood on the backside of the downed animal, pulling at something. When Darya stood, he searched for her. Zoric pointed toward them before urging the tribesman to mount up with him.
The two horses stopped some twenty-five feet away neighing with protest and fear of the helicopters. Toiluk remained mounted, waiting for his friend to join him and return to the freedom of the Wakhan.
Darya slid to the ground and grabbed the bridle of Zoric’s horse so he could dismount without being thrown. He walked the animal over to Chase’s. Tessa carried Arzo to the helicopter and handed her off before returning to the men.
She arrived in time to hear Chase and Darya talking.
“Get on the horse and disappear, Darya.” Chase’s words sounded more like an order than a suggestion. “We both know what will happen if you go back. They will never understand what you did to protect these women and children.”
“He is right, Darya.” Tessa wanted to sound tough. “Let us try and sort this out so you can come home.” Her voice softened. “If you still want to come home.”
Toiluk’s horse stamped impatient hooves. “Listen to them, Darya.” He probably understood the hand gestures but not the words.
Darya took the reins of the two horses and handed them back to Toiluk. “These were the last of my stock. They are now yours. Go. Join the others before the Taliban return.”
Toiluk frowned at Tessa. He bowed his head in somber agreement and trotted off, leading his animals.
“Darya.” Tessa got in his face. “You got us this far. That is enough. The captain can see this through. Please.”
“We have an agreement. I take the children all the way and then you can fulfill your end of the bargain.” He looked over her head at the captain. “Thank you, Captain Hunter. You saved my life.”
Chase’s nostrils flared as his jaw tightened and released. “It seemed like a good idea at the time.”
This brought a smirk to Darya’s lips as he shifted his attention to Tessa and spoke in Pashto. “Arzo is waiting. This will be the last day of fear for our daughter.”
~ ~ ~
Military base outside Kabul
A great many people waited for them as their helicopter landed near the one which had left with Bonnie and the other children. Many hands appeared to assist with the little ones. Tessa felt such gratitude toward warriors who could be so gentle with God’s m
ost precious creations.
Chase and Zoric exited the bird first, extending a hand to several military officers. Tessa knew you couldn’t salute a superior for fear the enemy would pick him off at the first opportunity. She wondered in for a moment if such information would ever be important when she attended the neighborhood book club meeting back home.
A soldier took Tessa’s hand as she stepped down out of the helicopter. When she turned to check on Arzo, she saw Darya standing in the open door, one hand resting on a safety strap, the other holding the little girl close to his chest. She’d fallen asleep on his shoulder during the flight.
His expression narrowed as his eyes scanned the area. She wondered if the noise confused his ability to think straight. Having been in the Wakhan for a short time, listening to the indescribable silence cloaking the land, Tessa understood the complexity of returning to civilization. The smell of diesel, garbage, and port-a-potties overwhelmed the senses having just left the sweet smell of smoke and yak tea.
Darya appeared confused until Tessa extended a hand to him. The pain in his expression couldn’t be hidden. He released his hold on the overhead strap and hopped down with Arzo secured against him. Together the three of them stood like a family. The other little girls spotted them, escaping their new protectors.
“My girls,” Tessa laughed. “We made it.” The children jabbered all at the same time. Her Pashto had improved by leaps and bounds, but, with everyone talking at once, she understood none of what they were saying. She shrugged at Darya, hoping for help.
For the first time, he grinned at the little girls. “They are glad we are all together again.” He patted each one on the head, reassuring them with praise and bragging on their bravery.
A man who appeared to be in charge ignored Chase’s protest about something and sidestepped him, followed by two MPs. He walked up to Darya, showing contempt.
“Lieutenant Roman Darya Petrov?”
Darya’s bottom lip shot out. He refused to answer as he handed Arzo over to Tessa.
The Enigma Series Boxed Set Page 95
