Kings and Sinners

by Alta Hensley

  “What’s happened?” Drake asked.

  When Anson hesitated, Stryder shook his head, knowing he was going to be unable to shield Zoya. Steeling himself, he said, “Just spit it out.”

  “She’s gone—”

  “She got away!” Zoya interrupted, the joyful expression lingering for only a second before it disappeared as Anson spoke again.

  “No, I mean she’s dead.”

  “Dead?” Zoya asked, her body stiffening as her voice continued to rise. “He… he killed her? She’s in one of those… those films? No! She was so young… so scared. Oh my God, he murdered her!”

  This time, Stryder managed to wrap his arms around her, yet he couldn’t reassure her as he didn’t know what Anson had discovered. All he and the others could do was listen as his brother relayed the painful details, wanting to stop him and yet knowing that Zoya… that all of them needed to face the truth, no matter how horrific it was.

  “After I did some research, I called Hadi to fill him in on what I’d learned, only to discover that he was already a step ahead. He had recognized Hildalgo instantly from his reputation and piracy dealings in Africa—”

  “That doesn’t make sense—” Adira cut in, only to have Maddox interrupt her.

  “Let Anson finish—”

  “If he thinks my family had anything to do with piracy, he’s wrong!” Adira continued. “My grandfather is guilty of a lot of bad things, but not this.”

  “Everyone calm down.” The order came from the patriarch and had all of them looking Drake’s way. Once they had, he nodded his head. “Go ahead, Anson.”

  Anson picked up from where he’d been, but clarified Hadi’s involvement. “Excuse me, Adira. I didn’t mean to imply your grandfather was involved. I meant that since Hadi has had operations in Africa for years, he was able to use his contacts to discover things before I did. He set up a team to hit Hildalgo’s compound, and they got inside…” He paused, and Stryder knew he was attempting to find a way to say what he needed while well aware that two women were hanging onto his every word, and not in a hopeful, expectant way. He felt for his brother, but knew there wasn’t really a damn thing he could do to help him. All Stryder could do was respect the man’s position and allow him to speak when he was ready. After a moment, Anson continued.

  “They discovered that it was too late to save Anya.” He looked at Zoya, his eyes filled with pain. “I’m so sorry, Zoya. Anya took her own life the day she arrived at the compound.”

  “Oh God…” Zoya said, her voice breaking into sobs. “She’s dead… No… no, oh, God, Anya. Why? Why couldn’t she have waited? Now… now it’s too late…”

  Stryder pulled her even closer, the absolute despair in her voice pulling on him as he tried to find the words. It was all he could do to give her even a sliver of comfort.

  “I wish we could have saved your friend, but it’s not too late for all of them,” Stryder said. “We won’t stop trying until we have them all…”

  “What about that bastard? Hildalgo?” she asked. “What happened to him?”

  “He paid for his crime,” Anson said. “He won’t be terrorizing anyone else. Hadi made sure of that.”

  “My grandfather killed him?” Adira asked softly, though it appeared she already knew the answer to that question.

  Zoya nodded. “Good. I hope he suffered.”

  Before Stryder could assure her that Hildalgo would be suffering in the pits of hell for all eternity, she looked over at the monitors again. “Will someone tell her family? They deserve to know that she is… is gone.”

  Drake stepped close, laying his hand on her arm. “Yes, I promise that they’ll be told how their daughter fought against evil. She lost, and yet she made the choice not to allow this monster to destroy her soul. In that, she won.”

  Zoya nodded. “Thank you,” she said and then looked at the screen again before turning to Anson. “Make another section. Label it ‘Remember’ to remind everyone not to stop until this is over and because An… Anya deserves never to be forgotten.”

  “I will,” Anson said, his fingers moving to a keyboard.

  “Thank you.” She looked up at Stryder. “I-I need some time alone.”

  Stryder’s heart constricted at the look in her eyes. A look he’d seen on one of the monitors before he even knew her name. The sadness reflected there tore at his soul and yet he felt pride at her request to honor Anya, and prayed that the strength residing in this small woman would remain strong. “Do you need to run?”

  “No, I just need some time to… to…”

  “Grieve,” Adira said, moving to them. “I’ll stay with her.”

  Stryder didn’t want to release his hold but knew that if anyone understood the grief that was threatening to consume Zoya, it was Adira. Bending, he lifted Zoya’s chin with his fingertip. “I’m here when you are ready,” he said softly.

  “I know.”

  He kissed her gently and then released her. The men stood as the two women, arms once again wrapped around each other, left the room. Only after the echo of their footsteps disappeared did Stryder turn away from the door.

  “They’re dead, every single one of those motherfuckers is dead. I won’t—I can’t watch her lose another friend.”

  Drake laid his hand on his son’s shoulder. “I know. Hadi knows. Your brothers know. But we have to gather intel and make plans that will have a chance of success. I don’t want Zoya to go through any more loss, but I won’t let you or your brothers go off half-cocked, either.”

  Stryder stiffened, his hands clenching into fists at his father’s words. Logical or not, all he wanted was to get his hands on one of the men responsible for the horror innocent women were living through every hour they were in captivity.

  The pressure of his father’s hand on his shoulder increased until Stryder met his gaze. “We will not stop until the mission is done, no matter how long it takes or where it leads. But Stryder, you need to listen to me. Losing another friend would be hard and would cause a lot of pain for Zoya, but if she lost you, son, I’m not sure she’d ever be able to recover.”

  Maddox spoke up. “Pops is right. Believe me, I understand exactly how you feel but we need to keep it together.” He paused and then said, “As annoying as you can be, I’d hate to lose you.”

  Stryder couldn’t fault them as he understood they were letting him know they loved him, but damn, it was so fucking hard not to race off to seek vengeance immediately. He relaxed his fists and took a deep breath. “Don’t worry, I’m good.”

  Drake squeezed his shoulder once again and then turned to Anson. “Before you fall asleep on your feet, is there anything else you learned?”

  “News of Hildalgo’s demise is already out. I’ve been getting messages from contacts in various countries and hearing that security has been increased.” Anson’s eyes found Stryder’s. “To say that our mission just got more difficult is an understatement. Every douchebag on that list is gonna be surrounding themselves with more men.” When Stryder opened his mouth, Anson held up his hand. “I’m not saying that it will stop us, hell, I don’t give a shit if they surround themselves with armored tanks… we’ll still get them. What I am saying is that Pops is right. We’ve got to plan, and work with not only Hadi but with other men who have volunteered to help. Seems like human trafficking is a line that, once crossed, puts targets on men who have been allowed to operate in other crimes without much retaliation. In other words, we can count on help.”

  When Anson ran his hand over his face for the second time in as many minutes, Drake said, “That’s good news. The rest can wait. Get some sleep—”

  “I’m fine—”

  “Consider it an order,” Drake cut in. “You won’t be any good to anyone as exhausted as you are.” He glanced at a clock on the wall and continued. “You’ve already got the word out and Hadi is obviously working from his end. We all slept and can monitor operations for a bit. You are to hit the sack, understood?”

  When
his brother didn’t bother to protest or state that he knew every piece of equipment far better than the three of them combined, Stryder knew he had to be beyond exhausted.

  “Just one more thing,” Stryder said, as he pushed up from his chair. Motioning to the monitor that Anson had just updated to change the array of photos, he continued, “With Anya’s photo moved, there should only be ten women in the top section. But, as you can see, there are still eleven.” He paused to allow Maddox and his father to study the screen. Once they had, Stryder reached out and tapped the last photo in the last row. “Why did you add Sophia’s photo to this array?” Stryder remembered the conversation they’d had about the woman and his reaction to hearing how Sophia had been a plant of Poplov’s. “What did you learn about her to put her with the other victims?”

  “I’m still gathering information, but from what I’ve learned, she might be one,” Anson said. He stood, his head turned to the monitor, and yet Stryder could tell his eyes weren’t at the bottom row where Sophia’s photo had been added. Instead, they were focused on the top row, where Natalia’s photo was in the first position. “I’m not saying she is the same as the others. From all I’ve learned, she’s not. But, if my inquiries are confirmed, it seems Sophia had a reason for her actions, and one that isn’t based on greed or evil.”

  “What does Poplov have on her?” Maddox asked before Stryder could voice the same question.

  “What’s the one thing that would cause you to not only be willing to give your own life but to give up your very soul to protect?” Anson asked, turning to face them, his eyes locking once more on Stryder’s.

  “Family,” Stryder said without hesitation but his eyes flicked back to the monitor. “But every woman on that screen was threatened that their families would be killed if they didn’t behave.”

  “True,” Anson acknowledged. Stryder watched as Anson’s gaze moved to Drake and Maddox. “I know you both understand loss with Melissa and Samantha’s deaths in that fire, and I’m not making light of your pain of losing half your family, but at least you had each other to help you through it.” He turned to Stryder. “And while you had to endure years of pain and the horror of your mother’s death with no one to help you, I’m saying that Sophia had an even deeper fear.”

  “A child,” Drake said softly but with a certainty that told each brother that he was correct. “Sophia is a mother.”

  Anson nodded. “Birth records indicate she has a daughter who hasn’t yet reached her first birthday. Seems her husband contracted to do some work for Poplov but once he married and then became a father, he wanted out. He managed to get them away but, well, we all know Poplov’s MO. He isn’t one to allow that. Instead, he had Uri, Sophia’s husband, killed right in front of her while he stood there holding their infant daughter. From what I’ve learned, she has no one else in the world. Her parents died years ago, as did Uri’s. All she has is her daughter. If she doesn’t pay off whatever debt Poplov feels is adequate, he will force her to watch her child die before he kills her, as well.”

  Silence hung over the room for a moment as each of them were lost in memories of the past and the anguish they’d all been forced to endure… yet they’d come through. Finally, Drake nodded. “Keep her on the list and find out where the child is. Not only did I lose my wife, I lost a daughter… let’s not make Sophia go through the same hell.”

  All three brothers nodded. Anson rubbed his face once more and then nodded towards one of the machines. “I should be receiving confirmation of what I learned any time now, as well as answers to the little girl’s whereabouts. I’m guessing she has to be close to or even in the same place as her mother. I wouldn’t put it past Poplov to allow them time together with the understanding that a single false move would cause the child’s death.” Looking at Stryder yet again, he shook his head. “Hell, we know how Zoya feels about Sophia being a plant, but, well, I can’t say I’d have reacted differently if it were my child.”

  “Don’t worry about Zoya,” Stryder said, knowing he’d be doing enough of that for all of them. “Get some sleep. I’m sure Zoya will understand once the circumstances of Sophia’s betrayal are explained to her.”

  Anson moved to the door but turned back to look at Stryder. “I hope so, but we all heard her last night. She considers Sophia as guilty as Poplov. Perhaps it would help her understand if you shared a bit of your past.”

  Stryder was glad his brother hadn’t waited for a response before leaving to find his bed. He kept those memories, those emotions, locked down as tightly as he could. It wasn’t a nice story, not one he particularly wanted to share. Still, he knew that it was his responsibility to fill Zoya in on this newest development. She wasn’t only his save, she had quickly become his… period. If it took baring his soul, he’d do it.

  Chapter 16

  “Zoya?”

  Zoya looked up to see Adira standing across the row. “I know you are hurting and, honey, Jennie appreciates the help, but those aren’t weeds you’re hacking,” Adira went on.

  Looking down at her feet which were not only bare as she’d kicked off her sandals but were quite filthy, she saw bits of greenery, leaves, stalks, and even some small flowers lying in the dirt. “They’re not?”

  “No, this section is planted with onions.”

  “Oh,” Zoya let the end of the hoe rest on the ground as she assessed the damage she’d done, “I didn’t mean to destroy Jennie’s garden. I’m just so… so fucking mad.”

  “I know,” Adira said, stepping over a growing plant to stand in front of her. “I’ve got a better idea. Come with me.”

  Zoya didn’t think any idea would help her get the rage roiling through her under control but knew that if she put on shoes of any kind, she’d run and just keep running, and she’d promised Stryder she wouldn’t do that again. When Adira had suggested she take out her anger by weeding the garden, she’d latched onto the hoe as if it were a lifeline. Stooping, she righted a bent plant, patting some earth around it to give the stalk some support.

  “Don’t worry,” Adira said, “the onions are safe in the ground. You just took out some stems and a few flowers. I’m sure they’ll grow back.”

  Zoya allowed her to help her stand and after they’d returned the hoes to the garden shed, she followed Adira back towards the house. Fully expecting to fall apart in grief the moment she and Adira had left the operations center, she’d been surprised to find that she couldn’t cry. Weeding obviously hadn’t helped break the dam open. “What’s wrong with me?”

  “Nothing’s wrong with you.”

  It was only hearing her question answered that Zoya realized she’d asked it out loud. Shaking her head, she dismissed Adira’s instant answer. “No, I mean why can’t I cry? I’m supposed to be grieving and yet I can’t… Anya is dead but all I want to do is—”

  “Smash something?” Adira offered when she didn’t complete her statement.

  Zoya nodded. “How did you know?”

  “Because I felt the same way not very long ago,” Adira confessed.

  “Does it ever go away?”

  “No, not completely,” Adira admitted, “but Maddox showed me how to feel better.”

  Zoya huffed. “Well, his remedy might work for you, but I don’t think it will work for me. I’m sure he’s a great guy, but not only am I not married to him, I barely know him.”

  Adira smiled and slipped her arm through Zoya’s. “He is a great guy but that’s beside the point. I promise, this will work. Trust me?”

  Without any other choice and knowing she had to do something to avoid curling up into a little ball and never getting up again, Zoya shrugged. “I guess I have to if Jennie is going to have anything left to harvest.”

  Adira laughed and squeezed her arm. “Good, come on.”

  Zoya was surprised and instantly apprehensive as Adira led her back towards the tunnel. “No, I can’t... not right now. I know I need to learn everything in order to help but—”

  “We’re n
ot going to the operations center,” Adira assured her. “We’re going to the gym.”

  “Look, I appreciate the help, but I don’t exactly feel like doing a bunch of sit ups or whatever. If I wanted to exercise, I’d be running.”

  Adira paused right on the threshold that led from the office into the tunnel. “Not alone, you aren’t, and I hate running. Unless you want to wait while I saddle Zephyr and ride beside you, I’m afraid this will have to do. Come on, you said you trusted me.”

  Though Zoya’s fear of horses had ebbed a bit since the day the colt had accompanied her on her first run, it hadn’t completely dissipated. She nodded and the two began to walk down the tunnel, their bare feet not making a sound on the stone. Without speaking, they moved towards the far wall as they approached the operations center, their pace quickening, faces averted from the door of the room where low voices could be heard. It wasn’t until Adira turned into another cavern several yards farther down the tunnel that Zoya finally took a deep breath.

  Looking around, she shook her head. “Wow. This is amazing, but I still don’t think exercise is going to help.”

  “Oh, ye of little faith,” Adira said, letting go of her arm in order to move towards a cabinet on the far side of the room. “I promise that not only are you going to be eating those words soon enough, if you just give me a chance, I’ll let you choose something from the secret stash. Okay?”

  Zoya didn’t bother to answer as she began to understand Adira’s intentions the moment she turned back, two large red objects in her hands. Her gaze went from the boxing gloves to the large bag that was hanging from the ceiling. She instantly felt an overwhelming desire to pummel the hell out of it. Holding her hands out, she said, “Give them to me.”

  Adira laughed but shook her head. “That’s the right spirit, but I’m afraid you’ll need some help. If you plan on hitting as hard as I think, you’ll need to let me tape your hands first.”