She pictured Alex laughing when he picked up the gun and saw it had no bullets. He didn’t take her seriously before, and this wouldn’t resolve that issue.
Myla ran out of the cabin to greet her. That wasn’t supposed to be; they were supposed to be more careful than that. Then again, she wasn’t sure she’d taken the time to explain all the ins and outs to Myla. She’d been so focused on seeing Alex and making him pay she hadn’t paid attention to what was important. These girls.
“Myla. You need to wait in the cabin and be very quiet until I give the signal that it’s safe to come out. What would’ve happened if Mr. Henderson had been with me?”
“Why should I be afraid of him?” Myla asked.
Ziva felt bad for Myla. She didn’t comprehend that being sexually assaulted was wrong. Maybe she’s in shock. Or just in denial. Whatever it is, I can’t push or she might have a breakdown. She’ll figure it out on her own.
“He isn’t a very nice man.”
“Why don’t you like him, Ziva?” Myla asked sincerely.
She had to reply with something. But what? Everything I say could be an emotional trigger for her. Ziva decided to use herself as an example. “He kissed me.”
The words were simple and far from being too much. Actually, that was all Alex had done to her. It isn’t technically a lie.
Myla smiled. “Did you like it?”
Ziva was shocked. That wasn’t the response she was expecting. “Myla, he should not kiss me after kissing you. That’s wrong.” She hoped that would make it clearer to her.
Myla shook her head. “He did not kiss me.”
“Of course, he kissed you.”
“No, he didn’t.”
Ziva reached her hand out and touched Myla’s arm. Speaking very gently, she said, “Myla, you don’t have to lie. It’s okay. I know what happens when the manager takes girls to a man.”
“I do too, but Mr. Henderson didn’t do that. He said . . .” Myla looked down, “I can’t tell you. I’m sorry. I promised.”
“Promised who?”
“Mr. Henderson. I promised never to tell anyone.”
She had to find out what the secret was. If it had to do with Alex, it couldn’t be good. Ziva hated using manipulation, but she was desperate.
“Myla. I told you he kissed me. Would he kiss me if he didn’t trust me?” Myla shook her head. “Then he would say it’s okay for you to tell me. Maybe I can help.”
“I don’t want him to be angry with me. Not after what he said he’d do to help my family.”
“Help them?” Ziva remembered her saying something about her family yesterday, but she assumed it was a threat to harm them. “What is he going to do?”
“Give them money so they can go someplace where my baby sisters won’t be sold. He’s going to send Mama and Papa so we can all be together. After this is all done, he said I could go too. Can you imagine, Ziva, a place where you can play outside, and not worry about the police coming for you?”
It was a dream she had every night. One she wished she could deliver. She was only able to help a few at a time. Was it possible Alex honestly was going to help Myla and her family? If so, why?
“Did he say why?”
“No. Mr. Henderson only said he needed my help.”
It was all coming down to this one question. The one that would say what kind of man Alex Henderson truly was. “What did he need you to do?”
Myla blushed. “He said I must pretend that I had serviced him if anyone asked. And I couldn’t tell anyone the truth because if I did, they’d know he was lying too.”
“He never touched you? Not at all?”
“No. He slept on the couch and gave me the bed. He was very kind to me.”
Ziva believed Myla was telling her the truth. There was no reason for her to lie. At least, not at this time. She didn’t understand why Alex paid for a virgin at the hotel and then hadn’t touched her. Was it some game to him? Was Alex testing the waters for next time? Or maybe what I said to him when I took him to see the prison opened his eyes.
“Did he ever say why he was here if not to have . . . you?”
Myla nodded. “He is looking for his mother.”
“Mother? Here?”
“Yes. He knows his mother was ripped from her family and sold to his father. He wants to find her and punish the people who are doing this to us. So now you know why I’m not afraid of him.”
That I do. Why didn’t he tell me? Why let me believe he was like his father? She knew the answer. Because he doesn’t trust me.
It hurt her, and she didn’t know why. The important thing was he was here, trying to do good. Although his heart was in the right place, Ziva knew it’d take more than one man to take the corruption down. After all, this had been going on in Tabiq for more than forty years. His mother might be dead by now . . . How did he expect to find her?
Then she thought back to the bag of weapons. If he was such a good man, why bring an arsenal and hide it in the closet? If he had given them to the manager in exchange for Myla, that might make sense, but the manager would’ve demanded payment before Alex stepped foot in the hotel. It was a smooth-running operation. It might be smooth, but it’s immoral as heck.
She had some of the answers, but she still had a boatload of questions. Of course, after she aimed a gun at his chest, he probably didn’t want to see her again. Then again, he kissed me after that. Maybe he’s not as angry as I thought he was. I’ve been wrong about so much regarding him. I don’t like it, but I’m glad I was wrong.
“Thank you for telling me, Myla. I can help him now.”
Myla beamed a big beautiful smile. “Just like you’re helping the other girls and me.”
“Something like that.” Ziva smiled and walked to the cabin.
Since she was here, she might as well make herself useful and cook dinner for them. Ziva was used to eating alone. Actually, everything she did was by herself. Until she met Alex, she never thought twice about it being different. Yet, since she took him on their little excursion, she yearned for something more. Even though their conversation had been harsh, it had been nice to be listened to as an equal. When she thought back to that day, armed with the knowledge from Myla, she saw a very different Alex Henderson in her mind. He had listened to her and still challenged her. Unlike any man before, he truly seemed interested in what she’d told him. The men of Tabiq barely registered the opinion of a female, let alone took the time to hear what was being said. She knew American men were different, but compared to his peers, Alex still stood out. Not once had he been condescending. It was refreshing to have a voice. If only it was for more than a brief moment in time and for more than just me. All women should feel as I had. An opportunity to be our own advocate about how we want to live our lives.
Ziva was content doing what she was doing. But it’d be nice to have someone by my side. Someone who’d hold me and understand if I cry when I am too late to save one of the girls.
That was asking a lot of a person. The mission with these girls was the commitment she’d made. It wasn’t something she could ask another person to join her on. It wasn’t only hard work; it was risking your life, knowing at any time someone could see her and turn her in to the police. There would be no trial to determine guilt or innocence. No one would visit her in jail. She’d be taken away and never seen again.
Why would I ever ask someone I love to do the same? If I love them, the last thing I’d want is for them to be in harm’s way.
Ziva wasn’t saying that she loved Alex, but she was fond of him. The more she learned about him, the more she liked him. He’d kept things from her, and she’d done the same. Her reason was she didn’t trust him based on who his father was. That was wrong. Of course, he purposely let her believe the worst about him. It was odd, and she didn’t understand.
Myla set the table with the other girls, while Ziva brought the rice and beans from the stove. The table was set when one of the girls who’d been on lookout rushed
inside.
“Ziva, I saw a man in the trees. He is coming this way,” the girl exclaimed breathlessly.
Ziva quickly dropped the pan on the table and rushed to the door. She peered outside but saw no one. She turned to the girls and said, “I want you all to stay inside. Don’t come out unless I call for you. Do you understand?”
They nodded. Then she turned to Myla. “If I don’t come back, I need you to take my car and find Mr. Henderson. Bring him here and tell him everything. Understand?”
“You should not go out there, Ziva.”
“I have to, Myla. I need to get him away from here.”
Ziva handed the keys to her truck to Myla and left the cabin. She quickly made her way through the woods. She could see the man off in the distance. He was heading toward the cabin. How had he found them? Who was he? She needed to think fast.
Looking around, she found a branch on the ground, brought it to her knees, and cracked it. It made a loud snapping sound that echoed. She looked up, and the man saw her. She began to run through the trees away from the cabin. He chased her. Every step she took bought the girls more time to hide. She’d taught them well, now she hoped they’d listened to everything she’d said.
Ziva heard the man getting closer. Her heart was pounding hard in her chest as she maneuvered through the trees, ducking under the low branches and leaping over fallen limbs. Don’t give up, Ziva. Just a bit farther and you’ll be at the river. If he can’t swim, you may have a chance to get away.
She could hear the sounds of the rushing water echoing in the wind. She was so close, only a few more yards.
It was over in a heartbeat. In front of her stood a second man. There were two of them? He had his gun drawn and aimed at her. She came to an abrupt stop and collapsed onto her knees.
“Ms. Gryzb, what are you doing out here so far from the station?” one of the police officers asked.
“Maybe she wanted to pick berries,” the one from behind said sarcastically.
The two men laughed. Ziva knew it was over. They knew who she was, and no matter what she said, the way they were looking at her told her everything. She’d been so distracted after leaving Alex she missed them tailing her. It was a high-price mistake. My life. The girls . . .
Ziva had so many regrets. Not able to finish what I started. Not telling Alex I’m sorry for judging so wrongly.
For leaving his room when I so badly wanted to stay in his arms.
She sensed the men only inches away from her now. Closing her eyes, she waited for what was about to come. Instead, she felt a sharp pain in the back of her head, then all went black.
Chapter Eight
‡
“Sorry Mr. Henderson, but we caught this . . . girl, trying to get away. If she doesn’t please you, we can send another at no charge.”
Alex glared at the manager. He was shaking on the inside, trying damn hard to control himself. The only thing holding him back was his concern about why Myla was here. He knew she was with Ziva. Bennett had already called and confirmed their location. So, what made you risk your life to come back here?
So not to want any further question, Alex grabbed Myla by the bicep a bit roughly and tugged her into the room. “I like this one just fine.” Then he slammed the door in the manager’s face.
Once Alex heard his footsteps leaving, he turned to Myla and asked, “What happened? Why are you here?”
Myla looked at where Alex still held her.
He released her right away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I needed him to think I was not happy with you.”
“I know. It’s okay. Don’t worry about me. We need to help Ziva.”
His heart sank. “Is she hurt?”
“Men came and took her away. She wasn’t moving. I’m afraid of what they’re going to do to her.”
Alex was beside himself. He should’ve been there instead of waiting for Brice and Dean to show up. From what Bennett had told him, the place seemed secure. Either he was wrong, or something had changed.
“Do you know who they were?”
Myla nodded. “They are the police. Or at least, that’s what they call themselves. We have no real police here. They all work for . . . well we don’t really know who they work for, but they are not here to protect the people. They do whatever they are told, and it usually isn’t good, at least not for us. I saw the men who came to the cabin and took Ziva talking to the hotel manager before. They are very dangerous men, and they hurt Ziva.”
“How do you know she was hurt?” Please don’t let it be bad.
“I was hiding, but I saw one of them hit her in the head. She wasn’t moving when they carried her away. I hope she isn’t—”
“I’m sure she’s not.” God, she better not be. He needed to find her, but he had no clue where to start looking. Pounding the manager’s face until he divulged the information sounded like a place to start. If he went in empty-handed, he wasn’t going to be alive long enough to ask any questions and positively not long enough to beat the shit out of the guy.
Alex grabbed his SAT phone and called Bennett. He quickly brought him up to date with the details Myla had just told him.
“That road isn’t heavily traveled. Those goons had to have been waiting and watching her already. I was afraid something was going to happen. The Turchettas aren’t here but have been observing the cabin via satellite. I’ll see if they have a location or some footage for us.”
“If you knew she was in danger, why the fuck did you leave?” Alex barked over the phone.
“I figured she was safe until you made your move. That’s when I expected things to go to hell. If they were watching her, it’s because she’s doing something outside of being associated with you. We need to find out what that is.”
Alex looked at Myla and asked, “Do you trust me?”
She nodded.
“Then I need you to tell me what Ziva was doing in those woods. I need to know everything you can think of. It might be our only way to find her.” He looked her square in the eyes, practically pleading for her cooperation. Ziva’s life depended on what Myla could tell them.
“She finds girls who are young but will soon be of age to be . . . taken. She hides them away and takes care of them so the manager’s men can’t find them. She brings them food, clothes, books, and everything else they need. They all know they can’t leave the area because someone might see them. No one would break the rule. Each girl knows the price if they are discovered.”
“Did they find you? I mean all of the girls?”
“No. We take turns as lookout. When the men were spotted, Ziva left the cabin and led them away from us. She told me if she didn’t come back, to take her truck and come find you and to tell you everything. She will need you to protect the girls, as you protected me.”
Ziva was even braver than he imagined. Not only had she confronted him, but she took on armed men to save the lives of others. Don’t be dead, Ziva. I’m coming for you. I’ll find you. You just have to believe and trust.
“How do you know this if she told you to stay put?”
“I couldn’t let her go by herself. But when I saw the man hit her on the head and put her on his shoulder, I knew there wasn’t anything to do except get you.”
“You are very brave, Myla.”
Alex lifted the phone back to his ear. “Did you get all that?”
“I did. It doesn’t look good, Alex.”
He didn’t need Bennett to tell him what he already knew. “I say we go directly to the manager, and demand he brings her to us.”
“He’ll deny they have her. Hell, he’ll pretend he doesn’t know who she is.”
Alex needed something that would make him cough her up. Then he remembered what Brice said. “They only care about the color of your money.”
“Bennett, I’m going to talk to the manager. I’m going to request he locates the woman who was in the room next door. I’ll offer him a shitload of money if I can have her for the nig
ht. If he’s as greedy as we think he is, he’ll release her to me.”
“That’s a consequential risk, Alex. He might put two and two together, and you’ll disappear right along with Ziva.”
“Then I guess we’re about to see how good of a shot you are. Because I’m going down.”
“You should wait for Brice and Dean.”
“I need you to have the men you have stashed around get Myla and the other girls to safely. Explain to Brice exactly what you heard, and get them the hell out of harm’s way.”
“I’m not leaving you to enter this alone.”
“I won’t be. I’ll be with Ziva.” Alex disconnected the call and turned back to Myla. “A man named Bennett is going to take you to my brothers. They will not hurt you. I need you to make sure the other girls know they can trust them too, okay?”
Myla nodded. “Are you truly going to go save Ziva?”
The look in Myla’s eyes said she knew the score. It wasn’t hopeful. That didn’t mean he wasn’t going to move forward with his plan. He was her best hope right now. If anything happens to her, I don’t know what I’ll do. Alex was as ready as he could be. Like Myla, he knew the risk. “I’m going to try.”
Alex left Myla alone in the room while he went downstairs. He’d slammed the door in the manager’s face, so he wasn’t so sure how happy he’d be to see him again. When he arrived in the lobby, the manager met him with a grin. Oh, that’s right. You don’t care how I treat you as long as I pay you.
“Mr. Henderson. Is there something you require?”
“Let’s talk in private,” Alex stated.
With a nod, the manager led him to a back room. Once the door was closed, he asked, “What do you require that needs such privacy?”
“There was a woman I had arranged to use the adjoining room. I can’t find her. I want her.” With a sick growl, he said, “I need her.”
His For Five Nights Page 9
