Alex didn’t do well with tears. He actually didn’t know any man who did. Opening the door wider, he said gruffly, “Five minutes.” He knew he shouldn’t be terse with her. He had no clue what horror this woman had survived, but he wanted desperately to get to Ziva, and manners and compassion eluded him.
The woman entered, and Alex closed the door. He waited for her to say something. Instead, all she did was stare at him. It creeped him out.
“Four minutes and counting.” He knew he was cold, but he didn’t care what she had to say. His jet was fueled and leaving first thing in the morning. I should give her Bennett’s room number and let him deal with her.
“Please, forgive me.”
Well, that’s a start. For what? Who the fuck knows? Alex ran his hand through his hair in confusion. “Listen. You’re forgiven. If you’ll excuse me, I need to leave.”
“Please, I beg you. Let me see you for just a little longer.”
See me? There was something not right with this. “Who are you?”
The woman looked down again. He saw her hands tremble as she spoke. “Nikolet Maadi.”
My mother.
Shit.
My mother. Zoey’s aunt.
Alex legs shook and the loud pounding in his ears threw him. He hadn’t expected her to show up at his door. Bennett hadn’t been able to find her. “How—?”
“Did I find you?”
Alex nodded. “I have my men searching for you. That’s why I’m here: to find you. No one knew what happened to you.”
“A friend of yours came and saw me very late last night.”
“Does this friend have a name?” He didn’t have any friends here, so this was a flag. I trust very few people.
“She said her name was Ziva.”
Alex had no idea how Ziva would’ve been able to find her when Bennett couldn’t. Hell, I didn’t even know what her name was until last night. This doesn’t make any sense.
“Did she say how she found you?”
“No. She only told me she got my name from someone called Doug. Maybe coming here wasn’t a good idea. I should go.” Nikolet started toward the door.
“No!” He startled her. In a softer voice, he said, “Please come and sit. I’m sorry for being so rude to you. I just . . . I didn’t think I’d get to meet you. I’d like to . . . talk to you.”
Nikolet nodded and went to the couch. “You said you were looking for me. Why?”
“Because you’re my mother.” It was an indisputable fact.
“Yes, I am. But you’re a Henderson. I am a . . . well, nobody important.”
Alex couldn’t sit and have this conversation. His mother was far from a nobody. Yet, he knew why she thought that. This place, the negative comments, would take its toll on anyone. “You’re not a nobody. Unless you believe me to be a nobody as well.”
She looked shocked. “Of course not. You are rich and powerful and—”
“Just a man. Nothing more. Money doesn’t make a person. It only determines what you can and can’t afford. If anything, money has ruined more good men than I can count. You of all people should know that. My father was . . . not a good man.”
“No, he wasn’t,” Nikolet said, her voice barely a whisper. Her hands were folded in her lap tightly.
Alex went and sat beside her, reaching out and covering her hands with his. “I’m sorry for what he did to you.”
“It is not your fault.”
“And it is not yours either.”
She looked up at him. “Thank you for letting me see you. I have often wondered what happened to you. Your father came back several times after. I’m sure you know that.”
“Yes, I do.” He wasn’t sure how often, but he had three younger siblings.
“I had slipped in and waited for him on one of his trips here. I had begged him to tell me about you. I knew I’d never get to see you or hold you after I gave birth to you. He’d made it very clear if I ever tried to find you, or contact you in any way, we’d both be killed.” Her voice cracked as she spoke. “He held all the power. I was willing to risk myself to know you were happy.”
“What did he say?”
Nikolet sobbed. “That you were and always would be a Henderson. And I’d always be nothing more than a . . . a . . . whore.”
He’d grown up hearing that word. Knowing that’s what his father had called his mother felt like a knife to his heart. “I know who he was and what he called you. He was a disgusting and vile man. But, I want you to know that I know exactly who you are.” It was the first time he’d ever had the chance to say the words. His stomach quivered, as he uttered those precious words. “You’re my mother.”
Nikolet burst into tears, and he pulled her into his arms. He held her while she cried. He fought back his own tears. So much time had gone by. He wished she could have held him as a boy, yet here he was the one holding her as a man. At least, we’ve found each other now.
They spent most of the night talking about her life. Her life had been very difficult. Because of their culture, she’s had no husband and no other children. Although she never said it, it seemed as though she’d spent her life alone. How had Ziva known where to find her? Nothing about Ziva should surprise him. She was very resourceful. But why not tell me? What if my mother hadn’t come to me? Would you have let me leave without seeing her? Alex hoped not, but he might not ever have the chance to ask.
Alex recalled Zoey’s mother was also his aunt. The entire situation is confusing as fuck.
He wanted to ask about Zoey’s mother, but hopefully there would be time for that. Right now was his moment with his mother. I came here for this, and I need this time for me.
Although he guessed she wasn’t completely alone in Tabiq, it didn’t change that he didn’t want to leave her behind. Alex knew he wasn’t staying here, but they had a lot of catching up to do. Even though they discussed a lot, he didn’t feel he could leave her here in good conscience, now that he’d found her. He had pictured her living conditions many times since he’d arrived. Surprisingly, she had a small cottage outside the city where she lived alone. That word alone was what stuck in his mind. Alex wanted her to never feel alone again. For nearly forty years, this woman had been ostracized for something taken from her, and she’d had to struggle for everything she had. While I’ve lived with riches and opportunities. It isn’t right.
“I would like you to come to Boston with me. Stay with me so we can get to know each other.” So I can give you what you should’ve had all this time. A life of luxury.
“Oh, my son. My place is here in Tabiq. Not in America.”
Alex couldn’t believe it. This was the second woman he’d asked to go to Boston with him, and they’d rather stay in this hellhole. It made absolutely no sense to him. What does this place hold except bad memories?
“What is it with you women? Please explain to me why you’d rather be here than with me in Boston.” He knew his tone was sharp, but he was frustrated.
She sighed, and for the first time he saw the family resemblance. Not to him, but his sister, Zoey, had that same look when she was frustrated with him for lack of understanding. A look she gives me often. He wished he’d captured it on his phone to show her. Then I can look at it anytime I want to remember. If they weren’t discussing such a heavy topic, Alex would’ve taken the time to show his mother the photos of all his siblings.
“It is hard to explain or perhaps hard for you to understand. I want to be with you, but there is so much to be done here. Ziva and I had a long talk yesterday. She told me about Rajani and everything that had happened. She will not be able to stop it from happening again by herself. She will need people to help. The more people she has standing by her, the more likely things will change.”
“You’re staying because of Ziva?”
“Yes and no. I’m staying because this is my home. I want to help others find their way back to our old ways. The way we were before your father came here. What she is trying to do is ad
mirable. If you haven’t noticed, she’s a very brave woman, Mr. Henderson, but still just one woman taking on a mountain of problems that need to be addressed.”
“Alex. My name is, Alex.”
She smiled at her son and said softly, “Alex. You should talk to Ziva.”
His mother was everything his father wasn’t. Warm, patient, understanding, and most of all, loving. I want to be more like you and less like him. “I have.”
“But have you listened to her? I mean genuinely listened to what’s in her heart?”
He thought he had. Now thinking back, it was more trying to convince her to see things his way, opposed to listening to her point of view. “Maybe not as well as I could’ve.”
Nikolet shook her head. “You said you’re leaving first thing in the morning?” Alex nodded. She got up. “Then I must leave now, and you must go to her before it’s too late.”
“Mother, what are you talking about?”
“I am talking about making things right. I know you are not your father. I can tell by the look in your eyes when I say her name she is very important to you. If you leave without listening to her, you’re not doing either one of you any justice.”
Nikolet walked to the door. Before she opened it, she turned to him, pulled something out of her pocket, and handed it to him.
He looked down and saw a small lace pouch tied with a very worn ribbon. “What is this?”
“All I have of you.”
He opened it and found a small lock of hair.
“After I gave birth, the doctor said I could only hold you once. I stole scissors from the table, and when he wasn’t looking I took a little piece of your hair. I’ve always carried it with me. Now that I have seen you with my own eyes, I no longer wonder. You are here. You are my son. And you are okay.” She went up on her toes and gave him a kiss on his forehead. “Go to her, my son. Don’t let words of your father stand between you and happiness. If you do, the joy you could find with Ziva will be lost.”
Nikolet left him standing alone in his room, holding the lace pouch. He walked over to the couch and dropped onto it. I met my mother. My real mother. Alex couldn’t stop looking at the pouch.
And she never forgot me.
She never gave up hope for me.
He wanted to see Ziva, but right now he was overwhelmed with so much raw emotion he couldn’t go. If he did, he knew he’d not listen. Instead, he’d grab hold of her and beg her to go with him. His mother was right. He needed to hear her out. He knew how courageous she was, and it would be wrong to deny what her heart desired. Although, he wanted her heart to desire him. But after that, I might resort to asking her one last time to come with me to Boston. It’s where I want to be, and where I need her to be. With me.
He grabbed his phone and texted Bennett. Ziva’s location now?
Alex wasn’t sure if Bennett was still monitoring her or not. The last instruction he’d given was to ensure her safety at all times.
His phone beeped with an address.
Everything okay? Bennett asked.
Will be.
Need backup? Bennett texted.
Nope, just a set of balls.
Got this one. See you at the jet in the morning.
Roger.
Alex got off the couch, slipped the lace pouch in his pocket, and left to find Ziva. She wasn’t as close by as he’d hoped. He was cutting it close, driving to her and still making it back in time to board the jet. Good thing it’s my jet. We only leave when I’m on board. He really didn’t care if it took off. He knew she had put up a wall around herself so she wouldn’t get hurt any more than she already had been in her life. He hoped he would have had more self-control and not had sex with her had he thought she didn’t want to be with him. To leave with him. But he couldn’t be sure. I couldn’t resist her. I needed to taste and touch her. I want that again. Somehow, he needed to make her understand he wasn’t going to hurt her. Not now, not ever.
He wasn’t sure what he was going to say, but he wasn’t leaving until this was settled. She’s coming with me one way or another.
Chapter Fifteen
‡
She hadn’t planned on driving all this way tonight but once she was in the truck, she drove until she was exhausted. She found the least questionable-looking hotel, grabbed a room, showered, and went to bed. Ziva anticipated falling asleep since her eyes had been burning, and she could barely keep them open while driving.
Somehow that all changed as soon as her head hit the pillow. She was wide awake and overthinking everything that had happened during the past couple days. She tossed and turned, then lay looking at the ceiling. She reached for her cell phone; two hours had already gone by, and the only thing she’d managed to do was spend money she really couldn’t afford to waste on a room for nothing. It felt frivolous.
She didn’t earn much money but everything she had went to provisions for the girls. Tomorrow they’d leave with Alex and she wouldn’t have that responsibility any longer. Not for them at least. I know the need here is great. So much greater than I can carry. All I can do is my best.
No matter if she gave her last breath to secure their safety, she still would feel as though she hadn’t done enough. How could she not feel guilty for being one of the lucky ones who avoided such mistreatment?
Lying in bed and thinking of what she hadn’t done wasn’t going to help her relax. The list was endless. Thinking she’d relax if she walked around the room, she got out of bed and grabbed the sheet, wrapping it around her. She hadn’t planned this little excursion, and she didn’t have a change of clothes. Although she was alone in the room, she felt self-conscious. The cuts had started to heal, yet the bruises had darkened and looked worse. There is nothing attractive or sexy about me right now. I look like I was in a brawl and lost.
How she looked wasn’t important. It wasn’t like there was anyone, meaning Alex, who’d see her. She was completely and utterly alone. She let out a heavy sigh. Thinking about Alex was the reason she’d left town in the first place. She had never hopped in her truck and driven without a destination.
Tomorrow afternoon she’d return home. There would no longer be a threat of bumping into Alex or any members of his entourage. Although she had to admit, there were times it came in handy, like when Bennett and Doug told her about Nikolet Maadi. It seemed odd that two highly skilled Marines were able to find Alex and her when they were held captive, but they couldn’t seem to locate one woman who wasn’t hiding. I think I was set up. Not sure why, but Doug seems very good at arranging things the way he sees fit. I think I fell right into that trap.
Alex’s brothers were nice, but they seemed to be under the false impression that more was going on between her and Alex than business. Well, if we remove the one night on the private island and amazing sex . . . and his beautiful eyes and his sexy body. And the curl of his lips when I say something cute but he tries to hold in his laugh. Oh yeah, his corny sense of humor and his absolutely sweet and gentle heart, then yeah, we’re left with only business.
Ziva could feel her cheeks turning pink from thinking of him. Face it, Ziva. You’re not getting any sleep. Not as long as he is still in Tabiq. It was as though she could feel him close by. Just a few more hours, and he’ll be on his way to America.
In the short time he was here, Alex had accomplished so much for Tabiq. It meant so much that she found his mother and let her know where she could find her long-lost son.
It wasn’t as hard as she’d thought it would’ve been. With Rajani and the manager powerless, people began speaking more freely. Not to foreigners, but then again, those guys were pretty scary. Handy to have around, but scary nonetheless.
When she told Nikolet why she was there, the woman collapsed to her knees, crying. Ziva bent down and held her. It had been such a touching time to bring such joyful news. She thought she’d deliver the news and leave immediately. Instead, Nikolet invited her in and begged her to stay.
It wasn’t as though either
of them had any stories to tell of Alex as a child. From what she knew of his past, the stories wouldn’t be warm and fuzzy either. Doug hadn’t told her much, but he did say being raised by James Henderson was something no child should have to go through.
The women spent hours talking about something they shared, their love for Tabiq. Ziva was surprised to learn Nikolet had been a school teacher most of her life. She no longer worked but had taught reading and writing. It was wonderful to know Alex had caught the writing bug from his mother, even if he didn’t know it.
I hope you did what you said and went to find him. He needs you more than he knows. Nikolet had been nervous about meeting him, about him being disappointed in her. Ziva happily and truthfully had been able to ease her mind. Your son is not James Henderson.
Shaking her head of all her wandering thoughts, she gave up on sleeping. Ziva went to the chair where she’d placed her clothes earlier and dressed again. A walk in the cool night air might help. Her room was on the second floor, overlooking the parking lot. She opened the curtains and looked out the window. Gasping, she shut it quickly and stepped back. It can’t be. There is no way.
Ziva walked around the room and turned off each light, making it appear she was asleep. She ever so slightly moved the curtain and looked again. There it was, a black SUV parked, facing the hotel. It hadn’t been there when she’d arrived because she would’ve noticed that. Looking closer, she saw two men in the front seat. They’re definitely not guests.
The weight that had been lifted returned. She was still being monitored. Alex may have taken out several of the trafficking leaders, but that didn’t prevent her from being in danger. Ziva needed to get out of there before they found her.
If they know I’m here, they know what I’m driving. She needed a plan and didn’t have time to think too long on it. Going out the front door and hopping in her truck would only mean they’d be following her to the next location. If they don’t grab me before I get there.
Ziva remembered seeing an old beat-up Volkswagen on the other side of the building when she pulled in. It looked really rough, and she wasn’t sure it would start. If it did, the owner might be interested in making a trade. Her truck, although far from new, was definitely in better shape.
His For Five Nights Page 17
