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She gave herself away when she said the door opened several times and not just once. That meant she might’ve seen Bennett leave with the duffel bag. He hadn’t planned on telling Bennett about Ziva, but with this new development, he had no choice. She became number one on his watch list. And not because I find you sexy as hell either.
His father had taught him young to keep his enemies close. Until he knew specifically what her game was, Alex wasn’t going to give her any room to avoid him. “I haven’t had breakfast yet. Join me.” He didn’t leave any room for a refusal, as he went to the door and held it open for her.
Ziva opened her mouth as though she wanted to tell him no, or better yet where to go, but said nothing, reached for her room key on the table, and walked out the door. Wise choice. Your only one.
As they made their way down the hall, Alex pulled out his SAT phone and texted Bennett. Room 204.
Roger.
Alex hated to do it, but they needed to know who she really was, and how big a threat she posed. She might be only five foot two, but if she was armed, she could be as lethal as anyone else they were about to mess with.
“If you have work to do, I’m okay with skipping breakfast.”
Oh, I bet you are.Alex slipped the phone back into his pocket and said, “No. I cleared my schedule. I’m all yours for the day.” He saw Ziva stiffen as she put on the prettiest fake smile he’d ever seen. Not buying what you’re selling.
“My lucky day.”
As they were about to leave the hotel, the manager called out, “Mr. Henderson. Your... package is scheduled to arrive around noon.”
Shit.“Change of plans. Have it delivered tomorrow. Same time.” Alex didn’t wait for a response as he placed a hand on Ziva’s elbow and ushered her out of the lobby.
“It sounded like your package was important.”
He knew she was prying, and he wasn’t divulging. “It can wait.” Once outside, he hailed a taxi.
“Where to?” the driver asked as he opened the door for them.
Alex turned to Ziva and said, “This is your hometown. Take me somewhere a tourist wouldn’t usually go.”
Ziva muttered something in her language to the driver. He nodded and shut the door. Once inside, the driver pulled away from the curb, his tires squealing. It became evident quickly they were heading out of town. He was tempted to ask exactly where it was she was taking him, but he hoped it would be a pleasant surprise.
As civilization disappeared, he wished he’d kept one of those guns for himself. Or at least had Bennett tail us. Two for two on bad plans so far. I’m on a streak of bad luck. It better end soon. If I make it back to the hotel in one piece today, I’m going to have to pull my head out of my ass. He turned to Ziva, who sat quietly looking out the passenger’s window. He could see a serious look on her face. Was she contemplating how she was going to dispose of his body after they killed him? There were reasons travel advisories appeared for Tabiq. They were known for being ruthless, cold people. Two things he couldn’t picture Ziva as. But if I were going to set a trap, I’d use someone as stunning as Ziva.
Alex lived his life on the edge. His family would never believe it. He was a highly successful author. He took the time to do hands-on research, which was the reason he was so damn good at it. Each time his family thought he was away on some fancy vacation, he actually was deep undercover with some drug lord, arms dealer, or terrorist ring. There had been a few close calls when his cover was blown, and he’d been doubtful about making it out alive. He didn’t want to just talk the talk. He wanted to walk the walk as well. It’d be like a virgin writing a how-to-please-your-man manual. Interesting, but no proven facts.
As they continued to drive farther away, all he could think was there are worse ways to die than at the hands of a beautiful woman.
Ziva might beable to control what was happening on the outside, but inside, she was shaking to the core. At least, in the adjoining rooms they were separated by a lock on each side of the door. Here in the taxi, there was nothing. If he pulled out a gun and forced her to do whatever, she’d be defenseless. That doesn’t mean I won’t fight you with all my might.
Her mind told her to be extremely cautious, the last thing she should do was be alone with him. Yet, here she was with him and a taxi driver, and by the looks of the driver, he’d side with Alex if anything went wrong. By the look on his face, when she told him where to drive them, he must have thought she was certifiable.
Crazy or not, Ziva had to do this. No matter how scared she was, or what he tried to make her believe, she still hoped she could talk Alex out of going through with what he had planned, but that was totally irrational. He was a Henderson. Men like him weren’t swayed once they made up their minds. There had been something when they’d first met that held promise for him. Something tells me you’re not all bad. I’m just not sure if there’s enough good in you to be saved. But I have to try.
As far as she knew, this was his first trip to Tabiq. Even contemplating doing what he was about to do was morally wrong. Yet, Alex was expecting the virgin today, but he canceled so he could spend the day with her. She was positive it wasn’t her charm or looks that garnered his attention. He was fishing for information. Ziva had none to give. He knew she’d noticed the mess in his room. That didn’t mean she was going to admit to anything. If she could get him to stop today, maybe she could tomorrow too.
How she would pull that off wasn’t clear. If she had to, she’d tie Alex up and make him listen to her rant about how wrong and sick it was to take advantage of helpless young women until it made it through his thick skull. Physically she was no match for him, and he knew it. In his eyes, I’m no threat. How mistaken can he be? She was driven by something more powerful than physical strength. He couldn’t touch her when it came to motivation. Her anger, pain, and determination had been building for years. If she couldn’t persuade Alex to stop and leave before he acted on his sick desire, then she’d make sure he paid the price. And he has no idea what I’m capable of. Heck, I’m not sure I know.
Ziva had many different emotions running through her. She wanted to make him pay, punish him, but something deep inside her wanted to save him. The conflict was tearing her apart inside. When she heard a Henderson was returning to Tabiq, she knew what needed to be done. She planned and was focused.
After meeting him, things weren’t as black and white. Although the signs were there, she had to remind herself that he wasn’t his father. She couldn’t let what James Henderson did blind her to who Alex was. If she was going to play judge and jury, she needed the facts first. All she had now were her suspicions. She needed concrete evidence before making a decision. Is he savable? Is he worth saving? Does he want to be saved?
Her country didn’t care about such things. The government didn’t value its citizens. Justice was only a word in the dictionary. It held no meaning when it came to crimes. She hated the laws of her land. The abuse against women was ignored, or worse, condoned. Yet if someone was caught with a gun, it was punishable by imprisonment. Alex didn’t need to know that. She wanted him to fear what his fate could be if he continued down this disgusting, immoral path.
Ziva wasn’t sure if it’d change anything, but he needed to be warned that the prisons in Tabiq weren’t like the ones in the United States. There was no Internet. No television. No air conditioning or visitation. And absolutely no privacy at all. And no one to care if a brawl breaks out and you’re killed. Just one less body for them to take care of.
The facility was just beyond the horizon. It would appear in their view in a few minutes. It wouldn’t take long for Alex to see the tall guard towers at the gate and also scattered throughout the prison. It was surrounded by a ten-foot fence with barbed wire circling the top.
As a secretary for the police department, she’d made this journey several times to deliver paperwork when a prisoner was approved for release. It was rare, but it happened. In most cases, once you saw the inside of this place, you would plan on dying there.
