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“Relations?”
Damn it.“Sex.” Alex wasn’t shy about such things, but saying it to someone who was half his age, disturbed him.
“What will you do?”
“I will not take it too far. Maybe put an arm around your waist or hold your hand. Trust me, Myla, we are not having sex. This is strictly for show. We’ll pretend.”
Myla seemed to have calmed down and headed to the couch. “If anyone comes in, I will help make it look real, as long as you promise that it’s not. What happens if they do not believe us?”
“You know Tabiq better than I do. I’m sure they’ll not be happy.”
Her eyes darkened with sadness. Her voice sounded as though she was about to cry again. “They will put me to death. You? I’m not sure. You are rich, and they will not want to lose your money, but they’ll not be happy. Lying to them is a very bad and dangerous thing to do.”
He didn’t want her life at risk like that. Maybe he could set her free now before it went any further and try to find another way. If there was one, I’d have taken it already. If I stop now, I better be on the next flight out of Tabiq.
“Don’t worry about me, Myla. If you do just as I tell you, we both will make it out of here alive.”
Myla yawned, and he could tell she was worn out from her ordeal.
“Would you like to rest?”
She nodded and headed for the couch. He raised a hand and pointed to the large king-sized bed. For the first time since he’d opened the door, Myla smiled. “May I use the bathroom?”
Alex was relieved she’d relaxed somewhat. This entire ordeal must be scary as fuck. The fact you’re willing to trust me even a little blows my mind. No time to question it.
“Yes, of course. I placed pajamas on the bureau for you to change into. I didn’t know what size to bring, but hopefully they won’t be too large on you.”
Myla tensed up again. She walked to the bureau, picked up the pajamas and held them up. Her smile returned when she saw his choice. They were modest and not sexy in the least.
Turning back to face him she said, “Thank you, Alex. I have heard so many stories about your father and feared my fate would be the same as the others. The thought of meeting you had me shaking with fear. I won’t lie. I’m still afraid.”
“That’s perfectly understandable. If you weren’t, you’d be foolish. I’m a stranger, and all I can give you is my word. Give me time, and I’ll prove that you can trust me.” After all these people had been through, trust was going to be a hard thing to earn, if not impossible.
“My options are limited. My life was in your hands the moment you answered the door, and I hope I am wise to do so, but I’ll trust in your word.”
Alex nodded, and she headed off to the bathroom with her pajamas in hand. This was the first step, a very small one, but he knew it wasn’t going to be easy. What he hadn’t expected was how emotionally difficult this was going to be on him as well. Myla was barely eighteen. If it had not been him, he knew they would’ve sold her to another man, and her safety and innocence wouldn’t exist any longer. As long as I’m here, no one will hurt her.
While she was in the bathroom, Alex pulled on a clean white T-shirt. Normally he slept in his boxer shorts, but fully clothed was the way to go while she was in his room.
After she finished in the bathroom, she went to the bed, pulled down the covers, and climbed in. He turned away before she pulled the blankets up around her.
Alex went back to the couch and lay down. He looked over at her several times, and she was lying wide awake, gripping the sheet tightly around her neck. Alex wanted to reassure her he wouldn’t hurt her. Words were simple; actions were all that mattered. He wasn’t sure if she was going to get any sleep.
He was exhausted himself; last night he’d tortured himself over this meeting. Now with the initial contact out of the way, he had to plan out phase two. We’ve got a long way to go before I can get the people in charge of this ring to trust me. All I can do for the moment is hope I can keep Myla believing in what I have said, with no proof to offer as validation.
A few hours after tossing and turning ideas around in his head, he heard a noise from the other side of the room. Looking over the back of the couch again, he saw Myla sound asleep and snoring. Asleep, she looked younger than she said. Her situation sickened him, but for now, Myla was under his protection. He’d given her his word, and if it was the last thing he’d do, he’d ensure she and her family were safe.
Myla rolled over and hugged the pillow. No matter what his stress level was, he couldn’t imagine what it’d been for her last night, thinking about what was to transpire today. He felt good right now. It wasn’t much, but he’d saved one. Or at least, he was trying to ensure she didn’t become a statistic like so many before her.
Rest now, little one. This week is going to be long and tense for the both of us.
Ziva’s heart sank.She’d honestly hoped that Alex had heard what she was saying yesterday and would’ve changed his mind. Knowing he wasn’t strong enough to resist was disappointing, to say the least. So many men had come before him, yet Alex was different. She’d seen something in him, something she believed was good and honorable. I was foolish and only saw what I wanted to see. He’s just like his father, and I can’t forget that.
Even though she’d hoped he wouldn’t do anything, Ziva had been hanging close by her bedroom door, waiting for the slightest sound. When she heard the woman’s footsteps she knew one thing, Alex was about to get his visitor.
Ziva had opened her door the slightest crack to peer at the girl. She was maybe eighteen, but not a day older. And the white dress of innocence made her look even younger. When Ziva saw Alex reach out and take the girl by the hand and lead her into his room, she barely controlled herself. All she wanted to do was fling open her door, go up in his face and tell him what a lousy piece of shit he was, and he truly was no different than his father.
The only thing that prevented her taking immediate action was her understanding of how these things went down. The girls were never let out of sight until they were in the room. That meant someone had been watching. Ziva couldn’t have risked being noticed as well. If she’d been spotted spying on Alex and the girl, never mind trying to intervene, the manager would’ve turned her over to the authorities. She couldn’t do any good if she was six feet underground.
Ziva felt so helpless with the whole situation, as she had on so many occasions, living in Tabiq. She hurt for the young girl next door and for the girl’s family. She knew the grief they would experience. All she could do was lie on her bed and cry herself to sleep. She’d been so close yet still unable to prevent the act from happening. She’d told herself so many times if she died saving at least one, she’d given her life for a worthy cause.
Instead, she was in the room next to theirs, trying not to imagine what was taking place. Ziva put a pillow over her head so no sound would penetrate. She was angry with herself. This was her chance, and she’d blown it. I failed her. I’m sorry, whoever you are. I wanted to do something, but I wasn’t brave enough.
Tears rolled down her face, and her sobs muffled under the pillow. She wasn’t going to give up. She may not have been able to stop Alexander Henderson today, but she wasn’t going to give up. Somehow Ziva was going to get the girl alone and get her out of that room and the hotel. She’d take her to the one place she knew was still safe. The place her father had taken her all those years ago. If the government never found it, she knew Alexander wouldn’t either. She might not have been able to prevent it, but she was going to cut it short.
Ziva needed to let the pain of what happened go. Holding on to it would only interfere with her pulling off the next step. She needed to be on top of her game.
Brushing the tears from her face, she thought how to get the girl alone. The only thing she could think of was to knock on Alex’s door and invite him to come to her room. That’s not going to save the girl but maybe buy her enough time to escape. If she gets free, maybe I can help her. As long as no one else finds her first. How would the girl know where to go?
Ziva let out a heavy sigh. It wasn’t much, but she had a plan. First thing tomorrow she’d knock on that door. Until then, she’d close her eyes and pray for sleep, because tomorrow she needed to be rested and ready to go. With Alex, I can’t guarantee how anything is going to go. Yesterday I would’ve bet he would’ve sent the girl away. So wrong. I won’t underestimate him again. She’d never forget who he was. A Henderson.
