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“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.
