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Chapter Ten
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Ziva had been tossed onto the floor, her right cheek making contact on impact. She was still so sore. Everything ached from being bounced around in the trunk of the car. If she hadn’t known any better, she would’ve thought they’d beaten her. I’m sure that is yet to come.
She listened intensely, trying to hear if anyone was in the room with her. The only thing she could hear was the ticking of a clock. Hopefully not a bomb.
Ziva tried to stand. She rolled over and was able to get onto her knees. Pain shot through her right knee. She recalled smashing it on a rock when she’d dropped to her knees in surrender. It was only one of the injuries she’d suffered. Thorns on bushes had battered her legs as she ran from the police. She’d been wearing shorts and a T-shirt at the time, which hadn’t offered much protection. The smell of dried blood filled her nostrils, and she tried not to heave.
She tried to steady herself to stand, yet as she did, the pain in the back of her head returned. With the blindfold snugly in place and her hands tightly duct taped behind her, she couldn’t get her bearings enough to stand. Giving up, Ziva dropped back down in the sitting position and then rolled onto her left side. Instantly, she felt relief.
The only thing the guards had removed was her gag. Wherever she was, they didn’t want her to see anything, but they weren’t worried about her calling out for help. I won’t waste my breath. I already know no one will come.
Ziva had held on to a sliver of hope that Myla would’ve reached Alex, and he’d be her knight in shining armor, rescuing her from her captors. But as more time had passed, that sliver diminished. It was too late. There was no way he’d find her. She might not know exactly where she was, but she knew the countryside well enough to know there weren’t any steep hills within two hundred miles from the town she’d been in.
She had anticipated death, which is why she’d dropped to her knees in the first place. Fighting them would’ve been futile and would’ve dragged out the inevitable. Or so she’d thought. Yet, she was still alive. She’d been trying to figure out why since they’d grabbed her.
Ziva played out each scenario in her head. If she’d been from a family with money, it was possible they’d hold her for ransom. Since she had no living family that was easily crossed off the list, so why would they bother keeping her alive? It didn’t make sense.
If they’d believed her to be a virgin, they could hold her and sell her. Men weren’t coming here and paying good money for someone her age. They wanted the young beauties. Even if they had considered it, they would’ve been more delicate with their treatment. What man, cruel enough to pay for a virgin, wanted damaged goods?
Ziva had a hard time believing they thought she was innocent. Years ago, she made public she wasn’t innocent. People of her culture didn’t forget such things. That was why I never married.
That left only one thing. They’re going to torture me for information. Her best guess: they’d seen her with Alex and were going to use her to flush him out. Make him reveal his hand that he’s not a scum-sucking bastard like his father.
I’ll die before I give up any information about Alex. Have I put him in danger? I did him an injustice before, and I won’t make that mistake twice.
Her lips were dry and cracked from the gag. “Can I have some water?” She didn’t expect an answer, but she had to try. If she were dead, she’d be no good to any of them. Trying again, she called out louder, “I’m thirsty.”
To her surprise, she heard the sound of a key, and the door creaked open. Footsteps came closer to where she lay on the floor. Then she heard the door slam shut again, and the key turned. She was no longer alone. Crap.
Ziva felt a hand reaching behind her knees and another behind her back. Strong arms lifted her into the air. She was being carried off. Hopefully not to be dropped on the floor again. My body is done with this.
When she was placed down, she felt herself sink into the comfort of a soft bed. The cool silk sheets against her tattered body felt heavenly. Then she stiffened. A bed meant one thing. She wanted to scream, but she knew there was no hope.
Ziva was rolled onto her stomach. She held her breath as the duct tape was gently peeled away. The parts that had been in contact with her skin were tender and irritated. Moving her hands, she was about to rub them when she felt lips touch one wrist then the other.
She didn’t move at all. Whoever was there wasn’t speaking, and she was sure there was a reason for that. Still on her stomach, she felt hands untie the blindfold. Instantly the pressure was released, and she let out a heavy sigh. Thank you, whoever you are.
Ziva had to see who this was. As she rolled, a hand came up and covered her mouth. Her eyes widened, and her heart filled with joy. Alex! What is he doing here?
He put a finger to his lips to tell her to be quiet. Then he pointed to his ear. She understood. Her captors were listening to them. Ziva nodded.
Alex removed his hand from her lips. He stood by the bedside, and she could feel his eyes examining her. Each time he saw a bruise or cut, his jaw clenched tightly. Reaching her right hand up, she touched his cheek. With her eyes, she tried to let him know it was okay. That she was okay.
Alex covered her hand with his and closed his eyes, as though absorbing her loving message. When he opened them again, he continued to hold her hand, as he joined her on the bed. As though she were a china doll, he gently pulled her close and wrapped her in his arms. Her body melted into his. It didn’t matter how sore she was, being close to Alex was where she wanted, no, needed to be.
She had so many questions for him, but they’d have to wait. All she knew was he was here with her. Ziva wasn’t foolish enough to believe this would last. She lived in a reality that wasn’t very pretty. Tomorrows were a gift, even the next few minutes weren’t guaranteed.
Ziva turned her face toward his. His eyes held such sadness in them. He didn’t appear to be hurt physically, but there was a pain that seemed as sharp as a knife to the heart. Alex didn’t have to say the words. She could tell he knew something, and he not only couldn’t tell her, but didn’t want to, and it was tearing him up.
They had started with secrets and most likely would die with them as well. One thing Ziva refused to leave unsaid was that she cared about Alex very much. Knowing she couldn’t utter the words, she had to show him.
Leaning closer to him her lips touched his. It was bittersweet. She knew if they were listening, most likely they were watching as well. Anything that transpired would be used against them later, so she had to keep it brief. If we make it out of here, Alex. I promise no more secrets. No more lies.
Alex closed hiseyes and held her the entire night. He could tell she wasn’t asleep either. His heart was breaking from the moment the guards delivered him to the room. He hadn’t had a chance to look at her too closely when they’d first entered the house. The lighting had been dim, and she’d been too far off for him to see clearly.
Now in the bedroom, with the bright light overhead, he was able to see the dried blood on her legs and the bruise on her face. That was all he could see. He could only imagine what he couldn’t see.
