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“How do you know?”
“Bennett picked them up in his rifle’s scope. He’s good, but we’d prefer to avoid any more bloodshed if possible.”
Ziva had to agree. She wasn’t one who believed in taking a life for no reason. All these years she’d been able to avoid such action. I’d like to live out the rest of my life in the same way.
She slid into the passenger’s seat of a Jeep as Doug slid into the driver’s seat. He handed her a pistol and asked, “Can you shoot?”
Ziva shook her head. The only time she’d held a gun was on Alex, and that one hadn’t been loaded.
“Damn. Well, those goons don’t know that, so if they start shooting at us, shoot back. Maybe you’ll get lucky.”
That wasn’t her goal. She wanted to hold them off but would do what she needed to. However, she’d be shooting above them. Probably would even if I were aiming at them.
Their Jeep sped away, and she held on to the roll bar as they hit bumps at high speed. The dust made it almost impossible to see if anyone was following. She assumed Doug was in contact with Bennett through an earpiece, because he was talking to someone she couldn’t hear.
“Roger that. We’ll be there in five.”
She wasn’t sure where there was, but they were heading in the opposite direction from her hometown. Whoever this Doug and Bennett were, she needed to make them understand she had to get back. The girls needed her. Myla needed her. And I need them.
“Just pull over and let me out. I can make it from here.”
Doug didn’t even look at her. “That isn’t happening.”
“Am I your prisoner now?” she asked sarcastically.
“We were sent to retrieve you and protect you. There is no way I’m letting you out of here so you can get yourself killed.”
“If you want to help someone, I can give you the name of a man who was held captive with me. He’s still there.” Ziva’s voice cracked as fear for Alex came rushing through.
“You’re first. He’s next.”
She hoped they were talking about the same person, but it didn’t make any sense to her why they’d rescue her and not him. “You do know who I’m talking about, right?”
“Alex Henderson,” Doug stated matter-of-factly, while they made a sharp turn.
“Right. You know you can’t leave him there. I mean, you know who he is, so you know he’s important.”
The Jeep rounded one more bend, and she saw what they were rushing toward. There was a chopper waiting, and two men with some big guns standing there as well. I hope they’re expecting us.
Doug slammed the Jeep into park and said, “Let’s go.”
She didn’t hesitate and rushed to the chopper. Doug gave her a hand, helping her inside, then climbed in beside her. The two men did the same. The door was still open, and she could see the SUVs Doug had mentioned, pulling up beside his Jeep. Several men leaped out and raised their weapons. Shots rang out from inside the chopper before the men on the ground got any rounds off.
Ziva leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes. She didn’t want to watch. Bloodshed was inevitable, but she didn’t need to witness it.
It felt completely surreal.
This whole scene was happening all because of her. No life was worth taking over her. I’m nobody important.
It wasn’t long before the chopper was out of range, and the gunfire ceased. Ziva didn’t open her eyes. Her nerves were in overdrive. She’d always lived her life quietly and out of the spotlight. Now she was getting rescued, as though she was in a movie. Nothing felt real except the pain that still rocked her body.
“You’re important.”
She opened her eyes and looked at Doug. “What?”
“You said to go after Alex because he was important. So are you.”
She’d forgotten all about saying that. “Not compared to Alex.”
