Page 4 of His For Five Nights

There were boxes and bags in the back of the truck. Her father hadn’t spoken the entire trip. When they finally stopped the truck, they were at a cabin away from any sign of life. Her father explained he couldn’t stay, and for her own protection, he needed to hide her. There were evil men who would come and take her from her family, and she’d be hurt. It had been the first time she’d been on her own. She’d been so innocent, naïve back then, and hadn’t thought she’d survive.

But after weeks of tears and numbing fear, she found something inside her she hadn’t known existed. Not only did she survive, she thrived in the solitude. She spent hours on end reading and educating herself more than she could’ve in their traditional education system. She read books most girls her age didn’t have access to or would not have had time to read. It was as though she traveled the world and learned about different cultures right from her little sanctuary. When she wasn’t reading, she kept herself physically fit. She’d make her way through the woods, down to the river, and swim against the current. Ziva knew she couldn’t outmuscle a man, but she was going to be the best she could be if needed.

Her father had left her with a gun, which she had sworn she’d never touch. It’d sat there unloaded; she’d never been able to bring herself to think about holding it, never mind pointing it at another living being. What started out as scary, lonely, and terrifying, became a blessing. Each time her father came to check on her, he’d replenish her supplies and include new literature. If it hadn’t been for the books, she’d have felt truly alone. Instead, she traveled the world through stories, learning about other lands and cultures. What she learned most was how to be a strong, independent woman.

Ziva grew tired of hiding. Over time, she figured out why her father hid her. Jaysin was afraid what had happened to Isa would also become her fate. After being hidden for almost two years, Ziva knew the time had come to break free from her hideaway. So on one of his trips to see her, she told her father her plan. She felt strong, and more importantly, she was determined.

Initially, her plan had appalled him. What father would willingly declare his daughter wasn’t a virgin and had been sent away to give birth to a child? Her intelligent but grief-stricken father eventually conceded and saw wisdom in her plan, although it had taken several trips to convince him the lie could work.

When he finally agreed she returned home and fully realized how her father had saved her. He’d saved her from being taken in the night and sold like property to the highest bidder. Sold to bastards like Henderson.

She took a job as a secretary at the local police department so she was close and could overhear things she otherwise wouldn’t be privy to. When she heard them say Alexander Henderson was here and wanted to talk business, she knew darn well what he wanted. And there is no way in heck he is going to get it.

Alex closed the door to the hotel behind him and seemed to be looking around. Had he noticed her following their taxi from the airport or when she parked several cars behind him? She’d tried keeping her distance, but she was no spy. Covert operations weren’t her forte. That didn’t mean she hadn’t picked up a lot of techniques by working at the police station.

Ziva couldn’t help but notice he didn’t look like the pictures of his father. Adjusting the binoculars, she focused on his eyes. They were dark, but they weren’t hard as she’d expected. Especially with the reason for your trip here. I would think you’d be wearing sunglasses covering those eyes in shame. But then again, maybe you don’t feel anything, just like your cold, immoral father.

She questioned her sanity. All these years she’d been training and preparing to make a move and bring down one of these men. The police department didn’t know the extent of her strength. Her knowledge. So, here she was, about to take on one of the richest and most powerful families by herself.

She knew there was no way Alexander could see her, but when his eyes looked her direction, a chill ran through her. It was ridiculous because it wasn’t just Alexander she needed to worry about. The police were working hand in hand with the government to provide the ladies to the creeps. All it would take was the wrong person to see her spying on the hotel or Alexander, and she would disappear, no different than anyone else who questioned the treatment of their young women.

Lowering the binoculars, she closed her eyes for a minute. This stunt is beyond crazy. How do I expect to pull this off? Doubt was slowly taking over. If she allowed it to persist, she was sure to fail. Failure meant whatever young woman was about to be delivered to that bastard would have no chance of escape. I’m her only hope. God help us both.

She needed to get inside and make contact with him. Exactly how that was going to happen wasn’t clear. Ziva ran a few scenarios through her mind. No matter what, it would look suspicious.

I have to pretend to be the virgin. The one he’s expecting to be delivered.It sounded easy, but the women were normally eighteen years old. Here she was, twenty-nine and far from looking all young, sweet, and innocent. If there was any way she thought she could pull it off, she would go for it. Although she could pass for a few years younger, eighteen wasn’t going to happen. If he takes one look at me, he’ll be demanding his money back. He wasn’t young, and it made her sick, thinking a man of his age would so callously take a young girl’s life away.

She had to cross that plan off the list. The only thing she could do was watch and wait. Henderson held all the cards right now, and she felt helpless.

It was now or never. She opened the door to her truck and headed toward the hotel. Once inside, she noticed Alexander was still at the front desk, discussing something quietly with the hotel manager. I don’t want to know, so I hate that I have to know.

She gingerly made her way closer, grabbed a magazine, and with her back to them both, pretended to be reading. It was a pathetic attempt as no one else was in the lobby. She stood out like a sore thumb, standing so close to them.

However, they were oblivious to her. Not surprising. I’m not what he’s into. Not young enough. Not innocent.

In Tabiq, women her age were normally married with children. She often wondered what her life would’ve been like if her father hadn’t hidden her away. Would she have found someone who’d love her, even though she wasn’t a virgin? Had her father done things differently, she’d have suffered the same fate as many girls did. Or like my Isa. Sold and never to see again. No one would know what happened to me.

But her father had protected her, and because of his actions, she had a chance for a full life. Not the quiet family one, but a good one nonetheless. And she was determined to help other girls, other families, avoid the grief her family had.

Marriage was still out of the question. Her reputation was ruined by her own choice and lies. It had been a necessary evil. I did what I had to do, and I’d do it all over again if it means I can stop this madness.

Ziva didn’t consider herself lonely. She thought of herself as driven. It might not be the dream most women around here had, but then again, it was better than the nightmare so many were living. Choices. At least, I had one to make.

“You want an adjoining room?” Ziva heard the manager ask.

“Yes.”

“And the name of the occupant in the room?” he asked Alexander.

“My name on both,” Alexander replied.

“Out of the ordinary, but whatever pleases you.”

Ziva heard the manager’s remark and knew exactly what he meant. How she wanted to turn around and tell him off. It would ensure instant gratification, but the price was too steep. She refused to threaten her one opportunity. Forcing herself to stay calm, she inched a step toward them.

The heel of her shoe caught on something, and she tumbled backward, landing flat on her back. When she looked up, Alexander had turned and was already bending over to assist her. Her natural instinct was to scream and tell him to keep his filthy hands off her.

Biting her lip, she pretended to be dazed.

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