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Chapter Fifteen
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She hadn’t planned on driving all this way tonight but once she was in the truck, she drove until she was exhausted. She found the least questionable-looking hotel, grabbed a room, showered, and went to bed. Ziva anticipated falling asleep since her eyes had been burning, and she could barely keep them open while driving.
Somehow that all changed as soon as her head hit the pillow. She was wide awake and overthinking everything that had happened during the past couple days. She tossed and turned, then lay looking at the ceiling. She reached for her cell phone; two hours had already gone by, and the only thing she’d managed to do was spend money she really couldn’t afford to waste on a room for nothing. It felt frivolous.
She didn’t earn much money but everything she had went to provisions for the girls. Tomorrow they’d leave with Alex and she wouldn’t have that responsibility any longer. Not for them at least. I know the need here is great. So much greater than I can carry. All I can do is my best.
No matter if she gave her last breath to secure their safety, she still would feel as though she hadn’t done enough. How could she not feel guilty for being one of the lucky ones who avoided such mistreatment?
Lying in bed and thinking of what she hadn’t done wasn’t going to help her relax. The list was endless. Thinking she’d relax if she walked around the room, she got out of bed and grabbed the sheet, wrapping it around her. She hadn’t planned this little excursion, and she didn’t have a change of clothes. Although she was alone in the room, she felt self-conscious. The cuts had started to heal, yet the bruises had darkened and looked worse. There is nothing attractive or sexy about me right now. I look like I was in a brawl and lost.
How she looked wasn’t important. It wasn’t like there was anyone, meaning Alex, who’d see her. She was completely and utterly alone. She let out a heavy sigh. Thinking about Alex was the reason she’d left town in the first place. She had never hopped in her truck and driven without a destination.
Tomorrow afternoon she’d return home. There would no longer be a threat of bumping into Alex or any members of his entourage. Although she had to admit, there were times it came in handy, like when Bennett and Doug told her about Nikolet Maadi. It seemed odd that two highly skilled Marines were able to find Alex and her when they were held captive, but they couldn’t seem to locate one woman who wasn’t hiding. I think I was set up. Not sure why, but Doug seems very good at arranging things the way he sees fit. I think I fell right into that trap.
Alex’s brothers were nice, but they seemed to be under the false impression that more was going on between her and Alex than business. Well, if we remove the one night on the private island and amazing sex... and his beautiful eyes and his sexy body. And the curl of his lips when I say something cute but he tries to hold in his laugh. Oh yeah, his corny sense of humor and his absolutely sweet and gentle heart, then yeah, we’re left with only business.
Ziva could feel her cheeks turning pink from thinking of him. Face it, Ziva. You’re not getting any sleep. Not as long as he is still in Tabiq. It was as though she could feel him close by. Just a few more hours, and he’ll be on his way to America.
In the short time he was here, Alex had accomplished so much for Tabiq. It meant so much that she found his mother and let her know where she could find her long-lost son.
It wasn’t as hard as she’d thought it would’ve been. With Rajani and the manager powerless, people began speaking more freely. Not to foreigners, but then again, those guys were pretty scary. Handy to have around, but scary nonetheless.
When she told Nikolet why she was there, the woman collapsed to her knees, crying. Ziva bent down and held her. It had been such a touching time to bring such joyful news. She thought she’d deliver the news and leave immediately. Instead, Nikolet invited her in and begged her to stay.
It wasn’t as though either of them had any stories to tell of Alex as a child. From what she knew of his past, the stories wouldn’t be warm and fuzzy either. Doug hadn’t told her much, but he did say being raised by James Henderson was something no child should have to go through.
The women spent hours talking about something they shared, their love for Tabiq. Ziva was surprised to learn Nikolet had been a school teacher most of her life. She no longer worked but had taught reading and writing. It was wonderful to know Alex had caught the writing bug from his mother, even if he didn’t know it.
I hope you did what you said and went to find him. He needs you more than he knows.Nikolet had been nervous about meeting him, about him being disappointed in her. Ziva happily and truthfully had been able to ease her mind. Your son is not James Henderson.
Shaking her head of all her wandering thoughts, she gave up on sleeping. Ziva went to the chair where she’d placed her clothes earlier and dressed again. A walk in the cool night air might help. Her room was on the second floor, overlooking the parking lot. She opened the curtains and looked out the window. Gasping, she shut it quickly and stepped back. It can’t be. There is no way.
Ziva walked around the room and turned off each light, making it appear she was asleep. She ever so slightly moved the curtain and looked again. There it was, a black SUV parked, facing the hotel. It hadn’t been there when she’d arrived because she would’ve noticed that. Looking closer, she saw two men in the front seat. They’re definitely not guests.
The weight that had been lifted returned. She was still being monitored. Alex may have taken out several of the trafficking leaders, but that didn’t prevent her from being in danger. Ziva needed to get out of there before they found her.
If they know I’m here, they know what I’m driving.She needed a plan and didn’t have time to think too long on it. Going out the front door and hopping in her truck would only mean they’d be following her to the next location. If they don’t grab me before I get there.
Ziva remembered seeing an old beat-up Volkswagen on the other side of the building when she pulled in. It looked really rough, and she wasn’t sure it would start. If it did, the owner might be interested in making a trade. Her truck, although far from new, was definitely in better shape.
She grabbed her purse and keys and went to the lobby. The person working the desk was fast asleep. At least someone sleeps around here.
Giving him a gentle tap, he sprang awake. “Sorry, do you need something?”
Ziva whispered, “Do you know who owns that Volkswagen?”
“You mean that beat-up thing out there?”
“That’s the one.”
“It was my grandfather’s. He died about six months ago. It’s been sitting here ever since. Why?”
“Does it run?”
“It did.”
