Aziza created a snug haven for Sunita on a pull-out bed. When he laid her down, she didn’t stir. They stood looking down at the little girl, and Ryan conjured a picture of what their future might look like. As if his thoughts filtered to her, Aziza faced him and wrapped both arms around his waist.
“She’s a cute little thing,” he said.
With a soft snicker, Aziza said, “Are you thinking the same thing as I am?”
“That maybe we should have a little Sunita or two of our own?”
Her arms crept up to circle his neck. “Something like that,” she whispered as their lips met.
Earlier, he ordered a bottle of champagne, which he stashed in the fridge. Now was a good time to tell Aziza how he felt about her and cement his plans.
His phone vibrated and he knew this slice of nirvana was at an end.
Ryan stole one last kiss and groaned as he pulled away from Aziza. “I have to answer that.”
With one finger, she trailed a line down his chest. “Get it and let’s continue from where we stopped.”
Ryan picked up the cellular off the center table, frowning. Everything in him said their time together was over.
Dro was on the other end. “I know I said you had tonight, but something’s come up.”
He sat while Aziza secured the blanket around Sunita and switched on a lamp in that corner of the room. Ryan waited for the news Dro called to deliver, hoping it wasn’t what he’d guessed. “I hope it isn’t what I’m thinking.”
“It may very well be,” Dro said. “The first passenger van didn’t make it to the women’s center.”
“That’s … ” He rubbed the back of his neck. At least, now he knew why he sensed something was wrong. “Do we know anything?”
His sharp tone startled Aziza, who stared at him, then sank next to him.
“They had a flat and apparently in the time it took to reach them, someone hijacked them. According to the staff, their attackers loaded the women into another vehicle and headed toward Nadaum.”
He lowered his head. “Jesus.”
Aziza tugged at his sleeve, forcing him to look at her.
“In a minute,” he mouthed. Addressing Dro, he asked, “D’you have any idea where they might have taken them?”
“That is why we need you. Nicco and Angela are on site with the police. They will collect all the important details. We need to circle back to the warehouse. Meet me downstairs in ten.”
“Sure.”
The silence in the room settled around them, while Ryan thought about the irony of the situation. What they spent a week bringing to completion was undone in minutes.
“You’re leaving, aren’t you?” Aziza said, gripping his arm.
“Yeah, we have a situation.”
Anxiety shadowed her eyes as she asked, “Does it have anything to do with the women today?”
He considered lying so she wouldn’t worry, but didn’t. That would only delay the inevitable and ruin her trust in him. “Some of them didn’t make it to the shelter.”
“How could that happen? It’s like no one can be trusted in this godforsaken place. I knew we should have called, but with everything else I forgot.” She stood with him, then paced the room as if trying to find a solution to this fresh problem. After a few seconds, she stopped abruptly. “I have a thing or two to say to Akbar. I feel he knows something about who drugged me.”
Ryan stopped her with both hands on her shoulders. “Listen to me, while I’m gone you have to take care of that little girl over there. Your safety is my priority. Don’t go chasing after anybody unless I’m here to back you up.”
A sour expression came over her face, but he persisted. “Promise me you won’t leave this suite until I return.”
She tipped her head back. “Not even if I need to get anything? I still have accommodations close by, you know.”
His tone was gentle, but serious when he said, “Do not go anywhere.”
“I won’t.” She rolled her eyes. “I’ll wait here like a docile little woman until you finish your business.”
They engaged in a silent battle of wills until Aziza sighed. “I’m sorry, that was selfish of me. Go find those women. And don’t forget those four girls. I’ll stay here like you asked.”
“Thank you.” He pulled her into a hug and breathed in a lungful of tangerine essence from her hair. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
They separated, and he stalked to the bedroom closet to gather the gear he’d need. He stripped off the garments he wore and pulled on black corduroys and a black tee-shirt. He laced up his boots, then unlocked the safe and got out his Beretta 92FS which he slipped into an ankle holster. The protective vest was the last piece needed to complete his outfit.
Aziza leaned in the doorway watching him and stood straight when he approached her. He pressed his lips to hers, eased her mouth open, and caressed her tongue with his. She whimpered as he drank his fill, as if he’d never see her again.
“Don’t go anywhere,” he said, stroking her cheek.
She nodded, her eyes hazy. “I’ll try to get some rest while you’re gone, and I’ll be praying for you.”
“Thank you.”
She walked him to the door, where he hugged her again. They stood motionless for several seconds, staring at each other.
“Be safe,” she whispered.
“We have unfinished business, so I’ll definitely be back.”
On his way downstairs in the elevator, Ryan thought about how many things could turn around in a day.
Dro waited for him in the lobby and in no time, they sat inside the Limo.
“You’ve taken to driving this Limo like a pro,” Dro said.
Ryan chuckled as he exited the hotel property. “I’m a quick learner.”
After a moment he asked, “Where exactly are we meeting Daron?”
“He and Bashir went back to the
