Tessa also felt amused at the story. “She raised you like a good Kyrgyz.”
Darya stepped closer, a breath away from her. “Yes. I hated it. I wanted to wear cowboy boots, rope calves, and play football. But she never let me forget I was also a Kyrgyz. I never spoke English at home. Pashto and Russian only. My parents said I needed to work hard because I would help America and this place someday.”
“Your father continued to work for the CIA?”
“Yes. Because of his service, the government made sure I got into West Point. They had plans for me. My parents died in a plane crash coming to my graduation.”
Tessa stepped into him, wrapping her arms around him. His chest felt warm against her body as did his shoulder against her cheek. “Such sadness in your life.”
Darya pushed her back. “No. My parents gave me a path back to this place. When I couldn’t keep going, these people saved me. My wife gave me something I never had. Do not be sad for me. I am not.” His voice grew stronger.
“Why do you want me for your wife? You don’t even know me.” Tessa couldn’t decide if she wanted flowery words or the truth.
The glowing embers of light faded around them. “I don’t need to know you. We have a lot of time up here.” His accent came and went. “My English is rusty. Sorry.”
His confession warmed her heart. “I love it.”
Darya’s gaze narrowed to slits and his mouth widened in a grin. “I saw you and first thought you were trouble. Then the little girls.” He paused, his fingers touching her cheek. “They like you. You protect them. Want a better life for them. Good qualities.” He let his stroke trail down her throat. “I decided I wanted you. That is how it works up here.”
“Darya.” Tessa reached for his hand on her throat. “You are an American. I am an American. This is not the way to win me.”
He smirked as his hand slipped up to her hair and pushed at a rebellious curl. “I don’t need to win you. I already have you.” He captured her mouth with his. His kiss, hard and powerful, unleashed his passion, which had been restrained for too long. Tessa sank her teeth into his lip with a vicious bite. Darya jerked free to rub the back of his hand over his mouth.
Tessa backed away. “I’ll make a deal with you.” Her fingers touched her lips, already puffy from the press of his mouth.
“Kyrgyz men don’t make deals with their brides.” He grabbed her by the arm but didn’t pull her back. “I paid one hundred sheep and two horses for you. The khan granted me this.”
“Okay. Okay.” Darya, although raised in the States, was about as mom and apple pie as Osama bin Laden. “How about this.” Darya looked amused, tugging on her arm. “You take us back to Kabul. I help Bonnie get the girls on a plane to America so they can go to school. Then I come back here with you.”
Darya stopped his physical domination. “You’ll stay here with me?”
“Only if I get those girls back safe and sound to Kabul. But until then, this”—Tessa waved a hand between herself and Darya—“this is not going to happen. When our business is completed I’ll…” She took a big breath. “I’ll be your wife in every way, Darya. I want those girls to have a chance. Please.”
Darya scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the yak-skin bed. He dropped her and she scampered to the other side. He grabbed her by the foot and dragged her back. “Get all these clothes off. I know you are wearing other things under them. By morning, you’ll be burning up.” Before she could kick him, Darya pulled off her shoes and threw them across the room. In one swift move, he pulled the long red shirt over her head. His eyes caressed every part of her in the delicate chemise she wore underneath.
“Now the skirt.”
Tessa sat paralyzed under his penetrating gawking. When she didn’t move, he proceeded to remove the skirt. She wore black leggings, but Darya didn’t try to remove them. He reached out and appeared to take pleasure in stroking the texture back and forth.
“It’s a deal.” Darya folded back the yak skin and motioned for her to get under. The heat inside the yurt cooled as the fire died. “I’ll take the girls back and you will then be my wife.”
“Really?” She climbed under the covers. “No funny stuff from you. Understand?”
Darya stripped off the rest of his clothes then got under the covers, too, much to Tessa’s dismay. She scooted away, but he pulled her back to rest in the crook of his arm. “I’ll behave but, I will”—he rolled her to face him and buried his lips in her neck—“make you change your mind.”
She squirmed away, but this seemed to excite an already out-of-control situation. “Don’t count on it,” she fumed. Releasing her, he propped himself up on his elbow and gazed down into her face. Shivers raced up her spine along with fading willpower. What would be so bad about letting this man make love to her?
“Is there anyone else searching for you I should be concerned about, Tes-sa?”
“Like who?” Tessa sucked in her breath at the touch of his naked skin against hers. His hand trailed down her side and hip.
“CIA. I heard Bonnie talking about you being CIA. They want me. I am not their favorite person. I’ve caused a lot of trouble for them.”
Tessa let herself drown as she gazed upon his face that was as mysterious and dangerous as Central Asia itself. It would be such a simple thing to cave to her longing, to enjoy being safe and loved. Why couldn’t she remember her husband? What about the man who kept whispering the words, I will always come for you?
“No one is coming for me. I don’t work for the CIA. I work for someone named Enigma.”
“Who is Enigma?” Darya moved his hand to Tessa’s back. He nuzzled her cheek and corner of her mouth.
“I have no idea.” Resistance melted away as she chose to surrender to the sensations of Darya’s touch. She wanted to keep the conversation going, but his mouth pressed passionately against hers and silenced further talk.
Chapter 18
D arya stood in the open doorway of his yurt watching the activity in the summer camp. He held a cup of steaming tea in one hand while propping the other against the doorframe. The morning grew late. Being a newlywed had caused him to sleep later than usual. Having a beautiful woman in his bed could force a man to forget loneliness. A fellow Kyrgyz man walked by holding a cell phone about the time Tessa came up behind him. He felt her arms go around his waist. He turned his head enough to kiss her temple and smile. Darya yelled for his friend to use his cell phone camera to take their picture.
“What’s he doing?” Tessa asked as Darya pulled her forward to his side. He rested his chin on the top of her head. The cell phone camera clicked.
“Wedding picture.” He grinned. “We don’t have phone reception up here. Cell phones are used for games or taking pictures. Kyrgyz love their cell phones. We carry solar batteries to charge lots of things. We trade for them. A cell phone costs one sheep. A yak can cost ten sheep. A wife”—he frowned down at her in mock contempt— “can go for one hundred sheep. I paid more for you.”
Tessa eased back behind him. “I’d say you got a bargain because I’m worth twice that.”
Darya spotted Bonnie Finley staring at him with disgust. He narrowed his eyes at her, but continued to speak to Tessa as she stared up at him. “We will soon see, Tessa. It would be a shame to ask for a refund.” Tessa landed a playful jab in his side causing him to spill his tea. He chuckled as he turned his attention back to Bonnie who watched them. Turning to go back inside the yurt, he made a show of jerking the rug door closed. As Tessa walked back to the fire, Darya grabbed her up and tossed her on the bed.
“Not good to have bare feet here.” He ran his hands down her ankles and feet.
“Stop it.” She jerked away. “I’m ticklish.”
Darya leaned in close to her face. “Good.” He ran his fingers up and down the bottom of her feet. Tessa squealed with laughter, losing her breath at times as she fought to kick free. He stopped when she closed her eyes and moaned his name. Tessa fell back on
the bed as she took a deep breath. He climbed on top of her kissing her on every available bare spot he could find.
“That’s not fair,” she complained, pushing him aside. “You weakened me on purpose so I couldn’t resist.”
“Maybe I should start with tickling tonight.” He put his hands behind his head, grinning. “Talk. Talk. Talk. You wanted to talk all night instead of…”
“Not true,” Tessa said, rolling to rest her head against his chest. “I want to know you better before we—you know.”
“I think we had a good start last night.” Darya brought one hand down to stroke the side of her face. “Someday you will love me. I promise.”
“You want me even knowing what I did?”
“Tessa.” He sat up and pushed her down so he could level a hard glare. “All I want is for you to kiss me like I’m the only one in the world.” He pulled her up into his arms. “I will protect you from anyone who tries to harm you. There is me and you now. No one else. If you want me to take the girls back, I will. But I keep you.”
“No,” she whispered as her lips crushed against his mouth. “We keep each other.”
Darya pushed her away then brought her the boots and socks she’d worn the night before. He took great care to help her into them when she swung her legs over the side of their bed. Sitting down beside her, Darya slipped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into him.
Tessa drank in the power of his magnetic Asian face and how it affected her common sense. Part of her still remained breathless. Even though they had spent hours talking the night before, Darya would not be put off exploring the possibilities of her flesh. So far, he held to his promise of not consummating their marriage until the girls were returned to Kabul. Part of her wished he hadn’t made the promise.
“Shouldn’t we go out to check on the girls?”
“Can’t let the others think I am an unfit husband who can’t perform his duties to his wife.” His expression grew wicked as Tessa shoved him, collapsing him on the bed. “Besides, the government woman stared like an angry yak at me when you stood for a picture. She doesn’t like Kyrgyz.”
“Darya, I need to tell you something.” Tessa watched him sit up then pushed her braids to her back. “It’s about Bonnie and what she’s done.”
Tessa told as much of the story as she could without having to revisit killing the Taliban, but it became part of the story anyway. When she gave an involuntary shudder, Darya drew her close into his arms. “She’s the reason we are in such trouble. I’m afraid they’ll still come after us. I’m frightened, Darya. The sooner we leave, the safer your people will be.”
Darya remained silent as he rested his cheek against Tessa’s hair which curled out of its confining braids. “I will talk to the khan. I still own a couple of horses and donkeys. If…”
Shocked, Tessa grabbed his hand. “Did you give the khan your entire fortune for me, Darya?” She gasped, pressing her hands to each side of his face.
“Yes. Of course.” Darya hopped off the bed and pulled her after him. “But I had to keep a few horses for us. I will trade for what we need later. Don’t worry.” He patted her cheek with one leathery hand. “I will be able to care for you. We don’t need much up here.”
“Darya,” she whispered. “You should not have given so much.”
He grew stern faced. “Why? Because you plan to trick me once we are in Kabul and run away to America?”
She swallowed hard. “You could come with me, Darya.”
“No.” It sounded final. No need to talk about something so ridiculous at this point. “You and I have a deal. Are you breaking it?”
With crossed fingers, Tessa shook her head. “A deal is a deal.”
Darya cupped her chin, forcing her eyes up to meet his. “I bought you. I saved you from Taliban. I take girls back like I promised. I keep my promise. Do you?”
Tessa couldn’t resist searching the face of the man she’d thrown her fate to. “Yes. I, too, will keep my promise.”
Darya’s hand squeezed her chin. “You’re a terrible liar, Tessa.” He released her and walked out.
You’re a terrible liar, Tessa. I hope the enemy never captures you for interrogation.
Those words rambled in her head. Who said them? Had she made a habit of lying?
~ ~ ~
The Jeep bounced along the open plain. The two Americans and Abdul, the Kyrgyz tribesman, made their own road as the land opened up. Some stretches were easy to navigate and others places they would have been better if they’d been on foot. Their progress slowed to a crawl at times.
Massoud remained hidden. With any luck, he’d died from injuries, but Chase doubted it. “I’m hoping I shot the SOB and he’s lying in some hole bleeding to death.”
Zoric drove with caution over the landscape. “The man has nine lives.”
“I’d say he has one left. I intend to take it,” Chase yelled above the whine of the engine. Several times it stopped as if no amount of coaxing could fix the problem. After reconnecting the coil wire, they were on their way again. Two five-gallon cans of gas were tied onto the back bumper.
Abdul held on for dear life in the backseat. He claimed to feel better, but cried out at the constant jarring several times. Chase glanced back at him in concern, but the Kyrgyz always showed perseverance with a stiff body posture. He even gave a thumbs-up.
The three men took a break to refuel at a narrow stream near one solitary tree on the steppe. Chase hoped they would have enough to make it to the camp where Tessa might be hiding. Abdul warned them the Kyrgyz didn’t like to be surprised with a visit. They needed to approach with respect.
Chase took in the desolate plain resembling infinity of nothing. He wondered how these remarkable people could survive such a harsh environment. Tough as nails, he guessed. The few Kyrgyz he’d run across were never gregarious, but thought nothing of sticking their hand in your pockets to see what kind of trinkets or tools you might be carrying. He wondered if he’d ever seen one show amusement and realized he hadn’t. Abdul fit the stereotype. Chase wondered if the reserved manner hid their intentions.
His thoughts raced to Tessa as they’d done for days now. He needed to know about her safety. These Kyrgyz made no bones about their hatred for the Taliban. Their intervention in the small village proved they didn’t fear them. When asked why, Abdul shrugged. Chase continued to pepper the man with questions without success.
“Give it up, Chase,” Zoric demanded. “He knows nothing. This man’s job was to return the American soldier. The others went on without him. He has no idea what shape the children or Tessa are in.”
Chase narrowed his glare at the Kyrgyz as Zoric spoke, knowing the words were true. “We are to rendezvous with the Black Hawks in four days to take everyone back to Kabul. Let’s get moving.” Chase attempted once again to engage Abdul. “How much farther?”
“Tonight.” A man of few words, but at least this good news helped him hope he’d find Tessa unharmed.
The three made good time across the steppe. Mountains loomed like angry gods frowning down on potential victims who refused to prepare for the harsh life ahead of them. The land now rose up sharply, revealing more rocks than grass. Chase felt overwhelmed with the immensity of the emptiness in this unforgiving land. The beauty of it overshadowed the fear lurking inside him. He glared up at the majestic peaks and grazing lands sneaking up to the base as if the rawness should be revered.
“A good place to live.” Abdul broke the silence for his new friends who stared awestruck at his home. They’d made good time; the Jeep had not broken down in several hours, the gas mileage was decent, and the passageway had been well-traveled by horses, yaks, donkeys, and sheep for decades.
They hadn’t expected to reach Abdul’s camp until after dark. Now, the Jeep idled, echoing off the peaks which offered shelter. The Kyrgyz moved their herds into an area of the canyon where they would be protected from predators and the cold wind dropping below freezing even this time of y
ear.
“I think this is moving day, Abdul.” Zoric turned off the engine to save gas before opening the door. He stood up on the edge of the frame, propping himself over the top of the door. Bringing the binoculars up he continued to speak. “Will they set up yurts for the night?”
Abdul got out of the Jeep and walked toward his kinsmen.
“I think he said they’d have a few covered areas for the women and children. This narrow pass will protect them from cold mountain winds.” Chase walked around the front of the Jeep, watching the Kyrgyz strode off toward his people. “Is she there?”
Zoric tossed him the glasses. “Hard to say. The women are covered head to toe in red.”
Chase took the binoculars. “Abdul is talking to someone. I think maybe he likes this pile of junk we’re driving. Grinning ear to ear. Maybe we’ve got a negotiation point.” Chase got back inside. “Come on. Abdul is waving us in.”
The Kyrgyz women huddled behind the men, sneaking excited peeks over their shoulders. The sound of bleating sheep and large brass bells on yaks burdened with the tasks of moving entire households greeted Zoric and Chase as they pulled up a few feet from Abdul and a man who appeared to be in charge. Chase noticed a couple of others taking pictures of the Jeep with their cell phones.
“This is the khan.” Abdul made the introductions then stood straight and silent.
Chase addressed the man in charge with respect. “Forgive us for intruding on your camp. We have come a long way.”
The khan walked past them to the Jeep. He ran his hand along the front bumper then the rusty hood. Peering in the window, his face beamed with satisfaction. In seconds he had jerked the driver side door open and slid inside behind the wheel. He grasped the steering wheel as if manhandling an ill-tempered Bactrian camel. Jumping back out of the vehicle, he evaluated every inch as if were horse flesh. Upon completion of the inspection, the khan rubbed the thin beard on his chin as he returned to confront the two Americans.
The Enigma Series Boxed Set Page 88