Capture Tomorrow

by Ann Heathman

  At first the man was surprised, but then burst into a smile and began firing his own weapon in the air, chanting Libya Dawn along with Zach. He moved away from the truck and waved them through. Zach got back in, and Jamal goosed the van forward.

  “Fuck, that was close,” Tony said, heaving a huge sigh of relief as they pulled away from the crowd.

  “Hell, yeah,” Juan said. “Nothing like getting stopped by a group of Islamic extremists when you have a dead body in your van.”

  “We’re being followed,” Jamal said, watching his rearview mirror. “Someone is still suspicious.”

  Zach checked his side mirror and saw a pick-up truck following several hundred feet behind.

  “Fuck!” He clicked the safety off his weapon. “Okay, listen up everyone. Here’s what we’re going to do. Jamal, maintain your current speed. Don’t do anything to look suspicious. As soon as we get to our extract point, drive this son-of-a-bitch right into the ocean at warp speed.”

  Jamal looked over at him, a worried look on his face.

  “Can you swim?” Zach asked him.

  He nodded.

  “Good, because you’re going with us. Noreen is going to have to go it alone.” He started stripping out of the civilian clothes, down to the wetsuit he wore underneath. “You’ve been made, my friend. I don’t know if these guys are Libya Dawn or government backed militia, but either way, it’s going to get ugly if they get their hands on us.”

  He turned and looked at the guys in the back who were also stripping down. Tony smashed the rear windows out with the butt of his gun. Once they hit the water, the doors wouldn’t open until they were completely submerged. That would take too long. They needed to get out fast and swim for their lives to the waiting sub.

  The van came around the corner at the beach where they had arrived.

  “Water,” Zach yelled as Jamal hit the accelerator and the van flew over the edge of a small cliff down into the water. “Brace!”

  The van came to a hard stop before slowly sinking below the surface. Without wasting any time the men crawled out of each window and began swimming for their lives. A daily swim in the ocean made Zach and his team strong swimmers, but Jamal faltered, so everyone took turns helping him along. Behind them they heard gunfire, and bullets hit the water nearby.

  “Shit! I’m hit,” Juan yelled. “My leg!”

  Zach turned back to help him. “Can you swim?”

  “Yes. I got it. Keep going.”

  More gunfire and the group dove deep, swimming under water for several meters before coming up for air, diving deep again, then, emerging and kicking like hell toward the sub.

  It was a beautiful sight when they finally spotted Q and A and the sub bobbing in the water. Quinton grabbed Juan and helped him into the sub while Aaron gave Jamal a hand. Once everyone was safely inside, they buttoned up the hatch and headed out to the rendezvous point.

  Glorious beams of the Costa Luna sun shone through the windows of Arianna’s bedroom, coaxing her out of a peaceful slumber. She stretched luxuriously beneath the silken sheets and rolled over to the other side of the bed. Zach’s side. She pulled his pillow close and hugged it. Caressed it, wishing with all her heart it was Zach. She longed to feel his arms around her. His hands run the length of her body. His kiss on her lips. Sadly the days droned on without him.

  Sighing heavily, she rose from the bed and made her way into the bathroom. She was growing weary over the long period of separation and silence from Zach. She stepped into the shower and let the water rain down on her as she considered the current state of affairs. She didn’t know if it was due to Zach’s absence, her dashed interview, the shooting, or her own personal injury, but she felt herself slipping into a deep depression. She needed to snap out of it, but the ability to keep her spirits up dwindled as each day passed.

  “Good morning,” Camilla said to Arianna, when she joined the family for breakfast on the veranda. “Are you ready for an exciting day?”

  “Yes. I can’t wait to see your dress.”

  The plan was for all the ladies to spend the day helping Camilla with wedding preparations. The first stop would be at the bridal boutique for final fittings of the wedding dresses. Arianna was honored that Camilla had asked her to be her maid of honor. Lisa was in the bridal party as well. Camilla was over the moon with excitement about the upcoming wedding, so for her sake, Arianna did her best to put on a happy face.

  “I hope Peter likes my dress,” Camilla said as the group traveled to the bridal shop. “I feel like a princess in it.”

  Muriel smiled at her daughter. “As you should, my darling. You will be a beautiful bride.” She glanced at Arianna. “Now, if only my son would get married, it would make my life complete.”

  Arianna’s heart clinched in her chest. “Married? I don’t know. He’s never mentioned that.”

  “Ah, and he’s never had anyone live with him before either,” Muriel said with a broad smile on her face. “I think you must be very special to my son. I believe you’re the one he’s chosen.”

  This thought should have brightened her mood. Instead it almost made her cry. Come on, Arianna. Snap out of it. She cleared her throat and replied, “I do love him and miss him very much.”

  Muriel reached across the seat and patted her hand. “Be patient, my dear. He will be home soon I’m sure.”

  Well, Arianna wasn’t so sure how soon it would be before he’d be home, but she tried to make the most of the time. The ladies spent the day trying on dresses, meeting with the florist, sampling various wedding cakes, and drinking mimosas over a lazy lunch while looking out at the sparkling Caribbean Sea. But neither the festive mood of the pending wedding nor the beautiful setting surrounding her did anything to assuage the dull ache in her heart over Zach’s absence.

  LATER THAT evening, as the sun was setting, the group sat gathered for dinner on the veranda. Camilla was trying to tell her fiancé about all the selections she’d made for the wedding.

  “I’ve narrowed the cake down to three different kinds,” she said, “and you have to come with me Saturday to make the final selection.”

  “That’s easy,” Peter said. “My favorite cake is angel food. Angel food cake with rainbow chip icing. Mmm. Mmm. Mmm.”

  Everyone laughed.

  “No, we’re not having angel food cake, silly. Are you kidding me?” Camilla said. She looked over at Peter who had a surprised look on his face.

  He stood and pointed back toward the house. “Holy shit! Look who’s home.”

  The group turned around just in time to see Zach and Tony coming through the door. A buzz of excitement permeated the air. Lisa jumped up and ran screaming into Tony’s arms followed by Camilla who ran toward Zach.

  He gave her a quick hug and briefly stopped to kiss his mother before brushing past her toward Arianna. He swept her up into his arms and kissed her for what seemed like an eternity. “God, I missed you, babe,” he whispered. “I couldn’t wait to get home.”

  Arianna returned his kiss, but then burst into tears.

  “Hey. What’s wrong?” Zach asked, continuing to hold her. “Don’t cry. I’m home.”

  “I missed you so much. So much has happened since you’ve been gone. I’ve been a nervous wreck,” she sobbed. “I’m just glad you’re home.”

  Zach held her and tried to wipe away her tears. It was quite an emotional moment. For the first time in his life, he felt close to tears himself. He knew she’d had a brush with death and he’d almost lost her. The realization of that close call deeply affected him, too.

  “Oh, here,” Arianna said, snuffing up her tears and turning toward her mother. “I almost forgot. Zach, I’d like you to meet my mother, Kathryn.”

  Zach bent down and gave her a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Mrs. Garrett,” he said. “I’m happy to finally meet you.”

  “Thank you, and please call me Kathryn. I’ve heard so much about you, Zach. I’m happy to finally meet you as well.”

&nbs
p; Muriel came up and hugged her son, and Camilla pulled Peter over to introduce him. “This is my fiancé, Peter,” she said. “We’re getting married in two weeks. You got home just in time.”

  “Yeah, I heard. Congratulations. Welcome to the family. I’m glad I made it home in time for your wedding.”

  “Time to celebrate,” Rafael said. “Come, everyone. Let’s have a drink and toast the return of our two favorite sons.”

  “Where’s Juan?” Arianna asked.

  “He’s here,” Zach said. “He’ll be along later. He has an injury and needs to rest.”

  “Really? What kind of injury?”

  Zach gave her a hug and a kiss as he sat down to have a drink and relax. “We’ll talk about it later. Here. Come sit with me by the fire.”

  The group gathered around the fire pit, telling stories and getting acquainted and reacquainted. For the first time in months, Arianna felt her body relax as she sat nestled in Zach’s arms. She reached over for a drink and when she did so, Zach noticed the bullet wound on her arm. He reached out and touched it gently.

  “I got shot,” Arianna said. “Some guy tried to kill me. Shot at all of us.”

  “I heard. I’m glad Raul was there to stop him.”

  “You heard?” she asked. “How did you hear?”

  He shook his head, not answering. “Hey, everyone. I don’t mean to be a party pooper, but I’ve had a long flight home. If you’ll excuse us, we’re turning in.” He took Arianna’s hand and led her into the house and up to her bedroom.

  As soon as the door closed, Zach pulled Arianna close and kissed her passionately. Sweet tender, “gee I missed you” kisses quickly turned into hot, burning “I want to screw your brains out” kisses.

  “God, I’ve missed you, Arianna,” he moaned. “You’ll never know how much I wanted to be home with you.” He fumbled with a few buttons of her blouse before impatiently ripping the last few buttons apart and pushing the blouse off her. Then he slipped her pants off, leaving her standing there in nothing but her panties and a lacey, push-up bra.

  Slowly he kneaded her breasts, enjoying their fullness, weight, and firmness, as the need for patience warred with his desire to completely ravage her. He unfastened her bra and tossed it aside, letting his thumbs thrum across each taunt nipple. He lifted first one breast and then the other to his mouth… nipping, sucking, savoring each puckered tip.

  Arianna clutched on to him and moaned with desire, wanting him as much as he wanted her. He pulled her panties all the way off and trailed kisses down her belly ending at that sweet mecca of desire, then back to her breasts.

  Her moans and panting became more pronounced. She ran her hands through his hair and pressed him tighter to herself. Without hesitation, he stepped out of his own pants and lowered himself onto her. Slipping inside, he began thrusting in and out with a pent-up need seeking immediate release. She met him thrust for thrust, holding on like she wanted to swallow him up.

  “Oh, my God, Zach,” she moaned, a delirium of desire consuming her. “Fuck me,” she cried.

  And he did… with an intensity that took her to the height of passion. So excited by his touch, in only a matter of minutes, she exploded in a plume of ecstasy and collapsed into his arms. In a matter of seconds, he lost all control and erupted in what felt like a tidal wave.

  He shuddered and lay there, still panting, trying to catch his breath. “God, I missed you, Arianna.” He cradled her face in his hands and kissed her tenderly. “I love you. Just because I’m away, never doubt you’re in my thoughts night and day.”

  She returned his kiss and hugged him tightly. “I love you so much, Zach. You have no idea how torturous it was being separated from you.”

  He touched her wound, his lips gently kissing it. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you.”

  She shook her head. “And what, maybe get shot too— or killed? No, I’m glad you weren’t there. Raul came to the rescue. I’m the one who should apologize for complaining about needing a bodyguard. I’m glad you didn’t listen to me. That decision saved my life.”

  “I think someone took offense to your film.”

  “You saw it? You said you saw it.”

  Zach lay there with his arms behind his head, not answering at first, finally responding, “I did.”

  “When? How?”

  There was no answer.

  “What did you think?” she asked.

  “You did a nice job. I was proud of you.”

  “They cut my interview. They did a personal interview about my story, but it got cut for some reason. I was so disappointed. My one chance for special recognition as a journalist, and it got cut. Harold was trying to find out why when the shooting happened.”

  Zach ran his fingers through her hair and kissed her lightly on the forehead but didn’t respond.

  Arianna sat up on one arm, suddenly putting two and two together. “Zach, I’m thinking if you had a way to see the film, you had access to a phone.” Anxiety was starting to build up in her. “I tried calling you. It seems you could have called me.” A long pause. “You heard about the shooting, too? How did you hear about all these things? I don’t understand.”

  Zach stared off into space, not answering.

  “Zach?”

  He exhaled deeply and pulled her close to him. “I think we have something new in common now. You know what it feels like to narrowly escape death. Let me ask you something. Do you think in a moment like that you have time to chit chat on the phone or is survival the primary thing on your mind?”

  Arianna turned to look at him.“Survival, of course, but—”

  He put his finger to her lips. “Shh! Not now. Let’s not talk about this now. I just want to savor the moment of finally holding you in my arms again. We can talk later.”

  She might have been dreaming. If so, she hoped no one would wake her. She lay there cradled in Zach’s arms feeling happy, secure, and loved. She had longed to be in his embrace for over a month now, and here he was. Home at last. A sense of peace she hadn’t known in a long time consumed her. God, I love this man.

  She lay there listening to his soft snoring. The snoring of a man lost in a deep slumber. He looked peaceful and content. Why couldn’t she have him every night? Why did she have to share him with his other love… his career?

  If it were up to her, she’d never let him leave again, yet she knew there was no stopping him and any attempt to do so would end up in an ugly argument. One that would doom the relationship. She dare not even hint that he should give up his profession in order to spend more time with her. She didn’t doubt he loved her, but she knew he loved his career, too.

  What that other life was, she wasn’t exactly sure. He didn’t want her to know. She knew by virtue of him having rescued her from being kidnapped he likely worked within the military community, but not regular military. She thought he would have shared more concerning where he went and what he did if he were regular military. Since he shared nothing, whatever he did, had to be classified. Also, she’d come to believe it wasn’t really safe for her to know what he did anyway.

  She turned over slowly, hoping not to wake him. She couldn’t think about it anymore or she would get too upset. He was here now. He was one hundred per cent here now, and she didn’t want to lose the moment thinking about the other “love” in his life.

  Suddenly, Zach woke with a jerk and sat up in bed. He looked over at Arianna, then lay back down beside her and curled up around her. “You’re awake,” he whispered.

  “Yes. I’ve been lying here watching you sleep.”

  He pulled her close and ran his hands up and down her body. “I have an idea for something else you could do besides watch me sleep.”

  “Really? What’s that?” She felt something poking her in the back.

  “I think it would be easier to show you than tell you.” He began kissing the nape of her neck and fondling her breasts.

  She slid back into him. “Mmm. I think I’m going to like
this demonstration.”

  He kissed her passionately as his hand moved inside her pajamas and began massaging her. He pulled her pajama top all the way off and kissed first one breast, then the other before latching on and sucking greedily, causing a river of heat to race up and down her body.

  Their love burned hot, and he shucked his pajama bottoms and slipped inside her. She wrapped her legs around him as he began moving in and out in a slow rhythmical cadence. With each move, he took her higher and higher and held her at the threshold of completion as he continued this long, slow seduction.

  She moaned softly and began panting with desire, desperate to reach that final release.

  “God, you feel good,” he moaned. “I can never get enough of you.” He quickened his pace causing her to burst into a heavenly surrender with him following close behind.

  “Oh, God, Arianna. What you do to me,” Zach said in a raspy voice. “I lose all control when I’m with you.”

  She loved hearing those words. They held each other and lay there in a state of exquisite bliss, waiting for their heart rates to return to normal. No words were spoken. They just quietly held each other, savoring the moment.

  Finally, Zach disentangled himself and took her by the hand, leading her into the shower. They soaped each other down, rinsed off, and toweled each other dry.

  Zach pulled on a t-shirt and jeans. “I’ll see you down at breakfast.” He gave her a quick kiss and started to leave.

  She held onto him, not letting him leave.

  “What?” he asked. “What’s wrong?”

  She shook her head, and stepped back. “Nothing. I’m just glad you’re home.”

  He pulled her back into an embrace. “Me, too. I missed you.” Kissing her lightly, he turned and left.

  These were reassuring words coming from Zach, a man of few words and also one who wasn’t very demonstrative. She needed to hear that from him. She’d been so shaken up the last month this was just the tonic she needed to get her mojo back.