For Justice

by Jeannette Winters

  YOU WANT HELP IN TABIQ?

  Stone replied immediately.

  WHAT HAPPENED WITH VOSE?

  Absolutely nothing worth talking about. He responded with exactly what he’d been told by Hydria.

  STEVE IS SAFE.

  Renzo wasn’t sure Stone was going to buy it without asking for more information. He wasn’t going to get it. Not now. There may come a time when that changed, but he didn’t see it in the near future. Both he and Stone were professional and didn’t question each other unless it was necessary.

  Stone replied his approval for Renzo to join the Hendersons in Tabiq. It’s exactly what Renzo needed. A long-term assignment, as far away from Hydria as I can get.

  Renzo knew when the chopper landed he’d wouldn’t be boarding the jet with David. Instead he’d head directly for Tabiq. Even if Stone wasn’t there, Renzo knew Stone still had part of his team there. The last he’d heard Alex Henderson was there with his wife, Ziva. The Hendersons were a powerful family, but one with many enemies. Renzo wasn’t sure if he was going as protection detail or if order was slipping away and Tabiq was once again in turmoil. Either way, if Rafe was right, the sooner Renzo got there, the better.

  Hydria waited a few more days, and still had no more contact regarding Steve. She broke down and tried calling Renzo. He didn’t take her call. She told herself he was busy and would call as soon as he was free. But he didn’t. Why should he? Her last words to him weren’t too sweet. Renzo wasn’t the type of person who’d play the payback game. It was loud and clear. He didn’t want to speak to her again. But it had been a chance she had to take. Her back had been up against the wall. If he knew what the man had said to her, he would understand. He probably would’ve done the same. There were choices you were forced to make. They weren’t always easy, and sometimes the price was high. This had been one of those times.

  What sucked was she made the choice she thought was best, but she was wrong. Steve was still MIA, and she had closed the door on her only hope of finding him. Hydria was emotionally drained. If it wasn’t for the pain she felt inside, she’d have no feeling at all.

  She was out of cash and everything she had in savings she’d used to pay Bennett Stone. Although the bank record didn’t show Bennett had cashed her check yet, she couldn’t risk the funds not being there when he did.

  That’s it. He hadn’t cashed the check because he doesn’t know what happened. Bennett must still think Renzo was working the case. All she needed to do was contact him again and somehow convince him to continue with the case without letting Renzo know.

  She had no idea why he would agree, except he did take her payment, and Steve was still missing. Calling him probably wasn’t a good idea. Hydria was much better at pleading her case face to face. But she needed to know if he was at least in Boston before she drove to his office.

  Hydria dug deep into her purse, trying to find the business card she’d snagged from Bennett’s office. When she located it, she hoped there would be a number other than the one she already had for him. Unfortunately, there wasn’t. Don’t you have a secretary or something?

  He didn’t seem like the type of man who sat behind a desk. So she was stuck doing once again what she didn’t want to. Dialing his number, she crossed her fingers he’d be alone when, or if, he answered.

  “Stone here.”

  Here it goes. “Hi, Mr. Stone. This is . . . Hydria Vose. Do you have a minute to talk?”

  “If you don’t mind talking louder because I’m on a chopper right now.”

  She thought it was just a poor connection. “I wanted to talk to you about Steve, my brother.”

  “How is he?”

  “Well, I hope. I mean, he’s still missing.” There was a pause on the other end, and she asked, “Are you still there, Mr. Stone?”

  “I am. And you still require my help?”

  “Yes, I do. Just one small request.” Hope it’s small, but to me, it’s huge.

  “What is that?” Bennett asked.

  She wasn’t sure how close Renzo and Bennett were. Obviously enough to work together, but from what she’d learned from Melissa, Renzo was part of Turchetta’s Promise. Being with Bennett must’ve been a coincidence.

  “I’ll like our arrangement to be kept in confidence. I mean absolutely no one can know. Not even Mr. Turchetta.” Especially not him.

  “Is there a reason for this, Miss Vose?”

  “I’d prefer not to say.”

  “You’re asking me to risk my life and those of my men, and you’re not able to tell me why? Then I’m not interested.”

  “Please. I . . . I’m afraid if I tell you, they’ll hurt Steve.” Her voice shook with fear that her phone might be bugged.

  “Explain.”

  She didn’t know how to. But she had to tell him the truth. Someone needed to know. If anything happened to her, who else would know to look for Steve? So she provided Bennett the details of the call.

  Bennett listened but had questions. “Fuck. Why me and not Renzo?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You heard me.”

  I sure did. I just don’t want to answer. “It’s complicated.” When Bennett didn’t say anything, she knew he was waiting for the details. “I was very rude when I told him Steve was safe.”

  “Renzo is a professional. He would understand.”

  “Yes but . . . but I can’t risk anything happening to him or his family.” Hydria knew that sounded extremely insensitive. “Not that your family isn’t just as important,” Hydria blurted out.

  “I’m glad you see that. No, I won’t keep your secret because that’s dangerous. You, of all people, know the strength in a team. But I won’t pull the Turchettas in. I have my own team. Understood?” Bennett stated. Her problems were far from over, but knowing she wasn’t facing this alone, she felt as though a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. “Yes, thank you.”

  “I’ll be in touch.”

  She knew Bennett had ended the call when the phone went silent. There was only one thing left to do: speak to the B&B owner. That was going to be embarrassing. How could she explain they were not only kind enough to give her a discount for the time she’d been there already, but she needed to extend her stay, and she had no money to pay.

  Hydria immediately saw Renzo didn’t live the same way she did. His new endeavor must pay a hell of a lot more than what they were making on the police force. She was an average citizen who put a little away for her retirement, but for the most part, she lived month to month. There was always a need for the extra money she wanted to put away for a rainy day. It seems rainy days come every payday. She no longer had a regular income; what was a tight budget before, was now impossible to manage.

  This was once again about choices. If she chose not to pay her student loans, she’d have cash to pay the B&B. But she shouldn’t steal from Peter to pay Paul. She prided herself on honesty. Although she had to lie to Renzo, it wasn’t what she considered a choice. More like a threat. There was no such issue here thankfully, so the truth would be spoken. Hydria only hoped the conversation would go in her favor as it had with Bennett. Maybe if I offer to help clean the house and cook, they’ll let me stay another week for free.

  Hydria put a smile on her face and walked into the house. She’d found over the years kindness could open doors. She hoped she’d shown enough in this world that the universe was going to send some back her way. Either way, Hydria would face whatever she needed to head-on. She was a Vose, and they were built tough. They had to be with all the challenges they’d faced. Compared to everything else in my life, this is easy.

  Chapter Seven

  ‡

  He hated ignoring Hydria’s call, but he’d just landed in Tabiq and was about to meet with Alex Henderson. Renzo wanted to talk to her, but this wasn’t the time to touch base to say “hi.” They were going to need time for a lengthy conversation, and it might not be a pretty one. He knew he should let it go, but he couldn’t. Something that
didn’t sit well with him. It made no sense to lie about leaving Rhode Island. Hydria could’ve told him she was sticking around. But instead she packed up, left his family, left him. And for what, to stay at a motel that he’d have freaked if he’d seen his sister at? No. Hydria had some explaining to do. If she still wanted to talk when he got back to the States, they’d talk then.

  Renzo tossed his bags in the back of the Jeep and hopped in the passenger’s seat. “Things must be better if you’re able to drive around without an armed escort.”

  Alex laughed. “Or I still do things the way I want to. Glad you could come back.”

  Not as happy as I am to get the hell away from everything. “Had some time. So what’s going on? Stone didn’t give me much to go on.”

  “Your brother called a few days ago. Looks like there is some rebel activity growing in the north. We haven’t been able to pinpoint what they’re doing, but we have intercepted a truck carrying a shitload of guns.”

  “Isn’t that the same area where you and Ziva were held prisoner?” He’d been part of the rescue team back then. Turchetta’s Promise had acted more as a backup to Stone, but things had gone from bad to worse, and they quickly found themselves smack in the middle.

  “They are hiding out in the surrounding area, but we believe their goal is to take back control. There’s no way in hell we can allow that to happen.”

  They had been there an entire year fighting against small cells of rebels. Had the rebels decided to work together? Strength in numbers. It would’ve been the best move for them to make, however it could be detrimental to Tabiq.

  “Where’s Stone?”

  “He’ll be here in a few days. Guess there was a client who was in crisis back home. You know him; he won’t leave anyone in the lurch.”

  Renzo had talked to Stone, and he never mentioned anything except Tabiq. If he had, Renzo would’ve given him a hand so he could get his ass to Tabiq. Renzo didn’t work for the Henderson family. He tolerated them, but he still had his concerns. Tabiq was in this fucked-up situation because of Alex’s father. Renzo respected that Alex and his family were trying to make amends. But this was a challenge. Years of abuse and torment weren’t easily forgotten.

  “I’m here to help. What do you need?” Renzo asked.

  “First, come have dinner with Ziva and me. She’ll have my ass if I don’t bring you by for a visit first. After dinner, you and I can talk about what’s been going on since you guys pulled out.”

  “Sounds good.” As they drove through the streets, Renzo could see progress had been made. It had been almost two years since he’d been there last. Houses now looked more like homes, and children were playing in the streets. What brought a smile to his face was seeing how many of them were female. Still not as many as there should be, but it was apparent that some families had faith in what this generation of Hendersons were trying to do. I’m not sure Tabiq will ever forget how their women were taken and sold. God knows if I had a daughter, she’d never leave my sight.

  Since Renzo was forty and the thought of having a family of his own never crossed his mind, he pretty much figured children weren’t something he needed to worry about. It looked good on Rafe, but Renzo had never held his nephew, RJ, for fear he’d hurt him. That wasn’t much of a problem because the women are always fighting over RJ anyway.

  After making it through the security gates, they pulled into the compound where Alex and Ziva were staying. Renzo didn’t miss the armed guards around the property. This was new, or at least they weren’t there the last time he’d been there. I think there’s more than just what’s happening up north to worry about. I think the conversation after dinner is going to be longer than Alex thought. I’m not going anywhere until I have all the facts.

  The Jeep pulled up as the front door opened. Ziva came dashing out to greet them. The reason for the guards became evident. Ziva, who was used to taking care of herself, looked like she could pop any day. No one had mentioned she was pregnant. Renzo had to admit, he was shocked as hell that they weren’t back in Boston. He might not be a father, but Renzo knew having a baby came with a risk, and doing so in what is practically a third-world country only increased that risk.

  “Delivering babies is not on my résumé,” Renzo said to Alex before Ziva was close enough to hear.

  Alex laughed. “We have that covered. My brother Logan is here.”

  Renzo hadn’t met that Henderson brother yet. He couldn’t tell if Logan had been intentionally avoiding Tabiq or if he really was that busy as an international neurosurgeon. Either way, he didn’t sound like a guy who delivered babies.

  “What brings him here?”

  “We’ve upgraded the medical center. Logan is actually heading it. They now have the tools needed, and he is making sure their skills are up to par.”

  “That must be a challenge.”

  Alex nodded. “Isn’t everything here? Thankfully, he didn’t come alone. Bennett hooked him up with a bunch of veterans with the medical knowledge needed to get things moving. Convenient because they also have the training to protect themselves if things start to go downhill.”

  “Have there been any issues?”

  “A few,” Alex responded. “There are some who don’t want progress. To them it threatens their way of life. What they don’t get is that sick, perverted way is over.”

  Ziva had finally made it to the Jeep, and she said, “Don’t tell me you two are already talking business. I have dinner waiting, and it’s going to get cold.” Ziva turned and headed toward the house but called out, “Renzo, I made your favorite.”

  Renzo laughed. He didn’t know he had one. One thing about being a single male is whatever you don’t have to cook yourself was your favorite. Guess she’s right then. “Guess that’s our cue.”

  “She was in heaven when Gabe was here. Ziva talked about trying a new recipe, and Gabe would be printing it out for her before she could leave the room. I tried so many crazy things while he was here; I was almost glad to see him leave. My stomach couldn’t take it.”

  “Don’t have to worry about that with me. I’m a steak and potato guy.”

  Alex laughed. “But she made your favorite. God knows what concoction that is, but if we don’t get in there soon, you might need a trip to the new medical center.”

  Ziva reminded him of another woman he knew. Hydria is tiny too, but also not to be messed with. Renzo hadn’t come halfway around the world to be reminded of Hydria. But it seemed too many things brought his mind floating back to her. It was distracting, and he couldn’t afford it. Not in a place like Tabiq. This place makes a day on a SWAT team seem like a walk in the park.

  “And people ask me why I’m not married,” Renzo teased as they got out of the Jeep and headed inside.

  Ziva had prepared several different dishes, none that looked familiar. Renzo ate and didn’t ask what they were. He probably didn’t want to know.

  “I hope everything tasted okay. My taste has changed since I’m pregnant. I seem to want the strangest things. Somehow they all end up in my meals.”

  All at once. I can tell. “I appreciate your hospitality.” That brought a huge smile to Ziva, and she excused herself from the room. Once they were alone Renzo asked, “Want to talk here?”

  Alex got up and closed the door. “Ziva has been the key to getting us where we are. It’s just now I don’t want her stressing over anything she doesn’t have to. Tabiq doesn’t have a queen, but damn it, if they did, it would be her. She is a defender of their rights, and getting her to slow down is . . . impossible. That’s why I need you here. At least until Bennett is free to come. I need to handle things for me, for us. I’m sure you figured out I have my hands full right now. But what I really need is someone, a woman, who can help out until after the baby is born.”

  Renzo had witnessed firsthand what Ziva was willing to do for the women of Tabiq. She was courageous. But Alex was wise to try and distance her from it now. There were people who would do anything, inc
luding hurt an innocent baby. He thought how lucky they were, living in the US where, for the most part, children were safe. Yes, there were assholes who did some real offensive shit, but eventually the law caught up with them. Here in Tabiq, the law had protected the criminals. Damn, I’m not sure I’d want to live here.

  After assisting the last time, they all had to decompress for a bit. It was challenging to flip gears. Seeing people persecuted for their gender and sold as though they were no different than cattle, made him livid. A few times he had to walk away to control his temper and not kill them instead of arrest them.

  “You have someone in mind?” Renzo didn’t know many of the women from Tabiq. They were still leery of foreigners and for damn good reason.

  “No one at Ziva’s level. She’s fearless, which scares the hell out of me sometimes.”

  Renzo knew exactly how that felt. It was a feeling he’d experienced many times when he’d respond to a scene and find Hydria in a middle of a shootout or hostage situation. His heart would skip a few beats knowing she wasn’t thinking of her own safety. Hydria, like Ziva, saw only others in danger and never blinked an eye at her own.

  Hydria had quit the force. He had no idea what she was doing for work now, but whatever it was, it had to be safer than being in Tabiq. She’s one name I’m not throwing into the hat. I want Hydria as far away from this place as one can get. He might be angry at her, but he’d still protect her with his life. She’s always been . . . special. But, we don’t belong together.

  “I thought Bennett would have someone on his team who’d fill that role. When I asked, he said he had someone who could be an asset to the team, but she wasn’t available at the moment. I hoped you’d know who he meant.”

  “No, I don’t. Did Stone tell you who he’s going to recruit?” Renzo asked. Once again he found it odd Stone mentioned none of this to him when he was in Boston.

  “A client of his. Which I find humorous. If she needs to hire him, why in the hell would he want her working for him?”