BlackSmoke

by Robin Leigh Miller

  “So?”

  Kong smiled. “No matter how much you cover yourself up, you can’t hide the fact that you’re female. Rumors are spreading that Black Smoke is a female. These guys aren’t dumb Sam. They have nothing to do but think in their spare time.”

  When he smiled, she lost her breath. She almost didn’t hear what he was saying, until he said she couldn’t hide the fact that she was female. “You don’t think I look butch?”

  Now his smile turned to a frown. “You said that earlier. Who the hell told you that?”

  When she didn’t answer, he knew. “I’m sorry Sam. That bitch had no right, no right at all to say those things to you. I’m sorry I even met her.”

  Sam squeezed his hand. “It happened for a reason I guess. So Uncle Walt is rescuing me? It’ll be good to get home. I could use a hot bubble bath.”

  The vision that appeared in his head was sensuous. Her naked skin slick with water and covered with silky bubbles, her damp hair clinging to her face. “You like bubble baths?” he asked with a thick, husky voice.

  Sam could tell he was picturing her in the tub. Maybe a little payback was in order. Her smile spread as she spoke. “Don’t you? There’s nothing like having warm water and bubbles sliding over your skin.”

  Kong’s hand tightened around hers. “Funny, I was just thinking the same thing.”

  He was saved by a rustling noise outside the curtain. Kong propelled himself from the chair and over to the curtain. When he pulled it back, he was met by the startled face of a rescued hostage, the man who had been working with Rhonda. Kong saw the tears in his eyes and decided he had just heard the sad news.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I was wondering if I could speak with her?” the frail man asked.

  Kong was about to open his mouth to object, then closed it quickly. This man meant no harm to Sam. It couldn’t hurt to let him speak with her. “Just a moment, I’ll see if she’s up to it.”

  When Kong closed the curtain, he turned to find Sam sitting upright in bed. “I heard. Let him in.” As Kong turned she stopped him. “Will you stay? I think I’ll need your strength.” Her playful eyes were gone now, replaced by old, sad eyes.

  “If that’s what you want?” When she nodded, he pulled the curtain back and allowed the man to enter the small space.

  Kong motioned to the chair, allowing him to sit close to her. Kong wasn’t sure if the man intended to chastise Sam or thank her. Either way, he would be there for her.

  “I’m sorry. I never got your name,” he said faintly.

  “No names, please.” Sam was worried enough about the rumors running around the base, she didn’t want this tired, beaten man to accidentally let her name slip out.

  “I understand. They told me Rhonda passed away and that you were with her. I wanted to thank you for rescuing us, her especially. And for allowing her to die with dignity.” Tears slid down the man’s face. “You can’t imagine what they did to her and yet she never once screamed or begged. When they couldn’t humiliate her, they dragged her in front of us and continued to torture her. I begged. I pleaded for them to stop, to kill me instead.”

  Sam stopped him there. “Don’t blame yourself. Even if they had killed you, they would have continued to torture her. Women are nothing to them, less then nothing, simply objects to be owned and discarded. You couldn’t have saved her.” She reached out and took his hand careful not to squeeze his bony fingers too tightly.

  “I don’t think I’ll ever be the same. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to close my eyes at night without seeing those horrible scenes.”

  “Can I tell you something about Rhonda?” When he nodded, she continued. “She was a strong woman, young in body, but with a century-old soul. Did they tell you there was no reason for her to still be alive? It was sheer determination on her part to live. Her body was gone, but her soul wasn’t finished yet. I believe that she’s happier now wandering the streets of heaven without pain or mental turmoil. I don’t think she’ll be happy to know that you remember her that way.”

  The frail man’s face lifted. “When I called the organization we work for, they said that they were going to set up a scholarship fund in her name.”

  Sam smiled. “See, that’s how she should be remembered. Her love of learning, her love of teaching. That’s the proper way to think of her.”

  “You’re right. Still…”

  “When you return home, you need to find someone to help you. Promise me that you’ll find someone to talk with about all of this, be it a preacher or a therapist or a friend, but someone to help you lessen the burden. If you don’t, it will eat you alive. Then they will still have won.”

  The man gazed at Sam. “You talk about Rhonda having an old soul. I think yours is older and much wiser.” He stood, ready to leave. “Thank you again. Thank you all.”

  Kong pulled the curtain back to allow him out. When the man took a few steps away, Kong stopped him. “Sir, I need to ask you a favor.”

  “Anything.”

  “If someone asks you about her, you don’t know anything about her. You don’t know what she looks like, or if she’s even a female.” Kong watched the man’s face to see if there was any sign of information already given out. “Her identity is closely guarded. Do you understand?”

  The man straightened his back and jutted his chin forward. “I won’t say a word. I would do anything for you people and if that means doing nothing, that’s what I’ll do.”

  Kong knew then that the man would be all right. He offered him his hand and said, “Good luck to you Sir.”

  The man shook his hand and turned to leave. He took only a few steps before he stopped and turned. “You take care of that one. Her journey isn’t over yet.” Then he walked away.

  Kong felt his brain spin. Those were almost the exact words the light had said. Couldn’t someone tell him something more specific? What was with these bits and pieces of information?

  When he returned to Sam’s bedside, she was lying back down, her eyes closed. Kong sat and took her hand in his. When she squeezed it, he was surprised. He was certain she was asleep.

  “He’ll be alright Mark. It’ll take time, but he’ll get through it.”

  “He will now. You should be a counselor. Your skills are remarkable,” he said full of pride for her.

  Sam opened her eyes and looked at him. “You think so? I never thought of that. I’m not sure I could deal with all the sadness though.”

  “Yeah, there is that,” he said yawning.

  “You should get some rest. You look exhausted.” His eyes had dark circles under them and he needed a shave. Sam couldn’t resist the urge to run her hand over his beard. She lifted her hand to his cheek and let her hand lightly skim the thick hair.

  Kong turned his face and kissed the palm of her hand when it came close to his mouth. She had a few calluses, but for the most part her palm was as soft as a flower petal. Sam let her hand rest there, savoring the feel of his lips on her skin. Heat began to build in the pit of her stomach.

  When Kong wrapped his large hand around her small wrist, visions of her petite body being pressed against his filled his head. He wanted her, no question about it. If they were anywhere else right now, he’d take her, slowly and carefully. He’d fill her small body with his and show her what heaven really was.

  “Excuse us,” Ricochet said from the curtain. “You want us to come back later?” he asked sitting on the end of the bed.

  “Could ya?” Kong said glaring at him.

  “Nope. Hey that guy you heard talking in the mess tent. You didn’t happen to get a name did you?” Ricochet asked.

  “No, why?”

  “There’s a group of guys hanging around outside. One of them has a camera,” Boomer chimed in.

  “Great.” Kong looked at his watch, seven hours until the plane arrived. “Who’s in charge around here? We need to get a hold of him and see about putting some MPs at the front door.”

  “I�
��ll do it. You look like shit. Get some sleep,” Ricochet said leaving the room.

  “Maybe we can move her to a more private area of the hospital?” Boomer suggested.

  “This is a MASH unit Boomer. They don’t do private,” Sam said with a disgusted voice.

  “And I won’t take a room that’s needed for someone in serious condition. Look if you guys are that concerned about it, I’ll just leave through a back door. Surely there’s someplace around here that I can hide out?”

  “I don’t think you should be moving around. You just had surgery on your leg.” As far as Boomer was concerned, the subject was closed.

  “I feel fine Boomer. Find me a place to hide and I’ll go.”

  Boomer looked from Sam to Kong. “What do you think?” he asked Kong.

  “It’s the lady’s leg. It’s her decision.”

  Boomer grunted, then left to find a place to hide for the next seven hours. “It was her decision that put her there in the first place,” he thought to himself. As soon as he thought it, he cursed himself. He was tired and frustrated. And that was no excuse to take it out on her.

  Kong leaned forward in the chair and put his head down on the side of the bed. Sam lifted her hand then hesitated. She told herself that running her hand through his hair would relax him, help him to sleep. But deep down she knew she wanted to feel his hair in her hands once again. When she began stroking his head, he moaned. A deep throaty moan.

  “You’re going to drive me crazy doing that.”

  “Shhh, relax.”

  It only took him a minute to fall asleep. Her soft touch was therapeutic, almost melting the tension from his body. If her hands felt this good on his head, he would lose his mind if she ever touched his skin like that.

  An hour later, Ricochet returned to the room, followed by Boomer. It seemed the two were in constant perfect timing. Sam wondered if outside of work, they still showed up everywhere at the same time.

  “Head Doc says he doesn’t have time to worry about someone’s privacy now. Too many injured from this afternoon to deal with,” Ricochet said flicking Kong’s ear.

  Kong’s opened his eyes, but didn’t bother to lift his head. “Can’t blame him.”

  “There is nothing on this base that can be considered a hiding spot,” Boomer informed him.

  “Okay. So we do our best here. Same plan as before. No one in unless they pass us first,” Kong said yawning.

  “You get some more sleep. We’ll watch on the other side of the curtain. Ya know, just on the other side of this flimsy piece of cloth. So if the two of ya get any ideas about bumping uglies keep in mind, we can hear ya.” Ricochet’s smart mouth didn’t go unappreciated by Sam. Her laugh was full and real.

  Chapter Eighteen

  It was one-forty-five in the morning when Boomer’s voice woke Kong up. Sam was sleeping with her hand resting in his hair. Kong gently lifted it and placed it on the bed. Now that he was awake, he could hear the stern authority in Boomer’s voice.

  “Sorry, only people in are doctors or nurses,” he said for the third time.

  “Don’t get your shorts in a twist. I’m leaving,” the man said.

  Kong didn’t believe him. They’d be approached by a phony doctor next. He had to do something fast. Kong walked over to the curtain. “Ricochet, go find some rolls of gauze.”

  “On it.”

  “How’s it going Boomer?”

  “He’s the third one. They’re up to something Kong. It’s the same group I saw outside earlier.”

  “Hold ’em off a few more minutes. I have a plan.”

  When Ricochet returned he slipped his arm through the curtain. Five rolls of gauze in his hand. Kong took them then went to the bed to wake Sam. Her eyes fluttered open as he lifted her hand to his lips. The sweet kiss he placed on her knuckles made butterflies come to life in her stomach.

  “What’s up?”

  “The wolves are at the door. We need to do some quick cover-up work. You with me?” he asked showing her the bandages.

  “You’re kidding?”

  “Nope.”

  “You into bondage Lieutenant?” she asked with a grin.

  Kong’s hands faltered. “Never tried it. But I’m game if you are?” He may have sounded like he was kidding, but his body was ready. Kong wrapped Sam’s hands first. She was small-boned, so even if her head was covered, her hands would give her away. He made sure to put plenty of wrap around them so they looked bigger than they were. When that was finished, he started on her head. He left an opening for her mouth, but completely covered her eyes.

  “You okay?” he asked when he finished. His next step was to pull the covers all the way up to her neck. She still looked small underneath the covers, so he pulled some of her pack and an extra blanket from the cubicle next to hers and bunched them under the blankets. Now she looked larger.

  “It’s no different from being buried in the ground,” she said through the wrapping. “Just don’t leave me laying here and take off.”

  “I’m not going anywhere without you. Couldn’t even if I tried,” he added to himself. An hour later there was a loud bang and shouting coming from out front. Kong knew this was it. They expected it, a diversion so they could get just a few seconds to snap a picture. “Go ahead, give ’em what they want,” Kong whispered out to the others.

  “Man, I hate actin’ like a fool,” Ricochet whined.

  “Sam, you awake?”

  “Who sleeps through a racket like that?”

  “Good, I’m gonna hide under the bed. It won’t take them long, they’ll snap a few pictures then we’re done with them. Two hours and we are gone.”

  “No problem. Want me to moan in a low voice or something?”

  Kong could hear the sarcasm in her voice. Just to see what she’d do, he leaned down next to her ear and let his hot breath seep through the bandages. “When I want you to moan baby, I’ll make you moan.”

  Sam’s heart raced. “We’ll see who makes who moan,” she whispered back.

  Kong was blown away. No matter how hard he tried to rattle her, she managed to rattle him back with her wit. Strong, self-assured, witty and beautiful. God he was in trouble. He dropped to the floor, slid beneath the bed and pulled one of her blankets down over the side to cover himself. As if right on cue, Sam heard the curtain pull back. She heard the snap of a shutter, then a low curse. Sam made a very deep moan come from her throat. When Kong heard it, he poked the underneath of the mattress with his finger. Sam moaned again. The intruder let out one last profanity, then scurried off.

  Ricochet’s voice echoed through the halls. Kong reacted. He slid from under the bed and listened. “Watch where you’re going pinhead.” Kong smiled. Ricochet should have been an actor.

  “Is it all over?”

  He looked down at her pink lips surrounded by the white gauze. Kong licked his own, then leaned down. “Not yet. Hold very still.” He pressed his lips to hers. Sam jumped then relaxed. It wasn’t a brushing of the lips, but a full hard kiss. “Not like this,” she cried in her head. She wanted to see his eyes. She had to see his eyes when he kissed her. While her mind shuddered, her arms reached out and wrapped around his neck. God, he tasted sweet, like a piece of candy. Her bandaged hand slipped down his chest and rested over his heart. It was beating hard against his chest. She tasted spicy, exotic, like something you would only find on an island. Her lips were smooth and baby skin soft. The fact that she couldn’t see him made the whole experience that much more erotic for him. Now the moan coming from her throat was hot and sexy. Kong took the kiss deeper, urging his tongue between her lips. When she parted them for him, he was lost.

  The power she held over him was dizzying and terrifying at the same time. He didn’t know whether to run, or give himself completely over to her. The voices coming down the hall snapped him back to reality. When he pulled away from her, she moaned in protest.

  “Don’t worry baby, I promise we’ll pick that up when we get home,” he whisper
ed.

  “Count on it,” she whispered back.

  Ricochet and Boomer strolled through the curtain, then stopped and began to laugh when they saw Sam wrapped like a mummy. Kong chuckled with them, she did look funny.

  “What’s so funny?” Sam asked.

  “You baby girl,” Ricochet snorted. “Ya look like ya should be sealed inside a pyramid.”

  “Laugh it up boys. When I get out of here I’ll kick all your asses.” Her threat only made them laugh more.

  “Did it at least work?” Boomer asked between his own snorts.

  “Yeah, you should’ve heard the guy when he realized he was snapping pictures of our mummy. It was all I could do to keep from laughing. Then smart ass here let out a moan, like she was suffering or something.” Kong’s cheeks hurt from laughing and smiling. But he was proud of her, anyone could see that.

  “If you guys are done laughing at me, I would like to take this stuff off now. I need to get ready for the plane.” Sam was anxious to leave Afghanistan and this broken-down bed. She wanted her own lush pillow and her soft, colorful comforter wrapped around her. Not to mention the hot bubble bath she talked about with Kong.

  The three men continued to snicker as they each unwrapped a portion of her body. Kong took her head and Ricochet and Boomer each did a hand. When she was finally free of the white bindings she let out a long breath. The cooler air felt good against her cheeks and she clenched and unclenched her fingers, stretching them.

  “Okay gentlemen. I need my clothes. Everyone on the other side of the curtain please,” she ordered as she swung her legs over the side of the bed. Ricochet and Boomer respectfully exited and waited in the hall. Kong remained behind. “Funny,” she thought as her legs dangled over the edge of the bed. Her leg seemed to be getting better by the hour. The burning pain was gone, now it only felt as though she’d been kicked. When her feet touched the floor, she carefully allowed her weight to settle on the leg. No pain shot up it, just a bit of pulling from the stitches but otherwise nothing. She noticed Kong watching her, his brow furrowed slightly. Then his eyes moved to her arm. Sam pulled the sleeve of gown up and pushed her fingers into the bandage that covered her bullet graze. Nothing. Her eyes met Kong’s, his brow still bunched. Sam peeled the bandage off and to her surprise, she found only a red streak across her arm. Again, she pushed her fingers on her skin. No pain, nothing. Now her brow furrowed as she looked back at Kong.