by Ronie Kendig
“You’re lying to us!” The questioner had to apply pressure. Zmaray was a cheat word. As ineffective as saying “a black-bearded man” in this region. And with that pressure came ugly things.
Dean wasn’t going to watch. He’d been in that chair once before. He’d been the captive. Been tortured. Beaten. Left for dead. Had the scars to prove it. He wasn’t going to relive it through this man.
He punched open the door and stepped into the light drizzle. With a long exhale, he stood, regaining his bearings as he slid on his head cover. Stretching his neck, he shoved off the memories of captivity. The smothering pain. Felt the fire fresh on his back that melted his flesh, scarred his back.
Rolling his shoulders, Dean stepped onto the gravel path and headed to the USO building. He sat at one of the telephone terminals, phone in hand, before he realized what he was doing. It won’t do any good. She won’t talk to you.
The number connected. Rang. Rang again. Three times. Four.
“Hello?” a masculine voice barked.
Dean hesitated.
“Hello? Who is this? Do you know what time it is?”
Everything primal in Dean rose up. “This is Desi’s phone, so why don’t you tell me who you are.”
The man cursed him.
“Where’s Desi? I’m her brother.”
“She ain’t got no brother!”
The line went dead. Dean considered calling back. He hadn’t been a part of her life since they were split up and put into foster care. He’d tracked her down just before entering Basic. Young and stupid, with a head full of idealistic familial passion, he thought she’d be elated to see him. Cry and hug him or something. He didn’t know what he expected, but finding her with more track marks than the subway and aiming a gun at him wasn’t it. That and the way she flipped him off and drove away.
Roughing a hand over his stubble, he sighed. Why did he even try?
He knew why. It didn’t make sense, but he’d wanted a connection. To prove the “no-family” thing wrong.
But it wasn’t. Never would be. He’d be alone. Always.
Dean exited the building and headed to his tent. As he crossed the paved street, he heard laughter and looked in that direction. He stopped short. There, thirty yards away, moving toward the hospital …
Zahrah.
CHAPTER 16
Camp Marmal, Mazar-e Sharif
03 June—1439 Hours
All business with a weapon strapped to his leg and his ball cap pulled low, Captain Watters stalked toward them. Zahrah spotted him the moment he’d stepped from the tentlike structure and into the sunshine. But he hadn’t seen her. Not yet.
“Hey, Captain,” the soldier escort called.
Zahrah twinged, feeling as if she’d been caught staring.
Captain Watters lifted his head and met her escort’s gaze. “Falcon, did you—?” His gaze hit hers. He slowed—or had he? Was it just her imagination that the hard, tense lines of his face suddenly didn’t seem as hard? “Miss Zarrick,” he said with a curt nod.
“Captain.” At least she didn’t stutter the way her heart did.
He eyed something behind her then frowned down on her, those rich eyes assessing. “You okay?”
“What?” She looked back. Only the hosp— “Oh! No, I’m fine. It’s not me. I mean, nobody’s hurt. We just … I just …” So much for not stuttering. “I’m here for Rashid, the little boy who was injured. He’s coming home today.”
The captain frowned again. “Where’s his mother—did they find his sister yet?”
“Hey,” the other soldier said. “Can you take over? I have an AAR to get filed.”
This time, Captain Watters scowled. But nodded.
“Uh, no. Ara hasn’t been found.” She felt punched, but whether from the guilt of Ara’s missing status or the way Captain Watters seemed disappointed at her being pawned off on him, she couldn’t be sure. Was that how he saw it—being pawned off? “Rashid’s father is traveling for work and his mom … well …” How could she say this without offending him?
“I get it.” He pointed to the main doors and started walking. “Most around here appreciate our help, but when you get some whacked Talib with a thirst for blood, suddenly, nobody’s our friend.” He tugged open the door and held it.
Zahrah slipped in, hesitating just inside as she waited for her eyes to adjust. “I’m sorry you had to get pulled aside to escort me. I’ll make this as quick as possible so I don’t interrupt your day.”
“Please!” Laughing, he tugged off his cap and smoothed a hand over his almost-shorn brown hair as they moved down the hall. “Interrupt me. The boredom is killer.”
“Boredom?” She appraised him as they turned a corner toward the pediatric ward. “You do not have the look of boredom on you.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, what does a bored person look like?”
Zahrah peeked into the area where Rashid had been yesterday. She clapped a hand over her mouth as she watched him balance a spoon on his nose, a male nurse doing the same. Beside her, she felt the warming presence of Captain Watters. She quirked an eyebrow and looked up at him. “How about that?” she asked with a giggle.
“Definitely bored.”
The two goofing off jolted at their laughter. The male nurse stood straight. “Captain, ma’am.”
“Learning secret techniques of the American military?” Captain Watters grinned at Rashid as he trailed her into the curtained-off area. “I might have to insist we keep you here, young man.”
Rashid’s eyes widened.
With more laughter, Zahrah smoothed the boy’s hair, hoping to ease Rashid’s fear.
“Will you?” Rashid asked breathlessly. “I want to be a soldier, too!”
She blinked. And laughed again—mostly from nerves. “Okay, Rashid. You’ve had too much fun. Your mom is waiting at home.” She reached for the crutches and smiled when Captain Watters handed them to her. “Massoud is waiting for us.”
The boy’s countenance shifted. Humor gone, he stuffed the supports beneath his arms and stood. Wobbled a bit.
Captain Watters stepped forward. “Use your hands to absorb the weight, and keep the crutches close to your body.” He seemed to talk out of experience.
Rashid gave a nod and tried again, and on his face shone the enormous desire to make this American soldier proud. To prove he could do it. Zahrah stepped back, affording Rashid’s pride and his tutor some room.
“We were working on that before you caught us … with the spoons,” the nurse said as he tucked his chin. “I’m going to get his discharge papers.”
Captain Watters straightened, folded his arms over his chest, and walked, a half smile stuck to his deeply tanned features. “ ’Ere you go. You’ve got it.”
Rashid moved quicker.
“That’s it—nice and easy though.”
The boy wonder hopped around till he faced them again. “Did you have to use crutches?” Rashid asked Captain Watters.
His answer came slow, almost unwillingly as he nodded. “I did.” He rubbed his stubbled chin. “About ten years ago, my leg got busted up like yours.”
Rashid had far too much amazement in his features. “You did?” Awe spread through his voice like molasses.
“Yeah, and I think you’re doing better than I ever did on those sticks.”
“Okay, folks.” The nurse returned with a clipboard and pen. “Just a few John Hancocks and you’re outta here.”
It took only a few minutes to write in the family’s contact information on the medical forms for Rashid before they were officially released. The nurse pointed to a small camo duffel. “That’s his stuff.”
“Stuff?” Zahrah looked to Rashid. “You came here in just your clothes.”
“The soldiers brought me a few gifts,” he said with a toothy grin.
Captain Watters lifted the bag. “A few? Feels heavier than my footlocker.”
“What can I say?” The nurse shrugged. “He became our own little hero around her
e, fighting hard to survive and recover.”
The captain nodded. “That’s the mark of a true soldier.” He slung the pack over his shoulder. “Ready, recruit?”
Bright brown eyes beamed at the captain. “Yes, sir!” He gave a mock salute then started hobbling down the hall.
Zahrah had to work to control the tears. Watching the way these two American soldiers treated Rashid with such respect, as if he were any normal boy … She could not stop from stealing glances again as she walked beside the captain. “You’ve kept his spirits high. I can’t thank you enough.”
He gave a one-shouldered shrug. “I was a kid his age once.”
She laughed. “I cannot imagine.”
He eyed her. “It’s true—I remember having heroes.” Another shrug. “You know, Batman, Superman….”
He made her giggle. A lot. It was a nice change from the stress and restrictions necessary to integrate among her mother’s people.
“So, you mentioned a Massoud earlier.”
Right. Just his job. And right now, that included escorting her off base. Zahrah nodded. “Rashid’s uncle. He’s a fierce man, and there has been little love between the two. Massoud feels their parents are too soft on Rashid.”
Captain Watters’s jaw muscle popped as he eyed Rashid at the end of the hall, waiting by the door. “Don’t like to see a kid wear fear like that.”
“You and I have that in common.” Zahrah watched as he punched open the door and held it for them. There was so much she admired about him—strong, handsome, focused. Yet there was so much she didn’t know about him—like his first name. Would they ever get to that point? She secretly hoped so. But how? What would that be like?
Futile. If she entertained these notions any longer, her father would find a way to have him reassigned to Timbuktu. But she was a grown woman, and she’d never found a soldier, sailor, airman, or Coastie worth pursuing.
Until now.
Pursuing. Gah! That sounded like a hunt.
With Rashid’s rubber-tipped crutches grinding against the pebbled path, their progress was slow. But it gave her more time with Captain Watters. What could she ask him—about his family maybe?
“So, this Massoud,” he said as he fell in step beside her, this time on her right. His shoulder angled toward her. “You said he’s waiting.”
“A couple of blocks beyond the gate.” Which was far too close.
They approached the security checkpoint, and Captain Watters turned to her. Caught her elbow, his gaze sparking in the sunlight as he scanned the area beyond the checkpoint. “So, Massoud …” He finally looked down at her. Right into her soul, it felt like. He was close. Much more than he’d ever been. Made it hard to think.
Zahrah felt a flicker of confusion. “You seem concerned about Massoud.”
“You’ll be safe with him?”
Her thoughts and pulse ping-ponged from one thought—did he know something she didn’t?—to another: Was he concerned for her safety? More than a soldier just doing his duty—until she was left with a blush he couldn’t miss. “Y–yes. I believe so.”
Once more, his jaw muscle popped. He nodded as he looked around again. A smile quirked one side of his mouth. “Wouldn’t want your dad coming after me if something happened to you.” He moved to Rashid and went to a knee. “Okay, recruit.” Captain Watters removed his navy-blue cap. “I have a mission for you.”
Rashid straightened.
“You’re brave, I’ve seen that already. But now I need you to protect someone.”
“Who?”
“Miss Zarrick.”
Zahrah’s stomach churned at the way he peered up at her, intense and focused.
“Think you can do that, recruit?”
“Yes, sir!”
Captain Watters slid the hat onto Rashid’s head. “Now it’s official. You’re my Top.”
“Top?”
“Yeah, my first sergeant. You report to me. Now, to protect Miss Zarrick, you have to protect yourself.” He adjusted the rim of the hat and tugged it down more. “You can’t protect her if you let yourself get hurt.”
“No, sir—I mean, yes, sir!”
Captain Watters stood, hands at his sides.
Rashid was grinning like a wild dog.
The handsome soldier leaned forward, almost conspiratorially. “You have to salute me to make it official.”
“Oh!” Chest puffed out, Rashid snapped his hand up to his forehead—and nearly lost his balance when the crutch slipped. Laughter rumbled through them as he steadied himself.
Zahrah shook her head, trying to dislodge the tears blurring her vision. She did not imagine Captain Watters could fathom what a great gift he’d bestowed on the young boy. He’d been through a horrific event, and yet he was leaving the base with a smile, a commission, and a new hero.
So am I. She shook her head again. He cared. He truly cared. It wasn’t just a thirst for violence as some liberals back home had insisted. Men like Captain Watters made the difference. It touched her deep. Deeper than she could understand. Overwhelmed with gratitude—the experience for Rashid could’ve been terrifying—she fought back tears.
“Hey.” Captain Watters caught her elbow and bent toward her. “You okay?”
Zahrah nodded quickly. “You’re amazing. Thank you.” She tiptoed and planted a kiss on his cheek. Stunned at her own actions, she scurried through the checkpoint with Rashid, never looking back. They made their way off the base and headed down the street.
“Do you like him, Miss Zarrick?” Rashid hopped along, really getting the swing of walking on crutches.
“Who?” If her burning cheeks hadn’t answered for her, she sure wouldn’t.
“Captain Watters! You kissed him.”
“I thanked him.”
“With a kiss,” he said.
Mercy! That would be frowned upon by his family and definitely by her uncle, cousins, and aunt if Rashid shared. “Rashid, listen.” She squatted before him, holding on to his waist as she sought the right words.
“I’m your protector. I have to know these things.”
“I shouldn’t have kissed him. It was … I was so …” Oh for the mercy of heaven! How did she get out of this without lying or making Rashid feel bad?
His face was thoughtful and serious. “It is okay, Miss Zarrick. This is our secret. I won’t tell anyone.”
Sweet relief smoothed out the anxiety that had knotted her shoulders. She managed a small smile. “Thank you. I’m afraid most people would not be very understanding.”
“I know.” He beamed. “That is why I am your protector.”
Tussling his hair, she straightened. “Captain Watters picked the best recruit! Now, we should hurry.” As she pivoted and started down the street, she saw them. Men hovering around a black BMW—Massoud’s car. Her stomach churned. She wanted to flee back to the base. To Captain Watters.
Though she didn’t know the men with Massoud, she knew one thing with absolute certainty now. I am no longer safe here.
TODD & AMY
I’ll be tied to you, right?” Amy’s gaze skidded from the harness to Todd.
He tucked in the extra length and grinned. “Have been for six years, darlin’. Or d’you forget?”
The plane’s propellers fluttered to life.
He patted her shoulder. “All set.” Handing her the helmet, he noticed the brief flash of fear in those blue eyes that had brought him to his knees many times. “You don’t have to do this.”
Breathing in—as if inhaling courage—she lifted her chin and placed both hands around the helmet. “Yes, I do.” She strapped on the helmet. “If you can listen to strangled cats for me, I can jump out of a perfectly good plane.” Amy smiled and shook her head. “Still can’t believe you got qualified to tandem so we could do this together.”
She’d always been strong inside, many times more than she even realized. He loved the moments where that courage crested her need for safety.
She smiled. “No holds ba
rred.”
Todd hesitated. Parachuting was nothin’ to him. To her … “There’s no holds barred—”
“You calling me weak, Todd Archer?”
Hands up, he surrendered, lowered his gaze, and eased back. “No, ma’am.”
“Then quit wasting oxygen.” She turned and walked toward the plane.
And yes, the girl still had it. Even in a jumpsuit—especially in a jumpsuit. She was stepping into his territory a bit with this stunt. His heart clenched. God, help me … help me make these final weeks unforgettable.
He climbed up into the plane and sat beside her, intertwining his fingers with hers immediately. Pilot-friend Jeremy aimed the prop plane down the runway. Soon, the plane climbed through the clear-blue sky. Todd couldn’t help but think he didn’t like this for more reasons than one—she was closer to God here in the plane and in life. It wasn’t fair. Then again, Bobby Ray said the same thing when Amy chose Todd for homecoming.
A few minutes later, the plane leveled off and Todd stood. He hooked up with Amy, seeing the terror in her eyes.
“Amy,” he shouted.
She kissed him. “No. Holds. Barred!”
And with that, they jumped. The exhilaration of wind ripping at him was nothing to the thrill of experiencing it with Amy. Todd willed the descent to drop into some time warp. To never end. For them to never hit the ground and reality again. Up here in the sky, almost floating above the world … yeah. Just like that. They seemed above all their problems.
They landed feet up in a butt slide. The best six minutes of his life.
They unhooked and secured the chute. Todd turned—
Amy threw herself into his arms. Hooked her arms tight around his neck. Buried her face in him. He felt her sobs before he heard them. Todd closed his arms around her, holding her close and safe. Her adrenaline was probably crashing.
Wished like he did with Raptor, he could get a bead on the threat to his wife and kill it with one shot. A trained warrior and he could do nothing but adventures that only reminded him he’d never do them with her again.
“I don’t want to leave you,” she cried. Then sniffled. “There has been nothing better in my life than being your wife!”