“Why?” Logan asked.
“Because Ziva loves her country. She will always do what is best for Tabiq,” Alex replied.
Ziva nodded to me. I had been wrong about her. She’s not a traitor to Tabiq. She hasn’t forgotten her roots. Even though she’d married an American, she was and always would be Tabiqian.
For Alysa.Turning my attention to Alex, I said, “You’re going to need my help.”
Logan said firmly, “You’re not in any shape to leave.”
Alex put a hand on Logan’s shoulder and said, “I don’t think you have enough meds to stop him.”
That’s for fucking sure.“I need my phone,” I said.
“What for?” Alex asked.
“Ocalla doesn’t want Alysa or James. He wants me. Let’s give him what he wants.”
Ziva grabbed hold of my hand and whispered harshly in Tabiqian, “She loves you. She will fight to stay alive for you.”
I fought back the tears that threatened to flow. I hated thinking about Alysa being held captive by that vicious asshole. But Alysa was no good to him dead. I just have to get to her before he no longer cares.
Ziva turned to Alex and said, “Give him his phone.” Alex handed it to her. In English, she said, “Remember Jasper, you’re not alone in this. We are all here ready to fight beside you.”
Squeezing her hand back I said, “Thank you, Ziva.” Then I said something I never thought I’d hear myself say to a Henderson. “So, what do you want me to do?”
Alex said, “We need to get Bennett involved.”
“And Logan, you need to get me ready to travel, because Ocalla will know if anyone besides me shows up where he tells us to meet,” I said.
“You can’t walk.”
“Give me crutches,” I said.
“How can you use them with cracked ribs?” Logan asked. “The pain will be too much.”
“None of that is going to matter if he puts a bullet in me, now will it?” I responded. Looking at Alex I added, “Bennett and his team better be damn good shots, because we’re not going to get a second chance.,” I said.
“I’ve had to trust them with my life, with Ziva’s and they didn’t let us down. They can do this, but first, we need to find out where Ocalla is and where he’s holding them,” Alex said. “We know he’s not at his compound.”
I said, “Don’t worry. This is all we need to locate him.” I held up my cell phone.
“Won’t he think this is a trap?” Logan asked.
I shook my head. “Nope.”
“Why?” he asked.
The only thing they’d believe right now was the truth. “Because everyone knows I don’t trust the Hendersons.”
Logan looked shocked and Ziva just smiled and said, “I think you mean didn’t.”
Yeah. That’s right. It was going to be difficult, but for Alysa, I’d trust them. I had been holding a family, an entire country, responsible for what one man had done to Tabiq. Could they have been victims of James Hendersons cruelty just like Tabiq was? Is that why they are all here in Tabiq now? Are they trying to make amends for their fathers’ action? Maybe my hate and judgement has been misplaced all this time. How could I let my hatred cause me to be blind to what this generation of Hendersons was doing for Tabiq. And now for me.
“Let’s get Bennett on the phone and get those two back.” Before it’s too late.
I closed my eyes as Alex dialed Bennett. Alysa’s beautiful face flooded my mind. Then a panicked look. We were rolling over and over again. The SUV stopped. James asked if we were okay. She said yes. Thank God. She was okay.
‘Hand me my Glock.’Why would she ask for a gun? Her gun? And why the hell would James be holding it? There is no way I had heard correctly. She’s a financial advisor. Their weapon of choice is a pencil, not a gun.