CHAPTER FORTY FIVE
Three years later
I gripped my bag tighter as I stepped into the tent. All around me was a buzz of activities. I felt nervous but excited at the same time. This was the second time they had called me in to do this job. It took me two years to work out my issues. Two years with the help of my therapist and my family. I was close to being my old self, but not really. I hated small spaces. The dark freaked me out, and nobody was allowed to touch me. I had grown. I had fought my demons and won.
Mike had said something that day that made me realize that he was right. I made a suggestion to Michael after thinking it through. He said he would give me time to heal and then he would talk to the board. I wanted to help them when they rescued woman that went through what I did. I enjoyed doing it.
Especially helping other girls and woman. I didn’t go back to school to finish it, not did I go to college or university. There was no use for it. I had an easy job and it was one I enjoyed. I stepped deeper into the tent and towards the middle where a group of men stood. They were focused on something on the table. I cleared my throat after a second of hesitation. Their heads snapped up. One of them broke away and took a step towards me. He held out his hand.
“You must be Alia.”
“The one and only,” I muttered with a smile.
He returned it. “I’m Devon and this is my team. The captain will be with us shortly he’s just taking a call.”
“Okay.” I stepped closer towards the table. A large map was spread over it. Some spot’s were marked. “Have you located them yet?”
“Yes,” he stepped closer. “They’re hidden inside an old mine shaft.”
He was too close for comfort. I stepped back when his hand brushed my leg. My eyes darted around at the other men. One of them was focused on my breasts. A shiver raced down my spine.
“We’re still thinking of strategies to go in without them killing them or us.”
I nodded as I studied the map. It made no sense to me but it kept my mind focused. The man’s hand brushed my leg again. I straightened and slowly turned to face him.
“If I wanted you to touch me I would’ve stayed where I was. I moved away because you seem to have a wondering hand. I’m not a slut nor am I here for your pleasure. So in future I’d prefer you keep your hands to yourself, or you might just regret it.” I glared up at him for a few more seconds before turning.
A hand on my arm made me freeze. He spun me around and tugged me against his chest. I fought the panic that rose.
“We’ve been here for three months without a woman in sight. I’m sure you’re here for a reason, so don’t play hard to get sweet cheeks. I can rock your world.”
I spit at him. The bag dropped from my hand onto the floor. With my free hand I slapped him. His hand on my arm loosened enough for me to step back. I didn’t waste a second. Lifting my leg I kicked him in his crotch. My lips twitched when he dropped to his knees cupping himself. He groaned.
“You may be an officer of the law but that doesn’t mean you’re superior to anyone. I suggest you learn some manners or your boss and I’ll have some words.”
“You fucking bitch!” he sneered at me.
My eyes widened when he stood. He took a step towards me but a booming voice made him freeze.
“What the fuck is going on here?”
My head snapped to the left. I sucked in air as I stared at the man who approached. His green eyes scanned the crowd before stopping on me. I saw the exact moment he realized who I was. His whole body froze and his face paled. Shock flashed through his eyes, but it only lasted a second. His green eyes turned cold. He muttered something beneath his breath as he walked closer. His eyes left mine and moved to the man a few feet away.
“What happened?”
“She fucking kicked me in the balls and then threatened to report me.” He glared at me.
“I was merely telling him that he needed to learn some manners. He touched me –“
“It was an accident!”
My mouth fell open and then slammed close. “He’s lying! I-“
“Shut up Alia,” Stephen ordered softly.
My mouth snapped close again. I lowered my eyes to the floor before he could see the pain.
“Come with me Alia. I’ll deal with you later Devon.”
I stepped forward to pick up my bag. A hand came down on my ass before I could see it. I gasped and stumbled backwards. Something caught on my foot which send me straight to my ass. I stared up in shock when Stephen suddenly stepped closer. He grabbed the man by his shirt before sending his fist straight into his face. The man hit the table and then slid to the floor. His nose looked broken. Stephen turned towards me and then reached out to pull me to my feet. He kept a hold on my wrist when he bent to pick up my bag.
“If any of you fucking raise your hand on her, if you fucking touch her, I will kill you. Is that fucking clear?” he yelled.
They nodded and a few even took a few steps back. With one last glare at the men, he turned and tugged me along with him as he walked away. We walked out if the tent and into the steering heat. Even the men outside had fallen silent. I’m sure they heard everything that had happened inside. Stephen stayed silent as we walked past tents until we reached one that looked larger than the others. He pushed me inside first before following me. I stared at the small spring bed that stood to one side. The other side held a small table. I jumped when he dropped my bag onto it.
“What the hell are you doing here Alia?”
“Well you don’t look very happy to see me.”
“I’m not.”
Ouch. I wrapped my arms around my waist as I turned my back on him. The tent was a little bigger than the others.
“You didn’t answer my question.”
I turned back to face him. “Michael sent me here. He said he wanted me here when you rescue the girls.”
“He should have told me he was sending you,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair.
I allowed my eyes to trail over him. He was more muscular than I remembered. His hair was shorter and it seemed like he had gotten a few more tattoos.
“If he had told you then you would’ve made sure he sent someone else. You don’t want me here I get it. I’ll stay out of your way. I’m just here to help the girls when he rescues them.”
“Fuck!” He ran another hand through his hair as he turned.
I bit my lip as he started to pace. He was agitated and angry. I had a sinking feeling that he was going to order me home.
“What were you thinking?” he questioned as he span around.
“Do you have any idea how dangerous this is for you?” I opened my mouth but slammed it close when he spoke again. “You’re in a camp with over fifty men that hasn’t seen a woman in three months. I have more important things to do than to babysit you.”
“You don’t need to! I’m here to do my job.”
“After what happened inside? You expect me to believe that?”
“I told you he touched me!”
“So you kicked him?”
“He touched me so I moved away. He obviously didn’t get the hint. I told him I’m not a whore and that I’m not here for his entertainment. When I tried to walk away he touched me again. It was either kick him or tase him.”
His lips twitched. “You have a taser?”
I sighed and then raised my shirt a little to show him the shocking pink taser strapped to my hip. “It was a birthday present from Patrick. He even got me a pink knife similar to the one you gave me.”
“Do you know how to fight?” I shook my head. “I’m not happy that you’re here. I don’t trust these men.”
“They’re your team.”
“No, they’re not.” Stephen walked over to the bed and sat down. “You will be staying with me. I’ll make arrangements for another bed. I’ll also teach you some self-defence moves. It’ll make me feel better knowing you’ll be able to take care of yourself.”
“Okay.”
He raised an eyebrow. “No arguing?”
I shook my head as I glanced around. “I don’t want to be left defenceless. None of the other men stepped up to help me, so I think they’re pretty much the same as the others.” He nodded and then stood. I watched as he made his way towards the entrance.
“Aren’t you even a little happy to see me?” I couldn’t help but ask him.
Stephen paused. He turned slightly to look at me. His expression was completely blank. “No Alia. I’m not even a little happy to see you.”
***
Everyone was gathered in front of the first tent I had entered. They talked softly amongst themselves as they waited. I caught a few of them staring at me but thankfully they kept their distance. Devon stood a few feet from me. He was glaring at me. I smiled and then waved at him. He had a small white plaster over his nose. Stephen had definitely broken his bone when he punched him.
“Stop terrorizing him,” Stephen muttered against my ear.
I turned but he was already moving away. He walked to the front and raised a loud speaker to his mouth.
“Listen up,” he called. “There’s been a change of plans. I want my explosive team in the tent as soon as you are dismissed.”
Explosive team? The mine was rigged with explosions?
“We have a new member on our team. I’d like to introduce Alia Dune, daughter of Chief Michael Dune. She’ll be staying with us until the rescue. Alia is here for work not for your pleasure. If you want a whore then you go to town to seek one. If someone touches her or so much as look at her in the wrong way, I’ll castrate you. Is that clear?” he paused briefly. “You’re dismissed. Meeting in an hour with different divisions.”
A total of three men walked into the tent while the others walked away. I stood there uncertain. Michael usually allowed me to travel with one of his men. Did he know Stephen would be here?
“Come on,” Stephen muttered, pointing to the tent.
I stepped inside and instantly moved to a corner close to the table. The three men stood around it. Neither of them spared me a glance.
“We got some information from our man inside,” he said.
“They are planning on setting up explosions around the exit.”
“Don’t old mines have two entrances?” I stepped closer to the table. “The mine a few hours’ drive from town had two entrances. It was build that way after a mining accident years before. They usually only use to one entrance and leave the other one in case of an emergency.”
“She’s on to something,” one of the men muttered. “My name’s David.”
I took his head. The ring on his finger was easy to spot. I gave him a smile before giving my attention to the other man who held out his hand.
“John.”
“I’m Jackson.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I said softly.
“The map we have only show one entrance,” Stephen broke the silence.
I stared down at the map. Now that I could study it closer I realized that the mine wasn’t as big as I thought it would be.
“How many floors?” I glanced up at them. “It’s possible that they could keep the girls underground and they guard the top.”
“There are no underground tunnels. The mine was build upon a slope inside part of the mountain. There’s a total of four tunnels that lead to different sections.”
I bit my lip. “If they place explosives near the entrance then they risk trapping themselves inside.”
“Not unless there’s another exit for them,” Stephen said. “I haven’t thought of that.”
I stayed silent as they started discussing possible places for the entrance to be. My mind trailed off slightly. Without meaning too my eyes kept moving to Stephen. His words from earlier hurt and I had no idea why. The pain he had caused me on the day he left had faded. I had glued my heart together by doing things I knew would help others.
“Alia.”
I blinked and then raised my eyes to his. “Yes?”
“Do you have hiking shoes?”
I glanced down at my feet before raising one to show him. It wasn’t exactly hiking shoes but they were comfortable.
“We will leave tomorrow at first light and split up. There are some hiking trails close to the mine. Keep your eyes and ears open, and don’t tell anyone else about this.” The men were dismissed seconds later.
I looked up to find Stephen studying me. “What?”
“You changed your hair colour,” he muttered.
I stood frozen when he stepped closer and reached out. He touched a loose strand of my hair. “It’s darker.”
I swallowed. “I wanted a change.”
His eyes caught mine briefly before dropping down my body. Stephen sucked in a breath as his hand cupped my cheek.
“Stephen.”
Our eyes locked again. My heartbeat started to speed. It was just like the first time we met. The hair at the back of my neck and my arms rose. The electricity was still there between us even after all these years.
“You shouldn’t have come here Alia.”
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