CHAPTER7
Arsen
It was early-afternoon by the time we made it back to our place. Neither Rafe nor I would ever admit we rode the camels a bit harder than usual. We were anxious to get back to Colby.
No one had ever found one of our hideouts before, but there was always a first time for everything. We’d left her there vulnerable and I was sure she was starving and thirsty by now. Being inside the cabin would be hot and uncomfortable, but she wouldn’t die from dehydration since she had shade and fresh air. Her comfort wasn’t the main motivator to get back, if we were being completely honest. No, we were eager to get back to our new prize.
I hopped off Bilal’s back and patted his neck. “Thank you, my friend.” The camels were a convenience we never expected to have. We were all grateful to them for sticking around. “Off you go,” I murmured, taking his bridle off and patting his rump. He ran off, the others following as soon as Sig and Rafe released them from their saddles.
Sig cracked a joke as we walked toward the cabin. He wouldn’t admit it to us, but I could tell he was just as glad to be back as we were. He was trying to convince us to rid ourselves of Colby, but I gave him a week. He wouldn’t hold out for long. She was too pretty and we were too bereft of feminine company.
Rafe froze in the doorway, then barked out a string of curses. Shoving him aside, I stepped in and let out my own frustration. “Shit! How did she escape?” I held up her uniform top, the pants and boots were gone.
“Guess your knots weren’t tied very well,” Rafe told Sig with a slight tone of smugness.
Sig was constantly crowing about his ability to tie knots. Not to mention all the various sexual pursuits he enjoyed with them.
“Fuck off,” Sig snapped at Rafe. “You can only go so tight before it cuts off circulation.”
“We need to find her,” I interjected, stopping their argument before it could get going.
Without waiting to see if they followed me, I walked back outside and whistled for Bilal. He loped up, followed closely by his companions.
“Sorry, boy,” I told him as I started tacking him up again. “Looks like we have a little more traveling to do.” After I saddled him, I walked around the campsite and found the direction Colby had headed.
Rafe stepped up next to me. A frown marred his brow. “She’s heading toward the market. Somehow she managed to pick the only direction with villages in it.”
“Lucky guess,” I told him.
“Or good training and an even better sense of direction,” he muttered with a shake of his head.
“It’s our lucky day then,” I said, slapping my hand on his shoulder. When he raised a questioning brow, I said, “This way she won’t die alone in the middle of nowhere.”
“No, she’ll die painfully and quickly if any insurgents find her,” Sig said in a droll tone. “Those villages to the east are still controlled by The Holy Order of Qaltala, she won’t last an hour there, especially wearing her uniform.”
Rafe frowned at him. “That’s true. Let’s go. We have to find her before they do.”
We mounted our camels and set out. It would be slow going since we had to follow her tracks. None of us mentioned how dangerous it would be for us to go into the market. With the group from last night searching for us, this was the last place we should be heading. We knew that they likely were holed up in there. We’d decided on the ride back not to take the risk and to avoid the market. Now we had no choice.
We’d been on her trail for about two hours when the market loomed before us. Thank goodness for the camels. This must have been a five hour walk for her. I hoped we’d find her quickly.
Our camels hurried toward the trees, as eager to get out of the sun as we were. Sig wrapped a scarf around his head as we dismounted and made our way into the village.
We split up and began asking the vendors if they’d seen her. “An American Soldier,” I told the man in front of me. He was busy trying to peddle his wares to the people wandering past and he gave me an irritated look.
“She spoke to Azim,” he barked, as I blocked yet another customer from seeing his clay pots.
“Many thanks, God willing,” I responded in Arabic.
He waved me off, already bartering with another man. I went over to the guy selling meat and drinks and spoke with him. I should have gone straight there, after a trek like that she would be in need of water.
Damn, I’ve had her for only a few hours and already she had my mind all messed up. I couldn’t think straight with her in my thoughts.
“She went down that alleyway some time ago,” Azim told me. A worried frown marred his forehead. “It isn’t safe here for her.”
“I know,” I murmured. “Thank you for selling to her and for letting me know where to find her.” Her safety was my number one priority. The thought of something happening to her made dread fill my chest. We couldn’t have saved her just to lose her right away.
He tipped his chin to me and I backed away. Catching Rafe’s eye, I motioned for him to get Sig and follow. I hurried to the alley, not bothering to wait for them to catch up. I just needed to make sure Colby was okay.