Language/Violence Disclaimer: There is violence here. There is also some heavy language here. If this bothers you I suggest you don't read this.
Love/Sex Disclaimer: There is same sex relationship here between two consenting adult women. If this offends you or if you are under age please don't read this.
Please send feedback to XenGab01@aol.com
Part 8
The sun was finally making its ascent into the sky when Alexia arrived at the complex her advocates in the "war" were staying. This was the place she was truly no longer considered a human being but an element to and weapon in this forged war. This place gave her all the power every person perceived she had. Nothing dared question her here. She was the daughter of their God and savior.
"Ma'am." A dark skinned man approached her and saluted. Alexia nodded her head at the man giving him permission to continue. "We have received all the supplies Kelly Colleti has sent us. When do you wish us to send them out?"
The dark woman made her way further into the complex. The man followed her silently waiting for some type of response. Alexia walked past all the men scurrying about preparing for their big day. They only had one day left before they had to return to their country where they would soon be considered heroes; at least they hoped they would be considered heroes.
Alexia could feel the excitement the men displayed. For years they had been kept from their families always told that what they were doing was going to free them from the oppression they had suffered their entire lives. This mission had been a complete success and everyone here had earned everything they were promised.
Yet, they would all just be casualties of war. All the training they had been through would have been for nothing and there was nothing now that could stop that. Their fellow soldiers and brothers back in the home country would also be privy to the same fate. Just casualties.
"Mboya I want everything out of here by at least tonight." Alexia finally answered the tall black man.
"What of all the men returning from their tasks? They are eager to return home." The dark woman looked to the man. Her dark brown eyes having gone almost black with her arrival on the base. "You have your orders already pertaining to that. They will be transported momentarily."
Mboya's mouth moved as if to protest, but soon he thought differently. It would not do any good to try to plead with this woman. After surviving his stay in America for so long he didn't want to die only days before he was allowed to return to his family. "Yes ma'am."
The dark woman looked deep into his eyes easily recognizing the fear and she smiled. Mboya was sure his life was now forfeit. "If you have an objection to my decision I suggest you tell me now."
"No ma'am." The man stood taller if possible. "Your decision is perfectly acceptable."
From behind her Alexia could hear the strong laugh of a man almost as feared as she was. "Do not let my wife walk all over you Mboya. Are you not a man?" Mboya's chin quivered which caused the man to laugh harder. Alexia turned her back to the frightened Mboya mildly amused by the dark man who now approached her. "It is fear Daniel. You yourself are capable of such an emotion."
Daniel was a tall dark man whose features readily complimented Alexia's. Looking at them side by side they made an awesome couple. Each held their places as leaders in stride. Mboya had remembered when they had married. Alexia's father had made it a very big affair. He had given a speech and said that they would be the future of their cause. Daniel would be the man to lead them and Alexia would be the wife who supported him. Mboya never saw Alexia as the wife type but if that was what would be her future then he was no person to hold objection. They would all do what they had to take back their country in their own hands away from the tyrant who had taken over their lives. The two did not seem to love each other a great deal, but Mboya, like every other soldier, saw that as irrelevant. Daniel and Alexia would make their union work. They had to.
"I am capable of it wife but I do not give into it." Daniel's deep voice brought Mboya out of his thoughts. He now wished he would just be dismissed so he would not be forced to bear witness to the couple's fight for power over the other.
Alexia spared a brief look at the very uncomfortable man behind her and dismissed him. Some where along the line terrorizing the soldiers had lost its appeal. "I did not expect to see you here." She told the man as soon as Mboya had disappeared.
"That is the greeting I get after not seeing you for a month?" Daniel responded not even bothering to keep the malice out of his voice.
The dark woman narrowed her eyes into small slits and approached the man in fury. She didn't attack him, as some soldiers covertly watching expected, but instead kissed him with the force of her rage. When she pulled back Daniel was obviously breathless and his dark eyes were alight with passion. "I did not expect to see you here." Alexia repeated and took a step away from her husband.
The man growled and reached out for Alexia's waist and pulled her to his body. "Do not play with me Alexia."
Alexia allowed herself to be held in the man's arms and closed the distance between them. "I'll do whatever I damn well please." She whispered into his ear then backed away.
"I see you are still reluctant to accept my control." Daniel responded louder then necessary. "Tell me wife, how is the child that grows within you?"
Alexia looked around the room furiously and shot the man a glare that would have melted anyone else's soul. She walked away towards the back offices placed there specifically for her benefit knowing her husband would follow. Once they were each secured within the room the woman let out her rage. "Are you stupid?" She yelled. "Do you think those men would follow me as they do knowing I am with child."
Daniel smiled. "You are a woman Alexia. It is to be expected."
"Idiot." She replied easily. "It makes me vulnerable and weak. I can not afford to be either."
"It does not." Daniel instantly replied. "It only means you are fulfilling your duty both as my wife and as your father's daughter." He exhaled heavily. "It gives them hope. We can not take that from them." He said in a more subdued tone. "Most of them might be dead by the time this is over. Would you deny them this brief joy, because you think it makes you weak?"
"It has never been my intention to offer them hope, Daniel. I do not think I can offer something I do not have." Alexia answered the man truthfully. "My only duty is to make sure they make it back to Kenya."
"Why have you not accepted your place amongst us yet Alexia?" Daniel asked genuinely perplexed. "I know you are a strong willed. You are a fantastic woman and I am proud to call you wife. Why is that not enough?"
Alexia gave the man opposite her an odd look. "Are you trying to figure me out Daniel?" She asked mildly amused. "If you are I suggest you give up. Many greater then you have tried and failed."
"Oh like Angel." Daniel shot back. "You have certainly played your part with her very well. I commend you."
"I do not wish to discuss her." Alexia responded harshly.
Daniel was not surprised by that fact. "You never wish to discuss her. What are you afraid of?"
"I fear nothing." The woman yelled.
"Do you really expect me to buy that Alexia?" Daniel crossed his massive arms over his chest. "Despite what you might think, I am actually fairly intelligent."
Alexia sighed and ran her hand through her dark braids. "I don't think that Daniel. You might have actually earned my respect."
"I don't want your respect Alexia." He answered slightly dismayed. "I want your love and devotion like you promised me when we married. Without your support my power here could mean absolutely nothing. We can only succeed together."
"Is that why you would watch when Father beat me and do nothing?" Alexia said icily.
"The only man who stood up to your father is dead Alexia and by your own hand." Daniel responded in way of answer.
"And that is why you can never have my love." Alexia said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"I don't get your love but Angel does?" The dark man said evenly knowing he had hit a rather sore spot. "Do you know what your father would do to her if he found out how you felt?" He paused for effect. "What about what he would do to you? How do you think he would react to knowing his only daughter was impure?"
Alexias advanced on the taller man letting her anger guide her. "If you tell him a single thing I swear to you that you and your child will die."
Daniel's eyes widened in disbelieve. "You would kill your own child?" He said obviously disgusted. "You are evil."
The dark woman only shrugged her shoulders. "Who exactly do you think I am Daniel? I've spent most of my life fighting only because my father told me to do it. I've been killing for longer then I can really remember. For years now, I've been lying to the only person I've ever loved. Deep down I have pledge my loyalties to no one, not even my father." Alexia studied the man curiously. "Who do you think I am?" She asked once more.
"The only reason I married you," she continued once the man failed to answer her. "Is because you're the only person I believe who can take my father's place. You're a leader who will actually save our people from what they are going through back home." Alexia's mahogany eyes raked over the man's muscular body. "You haven't lost your soul yet."
Daniel swallowed audibly. "What of my child?" He asked weakly.
"Your child shall live as long as I do, but if you involve Angel in this I might find a way to die when my father does." Alexia answered conversationally, but Daniel got the implied threat. He looked at the woman he had known of most of his life. Four years ago she had approached him and asked what he thought about becoming her husband. After his initial shock he told her he would consider it the highest honor and he meant it.
Ever since he had joined in the effort to make his homeland belong once again to the people, he had been very much in awe of the great Alexia. He had first seen her when he was in training and she was looking over their progress with an intelligent eye. Everyone had told him to forget any feelings he might have for her, because she was an impossible woman to touch. They told him what had happened to a soldier named Mawbiki who had once tried to be her friend.
Daniel listened to all those warnings he was given to keep away and decided to just serve the girl's father to the best of his ability. He didn't always agree with the methods their leader used and would speak against him, but only in private. Daniel now knew that is what had drawn Alexia to him. She had long been searching for someone who wished to free their people, but who didn't particular believe war was absolutely necessary to achieve their goal.
The only reason he was of any value to Alexia was because she thought his way of doing things was better. Soon after she recognized his potential she took him under her wing and taught him everything she knew. She even put in a few good words to her father for him. He rose in the ranks and was by Alexia's father's side knowing the only reason he was there was to betray the man and take his place. Alexia was the only one he trusted with all her plans, except for Jerome her loyal friend, and that made him think he was special. He was wrong.
To Alexia he was like everyone else; just a means to the end, and she desperately wanted an end. She would marry him and even carry his child as long as he did what she wanted. She would even pretend to care for him to a certain extent if it made him happy. Who knows, maybe she did care for him in some odd sense. She was really good at hiding all her emotions; especially those she deemed would make her appear weak.
"My goal has never been to hurt anyone." Daniel said carefully. "I will not betray you in that way. I just wish you would be more carefully especially since we are so close to reaching our goal."
"I've been very careful Daniel." Alexia responded her anger having subsided.
"Is that why your father was asking me about some woman named Victoria Garza?" When Alexia only stared at him and did not answer he continued. "What are you doing with her? Jerome tells me she is the one."
Alexia thought about her friend Jerome who had probably met Casey the other day when she went to Michael Lopez's to run an errand for her. Jerome was the only person she trusted to watch over Michael and to make sure the short Mexican man was safe. He had a lot of people wanting to get to her through him, but she knew the man would never betray her. If he just happened to though, Jerome would be there to make sure Michael never spoke again. Alexia had known Jerome ever since she was a young child still somewhat innocent to the ways of the world and her father.
Jerome was the one who had been given the sacred duty of guarding his master's daughter. In many ways Jerome was like a brother to Alexia and was the one person she looked to for protection. Alexia remembered when she had told him about her plans to take care of her radical father and she could have sworn there was pride in his eyes. He had promised to stick by her to the end no matter what the end might bring.
"When did you speak with Jerome?" Alexia asked her husband disregarding his previous question.
Daniel didn't seem much thrown by the subject change. "He came in last night to find out what was going on since he met the woman he calls Casey." There was a slight pause. "So, what are you doing with her?"
"Is he still here?" She asked still avoiding his question.
"No." Daniel answered. "He left to continue guarding your little man Michael."
"You can still be heartless and have a little bit of compassion. Many people depend on me here and it wouldn't be right to let all those people down. She's going to take my place." Alexia finally answered her husband.
Daniel had to think about what his wife was referring to for a moment, but soon figured it out. He wasn't really surprised by Alexia's answer. Alexia would always fulfill all her responsibilities no matter what. The woman hardly let anyone down. Yes, she would lie to them, betray them, cheat them, hurt them, and kill them but no she would never not fulfill her responsibilities and promises. The irony of her attitude never could be subject to scrutiny. It came too close to trying to figure Alexia out, and no one could figure Alexia out.
"I guess I should expect no less from you." Daniel eventually responded. " May I ask you why you chose her?"
Alexia considered his question carefully. "She's a lot like me."
Daniel looked curiously at his wife his eyes urging her to continue. "I think she can handle everything and I think Angel can handle her."
"How did you come up with her?" Daniel asked with genuine curiosity. "You must have been planning this for a while."
Alexia shook her head. "No, actually she just happened to have really good timing."
"You know she works for the DEA." He informed her needlessly. "Her brother was that agent Angel thought she stopped you from killing."
"I didn't kill him." Alexia responded defensively.
"You may have not killed him directly, but who gave him the idea to go after his own father?" Daniel asked snidely. "How do you think your little protégé will react once she finds that out?"
"Do you not think it is honorable he was able to put aside his personal reservations and go after a known drug lord? He died doing what he thought was best."
"Yes, and him dying meant that the Garza cartel was no longer a threat to you." Daniel shortened the distance between him and Alexia. "You really planned that one out well."
The dark woman looked away from her husband. "He wasn't supposed to die, but his sister was too late and his father was too weak." Alexia's shoulders sank slightly in defeat. "I can not be blamed for that."
Alexia ran her hand over her faced trying to stop the memories of that particular incident from surfacing. That was one operation she set into motion, which really didn't turn out how she planned. That agent really didn't deserve to die. 'What was his name?' Alexia wondered. 'Agent Patrick Garza'. She could clearly recall the man's gentlemen appearance. He was one of the most sophisticated looking person she had really ever met. His dark looks didn't make him look a thing like all the other government agents she had dealt with. Alexia had always just chalked that up to him being raised in a crime family. Deep down he really wasn't an official of the law, but instead he was a traitor from the other side.
The first moment she had set eyes on him she knew he would be the person who would be helping her achieve yet another step in her ultimate goal. After she had let him go, giving credit to his continual survival to Angel, she was sure to meet with him privately. It didn't really take that much to convince him to take out his own family especially when she told him it would free his sister from their father's control. Patrick really loved his sister and as long as he thought he was doing her a favor then everything was going to work out.
Actually, in the end everything did work out. The Garza's were no longer capable of fighting her and Santiago was eternally thankful for telling him his partner was going to turn him in. Alexia achieved everything she had wanted and watched it all play out. That's actually how she knew Casey's story. She was there. She saw the anguish on the woman's face when Casey watched her brother and father die, and she saw the hatred that filled her on that day.
When Alexia first saw Casey only a couple days ago years after everything had happened, she almost didn't recognize her. Foolishly she had always thought Victoria Garza would just have died after what had happened to her. Any lesser person would have. Unfortunately, the woman was now back for vengeance and Alexia wasn't sure she should grant it or not. She still needed Santiago to carry out his part of her plan and if Casey got to him too soon then all the work she had been doing might be for nothing.
Still, Alexia was partially responsible for all the pain Casey had gone through. Maybe she actually did owe the woman something. But wasn't she paying Casey back by giving her all the power she had accumulated over the years in this country? Of course, Alexia was fully aware there was nothing she could give the woman, which would even the score between them. She had taken away her family and nothing could make them even. However, Casey didn't know any of this and she didn't need to know. For Casey, ignorance could be bliss.
"Do you ever feel guilty about anything you do?" Daniel's voice brought Alexia from her thoughts. "You can't be the soulless demon you would have me believe you are. I know better."
"How do you know?" Alexia tried to sound angry but only sounded desperate. She needed to know what made people look at her and see anything more then what actually there.
Tentatively Daniel reached out and took his wife within his arms. This was not the raw caress they had displayed before in front of all the men, but instead it was gentle. The man really did care for Alexia and on some level he had to believe she cared for him as well. Even though he knew he could never come as close to this woman's heart as Angel had. "You're fighting your father for what is better for our people. Your efforts here will make the standard of life in Kenya better." Daniel paused for a moment letting his words sink in. "Alexia believe it or not you are human."
Alexia pulled away not wanting to accept any comfort for her internal pain. It was too soon for her to be breaking down now. People still needed her to be strong. "I never feel guilty about anything." She said in her best command tone. "If I did then it would make me weak. I must look beyond what I do now and only see my future goal."
As much as Daniel didn't want to believe her words he had not choice but to. The woman didn't have time for emotions such as guilt and regret. If anyone understood that about her, he did. For a long time now, he had to do exactly the same things Alexia had to her entire life. He was out there just like she was gaining funds and weapons for their effort to take back their country back into the hands of the people. They were each participating in the underworlds of American culture accumulating power and respect from those people, which they could do without. Soon though, very soon, they could leave all this behind. Together they would return to home and raise their family. At least Daniel hoped they would return together and raise their family.
"We're almost done." He said almost under his breath.
Alexia looked at him intently for a moment then turned away. "You're right soon it will be over."
Daniel cleared his throat unsure of what he was going to say. "I know for a long time you planned on dying with your father." He exhaled heavily. "Just please don't. I find that the child you carry has given me back some of my lost hope. Please, just take care of yourself."
The dark woman's mahogany eyes widened significantly. She always knew Daniel had a heart and that was one of the reasons she chose him to replace her father. "Death was always going to be my escape. However, I realize I was prohibited from having a life and I find I can not do the same to the being that grows within me." Alexia reached down and ran her hand over her stomach. "I never wished to have a child. I never wished to have a husband. You do realize I can never love you like you deserve to be loved and the same goes for this child."
"Still, your place is with us." Daniel said with conviction. "Whether you asked for it or not this is your responsibility. Once we are home I'm sure you will find everything will be better."
"How can you believe that?" Alexia asked dumfounded. "At home a war waits."
"Maybe." Daniel allowed. "But only if we do everything wrong. At home you will be free from what you are here. Maybe…" He hesitated. "Maybe you'll even find the person you truly belong with."
Alexia couldn't help but grin. "Daniel I find I have underestimated you." She took on a more serious tone. "But thank you. I will try to remain living through the end."
Daniel's eyes softened and he wished to reach out to his wife but clamped down of that desire. "Thank you. That is all I can really ask."
"So, why you have me in this rather rare talkative mood, is there anything else you wish to discuss?" Alexia asked airily.
Daniel chuckled realizing how incredibly rare it was to get his wife to talk so openly about anything. She was anything but forthcoming when it came to giving out information, although she seemed to be more open and honest with him then she was anyone else and that did include Angel. "Actually I guess I could now tell you why I came here today." He offered casually.
"You mean you just didn't come here because you wanted to bother me?" Alexia asked sarcastically. A certain sparkle returned to her mahogany eyes signifying her instant recovery from their previous heavier conversation.
"My only true intention was to inform you that your Angel will be signing away all the rest of her illegal holdings to me tonight." Daniel pleasantly supplied.
Alexia looked surprised. "She's certainly accomplished things a lot faster then I thought was possible."
"She's eager to get rid of everything and as soon as she gives me control you can stop pretending you haven't been in charge all these years." Daniel explained.
Alexia looked directly into her husband's eyes capturing his gaze. "I was never fully in control. Her family would have never allowed that."
"Still," Daniel shook his head, "you are the one her father put in control."
"You know that's not true." Alexia responded heatedly. "Her father gave his control to Angel."
Daniel snapped his fingers. "That's right." He responded as if having been suddenly enlightened. "You were in control of her father."
"So, when are you meeting with Angel?" Alexia asked intent on changing the subject. "I think I might need to attend."
"You're finally going to come out to her?" Daniel asked knowingly. "You really do want her to hate you don't you?"
Alexia tilted her head in a motion that revealed her careful consideration on the man's words. "I don't wish her to hate me, but that's the way things have to be. I'm surprised she's decided to remain my friend this long."
"It's because she really cares for you Alexia." Daniel informed her needlessly. "Whether you like it or not you really did allow her to become your friend and even for a brief time I think you allowed yourself to love her unselfishly."
Alexia walked up and tapped Daniel lightly on the forehead. "That is entirely just made up in more mind. My affection for her has always been one of pure selfish reasons."
"Oh I understand." Daniel nodded his head gravely. "I'm sure the reason you made sure she was never harmed was also purely sprung from selfish intent." He smiled knowingly. "I'm sure when you two were younger and you took care of her and encouraged her to write, it must have been because you were selfish." He chuckled at Alexia's astonished face. "I can find out information too Alexia. I know you're her friend and I know you genuinely care for her. Don't be ashamed of that."
Alexia sighed heavily. "It's much easier to pretend I don't care especially since I have to make her hate me."
"Do you think she can do that?" Daniel asked seriously.
"She has to." Alexia replied with conviction. "I think I'm already well on my way to accomplishing it. Tonight will just be he icing on the cake."
"You're going to rip out her heart, you know." Daniel said in a subdued tone. "Some parts of her still have to be that little girl who is looking at her hero."
"Her hero died a long time ago." Alexia said her voice laced with regret. "I could never live up to her expectations and frankly I never want to try. I lack the ability to love her that much."
"Maybe you do." Daniel readily agreed. "You certainly didn't show her how much you cared by marrying me."
Alexia gave him an icy glare. "She doesn't even know I married you."
Daniel shrugged his shoulders. "However you did have the foresight to end any intimate relationship you two had, because you didn't want to hurt that way." He paused as if in deep thought. "You are just a bunch of contradictions."
Alexia raised her right hand and covered her chest. "Why is it we must always talk about me? What about you?"
"What about me?" Daniel asked easily. "Is there something you wish to know which you haven't been able to acquire yet?"
Alexia's shoulders dropped. "I guess I'm just the more interesting personality."
Remarkably Alexia found it quite easy to talk with the man she had been calling her husband for over two years. He knew almost all her secrets and talking with him was just an extension of talking to herself. Anything said between them would never go beyond these walls. Their relationship was never one based on love but was one solely based on trust. There could be no lies between them.
"Oh I don't know about that Alexia." Daniel's distorted in mock pain. "I'd consider myself to be rather interesting."
Alexia grinned. "It was not my intention to offend you. You are quite the interesting personality. Of course your personality greatly improved once I began training you." She said playfully.
Daniel looked at her slightly shocked. His wife didn't often partake in playful banter. Her willingness to joke with him was just another sign of how close she allowed him to get. "I think you're right." He said seriously breaking the teasing atmosphere. "I certainly am a better person for knowing you."
The dark woman's head dropped and she closed her eyes tightly. Her braids fell in front of her face obscuring her chiseled features. "You know you really shouldn't say stuff like that. We both know it can't possibly be true."
Daniel went over to Alexia once more and offered her his physical comfort. This time Alexia didn't pull away. "Let me decide what's true or not." He whispered into her ear and placed the most delicate of kisses on her forehead.
As much as Alexia wanted to pull away she found herself unable to do so. 'Why does he have to be so nice?' She wondered to herself. 'I must have not trained him properly.' Still, Alexia couldn't help but feel, not exactly protected but not unsafe either, in his embrace. Whether she wished to recognize it or not she was under a tremendous amount of stress and sometimes, like any other being placed on this earth, she just needed to be held. It was a luxury not many people were afforded and it wasn't a need Alexia gave into freely.
For now, the dark woman decided to allow her body to indulge in this comfort. Even if it meant she was weak. She had long ago accepted the fact she was not above the basic human needs. Actually that fact had been thrown in her face on way too many occasions. Alexia had allowed herself to become friends with a ten-year-old girl named Angel, she had allowed herself to let a boy Mawbiki live, and she had decided to give the man who held her now his child. 'Perhaps', Alexia thought, 'I am not weak but instead the people who have affected me are strong.'
The door to the office suddenly flew open and Alexia jumped out of Daniel's embrace. When she looked up she was looking at the man she despised the most in this world. It was the man who labeled her as another number, 8266, instead of affording her the label of his daughter.
"It good to see you and your wife's relationship remains strong in these trying times." The man's spoke to Daniel even though his eyes were fixed firmly on the woman who carried his own dark features.
"We must draw strength from our love, sir." Daniel responded being sure to slip into the role expected of him in this man's presence. Alexia was sure to take her place as well. In these men's presence she could be considered nothing more then the mere woman she was, even though they all knew better. In this situation she did not speak unless spoken to and Daniel could touch her any way he saw fit. However, the man was always respectful to her. He knew what she could do to him if he wasn't.
"You are entirely correct, son." It was funny how the man would openly recognize his son-in-law as family, but would never do so with his own daughter. At least, Alexia saw no choice but to look at the humor her father's behavior. "I then trust that your wife serves you well." The man continued having yet to recognize Alexia formally. "It is my understanding you two have been forced to spend some time apart this past month."
"It is part of what we all must suffer to achieve our goal." Daniel responded sure to steer clear from making any comment of Alexia serving him as his wife.
"It is good you accept your sacrifices and do not get mixed up in sentimentalities." The statement was made to Daniel but was clearly intended for Alexia. "Speaking of sacrifices I hope you may be able to sacrifice some moments from your reunion with your wife so as I may speak with her."
Daniel immediately nodded his head in the affirmative. "Of course, sir. If you will just retrieve me when you are finished." With that, Daniel exited the office leaving Alexia alone in the room with her father. It was unusual for him not to have any bodyguards present, but Daniel decided not to think much about it. In a way it was a good thing the bodyguards weren't present, because that meant Alexia would not be suffering another beating ordered by her father.
Alexia watched Daniel go and immediately missed the support he offered. In front of this man who referred to her lovingly as 8266, she considered herself weak and worthless. The feelings were so ingrained in her mind, that she was powerless to fight them. No matter how strong she was or how smart, he would always have that effect on her. The only real choice she had was whether she gave into those feelings or rose above them.
She had never been able to rise above them as of yet.
"Do you have a report for me?" The man's demanded. He never requested anything.
"Everything is going as planned and we should be ready to return to our home country in less then forty-eight hours." Alexia responded succinctly.
"Mboya has informed me you are sending the equipment before the men." His dark eyes looked through Alexia. "Do you really think that is prudent?"
The question suddenly made Alexia realize something she had failed to in all these years. She was the one in charge he was nothing but a figurehead. He gave her orders, beat her, and made her feel like she was nothing but never had he once not deferred to her judgment. He never questioned her, but instead made her quested herself. This Father wasn't as trained as she had been. He hadn't gone through the physical or mental strain she had been put through. The revelation lightened Alexia's soul, but she was careful not to show it. Any sign of defiance he saw in her eyes would just end up with her getting another beating.
"We have not scarified," She gritted out the word. "All that we have in order to get the men back home. We have sacrificed for the supplies and funds which we have been acquiring all this time, sir." Alexia could only hope her voice didn't sound too smug. She wondered though, if he knew he was so inferior. Unfortunately, she could not look into the man's eyes and tell. It would be a sign of insubordination.
"I still wish to see all those men back on Kenya's soil." He ordered. "We can afford to loose no one."
"Then I will arrange it that the men leave before the supplies, but I must inform you that that would leave the supplies unguarded, sir." Alexia's voice was close to being smug and instantly she regretted it. She saw the man raise his fist long before it ever contacted her face, but stood as still as a soldier and took the hit. It was what would be expected of her. With these situations she would always loose by default. She either took the hit and received that relaxed punishment, or protected herself and received a harsher punishment.
"We will maintain the transfer setup which you have already implemented." Father said harshly. "I am well aware of what sacrifices must be made for our success. Do not ever think otherwise again." Then he turned his back to her and walked out without so much as a good bye. Alexia really wasn't expecting one though.
A few moments later Daniel walked back into the room and lowered his head in shame upon seeing Alexia's bruised face. He often wished he could do something, anything, to make Alexia never feel that man hurt her again. Long ago, he would have stood up for her, but Alexia had told him to do nothing long ago. She had told him his time for heroics would come later. Once he had asked about the fate of Mawbiki, the only man who had stood up to her father for her, and in no uncertain terms she informed him the young man had been exposed of. Her exact words had been, "I was forced to let him go."
"I'm sorry Alexia." He offered his wife weakly. There was nothing he could really say in situation like this. Alexia waved his apology off and gently touched the place she had been hit; testing how much she was really hurt. She found the damage to be minimal and shrugged the encounter off like every other one she had with her father.
"Let's get out of here Daniel and do something. I need the day off." Alexia said sounding exhausted. "Then tonight we can go face Angel."
Daniel intently studied his wife and for the first time noticed the dark circles under her eyes and the fatigue the racked her body. "When was the last time you slept?"
"Not too recently." Alexia readily informed him. "It was just something I really didn't have time for."
"When was the last time you ate?" Daniel asked now really concerned for his wife's well being. He knew how important it was she take care of herself.
Alexia shrugged her shoulders. "Not too recently." She grinned. "You're not going to yell at me are you? If you are will you at least give me a moment to prepare. My defenses were some what drained with the encounter with my father." She added sardonically.
Feeling appropriately chastised Daniel crossed the room and put his arm around the woman. "We'll go get something to eat then you're coming with me to get some rest." His allowed his concern to show on his face. "Please just let me take care of you for a while."
Alexia really did want to refuse any pampering, but her body betrayed her. She leaned heavily into Daniel and allowed him to guide her out of the office. "I'm still going to go with you when you see Angel." She told him with as much power as she could muster.
Daniel smiled and brushed his lips across her temple. "I wouldn't have it any other way."