Defending Hannah

here. I’ll try to stall them while you get them out." Hannah tried to reason with him. The more time he wasted the less likely he and his team would make it out alive. She didn’t want her sacrifice to be in vain.
"Ma'am with all due respect I'm not leaving you behind." He gave her a determined look he would win this argument no matter what so she might as well cave.
"Midas," Another paint covered tall man called to the man arguing with her. "We don't have time for your wooing right now. Grab the girl and let’s go."
"We still have to find the office,” The one called Midas yelled back at him and turned away from Hannah. “Lead the women to the truck. I'll be right behind you." Midas commanded with authority and the golden-eyed man didn't argue.
Hannah took a moment to study the soldier in front of her. He was several inches taller than her five-nine frame. He had a strong jaw that at the moment was clenching. His eyes looked so dark they were almost black. It struck her like a bolt of lightning she knew this man. “Ben?” Hannah asked in disbelief. Could it really be him? The last time she had seen him was years ago when she was still a teenager crushing on him. Was she hallucinating or just to many drugs in her system? She had always imagined Ben riding to her rescue when she was younger so this seemed surreal but the feel of his body felt real. It could be anyone though.
Midas whipped back around looking at Hannah in shock. “How do you know that name?” His body was tense as he watched her. Wondering if she was a possible threat now.
“Are you Ben Grant?” She asked instead. Please let it be him and not her mind playing tricks on her.
“Answer me now, woman. How do you know that name?” His eyes were wide and his arms tightened like steel bands around her arms. Hannah winced at the pain but he didn’t relent.
“We grew up together. Us and Adam. I lived in Portland with my parents and you used to hang out with Adam Hart.” Her confession didn’t seem to appease the man. If anything it made him more suspicious of her. She was disheartened that if it was Ben, he hadn’t recognized her but then again she was mostly skin and bones and hadn’t bathed in ages. She was a far cry from what she once was. “I’m Hannah O’Connell.” She could see the wheels turning in his mind trying to place her.
“Holy shit,” Was all he said. It was him. Inside she did a little happy dance that it was him and not a figment of her imagination. Next came the feeling of sadness that he didn’t sound happy to see her. There was no Hannah, oh beautiful Hannah or How I missed you when I went away. Just Holy shit. It did a lot to deflate her ego. Maybe after a few showers and some real clothes he might see her differently. Then again who expected to see her here in Panama the victim of a trafficker?
Feeling awkward after her confession and Ben staring down at her in silence Hannah started past him when something about his earlier words penetrated her mind. The office? Alejandro's office? "I can take you to Alejandro’s office." Hannah offered. She didn't know why. She had planned to escape tonight and even offered herself as sacrifice herself to save the other women and ruin her own plans so why now was she offering to delay her escape even more? It was simple she wanted to help Ben. She always wanted to help Ben. To show him she was a woman worthy of him. It was why she always played enemy for him. Went fishing with him when she found it boring. She just wanted his approval of her and find her worthy of him. That’s all she wanted from anyone. Acceptance.
Adam had taken her under his wing when they were kids and soon Ben followed but she always felt the odd man-woman out when she was at home. Ben had always been patient with her in teaching her to fish and play hostages. As she grew older she wanted him to see her as a woman and his last summer before he left for the military he finally did. All her dreams had finally come true only to have the rug pulled out from under her and he fled her as fast as his big feet would carry him. What were the odds they would be reunited now even if it was under less than ideal circumstances?
Ben raised a brow at her. "You know where it is?" his face void of emotion.
Hannah nodded mutely.
"Don’t fu- mess with me, Hannah," Ben said, stepping up closer to her, using his taller frame to intimidate her.
Hannah swallowed nervously. It was cute he tried not to swear in front of her, Ben was always nothing but a gentleman to a woman, but his penetrating gaze frightened her. So much raw and caged man coiled in front of her. He had definitely changed since they were younger. "I...I'll take you there." She could have just told him where it was and left with the others but didn't comment. She wanted to be close to him. He had always made her feel safe.
Ben shook his head. “Your family would kill me I led you into danger. Just point the way and get out of here.”
“Please, Ben.” Hannah pleaded with unshed tears pooling her eyes. It was disgraceful to use her tears against him but she had to prove to herself that she could do something for others. All her life she had thought about herself and her comforts. This experience taught her that not everything about her. She had been spoiled and selfish before Paris. Thanks to her mother. Never again. She would get these women out of here and help