Page 26 of Fighting for Family

“Let’s go,” Saint ordered Shadow and Ragu. “I want to contact them before the village wakes.”

The men walked up the mountain, mindful of the rebels.

“I wonder what’s so important that we need to contact them again so soon, after speaking with them two days ago,” Ragu wondered out loud.

“Keep your heads on a swivel,” Saint reminded them. “We’ll know soon enough.”

“I have a bad feeling about this,” Shadow murmured. “They only reach out before sending supplies. We didn’t need any with Doc and Whiskey coming.”

“Ragu, set up the equipment over there. Shadow, keep watch. I hate this damn place,” Saint muttered.

“We’re set,” Ragu said.

“Make contact with Bear and let’s get this over with,” Saint ordered as he checked the nearby area. Since staying there on the rocky mountain, they hadn’t encountered anyone in days, but it didn’t mean they didn’t wait for an opportunity.

The screen lit up, and Catherine appeared with Kassie holding her hand. Doc sat behind her with Whiskey.

“Did you miss us already?” Ragu said, attempting to lighten the mood.

“Catherine,” Saint said. “I didn’t expect to see you. Did something happen?”

“No,” she said quietly, squeezing Kassie’s hand. She held a tissue in the other. “I’m calling it. You’ve searched for Leo for four months straight. Your family hasn’t seen you in seven. It’s time for you to come home.”

“What?” Saint asked in surprise. “We haven’t given up. Only today, Sparky came up with an idea, and we’re checking it out right after this call.”

Catherine’s eyes filled with tears. “When Doc and Whiskey bring the plane over, I want you to return home. We’ll have the funeral then.”

Shadow stared at the screen. “You’re going along with this?” he asked Doc and Whiskey.

Doc slightly shook his head as he answered, “It’s what Catherine wants. Your family needs you. Leo wouldn’t want you missing out on any other moments.”

“You’ve proven your loyalty in searching all these months. You must admit you haven’t found a single trace of him. If Leo were alive, you know he’d find a way to let you know,” Catherine reasoned. “It’s not a choice, or an easy decision. Leo asked us to move forward. I’m honoring his request. Come home. Your loved ones miss you. We miss you. I want you here to say goodbye to your leader and brother in arms.”

Saint swiped his hand over his face, attempting to control his emotions. Shadow’s chest moved rapidly as if he struggled with his words. Ragu hung his head, refusing to gaze into the camera.

“I’m sorry. It’s not as if I don’t want him found. We can’t pretend he’s alive any longer. Our daughter needs closure. I need to prepare for this child, and we can’t do it without you,” Catherine sobbed.

“It’s all right, Catherine,” Saint consoled her. “We’ll keep searching until Doc and Whiskey bring the plane. Victoria took hers to Ireland. Ivan will need his to transport his men.”

Kassie wrapped her arms around her friend as she peered at Saint, begging them to find Leo.

“Let’s get you home,” she soothed. “I’m sure the men need to make arrangements.”

Catherine gazed at the camera one more time. “I’m sorry.”

“No, Catherine. We’re the ones who’re sorry. We failed to bring him home to you,” Shadow said quietly. “We failed Leo.”

Shaking her head, Catherine rose with Kassie’s help. Her eyes shot fire as she gazed at Shadow. “I don’t want to ever hear you say that again. You’ve torn the desert apart, and you've done it again for months. There’s nothing else you can do. He’s lost to us. You’ll come home, and we’ll honor him. You will not feel guilty or call yourselves a failure. His widow and his children need your help. Leo expects you to help raise his kids and help them remember what a great leader and father he was. If you want to feel sorry for yourself, you’ll have to do it on your own time. We all have regrets. We’ve learned time still goes on, and we’re never promised tomorrow. It’s time you spent it with your family while mine heals. Do you understand me?”

Shadow’s eyes glistened as he nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I hear you loud and clear.”

They watched as Kassie led Catherine from the room.

“Do you agree with this?” Saint asked slowly.

Doc glanced at Whiskey and let the new leader of Alpha team speak.

“We’ll return for the funeral. Then we’ll send a team out for a month at a time. We won’t stop until we bring his remains home,” Whiskey said calmly. “Leo never forgot about me. I won’t leave him there. As far as Kassie and Catherine are concerned, we gave up the mission. They need peace, and Catherine doesn’t need any more stress.”