Page 77 of Fighting for Family

“The night nurse will be here shortly. She got a flat, and one of the veterans stopped to help her change it. You have your family to care for. I will be all right. It doesn’t feel like it right now, but I have four kids to think about. They need their mom. Thanks for coming with me today. Bryanna and Ty were sweet to cover the luncheon after the service.”

“We can still have it at my house,” Kassie offered.

“No. This was his home, and people will come to pay their final respects,” Catherine said firmly. “I want Melody to have her own space if she gets overwhelmed.”

“Then, I’ll head home. Get some sleep, and I’ll talk to you in the morning,” Kassie said, hugging her friend.

“I love you,” Catherine whispered.

“Right back atcha,” Kassie said, holding back the tears.

“Call me if you hear from the team,” Catherine said. “I know they’ll try to protect me, but I need to know.”

“I’ll never keep it from you,” Kassie vowed. “Eat something.”

“I will,” she promised.

Kassie put on her boots, grabbed her purse, and got into her SUV. She watched Catherine enter the kitchen and lean her head against the fridge. Pain shot through Kassie’s chest as she observed her best friend cry. “I’ll do my best, Leo, to keep her going. Wherever you are, give her the strength to go on without you,” she whispered as she started the vehicle. Something told her nothing would ever heal her friend’s broken heart.

CHAPTER 24

Shadow watched the familiar vehicle pull into the guard station and get waved through the gate.

“The vulture has landed,” he said into the coms.

“Sitrep,” Saint called.

“Eagle two in position,” Shadow reported.

“Eagle three ready to roll,” Cole replied.

“Eagle Four ready,” Ragu replied.

“Eagle five in position,” Taco said.

“Eagle seven and eight contained,” Sparky confirmed.

Waiting restlessly, Saint watched for the traitor to leave. They planned to pick up Sergeant Ford tomorrow in the village market, away from the cameras and security. Either way, one of them would talk.

“Vulture’s on the move,” Shadow reported two hours later.

“Eagle four and five, get ready. Eagle three, take down the driver,” Saint ordered as he got into the truck and headed to the pickup location. His gut rolled as anger and frustration grew bigger by the minute. He tapped his emotions down, needing to focus on getting the job done.

“Eagle seven and eight, you ready?” he asked.

“Confirmed,” Sparky replied.

He waited on pins and needles for confirmation they had overtaken the vehicle.

Gunfire filled the comms. Striker growled and attacked on Cole’s command. Ten minutes later, Shadow said, “Vulture and driver contained. Eagle Four has disposed of the wheels.”

“Heading toward you, Eagle Seven and Eight,” Saint gave Sparky the heads up.

Twenty minutes later, he entered the cave they originally used.

“Let go of me,” Maryam ordered. “Do you have any idea of who you’re dealing with?” She struggled as Shadow and Taco dragged her inside the cave, separating her from her driver.

Sparky, dressed in a chadari and topi, struggled against the bonds holding her, begging to get released. In Maryam’s language, she pleaded for help.