Forsaken Duty (Red Team #9)(74)

“You can’t bargain with something that already belongs to me.”

“I can if I have them and you want them.” Jafaar sighed, playing his hand carefully. If Edwards learned the Feds had the Ratcliffs, all bets were off. “I’m not your enemy, Mr. Edwards. I want a franchise, not full ownership. I want to extend your power, not eclipse it. You can’t run the world without trustworthy partners, correct?”

“Bring them to me. We’ll talk terms then.”

“No. Let’s hammer out our agreement first. I want it in al Jahni’s hands before I bring you the scientists.”

“Very well. I’ll have my lawyers draft an agreement. Then I’ll send coordinates for our transfer.”

“It’s a pleasure doing business with you,” Jafaar said, but the line was dead before he finished.

Jafaar took a moment to savor his win. He had only to give Deputy Jerry the app that would trigger Owen’s woman’s termination sequence. Once she was on death’s door, Jafaar had no doubt Owen would hand over the doctors in exchange for hope of a cure. Of course, Jafaar didn’t have it; only the doctors could figure that out. And by then, it would be too late.



Selena brought Addy, Troy, and Zavi out to the arena. It was a beautiful, crisp autumn day. The sky was a deep, cloudless blue. The sun was warm. It felt wonderful to be outside. Addy smiled at the boys. How strange to be doing something normal. Selena would protect them. This activity wasn’t a power play, wasn’t an act of survival, wasn’t anything necessary at all. Addy hadn’t had many of these days in the last decade.

“I’m so excited for our ride today, aren’t you boys?” she asked.

“I get to ride a lot,” Zavi said, tilting his head. “I have my own pony.”

“Is that her?” Troy asked, pointing to a dark brown Shetland pony tied up near a corral.

“Yeah, that’s Betty. Isn’t she beautiful? Mom likes me to groom her before I ride her. Want to help me with that?”

“Sure!”

“Okay. Come up easy so we don’t scare her. I’ll tell you everything I do. Let her sniff you. That’s how she says hello.”

Mandy came over and said to Addy, “Betty is the kindest old pony I’ve ever met. She’s very patient with kids, like she knows they’re colts and that they don’t always behave correctly. She’s been a great asset to me here.”

“So you give lessons?” Addy asked. “Is that what you do here?”

“That, and much more. This is a hippotherapy center. My background’s in physical therapy. I opened this center as a way of helping clients with their physical, mental, and emotional needs. Sometimes, we work with injured people to help them regain strength and balance. Sometimes counselors and psychologists bring their patients here to work on their specific needs. It’s absolutely amazing the ways horses can help humans. Sometimes, it’s like they just know better than we do what our patients need.”

Addy smiled. “That’s impressive. I’m so glad you invited us out here.”

“I think the boys will be busy with Betty for a little bit. Want to start with you?”

“Sure. I warn you, though, riding isn’t something I’ve done much of. And when I did, it was English style.”

“No worries. We’ll start at the beginning.”



Owen came down to the corral, wanting to see how Addy and Troy took to riding. He hoped they loved it. Addy needed something to get her out of her head and into the world. And this was a beautiful day to do it. The boys were running in and out of the stables, chasing each other. Something about all the noise and laughter made him feel a little like the world was going to be okay. Changed, maybe, but okay.

Selena smiled when he stopped next to her at the corral fence. Addy was getting instructions on her posture, using her legs as guides for the horse, how to hold the reins.

“She’s good people, Owen. Tough as hell.”

“And fragile as hell.”

“I dunno. I think tough wins over fragile any day.”

“Thanks, Sel. I hope so.”

The boys saw him and ran over. “Owen, are you going to ride today?” Troy asked.

“I don’t think so. I just came to see how you and your mom were doing.”

“That’s Zavi’s pony, Betty.”

“I know. She looks beautiful.”

“We groomed her,” Zavi said. “Now we’re just waiting for our turn.”

Owen didn’t see Addy dismount, but when she came out of the fence, he couldn’t look at anything else. Mandy came over and got the boys, lifting Zavi onto Betty’s back and Troy onto the horse she had in the corral. He was vaguely aware of the fact that Selena had pulled back, into the shadows of the stable.

He smiled at Addy. Her eyes were a soft blue, bright like the sky. If she ever got contacts to cover her changing eyes, he’d miss them. They told him so much more about her mindset than her words ever let on. He lifted a hand and brushed her hair off one cheek, then bent over and kissed her temple.

“You look happy.”

“I am.” Her arms went around his waist. He pulled her close. They both watched the boys in the corral. “Thank you. For today. For everything. Mostly, for not giving up on me.”