Forsaken Duty (Red Team #9)(90)

“Say goodbye to your mom, boy.” That sounded so fucking final that Owen quickly added, “She’ll be all better when we bring her home.”

Troy got on the bed and kissed her, then settled down next to her so he could lay his head on her chest. “I love you, Mom. Augie’s not home. You can’t die yet. Please, Mom. Mommy.”

Tears were spilling down Owen’s face. He picked the boy up and hugged him. Troy wrapped his arms around Owen’s neck in a choking grip. He could feel the sobs racking the boy’s little body.

“Don’t let her die, Owen.”

Owen looked over to see Mandy at the door, wiping her own tears away. He knelt on the floor and pulled Troy free. “I’ll do everything in my power to save your mom and find your brother.”

The boy drew himself up to his full height and looked into Owen’s eyes. “I believe you. I love you, Owen.”

“I love you too, boy.” Another quick hug, then Owen sent him off with Mandy.

Addy was lying there so peacefully, so pale and still. He smiled and sat next to her, then leaned over and kissed her lips. “I love you, my Laidy, but you can’t leave me alone. Stay strong and fight, for your boys, for me, for us as a family.”

“Ready, O?” Kit asked, standing by the short hallway into the room.

Owen nodded. He lifted Addy into his arms, holding her close, her head resting against his shoulder. He walked down the long hall and into the foyer. The women stood aside, letting him through. He heard a couple of them weeping. Troy was there, with Mandy. The boy broke from her and ran to hug his hips. Mandy came right after him and pulled him away. Owen walked outside, hoping to hell and back that he’d be returning with her alive.

He set her in the backseat, then came around the other side, lifting her head and shoulders to his lap. He tucked the blanket around her as Kit and Doc Beck settled into the front seats.

“There’s been a slight change to the plan, boss,” Kit said. “Yusef called Rocco and told him Jafaar had taken his boys as his personal bodyguards and was headed toward the WKB. Rocco’s meeting up with Lobo to head him off. Yusef’s boys are not in any way part of this, and Yusef’s been a good ally. If they can get him before he gets to the compound, it’s one fewer bad guy to fight, and Rocco might be able to keep the boys out of trouble.”

“Copy that.”



Highway I-80 west was a complete standstill. Fortunately, Rocco was coming from the opposite direction—heading away from where he most needed to be. It was worth it to put Jafaar down. He had to drive on the wayside to get around the stopped traffic. When he got to the front of the traffic jam, he parked and got out. Jafaar held one of Yusef’s sons in front of him, a gun to his head. The boy had tears running down his cheeks. Lobo shouted over to Rocco to hold his position. Rocco nodded and stood still.

“Jafaar,” Rocco called out in Pashto, “let the boys go. You aren’t authorized to kill them. Abdul Baseer al Jahni still needs them. If he loses you and them, it is too dear a price to pay. I can provide what you wanted. I can send al Jahni the formulas.”

“You trick me,” Jafaar said, stepping back to swing his focus toward Rocco.

“No. I’m speaking Pashto. The Feds can’t understand me. Let the boys go, turn yourself in, minimize al Jahni’s loss. If you do that, I will send him the formulas you needed so that he can have his own corner on the human modification market. You will have achieved your goal and also will remain honorable.”

“You don’t have it. You’re lying.”

“I’m not. We have the scientists. They will give al Jahni the formula as a means of mitigating the power King has. It’s all a power play, no?”

“If I give up the boys, the Feds will shoot me.”

“Not if you toss your weapon down,” Rocco said.

Jafaar looked from him to Lobo. He shoved the kid toward the car and went to his knees. He tossed his weapon off into the wayside. As Lobo charged toward him, he grabbed another weapon from his jacket, which he aimed at Lobo. Yusef’s son kicked his hand, dislodging the weapon as it discharged, sending the round harmlessly into the field.

Lobo’s crew swarmed him. Rocco walked over to the boys. One was still in the car. They were younger than Lion, but not by much. Rocco had read their files. Good kids. Trying to live the lives their parents had given up so much for. He held out a hand to the one Jafaar had been holding a gun on.

“You did good,” Rocco said in English.

“Are we in trouble?” the boy asked.

“No. You’ll need to go with my friend Lobo here to give your statements. They’ll get you back to your parents in no time. I’ll let your dad know you’re both okay.”

“Thanks.”

Lobo’s guys yanked Jafaar to his feet and walked him over to one of their vehicles. “I will hold you to your promise,” Jafaar said.

“Yeah, about that,” Rocco grinned. “See, I’m not authorized to make deals with terrorists. You got nothing.”

Lobo came over and shook hands with Rocco. “Thanks.”

“Sure. Don’t keep the boys too long. Their parents are beside themselves.”

“My guys will take them back to the motel and get their statements there. I’m headed west. How about you?”