GUARDIANS: Mission To Rescue Innocence (Beauty 0f Life Book 7)

by Laura Acton

  “Yeah.” Mike nodded.

  Mason chuckled, “Your secret is safe with us, but I’m gonna start calling you Red Baron.”

  “Why Red Baron?” Brody asked.

  “His middle names are Charlie Brown … made me think of Snoopy flying his doghouse and he is a future baron. What can I say … must be residual effects of the dreamfish Mike must’ve rubbed all over the fish bait box.”

  “Don’t remind me of that stench.” Patch rubbed his stomach

  Blowing out a deep breath and chucking, Mike said, “Red Baron is a helluva lot better than Magic Mike. But if you call me that I’ll call you Snoopy. Then I’ll blast you and your Sopwith Camel from the sky.”

  Mason grinned. He was okay with being called Snoopy so long as he got to call Mike the Red Baron from now on. It would be their inside joke.

  Blaze directed the conversation back on track. “I assume the reason we are meeting your father is that there is some sort of connection between him and the Al Sattars.”

  His smile fading, Mike nodded. “Yes. My initial plan is to accompany my dad to his business meeting. Snoop around and determine if they are aiding Panin or if he somehow used them as a way out of the country and then fled elsewhere. Panin has no resources, we wiped out his bank accounts, but he is a proficient liar.

  “The two who go with us will act as our bodyguards and will be tasked with keeping my father safe and extracting him if things go sideways. This is a volunteer assignment.”

  “I’ll go,” Dan said.

  “The hell you will! That bastard poisoned you,” Winds stated.

  Dan eyed Winds. “All the more reason. I have a vested interest in locating him.”

  “And what happens if he recognizes you and is in cahoots with the Al Sattars? That could mean your death,” Brody interjected, not ready to face the possibility of losing Danny so soon again.

  Blaze let the arguments fly for a few minutes, measuring each comment against Blondie’s need to complete the mission. He understood the kid well enough now to recognize Blondie regretted leaving Panin alive. He studied the kid’s eyes when Mike revealed his information. About to put an end to it, he stopped when Blondie spoke again.

  “You recall the debrief … did you miss the part about one of Fakhir’s guards assisting me?” He turned his eyes to Blaze. “Tell them again what the man said.”

  “May God bless and prolong your life.”

  Dan said, “They killed every single one of Panin’s guards we didn’t. They executed all the other buyers. That man could’ve killed me twice. Once in the hallway and when we left, but he didn’t.” Part of Dan wanted to know why, but he focused on another element. “Based on everything Bransworth told us about them, it appears to me they endeavored to cover for the black sheep of the family.”

  Brody clenched his fist. Danny frustrated the hell out of him sometimes. He countered with, “That is one guard. It is conceivable he disliked Fakhir’s lifestyle and recognized you only came to save innocent children. However, Umar might react quite different if you show up at his palace since you shot his son. Irrespective of the circumstances.”

  Blaze held up a hand. He would make an unpopular decision, but in his heart, he accepted it was the right one regardless of the outcome. “My unit, my decision. Blondie and I will go with Mike.”

  The room erupted with dissent as Winds, Mason, Patch, Ripsaw, and Brody all voiced their displeasure loudly and forcefully.

  Dan remained quiet and glanced at Mike. He wondered what Guardian unit rescued him. Perhaps he would ask on the flight to Oshar, … because he was going despite any arguments the others presented to Blaze. His CO supported him again which bolstered his confidence ten-fold. Self-doubt created by months of relentless torture began to fade into the background.

  It took thirty minutes for the unit to calm down and accept Blaze’s decision. Scowls still covered their faces as they worked to refine the strategy. When the session broke up three hours later, five members of Blaze’s unit stormed off in different directions to blow off steam.

  Blaze turned to Blondie and grinned when they were the only ones remaining in the room after Mike, Anastasia, Bransworth, and Sutton left. “You have to promise me one thing.”

  “What?”

  “Don’t die, son. My heart couldn’t take it if I supported you and you ended up dead because of my decision.”

  Dan grinned. “I’ll do my best to stay alive.”

  Base Dining Facility – 1730 Hours

  “Thanks, Jarmal.” Dan peered down at his loaded tray. He conformed with the doctor’s orders and stayed away from the chili, but he had a huge burger, fries, a salad, and a half dozen of Jarmal’s oatmeal raisin walnut cookies with protein powder to assist him in regaining his weight and strength rapidly.

  He possessed many conflicting emotions about the last mission, but he needed his head on straight before bearding the lion’s den once again. So after debriefing, he grabbed Beauty and went for a long run to process his thoughts, clear his mind, and prepare for the mission.

  Choosing an empty table, he sat. Blaze was the only one talking to him at the moment. The rest of the guys remained ticked off at him for volunteering. With Blaze attending a mandatory CO briefing, he would be having a quiet dinner alone. He sighed and closed eyes as he stretched. The run loosened up his muscles but left him a little tuckered out.

  Movement beside him caused him to open his eyes, half expecting Brody since he usually didn’t stay mad long. His gaze landed on an unwelcome sight. Blake Murphy. “What do you want?”

  Emboldened by the fact Yankee was not here, Murphy sneered, “Enjoy your vacation? Must be nice living a cushy lifestyle while us real soldiers do all the work.” He grabbed Broderick’s plate. “You even have a personal chef who makes you anything you want to eat. Does the baby need milk with his cookies?” Murphy dumped the contents on the floor.

  Dan sighed. He didn’t want to get into things with Murphy now. “Go bother someone else with your asinine commentary.” Dan stood intending to move away, but Murphy chose to shove him. Maintaining his footing, Dan pushed back. “Back off or I’ll put you in the dirt like last time.”

  Itching for a rematch, believing he had an off day when Broderick requalified, Murphy took a swing at him.

  Ducking the punch, Dan landed one to Murphy’s solar plexus and thrust Murphy to the ground. “Told you. Now go away.” Dan turned and strode toward the food line again, hoping Jarmal had more cookies.

  Murphy got up and rushed after Broderick. He plowed into the back of him, and they both crashed into one of the picnic style tables causing the meals of the men and women seated there to go flying. What ensued was an all-out fistfight between Dan and Murphy. The soldiers in the mess tent circled them cheering on the combatants, not caring who won, a brawl was a break from the boredom of waiting for the next mission.

  Flagging, his energy not up to par, Dan found it harder to set Murphy on his ass. Brody’s voice yelling, “Give ‘em hell, Danny! You got this,” spurred him to put all his power into a left uppercut, knocking Murphy out.

  Brody slung Danny’s arm over his shoulder and guided him away. He sat him down and stared at Dan. “I can’t leave you alone for a minute, can I?”

  Licking the corner of his mouth, tasting blood, Dan chuckled. “Guess not. Though this isn’t my fault. I didn’t start the fight and tried to walk away.”

  Patch strode over and gripped Blondie’s face, turning it to him to inspect for damage. “You hurt anywhere?”

  “No.”

  “How about the incision site,” Patch gently patted Blondie’s chest.

  “I’m alright, mother hen.” Dan gave him a lopsided grin. “Really.”

  Mason sat across the table and shook his head as he pushed a full plate towards Blondie. “Eat.”

  Glancing at the tray which contained a duplicate of his original meal, Dan grinned. “Thanks.” He lifted a cookie and took a huge bite.

  Winds joined the rest carr
ying a tray for Ripsaw who followed him. After setting it down, he glanced back in time to see their bomb expert whack Murphy in the leg with his crutch as the man struggled to rise. He chuckled. “You know, I think even injured as he is, Ripsaw would wipe the floor with Murphy.”

  Hobbling over, Ripsaw quipped, “I’d do the whole karate kid crane thing, hopping on one foot. Blondie, excellent form. Can’t wait to get back to our sparing sessions.” He reached over and stole one of the protein cookies and turned to Winds. “Mind bringing Blondie and me some milk to go with these?”

  Dan grinned. His brothers had come to terms with their anger and displeasure, and things returned to normal. He may not have a biological family who cared about him, but he damned sure had five chosen brothers and a surrogate dad who did.

  Ops Command – Conference Room – 1800 Hours

  Once the briefing ended, Yankee stood and snagged Blaze’s arm, halting him as the room cleared. “Got a moment?”

  “For you, anytime. What do you need?”

  Yankee sagged in a chair and motioned for Blaze to sit. “I’ll be glad when your unit is back in the field. Though, I understand why you were all grounded for so long. You and your guys did an awesome job bringing Broderick back.”

  Pride displayed as Blaze said, “It was all the kid’s effort. He fought hard against difficult odds.”

  “Don’t shortchange yours and the others efforts. No man is an island, even if his name is Broderick.” Yankee glanced around ensuring they remained alone. “Keep an eye on Blondie’s back.”

  His attention grabbed, Blaze asked, “Why?”

  A look of consternation crossed Yankee’s face. “I still have a problem child. As a soldier, he fulfills his duty, but his attitude still sucks, and he persists in spewing crap about Broderick.”

  “You’re talking about Murphy.”

  “Yeah. He witnessed you returning the other day and has it in his head you all went on a pleasure cruise while we went on risky missions. I understand looks can be deceiving so I won’t ask where you went. I can control Murphy while in the field, but downtime … well, you realize we can’t be everywhere. Just give Blondie a heads up and tell your guys to stay alert.”

  “We always are … and he is always alert for us too. Thanks for the forewarning though.” Blaze rose. “How about we go grab something to eat? I’m starving.”

  “Me too.” Yankee stood, and the two old buddies strode out together as their conversation turned to Yankee’s daughter Rosie.

  Blaze grinned as Yankee waxed on, wholly besotted by his baby girl, pride bursting forth as he explained the milestones Rosie achieve. He understood the emotion, and although he didn’t have a hand in creating either Daphy’s or Blondie’s lives, he hoped he played a significant role in shaping them and took pride in their successes.

  Base Dining Facility – 1815 Hours

  Yankee and Blaze halted as each gazed at one member of their unit who obviously engaged in a physical altercation. “Damn, guess I was too late in warning you,” Yankee said.

  Blaze chuckled. “Guess so. But by the expressions on both, I say Blondie came out the victor.”

  “I would like to think this would change Murphy’s mind, but I believe otherwise. He will try to retaliate when I’m not present.”

  Cocking his head toward the table with his men, Blaze said, “If Murphy comes after Blondie, he will deal with six pissed off men. No one hurts our brother and gets off scot-free. Tell him the unworthy are punished, and Guardians of Innocence are always watching.”

  Yankee caught a glint of fire in his long-time friend’s eyes. “Sounds ominous. You sure you want me to use those exact words?”

  Chuckling, Blaze moved towards the food line. “He won’t know the meaning, but I want him thinking twice before he does something he will regret.”

  Yankee spoke the Guardian’s motto under his breath, “Solidarity.”

  Blaze repeated the word. Message delivered and accepted. Guardians stuck together … once a Guardian, always a Guardian.

  A Tangled Web

  67

  June 8

  Kandahar International Airport – 0830 Hours

  Charles disembarked his private jet wearing a genial smile as he scanned for Michael. He noted three men in suits striding toward him. A tall, strapping man with jet black hair. The younger one, a blond with sapphire eyes, bore an uncanny resemblance to William. Must be a Broderick. Apples don’t fall far from the tree in that family.

  A snort of laughter escaped as his eyes landed on his son. Bald was not his style. With a quick pace he moved to his boy as he called out with humor lacing his words, “Michael, I thought we decided you required hair.” His mirth ebbed, and concern clouded his eyes as he noticed the yellow and green discoloration dotting Michael’s face. “What happened? Are you alright?”

  “Relax, Dad. I’m okay.” Mike happily embraced his father. Releasing him, Mike made introductions, “Dad, this is Lieutenant Donald Blain and Master Corporal Daniel Broderick. Guys, this is my father, Baron Wildingham.”

  Charles reached out a hand to the lieutenant, “An honor meeting you, Lieutenant Blain.”

  Blaze shook his hand and replied, “The honor is mine, sir.”

  Turning to William’s son, he still did not quite understand the request from Michael not to divulge his relationship with the general but played along. “Master Corporal Broderick, a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

  “Likewise, sir. Please call me Dan.” He shook hands with Mike’s father.

  His gaze setting on Michael’s shaved head, Charles grinned. “Your mother sends her love, and your sisters a batch of peanut brittle. Shall we board?”

  Mike nodded, and the four men strode back to the Gulfstream and climbed the stairs. Charles, the consummate host, offered them coffee or tea along with an array of baked goods and fresh fruit as they waited for the plane to refuel.

  Noting they were alone in the craft with the pilots busy elsewhere, Mike took the opportunity to share an authorized, abbreviated version of the reason for them accompanying his father to Oshar. He concluded, “Blaze and Dan will be in charge of your safety. Please do whatever they ask.”

  Shaken by the details revealed in the briefing, Charles set his tea down. Now understanding why Michael went to Makhachkala. He wanted the man who abducted Michael brought to justice, but he didn’t agree with their plan. “Son, I know the Emir Al Sattar and his son Ifran quite well. My relationship with them is built on mutual trust. I accept the truth in what you told me about Fakhir. However, I am uncomfortable with your strategy.”

  As Mike attempted to comment, Charles said, “Listen, please.”

  “Fine, sir. I’ll listen.” Blaze and Blondie briefly glanced at each other almost reflexively and wondered about Mike’s retort.

  “Umar is in a position of power. As such he must see beyond himself and ensure the welfare of his country. He is also a father who genuinely loves his children and family. Balancing the needs of both can be challenging. He cannot show weakness or his enemies will swoop in. I’m sure you did your research and are aware of the tribal power struggles he is facing. It is one they dealt with long before Umar became emir. And today he also fights against the extremist religious factions attempting to gain a foothold in his land.

  “I am going to share with you something I have not spoken of with any other person than Umar and Ifran. I was present when his father, Farid, was murdered by a guard who was recruited by a rival tribal leader. Umar faced difficult choices after Farid’s death. To avoid civil war, his first act as emir was to conceal the real cause of death from all but his eldest son, his brother-in-law Saajid Al Naseer, and me … the only ones who witnessed the assassination.

  “On Farid’s orders, Saajid infiltrated the group seeking to overthrow the Al Sattars. When Saajid learned of the plot, he tried to warn Farid but arrived seconds too late as the guard killed Farid. Saajid tackled the murderer as he aimed to shoot Umar. They struggled for the weap
on until it went flying. Saajid snapped the man’s neck before he could regain control of the gun.

  “That night, Umar fabricated a story blaming the unexpected death of Farid on an accidental gun misfire. A few months later, the royal family realized their enemies discovered Saajid’s deception after a failed attempt to assassinate Bandar, Saajid’s teenage son. While investigating they uncovered a contract had been put out on Saajid’s entire family.

  “To safeguard them, Umar, Ifran, and Saajid decided to banish Saajid publicly, claiming he disobeyed a command from Umar. This ruse allowed Umar to protect the ones he loved, and to send a message to anyone who might oppose his rule that he was ruthless and not a man to be crossed, thus establishing his power base. A necessary action to maintain stability.

  “I am privy to this last part because Umar contacted me and asked me to assist Saajid in setting up a new life in Canada. I gladly arranged a position for him in one of our subsidiary companies. I never regretted helping. I even sponsored them for citizenship. To ensure their continued safety, they rarely communicate, but on infrequent occasions I act as an intermediary, carrying missives between Umar and Farha.”

  Charles took a breath and gazed at his heir. “So, now that you are aware of my history and more about the man, please understand we can be direct with Umar about the need to locate Savelievich. No cloak and dagger required.”

  Dan and Blaze shared a silent dialog before Blaze turned to Charles. “Sir, there is a detail we withheld. Since you are well acquainted with the emir, how do you believe he would react if he found out Dan killed his son?”

  Sky-blue eyes widened in shock as he considered the new information. “To be honest, I’m not certain.”

  “Sir, one of his guards saved my life twice as we exited. Any idea why he might do that?” Dan asked.

  Charles shook his head, but said, “I cannot tell you another man’s motivation. I can tell you that Umar and Ifran value honor, loyalty, and honesty and select their guards based on those factors.”