She’s in the business of saving lives.
It’s my job to take them.
I don’t know what she’ll do when she learns this. She’s already trying to make me a one-off without knowing my profession. When she learns more, who knows how she’ll react.
These thoughts have created so much pent-up energy, I could do another couple hundred pushups, but the encrypted cell that has seen no action in days, vibrates in my pocket. I stop immediately, sit back on my ass, and unlock the screen.
Crew – I’ve triple checked the intel. It’s a go but your number multiplied. Sending files now.
I look up to my counterparts. “It’s time and our guy has company.”
One frowns and tips his head. “Company?”
“Friends. Counterparts. More bad guys.”
They both stand and the other asks, “Number?”
I open the files that just came through. “Nine.”
They move to their bags and mumble to each other. Even through their heavy accents, I can understand them clearly and it’s about eighty percent curse words powered by one hundred percent adrenaline.
I turn to my new friends. It has not sucked working with others this time—besides Donnelly. She was a pain in the ass. “Gentlemen, it was a pleasure hiding out with you. Let’s get this shit done.”
One of them slings their semi-automatic over his shoulder and the other screws on a silencer without taking his eyes off me. “You lead. We have your back.”
I glance at the sheep one more time and hope they don’t starve to death when I leave. But I’ve got a job to finish because for the first time since I started working for Crew, I’m anxious. I’ve got someone to get back to.
I just have to convince the healer that the killer might be worth it.
Chapter 13
A Noose
Uganda
Gracie
“I can’t believe I have to go home tomorrow,” I say to Furaha, the translator, who’s become my new friend.
Eze, the baby we feared might be presenting with symptoms of malaria, scoots around near my feet where we’re playing with a ball that’s almost as big as he is. The caretakers at the orphanage told me his fever broke two days after we started treating him. It was most likely a virus and when I got here today, it only took him about a minute to remember me.
When I told Dr. Dal how much I loved the orphanage, he said they could spare me so I could spend my last day here. I didn’t hesitate.
Eze and I have been inseparable. The children are cared for but it’s plain to see they don’t get a lot of one-on-one time.
“I didn’t think he’d recognize me,” I admit and watch him crawl after the ball.
Furaha looks up from the raggedy toys where she’s playing with a little girl and laughs. “You are whiter than the moon, Grace. He doesn’t see many people who look like you. Of course, he recognized you.”
I roll my eyes and then roll the ball to him. “I want to come back. Is it selfish that I only want to work here? I know I could do more at the hospital and they need nurses.”
“Help is help and no one will turn you away. I was lucky to have been educated which allows me to work here. I see many volunteers come and go. They all help and make a difference but they don’t all fall in love with our country. Someone in my position who sees so many can see the difference.” Eze reaches for the ball but it rolls out from under him and he bumps his chin on the ground. He lets out a tiny cry and mumbles something in baby-speak. I pick him up to brush the dirt from him when Furaha finishes. “You, Grace, have a love for my people.”
I lean in to give Eze a kiss on his cheek and admit what she already knows. “No one has ever been more right about anything.”
* * *
Afghanistan
Jarvis
Nine targets, three down plus four guards.
Deep inside the three-story building, I glance back at my two friends and tip my head toward the stairs where screams and bedlam tumble down the stairwell as heavy as the bodies lying at our feet.
I take the lead. It’s almost done.
* * *
Uganda
Gracie
Eze’s little body sinks into mine and I wonder when he was last rocked to sleep.
I’ve been at the orphanage all day. The number of orphaned children in this country is drastic—I know that from my research. The system here can be ugly and money will always rule the world. Where there’s cash in an unpoliced system, corruption will worm its ugly fingers like a noose, squeezing the life and all things good out of what should be safe and kind and nurturing.
“He’s lucky to be here, isn’t he?” I whisper, without looking away from his tiny features that are burning themselves into my heart.
“You know it is true, Grace.” Furaha’s tone makes me look away from the boy sleeping in my arms. Her face isn’t light and friendly as it usually is as she looks around the room where the babies sleep together, some on cots, others on pallets right on the concrete floor. “There is a reason why our organization allows their people to work here. It is safe, not only for the children, but for you and me. It is not like this everywhere in my country.”
I’ve read the horrific stories. Sex trafficking and child labor atrocities run rampant, which is why my brother was worried enough about me coming here alone, he made sure I knew what I was getting myself into.
But he didn’t prepare my heart.
“Do you know what his name means?”
This time, there’s a smile in her tone when she answers. “Eze means ‘king’ in our culture. Whoever named him thought he was destined for greatness.”
“It’s a great name.” I look up at my new friend who’s sitting across from me. Her long, beautiful braids are tied up with a red, orange, and yellow scarf woven in. It reminds me of the African sunsets I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing when we aren’t still in the hospital working. “What does Furaha mean?”
She smiles proudly. “’Joy.”
“Well.” My smile almost cracks my face in two. “I’m not surprised.”
“So much good in you, my friend. I hope you will return someday.”
I shift Eze and he settles in even further. “I hope so too.”
* * *
Afghanistan
Jarvis
I snap a picture of the last one—the one who’s proved over and over again to create turmoil after he promised to fly the white flag. Too many have died, mostly innocent people caught up in his shit.
The mugshots prove to the ones footing the bill that our work is done.
“Jarvis, a truck is waiting.”
I turn and follow my friends out of the building these guys thought they could hide out in. It’s done—and two weeks early at that.
It doesn’t matter how many times I get to this point, it always feels like a noose is strangling me until I get completely out. I won’t breathe easy until I get back to Pakistani soil and off the ground.
* * *
Entebbe, Uganda
Gracie
“Was I right?”
I wrap my arms around the doctor who gave me memories I’ll never let go of. I look up at him. “After working with you for the last two weeks, I’m not sure you’re wrong about anything.”
“Did they steal your heart, girl?”
If the heavy weight in my chest means anything, he has no idea how right he was. “I’m exhausted and I miss my cat, but I don’t want to leave and I can’t wait to come back. If that doesn’t say stealing my heart, I don’t know what does.”
“I’ve got three months left. Keep in touch, Gracie. We’ll take you back anytime.”
“Thank you, Dal. I’ll miss everyone.”
He leans in and gives me one more hug. “Keep in touch.”
I swing my backpack up my arm and grab my suitcase that’s lighter than it was when I got here. “Thanks again for the ride.”
He climbs back into the old truck and waves. “Safe travels, girl
.”
I smile and turn to the door, but stop to text Grady thanks to the international data plan someone put on my account.
Me – Yo, Bro. At the airport and checking in. Flight’s on time. I’ll get you back later.
I slip my phone in my pocket and don’t wait for a reply. The line looks more miserable than the DMV on the last day of the month.
* * *
At the border, many hours later
Jarvis
“There.” I point into the darkness and sigh because I’m not sure which I’m looking forward to less—my trip back with Donnelly or the last mile through these mountains to get to her. I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve slept.
The cell vibrates and I unlock the screen to a message from none other than Bitchy Spice herself.
Donnelly – Don’t say a word to your partners, but scurry your arse, Jarvis. Just heard from your boss and we have an emergency. I need to pay the boys and we need to get out of here.
“You good?”
Not knowing if she’s serious or weird, I lift my chin. “Yeah. She’s got eyes on us. Should only have another mile of peace before I have to put up with her again.”
“It has been good to work with you, Jarvis. We’d do it again.”
I nod and pick up the pace since I don’t know what the hell’s going on. “Agree. It didn’t suck.”
The other one agrees and looks proud of himself. “Yes. Suck.”
We worked on their American-isms while we were rooming with hungry farm animals. In return, I now know how to insult someone’s mother in Arabic.
She flashes the lights and the Polaris finally comes into view. When we reach the border, Donnelly climbs out wearing a different black outfit, her hair barely peeking out from under a matching ballcap. How she works in this country without standing out, I’ll never know. She looks like a stunt double for a movie star, but the scowl marring her face reminds me how pleasant her disposition is.
Even through her salty personality, she spears me with her blue eyes which I can read loud and clear. She’s telling me to get the fuck in so we can leave.
The moment I pass her, she tosses a bag across the line and one of them catches it but I don’t turn to see which one and Donnelly says, “Count it if you like, but you know I’m good on my agreements. My boss appreciates you babysitting his man.”
“We know you are good.”
“Splendid. Until next time, gents.”
I ignore the babysitter comment and move straight to the Polaris, swinging my bags into the back. I climb in, all the while, my fingers hovering over the Glock holstered at my waist.
I get a wave from my new friends who, despite what they just said, have started counting money. Donnelly starts up the all-terrain. Once the engine comes to life beneath us, I mutter under my breath. “What’s going on? Do we have a reason to be worried about them?”
She swings the vehicle around and I have to hold the roll bar over my head. As she steers us into the black night with no lights on, she hands me another cell. But she does not bust my balls like I expect her to, she’s downright somber and the hair on the back of my neck stands on end. “Those are my men and I’d trust them with my life. We have another problem, Jarvis. Or your boss does. He wants to talk to you right away.”
I take the cell she unlocked as she hands it to me and Crew’s number is pulled up. I hit go and put it to my ear.
It doesn’t take even a second, but it’s not Crew who answers.
It’s Grady.
I listen to my friend—pissed, frantic, agitated. Like I’ve never heard him before.
And I get it.
I look back to Donnelly who hasn’t taken her eyes off the earth in front of us. “How fast will this thing go?”
She doesn’t spare me a glance. Her answer comes in the form of revving the engine and I’m lurched into my seat.
My eyes focus back to the dark in front of us and my attention to Grady. “Tell me what you know.”
Chapter 14
Bugger Off
In flight somewhere over Iran
Jarvis
“She’s not answering and her tracker shows she left the airport in Istanbul. She messaged after she got through security and made plans with us after she got back to the States. She wouldn’t have left on her own, missing her connection—not without telling me,” Grady explains.
It’s been too long.
Too fucking long.
Donnelly got me on a private jet with another backpack of supplies, this time without the attitude, putting me even more on edge.
Grady keeps talking. “Asa’s been in constant contact with Carson and he’s tracking her, too. Crew doesn’t know what’s going on—Addy went into labor last night. I’d go myself, but you can get to her faster.”
Grady sent me the information on Gracie’s tracker, her file, and photos. Now was not the time to explain that I already know all this about his sister and then some.
I’ve got him on speaker as I focus on the tracker and see that it’s stopped. She traveled northwest out of Istanbul and the last location of her cell phone is at the airport.
The situation is clear—she did not miss her flight on purpose and she did not leave the airport on her own accord. No one would split ties with their cell unless they were forced to.
“Do we know who we’re dealing with? Security footage from the airport?”
“Donnelly is working on that. She’s got contacts all over Europe and Asia.” Grady clips. He lets out a breath and I can feel how heavy it is—similar to the brick sitting in my gut right now. “Jarvis. My sister has been through more than any woman should in a lifetime and most of it happened before she was even ten years old. Get to her. I don’t care what you have to do and who you have to bulldoze. Bring her home to me.”
I pull a hand through my hair and squeeze my eyes shut. “I’ve got it.”
“Fuck,” he hisses. “I’m gonna book a jet. I need to be there—”
“I’ve got it, Grady. Swear to you, I’ll find her.” I check the time and add, “I’ll be on the ground in ninety minutes. You did your part by putting a tracker on her. Let me do my job.”
“I can’t sit here.”
“Then work on getting me the security footage and figure out who we’re dealing with. You’ve got an hour and a half.”
“I should never have let her go.”
“Find out what you can and call me back. I need to study the maps.”
He finally lets me go, but what he doesn’t know is how much I feel his desperation.
I flip back to Whatsapp, to the novel of words that made up her thoughts, fears, and emotions from the last two weeks while I was away.
I read through every single one of them again, memorizing them so I’ll never forget.
I tried to quit you.
You’re becoming an obsession.
You should choose better next time.
Forcing myself to shut it down, I shift focus back to the maps when a message comes through.
Donnelly – There will be a car waiting for you, unlocked with keys under the passenger seat. I’ll keep your plane waiting as long as it takes.
Shit. This woman is resourceful. I wouldn’t be surprised if she manages the dark underworld of the Eastern Hemisphere. She goes on to describe the make, model, and location of where I can find my ride and that there will be another bag of supplies in the trunk.
When I flip back to Gracie’s tracker, it shows she’s in the same place—she hasn’t moved in three hours.
That could be good.
It could also be really fucking bad.
* * *
Gracie
“’Ere she is. It’s wearin’ off.”
My stomach churns at the same pace as my head. I try to pry my eyes open but can’t. This is worse than any bender I ever put my body through in college or even the years after when I couldn’t get a grip.
“You can do it, sweethear’. Open your eyes so we
can talk.”
That same voice, the one who came up behind me in the bathroom at the airport on my layover. I was already sick when I got off the plane. It felt like the flu and a bottle of tequila had a party in my head at the same time.
I hardly got a chance to focus on his face since my world was spinning faster than an F4 tornado on crack. I remember gripping the counter as I was trying to splash cold water on my face but the task was proving to be as monumental as hiking Kilimanjaro. It’s the same voice—seductive yet slimy—that’s breaking through my current foggy brain.
My stomach can’t take anymore and I yank at my hands but can’t move. Doing the only thing I can, I turn my head and roil, emptying what little is left in my stomach. What follows are dry heaves. My body starts to come to life, everything hurting. I try to focus on any part of me that isn’t throbbing or burning with numbness which only promises to be worse when I finally wake completely. The hard, gritty floor scrapes my skin with my every movement. Terrified, I realize I’m stripped down to my bra and panties.
“Lovely. If ye coopera’e, maybe we’ll clean ye up. I migh’ jus’ enjoy meself.”
My lungs beg for a breath as I lie here with the side of my face now sticking to my puke. The smell doesn’t help the state of my stomach.
I drag my eyes open and there he is. The same man I saw in the mirror of the bathroom when he appeared behind me. His smile was handsome but his gray eyes were as cold as ice and I remember my failing body was no match for his strong arms that circled me.
I cough but don’t look away from him where he’s squatting, elbows to knees, with his head tipped and eyeing me like I’m an interesting varmint at the zoo that he’d like to squish with the heel of his boot.
Veils: A Killers Novel, Book 4 Page 12