by Louise Dawn
"What… what happened?"
"Where are you hurt?" His hands shook as he picked her up off the ground and rushed for the bed in the corner. "You're bleeding!"
"So are you."
His rough hands ran across her bloodied shirt, and he paused when he discovered her sliced-up shoulder.
"Someone get me a towel! From the bathroom. And water."
"Aysha. She comes first." Pearl shoved his hands away and struggled to get free. Antonio dragged her to his chest. "In a second. I need to hold you—I thought you were dead. Baby, I thought you were dead!"
Allowing a moment of weakness, Pearl squeezed him back with her good arm. She never thought that they'd touch each other again, and he felt so solid—so safe.
As Antonio let her go, Bronco groaned, and Pearl glanced fearfully at the prone man.
"I shot him in the shoulder, just above his vest."
"Was he…?"
"Trying to kill himself? Yeah, and he failed." Someone handed Antonio a towel, and he pressed it to her wound. "I'm going to leave you with Everett's men while I find Aysha. Rest here for now."
"No. I'm going with you."
"I'll be worrying over you instead of doing my job. You're staying here."
"That's my child. I won't be resting till I find her." Pearl swung her legs to the floor, and he stopped her for a moment. "Drink this first." He handed her a bottle of water.
"I knew you'd come for us."
"Nothing would ever keep me away."
Chapter Twenty-Six
Leo spotted movement near a helipad and communicated with his team, who spread out and surrounded the three men who approached the AS350 Airbus Helicopter. One of them held a little girl's hand, and she ran to keep up as they stalked across the clearing.
Leo used his binoculars to focus on the child and recognized her as Aysha Bandara. Immediately scanning the men's faces, Leo searched for Rajin, who was nowhere in sight.
Would they take off without him? Highly unlikely. Leo guessed that they would wait for the remaining passengers before exfiling. That gave Leo additional time to take down the men.
The challenge was the innocent kid who'd been thrown into the mix. One of the mercenaries looked restless and jolted when gunfire sounded in the distance. He wanted an escape and may fuck up Leo's plans for a safe rescue.
Creeping closer, Leo zoned in on the conversation.
"I need to go potty." The kid sounded stressed, and her wide eyes kept looking around. "And I want Shreddy! And my mommy. And Neo."
"Your father is on his way. Now behave." A guard with a misshapen nose and scarred cheek still gripped her hand.
"I want to go potty." She began to cry, which grated on their nerves.
"There is nowhere to go—unless you piss in the bushes—over there." He turned her and pointed at a grove.
"I don't know how and it’s dark. I'm scared." Her pitiful cries got louder, and one of the men swore soundly.
"Just take the brat to piss."
"Fine. We need to get paid more for babysitting the client's damn kid." Scar nose grabbed her by the arm and headed in Leo's direction. His pulse picked up.
"You're hurting me."
Leaves crunched, and twigs snapped as they approached. Leo used a shrub as cover and pulled a combat knife from its sheath.
"There. Hurry up." He shoved the kid towards a scrubby bush.
"Turn around. You're a bad man." She sniffled. "You need to turn around."
Rolling his eyes, he did as asked. "If you try to run, your daddy will tan your ass."
Her back to Leo and his prey, the little girl crouched behind some greenery.
Leo moved silently, and before the target could react, he sliced the man's neck and rolled the body into thick shrubbery.
The kid hadn't seen the kill, but she had taken off in the opposite direction to the helicopter. Clever tyke. Leo shouted commands at his team—to take care of the remaining men, and he raced after her as she headed for the dark forest.
Her tiny legs moved fast, and he grinned at her tenacity, wondering where she was heading. Not wanting to scare her, Leo called her name while closing in. Aysha screamed and fell, and he leaped over a fallen trunk to get to her.
"Don't hurt me!" She scrambled back. "Don't hurt my mommy!"
Raising his hands, he knelt before her. "I look scary with all the black paint. But I'm helping your mommy. I'm Neo's brother."
"Don't lie!"
"Do you remember? At the barbecue? You played in our pool. Your hands smelled like bubblegum."
Aysha looked uncertain, and Leo sat back on his haunches. Gunfire from the helipad erupted, and he moved to block Aysha's body with his. She started to cry again, and Leo tried to reach out. He wasn't good with kids and had no idea what to say. He racked his brains on what he knew about the child.
"I have your teddy bear. The one you left at the cabin? I'm keeping it safe for you."
"You have Shreddy?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Don't call me that."
"How about Bichito? That's what my brother calls you?"
Huge eyes filled with tears stared his way. "What's Neo's favorite ice cream?"
Uh, shit. Like Leo could remember. He tried to recall from when they were kids as Aysha eyed him like she was the KGB.
"Strawberry." He waited as she seemed to contemplate his answer.
With a sudden blinding smile, she stood and launched herself into his arms. Frozen in shock, it took a moment for him to steady her as she snuggled close.
His frigid heart broke a little as her teeny arms squeezed like he was her last hope and happy sunshine. He'd savagely destroy anyone who tried to hurt little Aysha. And as he rose, he tucked her safely to his chest, remembering another innocent he couldn't save.
Communicating his status over the comms, he smiled at Everett's joyous shout. His team stayed vigilant as they headed toward safety, and Aysha happily chatted about her mommy and asked about her bear. When a bogie popped out from behind a tree, his men took him down. Leo tucked Aysha tightly to his chest, shielding her from danger and from the gory sight.
Finally, on his approach to the large, well-lit cabin, he saw Everett racing down the driveway towards them.
"My sweet girl." Everett reached out, and Leo gently handed her over.
"I want Mommy."
"I know, but listen. Your mommy has an ouchie. Don't be scared, okay? Can you be brave for just a little while longer?"
Aysha nodded and clutched at Everett's collar. He soothed her, rocking her in his arms. Leo guessed it was due to having kids of his own. The hard-looking thug obviously knew how to care for tiny humans. An alien world for Leo, and he ignored his residual heartache when he thought of the only person he'd ever wanted as his wife. Maria was gone, and so was any hope of a happy future.
"Where's my brother?"
Everett gave directions, and Leo moved towards the cabin entrance.
"Aysha!" Pearl screamed her daughter's name from the top of the stairs. Antonio supported her as they both staggered towards Everett. Stepping out of the way, Leo watched the family re-unite and the tender moment had him turning away.
Pearl clung to her daughter and sank to her knees. Antonio enveloped both his girls on the rocky driveway as Everett's men surrounded them in a protective bubble.
When Antonio looked up with reddened eyes, Leo smiled. "Little brother. You gave me a damn heart attack."
"I gave myself a heart attack. I thought I'd never see you all again."
Leo rocked back on his heels and strived for normalcy. "You're a filthy mess. Is that mud or blood? How many pints did you lose?"
"None." Antonio winked. "Not my blood."
"You lethal bast—"
"Hey! Language. The kid." Antonio stroked Aysha's hair and glanced down fondly.
"Yeah, yeah. You guys are giving me heartburn. And get out of the darn road. The FEDS will be rolling in, and we have a lot of explaining to do."
Leo
strolled up the path to the cabin, and Everett fell in beside him. "Are you gonna lose your job? A rogue CIA agent is a dangerous menace to society." Nudging him in the arm, Everett winked. "You could always work for me?"
"Not on your life, and you couldn't afford me. I'm a valuable bastard, so I think that this might be swept under the spook rug. Plus, I helped to nab an international war criminal. Is he still alive?"
"Sadly not." Everett shrugged. "It'll eventually be hard on Aysha, but what outcome could we have hoped for?"
Leo agreed. "She'll live a happy life with people who love her."
"Do you think that your brother will stay the course?"
"Try and drag him away? I'll just say this now—congratulations on your new brother-in-law. He'll love your sister and your niece to death. You won the lottery with that one."
Everett grinned. "You think highly of yourselves."
"No. I'm the bad apple in the family. The baddest, saddest bastard. Finding love? That's not my thing." Leo clapped Everett on the back. "Let's check on our men and get the lovebirds to safety." He looked up at the starry night. "I think tomorrow is going to be a good day."
Epilogue
Confianca Recovery Center,
Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Four Months Later.
"Can dogs eat chocolate?"
Pearl raised her head at her daughter's question.
"Nope." Chantal—Pearl's closest friend and resident chiropractor—answered the nagging kid as she pulled out a lollipop. "But big girls who work hard at preparing lunch for all the volunteers get sweet rewards."
"She'll be bouncing off the walls." Pearl shook her head as she sliced the last sandwich and laid it on the platter. "You can have that after lunch, Lovebug."
"Mommy says that we can get a puppy when we go back home."
Pearl rolled her eyes. "I certainly did not!"
"Grandma said I can."
“Granny spoils you too much, and no, she didn't say that."
"Neo is buying me a dog."
"No, I'm not." Antonio walked in and slipped his hands around Pearl's waist as she folded napkins. "The princess of manipulation."
Chantal smiled as she tucked her choppy bob cut behind an ear. "You only have two weeks left. You've both been a great help."
"Best vacation ever." Antonio nuzzled Pearl's neck, and she giggled.
She did that a lot lately—laughed. Her future shone with possibilities. She'd re-entered the modeling world, working locally in D.C., and she'd just signed with a prestigious agency. After the kidnapping, she'd lost the remote job, thanks to disappearing for a week. But that had been a good thing. She'd actively looked for a position at an international law firm and had found work as a personal assistant.
The world now knew who Rajin Bandara was, and his face, along with the former president of Sri Lanka, was posted on every news channel. The press and media had searched for Pearl, but she'd stuck with her birth name and remained elusive.
And she'd found the USB in her daughter's piggy bank. The murder of a journalist. That had been the death of a corrupt president. The new commander in chief seemed like an upstanding leader who would guide the Sri Lankan people to a hopeful future.
Pearl felt proud of what she'd done that one chaotic night so many months ago. She hadn't ignored Rajin's crimes. She'd fought for all his victims and their loved ones. She'd fought for the Sri Lankan people who had no voice when they were illegally abducted. Those victims that were kept in an abandoned house or garage, where interrogations occurred without the restrictions of custodial rules.
This practice was no longer hidden in the dark. All the torture and evil beatings had been brought to the public's attention. Even if, in the future, Pearl never achieved great success, her past was an honorable one.
But Aysha had still lost a father who she'd loved. And deciding how to handle his passing with Aysha kept Pearl awake at night. She did not want Rajin's past to become a toxic family secret. It felt impossible to see when the time would be right.
What if she told Aysha while she was so young? Children see the world in black and white, good and evil; how will Aysha comprehend the complexity of Rajin? Both as a father and a killer. If Pearl waited until adolescence, would Aysha glamorize his past or despise Pearl for repressing the truth?
A week after their rescue, while curled up in front of the tv, Aysha had asked, "Is Daddy a bad guy?"
Pearl had elected to take Aysha to trauma counseling, and she'd told her child that Daddy loved her very much, but he was gone.
Her perceptive daughter had asked, "What did Daddy do? Did he make people sad like when he made you cry?"
How do you answer a child who'd just turned five and asked if her father would come to the birthday party? And if he did, would he hurt Mommy again?
While still struggling through the recovery from trauma, Pearl had leaned on Antonio, who never left her side. He was the one who'd suggested a vacation trip to Sri Lanka. A return to the familiar for a lost mother and daughter.
He'd also pestered Pearl until she'd agreed to move into his spacious penthouse. He'd gone completely overboard with Aysha's room, drowning it in purple rhinocorns and sparkly lights. And way too many toys.
And all through the chaos, he'd retained his DS position. After endless interviews and debriefings, he was regarded as a victim and target of Rajin Bandara. His actions were hailed as heroic, and now, he had the choice to join MSD. His lifelong dream.
"You have big decisions to make when you return to the office." Chantal wiped her hands on a dishtowel. "I'm guessing that you're in two minds because of your amazing girlfriend." Chantal winked at Pearl, and Antonio's arms tightened around her waist.
"You'll make it work," Chantal stated confidently. "Gage and I are doing fine, and he's always on deployment."
"You're engaged to be married." Pearl pointed at Chantal’s diamond ring. "From what I've seen, he's the most committed man on the planet. He adores you."
"And, what am I, chopped liver?" Antonio jabbed Pearl in the waist. "Do I not love my two beautiful angels?"
"Three… if we get a dog," Aysha added as she licked her lollipop.
"What a determined child." Antonio stuck out his tongue, and Aysha did the same.
"Our apartment building doesn't allow pets," he stated firmly.
"Then buy a house."
Everyone laughed at Aysha's comeback, and Antonio lunged, tickling her and throwing her over a shoulder.
Yeah, Pearl had finally found her tribe. Running from the ones who loved her? She'd never have to do that again. Wrapping her arms around her waist, she watched her family dance around the clinic's kitchen. A few of the local volunteers joined in, and when Chantal turned on the music, Pearl joined the pandemonium.
Leo watched from the doorway. He'd walked in on some lousy choreography and shook his head when Antonio swung Pearl in a circle and tripped over a chair. His brother's broad smile was a confirmation that he'd chosen well. The weird kitchen dance party got on Leo's nerves, and he turned away.
He hadn't planned on stopping by the clinic, but he'd landed in Colombo on business. His next destination would be the UAE. His agency was investigating a woman's death in Dubai. A prostitute who offered services to western travelers and diplomats. Two murders in six months. Both were similar MO's. Leo would need to spend time in the Middle East and use a cover—change his last name. The embassy in Abu Dhabi had mentioned a sting operation, knowing there were other possible linked cases.
The vicious killings indicated an angry suspect. Leo liked an emotional target because then mistakes were made, and he would be actively waiting to nab the bastard. He hoped that this was a solo assignment.
Leo didn't work well in a team—one of the reasons he'd chosen the CIA. He didn't trust anyone, especially not his colleagues. Not even himself at times. People were greedy, fickle assholes. Given the opportunity, a human predator would continue to extinguish innocent light until they were removed from th
e planet.
Leo was the exterminator who acted within the parameters of the law—and agency rules. For the millionth time, he wondered if he would've been able to save Maria back when they were kids if he'd possessed his current skills.
"Leo! What are you doing here?" His brother's voice jerked him from the past.
"I was in town."
"Are you okay?" Antonio asked.
Leo forced a smile. "All good. Just wanted to see if you're up for dinner later."
"How long are you here for?"
"Two days." Leo watched a couple in the waiting room. The young woman had a lower leg prosthesis, and she looked tired. He wondered about her violent past.
"How about tomorrow? Tonight is special."
"Special?" Leo turned.
Antonio pulled a small box from his pocket. Despite his grin, he looked nervous.
"Good luck, bro, although you won't need it. I was wrong about Pearl. She loves you very much."
"Thanks, brother. Are you sure you're okay?" Antonio pocketed the ring.
"I'll call you tomorrow." With a shoulder pat, Leo headed for the door. Despite the teeming traffic and crowded sidewalk, he felt like the loneliest fool, but his hermitical lifestyle was a choice. Tenderness was a past luxury for an uncivilized spy.
* * *
The End.
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Tender Strike
Dubai, UAE.
Watch out for "Tender Strike." (Strike Zone Book #3)
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This is Leo and Luna's story. Set in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and filled with mystery and subterfuge as Leo Torres hunts a killer with the help of an offbeat rookie DS agent.
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