Chapter 33
Some girls are full of heartache and poetry and those are the kind of girls who try to save wolves instead of running away from them. ~Nikita Gill
Gwen
Watching the ambulance drive away, Axel grabs a caviar cracker and stuffs it in his mouth. “I could eat a dozen of these. What I wouldn’t give for a burger and fries.”
“They’re over there.” Taking his hand, I thank God no one besides Rhinesmith was injured and point to the grill area.
As we stroll around the pool, Callie tries to placate her Aussie alpha male. “Blame the president. He’s the one who insisted I tell no one.”
“Speaking of security, is it safe to talk here?” I glance over the backyard. The guests have mostly returned to the house, but the catering crew still lingers, along with secret service agents and staff members.
“Let’s eat. Then, I suggest we take a walk to the beach.” After we plate up, we sit in a corner, listen to the night birds, and chow down.
Stomachs full, our shoes left at the top of the dunes, the four of us stroll by the ocean’s edge. After ten minutes, Callie stops, turns toward us, and sighs.
“Around early March, the White House summoned me to brief them on the Havana Syndrome. Once I explained how it works, a staffer had everyone leave the Oval Office except for me and Deputy Director Trescher. I then learned my project had a security problem. Imagine my surprise when I read which data was leaked. In layman’s terms, I related how the misinformation could set back the buyer’s RF weaponry progress. When they asked who was feeding our enemies the bad intel, I simply said, ‘Not me.’ I assume that’s why the FBI sent Axel to watch Gwen.”
“Correct.” My man holds my hand, squeezes it, and brings my knuckles to his lips.
Recalling the infamous night on the beach, I shudder. “If Bear hadn’t gone after Bourdeau, this story would’ve had a much different ending.”
“You and Henry should’ve come to me.” Callie lifts her skirt above the next wave and moves to the glistening sand.
While a startled crab burrows deep, I pick up a small razor shell and pocket it for my daughter. “They threatened Abbie. I was worried if I didn’t give them what they wanted, they’d threaten your three kids, too.”
“Thank you, but Lucky and I could’ve managed it.” She softens her smile at her husband.
When he tugs her into a heated kiss, I lean into Axel. “I bet Rhinesmith doesn’t see one day in jail.”
My FBI hottie shakes his head as he stares at the full moon. “Babe, he screwed the Iranians. To use his words. They will ‘take him out.’”
I’d like to feel remorse, and yet, there is none. Because of the congressman, Farid, and the Canadian, I almost lost my daughter. There is one other man responsible we haven’t yet discussed. “What about the guy who brokered the deal? Bedwetter.”
Wulf frowns, tugs me close, and leaves his heavy arm over my shoulder. “Ledbetter. Influential sellers like him always have an escape plan. However, he’s made the FBI’s most wanted list and Interpol put him on their no fly list. We will bring him to justice, hun.”
Other than saying goodnight to the first lady and the president, the rest of the night, thankfully, remains uneventful. Much later, back at our beach house, I check on my sleeping Abbie, then return to the front porch and sit beside my man.
Swinging on the hanging bench, my head lolls to his chest. “I can’t believe it”s over.”
“What? Too anticlimactic?” Axel kisses my neck, nibbles my ear and when he squeezes my breast, I hold it in place.
“If you take me to bed, I bet you could address my anti-climax problem.” I shoot him a smile, Wulf guffaws, and as we rise a familiar form strides toward us on the sidewalk.
“Farid.”I gasp, but I’m too late.
Gunfire explodes as the weapon in my ex’s hand flashes. Axel grunts and falls back. Facing the sky, he hands me the RF weapon used on Rhinesmith.
“Kill him.”
“Dammit. Do not die. You hear me?”My stupid ex laughs as I swivel around.
It figures he would have to have the last word as he puts a bullet in my brain.
Not wanting to murder the father of my child, I aim the EMF pistol and yell,“Stop right there.”
He laughs.“Your prototype has no range.”
“Woof.”Reminiscent of weeks ago, Bear races forward to save me. Before the idiot can shoot the loyal dog, I pull my trigger multiple times.
Because I set the weapon on max, I don’t need to check. Farid is dead.
Dropping to my knees, I put pressure on Axel’s shoulder and shout to the only lady peeking out her balcony.“Call nine-one-one.”