CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
“Did you open the dam?” he asked one of the men.
“We did, sir,” he nodded.
“Good.”
“Sir, the men are starting to get sick. I think they’ve been too close to the devices. Many can’t stand up any longer.”
“Then get me men who can,” he snapped.
He walked briskly back up the passageway until he was at the opening of the cave. Once he received the signal that the water was in the villages, he would make his way back to his own home. Far enough from the site that no one would suspect him.
In the expanse near the cave opening, he’d created a home away from home. There were carpets on the floor, several chairs, even a television with satellite connected. He liked to stay up to date with what was happening in the world and every now and then, actually watch a movie.
He settled into his seat, waiting for the all-clear to make their way out of the cave when two of his men came running.
“What now?” he frowned.
“Sir, the water didn’t make it to the village. We released the dam but they said it didn’t come into the village. Someone from the government is delivering barrels of pure water to them.”
“No! No, how could they know? It’s not possible,” he frowned. The men back up, knowing all too well what his wrath might cause.
“What do we do?” asked another man.
“Set the explosives. We’ll blow the entire mountain.”
“B-but that will kill our families. It will kill everyone,” said one of the men.
“I don’t care!” he yelled. “This is for the good of everyone. Blow it!”
The men stared at one another, understanding all too well what that would mean. Their friends were already sick, probably dying from their exposure to the chemicals. Now he was asking that they intentionally expose everyone to it.
“No,” said one of the men shaking his head. “No.”
Hilal raised his weapon, shooting the man in the chest. The others stared at him but shook their heads as well. He raised the gun, pointing it from one man to the next. He wasn’t a fool. He knew that he didn’t have enough ammunition to kill them all.
“Drop your weapon,” said the decidedly American voice.
He turned quickly toward the cave entrance, seeing only dark faces and large bodies. He raised the pistol and a shot rang out, not his own. The bullet pierced his wrist causing him to drop the gun, screaming in pain.
“I told you to drop the weapon,” said Tobias.
“On the floor,” said Rush shoving the other men to the carpets. They were searched for weapons and then zip-tied.
“You won’t stop this. Stupid Americans. You think you can stop this, interfere with our country but you can’t.”
“Actually, it looks like we are,” said Cole. Hilal stared at the tall, muscular man with the blonde hair.
“You. You took my granddaughter,” he seethed.
“I didn’t take her. I asked her to come with me, come with us and she said yes. In fact, she said yes at the altar. She is my wife,” smiled Cole.
“It was a beautiful wedding,” said Patrick.
“Thank you,” grinned Cole.
“Mine too,” said Angus. “Don’t forget I got married as well.”
“You! You were the hostage that got away!”
“Yep. Seems you’re not as good as you think you are,” said Angus. “Not only did I get away, but I also got the hostages to safety, and I found the love of my life.”
“This isn’t possible. None of this is possible,” repeated Hilal, holding his bleeding wrist.
“My beautiful, intelligent wife has already spoken to her grandparents in England, who are now well aware of her existence and will have a relationship with her.”
“I won’t allow it!”
“Allow it? Dude, you have no say in what my wife does. None. I will welcome them into our family. I will ensure that she is safe, happy, healthy, and that we have as many babies as she wishes.”
“The workers at the water source are out of the cave and safe,” said Moose. “They’re all pretty fucking sick but we’ll do what we can for them.”
“You can do nothing for them,” smirked Hilal. “They will all die but have served me well.”
“You really are full of yourself aren’t you?” smirked Cole. “You’ve done nothing except ensure your own death. Your own country wants to behead you and for once in my life, that’s a punishment I’m in favor of.”
“I will survive. I always do,” he smirked.
“Not this time, old man. This time you die.” Angus made sure the bullet pierced his heart. When the old men fell to the carpets, the blood seeped into the woven fibers, mixing with the dirt and earth below.
“Leave him,” said Gator. “Secure the plutonium and uranium and let’s get the hell out of here.”
It would be days before the men were able to leave Syria.
The government was able to find a safe, healthy mountain water source and rerouted the river to the villages most in need.
There were no evening news stories talking about Hilal, nothing that said that he was a man of any significance.
The water was explained as a naturally occurring issue.
Harmful microorganisms were found in the water and they needed to provide a new clean water source.
When they were finally able to leave, the men were exhausted but also thrilled that their first mission under the new brand had been successful.
“How do you think the old, old guard are doing?” grinned Ham.
“I think they’re getting used to all the free time they have,” said Gator.
“Free time? Are you kidding me? Matthew has them so busy with holiday stuff, Mom said she hasn’t seen dad before eight any night this week,” laughed Jak.
“Wow, that’s busy,” said Gator. “Well, I’m sure they’ll clue us in eventually. Right now, I’m just ready to get home to Dylan.”
“What about Joey?” asked Angus. They all smiled at him and he chuckled, shaking his head. “I’m not asking because of Bailey. I’m asking just to see if we know where he’s at. He’s been a Ranger for what, ten years now?”
“Yeah, about that,” nodded Gator. “He was home for Pierre’s wedding but then had to leave quickly. I’m sure he’ll be home for the holidays if he can.”
“Well, all I know is that my wife can now sleep better knowing that her grandfather, the devil himself, is no longer with us. If I could have brought that damn donkey back, I would have. That beast definitely saved my life,” said Cole.
“Don’t say that too loud,” smirked Jak. “If great-grandma could get her hands on him, I bet we’d find him at the zoo.”
“For now, everyone get some sleep,” said Rush. The men all laughed, shaking their heads. “What?”
“You took to being boss easy,” smirked Cole.
“I’m one of the bosses, not the boss,” said Rush. They just laughed at him. “Oh, shut up assholes. Get some sleep.”