22. The Rescue #3
The metal door clanged open. ALPHA’s Rescue Team dressed in full SWAT gear stormed in, guns at the ready. Covered from head to foot, it was impossible for the casual observer to ID anyone, but Gabriel recognized Greystone and Teddy, Caroline and Sydney. Last inside were Rebel, Brit, and Slash.
Rebel’s rescue team jumped into action. Everyone but Greystone and Teddy rushed to assist the hostages.
“Are you okay?” Greystone asked him.
“All good,” Gabriel replied.
Greystone regarded Halston, still kneeling next to the Ambassador. “Minka, are you injured?”
Halston joined them, stepping so close to Gabriel that her arm brushed his. She held her gaze on his for an extra beat before regarding Greystone.
“I’m not injured,” Halston replied.
“I am,” the Ambassador called out. “I was shot twice.”
“Minka, ID everyone for me,” Greystone said as Teddy joined them.
“The injured man is the Russian Ambassador, Yuri Bulgrov. The two down are Dmitri Petrov, a Russian businessman and his sister, Natasha Petrova from the embassy. There’s a body in the woods, twenty feet out, near the vans. It’s wrapped and partially covered. A Bratva named Sergey.”
Greystone nodded.
“There were twelve hostages,” Halston murmured.
“Petrov murdered one of them. He’s in the back room on a cot.
Of the remaining eleven, nine are internationally renowned scientists.
” She glanced at Greystone and Teddy, then regarded Gabriel.
“My parents are in that group. Dustin and Sonya Devereux. My dad’s a scientist. My mom is the group’s translator. ”
She’d been through an ordeal that would break most, but her confidence and composure remained intact. Gabriel admired her strength of character, her ability to handle the situation without assistance, and the fact that she was a total badass in the best possible way.
He remembered Teddy’s comment about grit and moxie.
She has them both.
Slash joined them. “The hostages need water and food, and they’re shaken up pretty good. Other than that, we got sunshine and rainbows.”
Gabriel bit back a smile. Slash was Slash, in every situation. Always had been, always would be.
Slash shifted to Halston. “I’m Slash with the rescue team. How are you holding up?”
“I’m good,” Halston replied.
“Greystone, here’s the lowdown,” Slash began.
“Rebel’s driving the hostages back in the van.
Brit’s following with their luggage. Teddy and Sydney are taking the dead Russians to the crematorium, the deceased scientist to a morgue.
Sin and Evangeline are contacting his family and arranging for Lars’ body to be flown home.
” Slash tossed a nod toward the ambassador. “Who’s the bleeder?”
Halston started to smile but pursed her lips to kill it.
Gabriel turned toward her. “She’s entertaining, isn’t she?”
“I like her,” Halston said.
“She’s a baddy, like you,” he said.
Halston’s expression softened. “Thank you.”
“The wounded man is Yuri Bulgrov, the Russian Ambassador,” Greystone replied. “We need to question him, so we’ll make him a deal. If he agrees, we’ll bring him to the Black Site for surgery.”
“Greystone, you and Caroline will take Bulgrov,” Slash continued. “I’ll have a gun pointed at his head. He steps out of line, I will blow his brains—”
“We get the picture.” Greystone regarded Halston. “Minka, you know him best. What do you think?”
She glanced over as Rebel and Brit helped the ambassador to his feet. “I don’t trust him.”
“I want you to question him before we leave,” Greystone said.
“Minka rides with me,” Gabriel said.
“Two of the scientists will ride with us,” Halston added.
“Why split them up?” Slash asked.
“They’re my mom and dad,” Halston whispered.
Slash’s eyes widened. “It’s a fuckin’ family affair.”
Gabriel chuffed out a laugh. “You don’t hold back, ever.”
“No filter,” Slash replied.
“Great plan,” Greystone said. “Let me sync with Rebel, then Minka and I will talk with Bulgrov.” Greystone pulled Rebel away from the ambassador.
As the team ushered out the hostages, Gabriel escorted Halston’s parents over to her. Halston threw her arms around her mom. A huge hug for her mom, then one for her dad.
“I’m sorry you had to go through this,” Halston said.
“We’re okay,” her mom replied. “We’re tougher than we look.”
“You’re riding back with me,” Halston said to them.
“Thank you,” her mom replied.
“Where are we going?” her dad asked.
“To a place where you’ll be safe,” Halston replied.
“After this, I’m not sure we’re safe anywhere,” her dad said.
“Dr. Devereux and Dr. Devereux, I’m Gabriel Santini. Let’s get you out.”
Halston’s dad shook his head. “I need assurance we’re being protected by a US-sanctioned group.”
“Dad,” Halston said. “They’re SWAT, and I’m coming with you.”
“Dr. Devereux, we got you,” Gabriel said. “But you and Dr. Devereux are smart to push back.”
“How did you know I have a Ph.D.?” Sonya Devereux asked.
“I’m going to marry your daughter, so I did my homework. You have a Ph.D. in linguistics from MIT. Your husband also got his Ph.D. from MIT.”
Their mouths dropped open.
They shifted from him to Halston, then him again.
Halston just smiled. When he peered into her eyes, he felt hopeful for the first time in his life.
To get them through this harrowing ordeal, he would lean on that.