Chapter 23
Helena paced in front of the security center at Desert Sun Farm.
There would be no chance for an ambush. She knew that and Bella had assured her that Rahmi’s private jet would land in Lexington where a private helicopter waited for them.
They would never be on the road where someone might attempt to ambush them.
A Rahmi soldier would be driving an unmarked SUV just in case to distract anyone who might be watching.
He would drive to the FBI office, which had an underground entrance, and then he would drive back to Keeneston.
It wouldn’t fool Garang for long, but it might allow the group to get settled before they were attacked.
“Here it comes,” Bella told her, drawing Helena from her worry.
Helena looked at Nolan, who pointed in a different direction than she had expected.
But there it was. The royal family’s helicopter is currently being flown by Logan Waterman, a former pararescue jumper and current member of the Bluegrass Ops.
He, Kori, and Kellen Avent were in the helicopter.
Bella had wanted to go, but with her still in a wheelchair, it was a no-go.
“Did you find out which Interpol agents are with them?” Bella asked.
“No, but Nabi said they’d vet them before they let them on the plane.”
“They were described as the best, but they’re nothing special. We’ll keep them distracted with food in the security center.”
Everyone jumped at the voice suddenly behind them.
“You are my hero. We didn’t even hear you approach,” Bella told Ahmed with clear hero worship in her eyes. “Teach me everything. I beg you!”
“I hear today is your last day in the chair. I’ll start teaching you tomorrow.”
Bella was working hard at PT. And while her leg was stabilized in a cast, tomorrow was the first day she’d be allowed on crutches.
“I can’t wait. And thanks for introducing me to the U.S.
Marshal here. He said he’d look into a position for me here.
Apparently, he said they’re short-staffed.
If my boss, who you know doesn’t approve of women in more combat-type situations, approves my transfer, I could be here by next month,” Bella told both Ahmed and Helena as the helicopter grew closer.
“Good. You will thrive here,” Ahmed told her before turning to Helena. “As will you.”
The helicopter was landing and Helena didn’t have a chance to ask Ahmed what he meant by that. She wasn’t staying here, right? Although, after meeting so many people in Keeneston who held internationally and nationally important jobs, it didn’t seem like such a laughing matter now.
The helicopter door opened and Kori stepped out first. He was heavily armed. They had taken no chances with her witnesses and Helena appreciated it. Behind Kori, nineteen-year-old Kuol was peppering Kori with questions about his guns.
Then came an Interpol agent and then finally the rest of the group followed by another agent. Kellen brought up the rear, similarly armed to the teeth before Logan Waterman flew the helicopter to wherever it was kept.
“Helena!” Abu called out and ran toward her. Even his sister, Lamya, looked happy to see her. Kuol, Fiza, and Nafisa looked around at Abu’s call and similarly hurried toward her.
“Abu! It’s good to see you again.” Helena hugged the young man before hugging his sister. “Lamya. You look good. Rested.”
“Compared to living in constant fear, one little attempt on our lives is nothing. And we’ve had food for every meal!”
“I had something called a corn dog on the plane. It was something I’ve never experienced before. I will never forget it.” Kuol told her seriously.
“He won’t stop talking about it. The flight attendant told us it was for the kids, but Kuol loved it,” his cousin, Fiza, told them.
“He’s a growing man and needs all the food he can get,” Helena said with a smile. The boy had to have put on fifteen pounds of muscle since she last saw him. All of them had filled out and no longer looked starved.
“Let me introduce you to everyone,” Helena said, smiling. She’d been so worried about them, but realized how resilient they were. “This is Nolan Flynn. He’s a firefighter here in town.”
“Is he your boyfriend?” Nafisa asked.
“He is,” Helena answered.
Abu and Kuol frowned. “Does he treat you well, because we can still slip into his living area and slice his throat while he sleeps if he does not,” Abu swore and Kuol nodded his agreement.
“And I would deserve it if I treated someone as wonderful as Helena poorly,” Nolan said solemnly.
“You two I like. I will work with you while I help this one over here,” Ahmed said, nodding to Bella.
“You’re that agent who cut the throat of the man holding Helena hostage,” Kuol said, sounding a lot like Bella when she talked about Ahmed. “You are a badass.”
“Thank you. But if you think I’m a badass, wait until you see what this guy can do,” Bella said with a nod to Ahmed.
“Awesome!” the boys said, turning their attention to everyone else now.
“Come, meet the team who will be looking out for you,” Helena told them.
“Logan Waterman was flying the helicopter. This is Kellen Avent and Kori Anwar. I’m sure you met them all in the helicopter. They’re all Rahmi guards. I’ll let Kori take over the tour,” Helena told them as Kori stepped forward.
“For you ladies, Rosalie Hill is here to help you with anything you need. There’s a whole team for you,” he said, introducing them to all the women soldiers and law enforcement who had gathered to help.
Ahmed’s wife, Bridget, gave them a dog to keep with them for security.
It wasn’t one of her military dogs, German Shepherd or Malinois, but a Vizsla like Remi.
“This is Breeze. She’s a bit quirky,” Bridget told them. “But if you bond with her and give her treats and let her sleep on your bed with you, she’ll protect you with her life.”
“I’ve always wanted a dog,” Lamya said softly, bending down to pet Breeze. Breeze gave her a sniff, dropped to the ground, and rolled over. She used her own paw to tap her chest to indicate that Lamya should rub her belly.
Lamya was in love and Helena felt better with them having one of Bridget’s military trained dogs with them.
“As for the rest of the team,” Kori said over Breeze’s groans as Lamya rubbed her belly, “this is Nash. He’s in charge of personal security for the royal family.
Nabi here is the head of intelligence. You met Ahmed, but here are the rest of the guards you’ll be working closely with,” Kori told them before introducing them.
“Kellen and Rosalie will take you to your rooms. Until we get a handle on the situation, we ask that you stay in the security center. However, we will plan outings once we secure them and even have a chance to go to school. And food will be delivered to you for every meal. Either from the royal family’s chef or from people from town.
Do you have any questions?” Kori asked them.
“So, this is not a normal life? We were not confined like this with Interpol,” Abu told them.
“Correct,” Helena answered. It was probably best to hear it from her. “Garang has targeted me here. He’s escalating and the hope is that if we take out enough of his soldiers, it will bring him here.”
“We’re bait?” Nafisa asked, but it was really a statement.
“Yes, but if you’re not comfortable with that, I’ll have Logan fly you to a new location.” Helena wanted to say more, but she needed to wait for Greer and she thought Abu and Lamya should hear it in private.
The friends leaned on each other like they always did. They formed a little circle and discussed it. Lamya took the lead as the eldest. “We’re okay with that. Especially if we are armed and get training in fighting and shooting.”
Ahmed grinned. Bella held up her hand for a high five.
“I believe that will be possible. Go, take your tour, and then Lamya and Abu, I need to have a word.” Helena tried not to fidget as they nodded and headed into the security center.
“They’re good people. We’ll make sure they’re protected,” Nolan told her. “I have to get to work. Are you good here? Greer said she can give you a ride to the café after you’re done. We can have dinner if you’d like?” Nolan asked.
“Dinner sounds good. But, what about Lamya and her group’s dinner?”
“The Rose sisters signed up for tonight and Marcy Davies is on for tomorrow night. They’ll be in a food coma before seven with the amount of food they’re bringing,” Nolan told her.
“Thank you. I’m sure you organized that.” Helena rose up and kissed him.
“Maybe,” he shrugged. “They’re innocent young people and the town is happy to help. Folks get kind of restless when they don’t have international incidents to handle. I’ll see you tonight. Love you.” Nolan kissed her again before heading to work.
It was such a great feeling having that person to check in with you about how you’re doing and how they are doing. She knew he’d move anything and everything he could if she needed him. It was a silent security she never knew existed, yet seemed to ground her like a warm blanket.
An SUV passed Nolan’s bullet-riddled truck, which was being replaced later today, and Greer stepped close to Bella and Helena. She didn’t have her twins with her today.
“Are they ready to meet?” Greer asked as she pulled out a briefcase full of evidence and documents that were going to change Abu and Lamya’s lives.
“Soon. They’re on a tour,” Helena replied.
“Who are you? You’re dressed like a politician, but the way you move says you’re lethal.” Bella slid her hand to the small of her back and Helena realized, even injured, Bella was armed.
“Greer Abel. And you’re Bellona Gilmore of the Marshal Service. I believe you already spoke to my cousin at the Lexington Marshal’s office.”
“That tells me who your cousin is, but that’s not what I asked. I asked who you are.”
Greer smiled and glanced at Helena who shrugged.
She told Greer that Bella would love the Bluegrass Ops group.
The door to the security center opened and Abu and Lamya walked out with Kori, looking confused as to why they were separated from their friends.
“I’m sorry, Bellona. That’s a discussion for another time.
” Greer approached the two siblings and held out her hand.
“Hello. I’m Greer Abel. I’ve been working with Helena and am here on behalf of Rahmi.
There’s something we need to discuss with you.
If you follow me, we have a private room in the embassy to talk. ”
Helena glanced at the nearby mansion. She knew it was a home, but she’d forgotten that it was also considered an embassy.
Bella looked dubious, but since Wick suddenly appeared and offered her a tour of the facilities, she reluctantly let them go without any more questions.
Good, because Helena didn’t have any answers.