Chapter 28
Big Bad Wolf is not simply a villain; he is The Big Bad Wolf is not simply a villain; he is the embodiment of strength and power. ~The Big Bad Wolf
Axel
In the back of the Cadillac, Lucky and I sit on either side of Gwen. She holds her daughter in her lap and hums a lullaby while the tearful child clutches a well-loved, stuffed rabbit to her chest. In the front, Suds and Hands, two former SEALs, talk quietly, their weapons on the seat beside them.
A surplus of adrenaline races through my veins as I glance out the back window. The rest of the team follows us in a checkered, green airportvan.
We have what we came for, but can we make it to the terminal? Leaving my woman and her little girl with Farid might’ve been the hardest thing I”ve ever had to do. Thank God I heard the level-headed Slate in my ears, or I could”ve done something stupid.
“It’s time.” When Suds slows, turns into an alley, and stops, Gwen’s eyes widen.
“What’s going on?”
I squeeze her thigh. “Nothing to worry about, hun. We’re dumping this car.”
Jumping out, I reach in, and escort my girls to the taxi that pulled in behind us. Slate and Jack, sitting in the front, give me a curt nod as the rest of us, including Bear, climb into the back.
After I pull a brand new burka from its plastic packing, I shake it open, then place it over my lover’s head. As I twist the fabric so that the slit faces forward, Lucky sets Abbie in her mom’s lap. With both hidden, I scratch my dog’s chin while he nuzzles my legs.
“What the fuck, babe?” I’m torn between the desire to kiss her or take her over my knee and spank her. If things went south, we had a plan.
Instead, she went rogue. “I am not a victim.”
Ignoring my anger, I whistle through my teeth. “No, lady, you are not. You are one brave momma bear.”
Upon hearing his name, my dog lifts his head, and chuckling, I pat him. “Not you, buddy.”
“We got company.” Slate’s warning sounds seconds before the roadblock.
Beside me, Gwen stiffens. “Calm, babe. Remember, we’re a bunch of tourists on our way to the airport.”
Behind the wheel, Slate leans out the window and speaks to the one in charge in rapid Farsi.
Jack, sitting next to him, nods and also answers a few questions.
The fortyish Iranian points to the back door, and one of his minions opens it. “You? American?”
Gun tucked at my back, I feign both fear and deference. “Yes, sir. My wife and I were visiting her family and now we are going home.”
While we talk, his five men surround our vehicle and raise their rifles.
“Mate.” Lucky’s gaze lowers to his right hand, hiding his pistol under his jacket.
As I do the same, the soldier lifts the barrel of his Russian AK-47 and points it at Slate. “Leave the car, all of you.”
Our Patten leader raises his palms waist high and mutters. “That one’s mine.”
Next, Lochlan sounds in my ear. “I have the two starboard.”
Hands and Suds grin. “Portside.”
“Now!” Our commander fires.
Pulling Gwen and Abbie to the floor, I function as their shield.
Six shots later, one of the SEALs shouts, “All clear. Let’s go.”
The doors slam, and the taxi roars off. I don”t allow myself to rise until Lucky taps me on the shoulder.