CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
“Copy that, harbor master.”
Ham stared at the other men as he steered the ship into port, praying that those at the docks knew what to do on their end. Although he had a moderate knowledge of how to sail, steer, and maneuver large ships, cargo vessels were an entirely different animal.
“Weren’t you all SEALs?” smirked U-Jin.
“We traveled on ships. We didn’t drive them,” said Ham. “Besides, I can drive just about any vessel, but a cargo vessel is different. Its weight is different; the engines are different. It’s meant to transport cargo, not men and weapons. It’s not meant for war, but that’s what we’re using this one for.”
“They’re securing the lines,” said Marcel. “It’s time for us to get down into the cargo hold.”
Locking the bridge behind them, making it more difficult for anyone to interfere should they board, the men took the steps as if they were sliding down a slide. Lifting their legs over the railings, they went deeper and deeper until they were standing with the others in the hold.
“Hiro, tell me we’re confirmed on who is on that damn dock. It’s about to be daylight, and we want the hell out of here,” said Gator.
“We’ve got forty men and one very obvious woman on the docks. Evie and Chipper are sitting on the top of that building behind the port. Once we do our thing, we need to make it to the top deck in less than nine minutes, and she’ll be ready for us.”
“What about the ship?” asked CJ. “What do we do about that?”
“Oh, that’s easy,” smirked Marcel. “I have been taking many lessons from my family member, Pierre. I am fascinated by the explosives we have in our hands. I have them ready for detonation, scattered strategically around the ship.”
“Jesus,” muttered Gator. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
“I assure you. I have no wish to die again so soon.”
“Gentlemen, it’s a pleasure to see you again,” said Mikella with a smile and outstretched hand. They were never sure whether they were supposed to kiss her hand, bow to her, or simply shake. They chose a shake. They were business partners, after all.
“Before we begin, we’d like some assurances that our agreement is still intact,” said Fayha.
“Are you questioning my honesty?” she said sweetly.
“Do not play as if we’re stupid, Mikella. We know that you killed your sister, and since the other is not here, we can only assume you’ve killed her too,” said Messina. “We are in this together. We gather our armies, our weapons, and our money to rule the region together.”
“Of course, gentlemen,” she said, holding her anger inside. “We’ve agreed that the weapons that I have successfully acquired from America are the best in the world. You would never be able to purchase them on your own. I should think that owes me some favors.”
“No one owes anyone any favors, Mikella,” said Tehren. “We agreed to support you in this, but we will each run our own regions. Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, and Türkiye will be yours.”
“Gentlemen, gentlemen, I don’t think we need to discuss this right now. Of course, I will control those areas, but there are other areas that should fall within my reach as well. I can’t just allow you all to take over the regions that are the richest with oil, minerals, gas, and gems. That seems unfair and would indicate that you obviously believe I’m stupid.”
“I warned you that this would happen,” said Messina. “She is power-hungry and believes herself to be superior to us. Need I remind you, Mikella, that we have put up equal amounts of money.”
“Then I will buy out your parts,” she said confidently. Then, a sinking feeling hit her stomach. Her sister took their disposable cash. She had nothing on hand to give the men in good faith.
“You think we are fools,” said Tehren.
“I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Let me show you what I’ve brought for you, and then you can decide if my value is to your liking,” she smiled.
The men nodded at her as they walked toward the cargo hold. She waved at her men to open the hold and stood back, knowing that it would impress the men.
The massive hollow of the ship opened up, and the crates of cargo stood stacked, one on top of another. Giving the signal, one of the men opened the first one, and the crate displayed a multitude of beneficial cargo.
The three men had to admit that they were impressed, nodding at the woman. She smirked at them as if she knew something they did not. Nodding for the next to be opened, they found themselves again, impressed. Tehren stepped forward, staring into the dark hold.
“What game are you playing?” he asked the woman, squinting into the dark space.
“I’m tired of your accusations, Tehren. I’ve secured the cargo and brought it literally to your feet. What game are you playing?”
He turned quickly, looking at his driver. Waving him forward, he told him to shine the headlights into the hold. Beyond the first stacks of crates, it was obvious that there was nothing there. Somewhere, there were hundreds of crates of weapons, ammunition, uniforms, and vests that they’d paid for. But they were not in this ship.
“Wh-what on earth,” she stammered.
“Explain yourself, Mikella,” said Messina. “Did you really believe we wouldn’t notice hundreds of crates missing?”
“Me? Perhaps you should explain yourselves! The cargo was there when they left America. What did you do? Did you send someone to pirate my ship?”
“Your ship?” frowned Fayha. “It is our ship. Our cargo. You seem to quickly forget that this is a business of the four of us.”
“Bullshit!” she screamed.
Two rifle shots echoed in the night as the headlights of the car were shattered. Mikella ducked to the ground, cursing more because her beautiful suit was now soiled. No one would dare to kill her out in the open.
“Get me out of here,” said Messina to his man.
“Sir, we can’t. The shots are coming from there. They have the advantage. They could have killed us but haven’t.”
“Who are you?” yelled Tehren.
The crates stacked on one another suddenly opened and dozens of men in black stood aiming directly at them. Their bodies and faces were covered in thin black mesh. Mikella didn’t care.
“Kill them!” she yelled.
Her own men began firing at the dark figures, only to be greeted by them casually kneeling and returning fire with care. As her men began to fall, her three partners became more and more concerned.
“Did you set this up?” yelled Fayha. “You did this! You thought to drive us away in fear!”
“I did not, you idiot. They’re firing on me as well!”
“Gentlemen, gentlemen,” said Ham, stepping out of the crate. He looked at Mikella and smirked. “And whatever you are. Don’t fight. We’re going to kill you all.”
“Money. We have money,” said Messina.
“Good for you,” said CJ, stepping out of the crate. “You fucked with the wrong people. No one touches our goods without asking, and no one survives after killing our brothers.”
“I bought those goods fair and square,” said Mikella. “I have the invoices. My sister secured the purchase. I didn’t kill anyone’s brothers.”
“Your sister attempted to steal the contract and failed. She’s currently in solitary at a federal prison and will most likely be charged with treason, murder, and a few other interesting things,” said Gator.
“No,” said Mikella. “No, I spoke to her just hours ago. She texted me.”
The men said nothing just staring at her. She turned to search for anyone who was still alive who would defend her. In the distance, they could hear sirens approaching.
“We won’t be arrested,” said Mikella. “They know better than to arrest us.”
“You’re right,” said Ham. Patrick, Christopher, Matt, Kev, and Rush zip-tied the foursome together, forcing them to sit on the dock as the sun began to rise. The dock workers themselves were smart enough to run when the bullets began to fly. They wouldn’t be offering any assistance. “If the explosion doesn’t kill you, the note we’ve sent to the police will encourage them to kill you first.”
They heard the soft whisper of the Osprey above them, and Ham turned to the men, nodding. CJ walked toward Mikella and fired a single shot into her stomach. If she lived, it would be a long, painful recovery. If she didn’t, he was okay with that.
“That’s for the men you and your sisters killed. Brothers who served their country without fail. I hope you enjoy hell. Tell me, why kill Weathers and Yarrow?” She stared at him wide-eyed, then laughed, the blood seeping through her suit, unable to use her hands to stop the bleeding.
“They were too smart for their own good. They knew that Alana was using Yarrow and devised a plan around her weakness. Sex and men. Irena discovered it, met them here in Cyprus, and killed Yarrow and eventually Weathers. I had nothing to do with it.”
“You had everything to do with it, and you’ll pay for it all the way to hell.”
They felt the soft breeze of something strange as the men disappeared to the top decks of the ship.
“Where did they go? Who were they?” asked Tehren, squirming and fighting the holds. As quickly as it had come, the breeze was gone, and so were their gunmen. Messina stared into the dark cargo hold.
“No,” he whispered.
“What? What the hell are you seeing, you fool!” screamed Mikella.
“Hell.”