Chapter Twenty One #4
The rest of the staff had disappeared. Had they run?
Has someone taken them? She’d been focused on the ambassador, and there had been so much noise, dust, and smoke she hadn’t noticed.
Tears filled her eyes at the thought they were going to die.
There was no way out. She could make out bodies around her.
People had already died. Were some of the staff dead?
A man was running toward her, a large gun in his hand.
Oh, God, her poor parents, losing both their children.
Donnie. She would never get a chance to tell him she loved him.
The man reached her, an evil sneer on his face and grabbed her by the arm.
“You’re coming with me,” he said in accented English.
“No!” She struggled, but he was too strong. He dragged her outside onto a bus. The rest of the staff were already there. Frightened faces stared at her as she was slung into a seat.
Several men with painted faces and large guns were on the bus. They were not the good guys.
“Where are the Marines?” she whispered to the woman next to her.
“I saw one get shot. I think maybe they’re dead. Where’s the ambassador?”
“She’s hurt. Bad. I was with her, but they dragged me away.” She swallowed down a lump in her throat and moved to look down the center aisle of the old school bus.
“What do you think is going to happen to us?” the woman asked, eyes wide in fear.
“I don't know. Another team were coming, hopefully they get here soon.”
But then the bus’s old engine roared and they rolled forward.
One of the armed men shouted, getting their attention. “Ladies and gentlemen.” His voice had a strong accent. “If anyone tries to escape, you will be shot. If anyone tries to be a hero, I will shoot the person next to you.”
No one said anything. Charlie closed her eyes as fear crawled over her.
***
THE SEVENTEEN-HOUR flight to Daram was far too long for Donnie. He had tried calling Charlie, but his call hadn’t gone through. Only when he saw Charlie unharmed and safe on this plane would he relax.
Ten hours into the flight, most of the guys were getting some rest in hammocks.
Donnie sat alone on the bench. Onyx had seen the staff list, and all knew Charlie was there.
He had been reassured multiple times they would bring her home safely.
They would. They had to. Anything else didn’t bear thinking about.
Dex sat next to him.
“How are you holding up?”
“I’m good.”
“Donnie, you put on a great display for Sam, but there is no way you’re that calm.”
Donnie looked at his team leader. “I’m good,” he repeated.
“I take it things are pretty serious between you two.”
Donnie paused. He had no idea what things were between them.
“I want them to be.”
“She doesn’t?” Dex asked with surprise.
“Not sure. I fucked up.”
“She seemed pretty worried about you when she visited. Things can’t be that bad.”
“Wanna bet?” he said dryly.
He didn’t want to talk about it. Thankfully, they were interrupted.
“Commander Dawson, I have Captain Harrison for you.” The co-pilot held out the satellite phone.
Dex took the phone and walked out of earshot to take the call. Donnie prayed it wasn't bad news. A few minutes later, when he returned, his face was tense.
Shit.
“Let’s get everyone up,” Dex said.
Ten minutes later, Raven were up and awake.
“Reborn stormed the embassy. They’ve taken the staff hostage.”
Donnie clenched his jaw, every muscle in his body rigid. “Are they alive?”
“Omar Aziz has made contact. Fourteen hostages were taken. Proof of life was given.” Dex said, gaze steady on Donnie.
Donnie recalled the list had fifteen names and his heart tightened. Dex’s next words didn’t help.
“We do not yet know who they left behind.”
A hand on Donnie’s shoulder. “Don’t even think it.”
Donnie turned his head to Steve. “We all know if they left one behind, it’s because they’re dead.”
No one tried to reason with him, because it was the truth.
“What about the Marines?” Tyler asked.
“Presumed dead or injured. They were outnumbered. Daram military were at the palace preparing to fend off an attack there.”
“What are their demands?” Donnie asked, though he already knew the answer.
“Raven,” Dex said.
Yeah, that was what he had expected. Their personal vendetta.
“When they overthrow the government, their first act will be to behead us to send a message.”
“Jesus Christ. This was their plan. They know damn well we will go to rescue those hostages,” Mackie said.
“So what are we waiting for. We’re going right?” Donnie stared at his team leader. He wouldn't hesitate to give his life for Charlie’s. Innocent people were once again caught up in a feud between them and Reborn.
“We are. We have three hours until we are over Daram airspace. We need to get a plan together and fast.”
Donnie did his best to focus but goddamn, Charlie was a hostage at the hands of Reborn.
They all knew what Reborn were capable of.
When they had taken Kelly, she had been tortured and raped.
The thought of that happening to his Charlie...
his beautiful, sweet Charlie. What if they were already torturing her? What if they were too late?
Dismissing the thought, he turned his attention to the task at hand. Charlie needed him and he damn well wasn’t going to let her down.