CHAPTER TWENTY
At dinner, Blake listened as the men talked about the plan to stop Marco Rodriguez. They went over details repeatedly, and options B, C, and D, should they need it. The problem was they forgot one major thing.
“What about the animals?” she asked. Ham, Cowboy, Kev, and the others turned to look at her. “I mean, I know the goal is to stop him but what about the animals that he already has entrapped? We have to save them.”
“Honey, he might have animals that are not indigenous to South America. We can’t just release them. How do we get them out of there?” asked Gator. Blake stared at the men, then turned to Zane, hoping he would support her in this.
“Use me.”
“No.”
“Nope.”
“Fuck no.”
“Hell no.”
“I actually wasn’t asking,” said Blake confidently. “I’m saying that I can be there and tell the animals where to go. Maybe a ship waiting in the harbor or a train that can carry them north to zoos or safari parks or something.”
“Blake, as much as I love that you want to help and want to save the animals, we can’t let you go down there. You forget that you are who Marco wants,” said Ham.
“I don’t forget that at all,” she said staring at him. “Why is it okay for all of you to risk your lives for me but I can’t risk my life for animals that don’t deserve what fate has delivered to them. Maybe you haven’t thought about this but I have. Marco Rodriguez is a drug dealer.
“Did it occur to any of you that he could potentially use those drugs on the animals? If he had to run, he’d kill them. If he needed them out of control, he could drug them. There is more here than just stopping someone from violating every law around animal and human rights.”
“Babe, I think we all understand that but it’s just not something we want to risk. If we can, we’ll find a way to get the animals out.”
“I have a way,” said the familiar voice. The men all rolled their eyes, some actually groaning. “Don’t you dare take that tone with me.”
“Mama Irene, you might be able to safely go down there and help but she cannot,” said Ham.
“Course she can. I’d be there with her and so would Luke and Gaspar.”
“Me too,” said Trak.
“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” asked Gator. “Did you forget that he’d rather chop off your heads than have to deal with any of you?”
“And did you forget that we’re fucking trained?” growled Gaspar. “You’re looking at a SEAL, a Ranger, and a Delta operator and you might as well call Mama all three. We will guard Blake and we will get her out of there. With the animals.”
Blake couldn’t help but smirk, attempting to hide it from Zane, as she knew he wasn’t going to give in on this easily.
“We’re not even certain the location of this place yet,” said Ham. “It will be a few days before we have all the information we need and we’ll have to work with Coop and his team to ensure we don’t overstep.”
“That’s fine,” said Irene, “that’s just fine. Just you remember this. Whether you include me in your plans I will know them anyway. You will not get away with foolin’ me, young man.”
“Yes, ma’am,” said Ham. She patted his hand and kissed cheek, patting the opposite cheek.
“Good boy. I’ll be around,” she said winking at Blake.
Ham just rolled his eyes, shaking his head at the table. He knew he couldn’t fool Mama Irene and he wouldn’t be able to pull one over on her, nor did he really want to.
She was right about one thing. Sending in Luke, Gaspar, and Trak was equivalent to sending in an entire team of regular men. He’d never sent a ‘ghost’ into battle but then again, he’d never had the opportunity.
“Just so you know,” said Blake, “The Komodas and the Boa both offered to come as well. They might be helpful.”
“No more animals,” said Gator. “We can’t afford to lose one or put them in danger. I won’t do that but please express our appreciation.”
“I definitely will,” she nodded.
They heard the familiar footsteps that indicated there was going to be a problem. Turning slowly, they saw the two faces that would deliver the news. AJ and Hiro.
“We have a problem.”