Page 80 of Fighting for Family

“I’m on it.”

“Eagle three and four, how’s the driver?”

“He’s talking, but we don’t understand what he’s saying. He keeps pointing toward the mountain,” Ragu said. “Striker’s doing a damn good job getting him to spill the beans.”

“When we finish here, I’ll listen to him. They need to stay separated,” Shadow replied.

“We’ll be here. For once, I can say Eagle Four might be worth keeping,” Ragu said.

“Fuck you,” Cole muttered good-naturedly.

“Keep your head in the game,” Saint ordered. “We’re not done yet.”

Smearing more dirt on Sparky, Shadow led her back into the cave. She whimpered as he secured her again with zip ties, putting his hand between the plastic and her skin to ensure he didn’t pinch it.

“Don’t whimper in front of these men,” Maryam ordered. “They’re scum. When I don’t return, my men will search for me. They’ll free me before dawn.”

“How will they know where you are? They’ve taken us off the main road. My husband’s family will throw me out once they learn of his death,” Sparky sniffed.

“They’ll find us,” she said smugly, “And I’ll make them pay.”

Sparky coughed twice, signaling Shadow. He knelt beside her and poured water into her mouth. “Check her. She has a tracker,” Sparky whispered as Shadow gave her more water.

A minute later, Saint appeared. As they drew closer to Maryam, she yelled obscenities and threatened to have their heads. Saint flipped her over, frisked her, and then checked her front. He dropped her back on the floor. “Something’s in her bra.”

Sparky sat up, and Shadow untied her. Helping her to her feet, he led her to Maryam. He pressed a KBAR into her hand.

“You tricked me,” Maryam screamed. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m cutting the transmitter from your bra. I suggest you don’t move. I’m blind, and I don’t want the knife to cut you,” she said coldly.

“You think I believe you?” the woman scoffed.

Shadow waved his hand in front of Sparky’s face. “She may be blind, but she’s more fucking loyal than you.”

Sparky felt the bra and found the hard device. She used the knife to cut it out and handed it to one of the men. Then, she frisked her again and took off her shoes, finding another transmitter.

“Check the driver. They must be valuable to someone to have double protection. They expected one might be found, but not two,” Sparky suggested.

“Eagle three and four. Frisk your man. We found two transmitters. We’re bugging out,” Saint said, crushing the devices and throwing them in the fire. “Take Sparky. I’ll put out the fire and get this one.”

Shadow led Sparky to the truck and threw their packs inside. Saint appeared a minute later, dragging a fighting Maryam.

He lifted her into the back, and Shadow tied her to the side. Running back inside the cave, Saint grabbed the rest of their items and dumped them in the truck. When he jumped into the back with the prisoner, Shadow raced off into the night.

“Where do you want us to meet?” Ragu asked. “He has a tracker.”

Saint grabbed his ear when shots fired through the comms.

“We’re under attack,” Cole yelled.

Shadow raced to their hiding space, and Saint laid down fire, sending the attackers scattering.

Apollo bit one in the leg, and the attacker’s high-pitched scream sent the others to his rescue. Ragu grabbed their packs and whistled for Cole to follow. Once Ragu made it to the truck, Shadow slammed it into gear and backed up. Cole whistled for Striker and jumped into the back. The dog leaped beside him, landing on Maryam.

She let out an oomph.

Shadow sped off.