Page 50 of Bullets and Dandelions

“I can’t believe King Saraki is leaving before he knows his daughter and granddaughter are safe,” Rodriquez added.

Kamous rubbed his jaw. “He has over two hundred children and females have little value.”

“If he shows up again, I’m neutering him,” I stated.

Every inch a predator, Stone said, “I’ll help.”

“And I,” Kamous said.

His gaze focused on King Saraki’s retreating soldiers, Rodriquez inserted, “Me too.”

“Count me in,” Tex responded.

King Saraki stomped up the cargo ramp.

His soldiers followed and when the last man was inside, the ramp closed.

Johnson let out a humorless laugh. “He’s cutting and running.”

“Huh? I thought he was a cold-blooded killer who never backed down from a fight.”

Kamous grabbed the whiskey bottle. “It’s been ten years since Saraki has gone into battle.”

“From the size of the scar on his left hip, someone botched a hip replacement surgery. Saraki’s lucky he can still walk,” Tex said.

The cargo jet taxied down the runway and we watched it take off.

When they didn’t drop a bomb on us, I waved at the departing jet. “Bye-bye and your penis is the size of a pickle.”

The guys groaned and passed the bottle of whiskey around.

Stone handed me a bottle of water. “Drink up, the humidity at Lake Matheson is eighty percent.”

“Oh yay.” My stomach roiled unpleasantly. The puke covered clothes stank to high heaven and the last thing I needed was to start vomiting again. “Got any plastic bags? I need to clean that mess up.”

“No, I will do it,” Kamous said. “You did the impossible. Without firing a single shot, you made King Saraki retreat.”

I bowed. “It was my pleasure. How did you meet your wife?”

Kamous smiled fondly. “Aisha ran me down with her jeep. Once I had healed from my injuries, I hunted her.”

“Oh. How romantic.”

A grizzled, white male peered into the cabin. “Gotta say I’m impressed all of you are still breathing. The last time Saraki visited New Zealand he left a pile of bodies behind.”

“We have a secret weapon.” Stone held out his hand. “I’m Sergeant Alexander Stone and we’re the Alpha Dogs.”

The old guy shook his hand. “Jeb Wilson. I’ve got your supplies, and the satellite photos you asked for.” He wrinkled his nose. “You got a dead body in there?”

“Nah, I got air sick.” I picked up my gear and carefully stepped over the mess on the floor.

Jeb moved out of my way as I hurried down the stairs. “I didn’t know the brass allowed females on a Force Recon team.”

“I’m special.” I surveyed the area, looking for any of King Saraki’s soldiers. My shoulders sagged in relief. I didn’t see any.

Stone planted a firm hand on my back. “C’mon sweetheart, we have a mission to prepare for and I want to know all about your HALO jumps.”

Sweetheart? I wish. Stone was the one man who could probably stand up to my father and live to talk about it.

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