Page 54 of Freeing Savannah

“Don’t I know it. He also emphasized a need for further cooperation with Azerbaijan to ‘combat extremism in the region.’” Voodoo’s jaw tightened as Haley continued. “Behind the scenes, he’s been pushing the State Department to amp up Savannah’s involvement. Wants the media to focus on her diplomatic mission.”

“Still trying to use her as his own little puppet, shining a light on her while working shady deals in the background.

“Word is, he’s using the incident to lobby hard for more funding to ‘stabilization and counterterrorism efforts’ in the Caucasus.”

“Convenient,” Voodoo said coldly. “Using a hostage crisis to fund his next campaign slogan.”

“That’s not even the worst of it,” Haley said. “His PR team is spinning this into a win. Calling him proactive. Calm under pressure. ‘Deep ties to Eurasian diplomacy,’ they’re saying.”

“Guy didn’t even get on a plane until days later. And he didn’t even bother to go to Azerbaijan.”

“Nope. And it’s not going unnoticed. Azerbaijani officials publicly thanked U.S. intelligence but made damn sure to credit their own tactical units for the rescue. Behind closed doors, though? They’re pissed. He never reached out to them directly, even though his stepdaughter was on their soil.”

Voodoo exhaled through his nose, slow and tight. “And the public?”

Haley didn’t hold back. “Outrage. The people are grateful the hostages were rescued, but they’re furious. They see both governments treating this like a PR hiccup. There’s images of you across social media in your tux and tactical gear. You’re being hailed as some kind of tactical god in memes. You even made the side of a café wall in graffiti.”

He didn’t smile. Not even a twitch.

Haley softened her tone. “They’re angry, Sawyer. They want to know how it got this far. How the terrorists breached the embassy ballroom. Why local officials were caught flat-footed. And why the Senator seems more worried about headlines than the safety of his stepdaughter.”

A long silence stretched between them.

Finally, Voodoo said, “Savannah deserves better.”

“She has you.”

He turned to the stage as Savannah stood for a bow to thunderous applause. And now, he had more reasons not to trust the man who’d built a political empire on Savannah’s pain.

Voodoo exhaled slowly. “Savannah doesn’t know all of this.”

“She should.”

“I know.”

More silence passed between them before Haley added, “I’ll keep digging on Brian. I’ll get SYBIL to run facial rec with older intel. If this guy’s ever worked for a government, corporate security, or even contracted black ops—something’ll ping.”

“Do it,” Voodoo said. “And Haley?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks.”

“Just don’t let anything happen to her, Voodoo.”

“You can count on it.”

His gaze returned to Savannah as she strode off the stage into the wings, shoulders back and chin high with elegant confidence. But as soon as she was out of sight of the audience, her shoulders slumped and her fatigue became evident. Voodoo wanted to wrap her up in his arms and take her away from all of this.

And across the stage, Brian was watching her as she walked straight into Voodoo’s arms. This time with something that looked a hell of a lot like resentment.

CHAPTER 22

The Rolls-Royce purredto a stop at the foot of the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, the sail-shaped silhouette of the hotel glowing against the velvet Dubai night. Savannah stepped out into the warm breeze off the Arabian Gulf. It brushed over her skin, stirring the hem of her long red dress. For the first time in weeks, she didn’t feel the usual ache of exhaustion after a performance. Instead, there was energy humming beneath her skin. An exhilaration that hadn’t been there in years. Her mother’s words still echoed in her chest, loosening something long held tight. Giving her a purpose, almost as if she’d been granted permission. For what? She hadn’t worked that out yet.

She glanced up at the tower, its sleek curves lit in soft hues of gold and sapphire, as though the entire building breathed luxury. Inside, the lobby shimmered with gold-leaf columns and fountains that danced under the atrium’s soaring height. The air was scented with jasmine and something richer. If opulence could have a scent, Savannah thought it would be this. Her heels clicked softly on polished marble as she walked beside Sawyer, their steps in sync, his presence grounding her even as the hotel sparkled like a dream around them.

The elevator ascended with silent grace, the sea unfolding below through the glass walls like a living painting. Savannah turned slightly, catching Sawyer’s reflection beside hers, tall and steady. Her chest tightened, not with nerves, but with clarity. She was done pretending indifference. Tonight, she would stop hiding from her own heart.

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