Page 19 of Hayes
“That’s why Bonds was so curious about what I did and how I did it. We need to see how close the others are,” he said. She pulled out the tablet and held it so they could both see.
“Everything okay?” asked the image of Luke when it connected.
“No. Everything is not okay. I just figured out that I was intentionally attacked and my team killed. By my Lieutenant.”
“Fuck,” muttered Luke.
“We’re dealing with Lt. Leland Bonds and Khalil Aamani.” There was silence on the other end of the line, then a few more faces filling the camera space.
“Did you just say Aamani?” asked Mo.
“Yes, sir. We need to get off this damn mountain fast. What’s your ETA?”
“Forty minutes, thirty-three if we punch it. Can you hide until then?” asked Eric.
“I think so, but if we go down, there will be nowhere for you to land. I think we have to go back up to our original landing zone. It will be flat, or at least somewhat flat, and we can be more visible for you. If they’re climbing the mountain, they won’t see us at the top.”
“How long would it take them to get to the top?” asked Cam.
“It took me a little more than six hours with horses,” said Victoria, “but I’m alone, carrying a very heavy pack. They might have horses that are better trained and lighter packs.”
“You’re still ahead of them,” said Luke. “Turn around and get to the top of that damn mountain. We’re going to deploydrones and see if we can provide some distraction and cover. Just ignore whatever you see or hear and keep going.”
“Yes, sir,” they said in unison. Luke smirked at their images.
“Before we pick the two of you up, is this bullshit between you settled?” he asked.
“Yes,” said Victoria definitively. “Wherever Hayes is will be where I am.” Mo and Hoot both laughed, shaking their heads. Mo stared at his adoptive daughter.
“Thank fuck!”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Almost exactly thirty-four and a half minutes later, the Osprey hovered in stealth above the mountain. Bonds and Aamani were making their way up the mountain and heard nothing.
As they boarded the chopper, Victoria hugged her father, then Hoot and the others.
“I’m so damn proud of you,” said Mo, “but you’re grounded.” She laughed, shaking her head at him.
“Thank you, Victoria,” said Hoot. “You saved my son.”
“I saved my future husband,” she grinned. “I know that I messed up. I should have woken everyone or found you. I should have left a detailed message, something. I just wasn’t thinking clearly.”
“Weren’t you afraid, honey?” asked Eric.
“I-I was. I mean, I remember that I was, but the fear for Hayes overwhelmed me. I guess that’s what I needed,” she smiled.
“Yeah, well, that might be true, but let’s not do that again, okay?”
“Yes, sir,” she said, grinning at Eric. “Thank you all for coming for us. Are we headed home?”
“Not just yet,” said Luke. “We’re going to hang around for a few days to see what we can find out about Bonds and Khalil. We know that he’s trying to cause upheaval in the area, but ruling the area, district, or even the country isn’t in the cards for him. There are too many men above him far more powerful.”
“What do you know about Bonds?” asked Mo, staring at his soon-to-be son-in-law.
“He met Dad, Gator, Jak, and Tanner when they came to see me one weekend. I always knew I was going to enter SEAL training and hopefully be accepted, but I wanted to do it on my own. I spent a few years in intelligence, and they were impressed with my work.”
“What specific work?” asked Cam.
