Page 28 of Hayes
‘I’m aware,” growled his commander.
“Sorry, sir.”
“It’s fine. Listen, if you’re asking my opinion, and you’re not. But since you have two active-duty Navy personnel in your hands that technically belong on my ship, I’m going to give you my opinion. We get him onboard the carrier, hear his plan, the coordinates, all of it, and make it look as though we’re sending someone out.
“While the jet leaves the carrier, headed to the alleged bomb site, you guys get your asses in there and kill Aamani. I don’t need him alive. I need him dead. That guy has been a pain in my ass for years.”
“It just might work,” said Luke. “We need to get our team back on the carrier to confront Bonds.”
“I let you on once, I can do it again,” smirked the man. “I’ll reach back out to Bonds, find out where he’s located, and get him on board the ship. I have no doubt once he’s here, he’s going to insist he be in on the attack of Aamani, which then, of course, would get him off the ship and able to disappear again.”
“We won’t let that happen. Once we have our dummy jet launched from the carrier, we’ll let him signal Aamani, and then we approach him.”
“I can’t wait to see that,” smirked the commander.
“You may want to step out after we walk in, sir,” said Cam. “Plausible deniability and all that bullshit.”
“Son, this is my ship. If it happens here, I’m going to witness it, and I don’t give a damn about anything else.”
“Yes, sir,” nodded Luke. “We’ll catch the same bird to the carrier and see you soon.”
“Roger that.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
The bodyguards stayed back to make sure that Victoria was safe, but the rest of the team, including an insistent Hayes, arrived at the carrier and were whisked behind closed doors.
“We’ve sent a chopper to pick up Bonds. He found himself being aided in a small village. We all know it’s a bunch of bullshit because it was the same village that Aamani went into and attacked people for suspicion of helping O’Neal,” frowned the commander.
“This guy definitely has balls,” frowned Eric. “I do believe I’ll cut them off.”
“Maybe not that drastic on the ship,” smirked the man.
Eric only shrugged as Wyatt and Gator helped Hayes to take a seat, his hand secured to his body, crossed over his chest as if he were saying the Pledge of Allegiance.
“I assume you guys have a plan?” he asked. Eric nodded.
“Yep. We got a good one.”
Bonds watched as the chopper landed near the small village. Aamani did him afavor, throwing a few well-placed punches to make it look as though he’d literally been through hell.
“Lieutenant Bonds?” asked the young medic running from the chopper toward the man.
“That’s me,” he said through pain. “At least, I used to be. I’m so damn glad to see you. Did the commander get my message?”
“Yes, sir. He said to tell you they’d have a pilot ready for you when you arrived.”
“Perfect,” he nodded.
The entire flight, Bonds had to try and hide his happiness. He was about to get two VG men for the price of one. Sooner or later, he or Aamani would find Hayes. With any luck, they’d have Wyatt and Hayes.
Two O’Neal’s for the price of one.
He actually dozed off on the chopper as they sped toward the carrier. It was always humbling to be looking down on the massive floating city from above, as the chopper circled, waiting for final clearance.
When it landed, two more medics rushed out, helping him as if he were completely disabled. Bonds hid his smile. He’d play the beaten, bruised hero if it got him what he wanted.
Inside the sick bay, medics took his vitals, checked his wounds, and then allowed the doctor to give a final overview.
