Page 38 of Hayes
“You need to be fucking alive, you dumb ass,” yelled Cruz. Hayes stared at him, his brows raised.
“I don’t see what the women see in you. You’re definitely not giving vibes of hot, sexy Latino.”
“Fuck you, kid,” he smirked.
Thirty minutes later, the team had their weapons, stealth netting and suits, two choppers ready to take off, and several potential locations for Victoria. With Hayes’ hand redressed, pain meds flooding his body, he was ready to find his girl.
As the men filtered out of the mansion toward the choppers, Omar stood with six men armed to the teeth.
“Sir? What are you doing?” asked Luke.
“I’m sending six of my best men with you. They know the language, they are skilled warriors, and they have a purpose in killing Aamani as well. He is responsible for killing all of their families.”
“I’m sorry,” said Luke. “You’re obviously a welcome addition, but our priority is to get Victoria.”
“Understood, Luke,” he said, gripping his hand. “Survive the day, my friend, and go home to your family. Hug your fathers for me and tell them to come and visit us.”
“We’ll do that, sir,” said Cam, smiling at the man. “Thank you for all you’ve done for us. We won’t forget it.”
“I’m sorry it came to this, but I am repaying a debt a long time coming. I will never forget what your fathers did for my father. I would not be here without them. If you need more assistance, call, and it will be there.”
“We will,” smiled Eric, giving the man a big hug. “Can’t leave without my hug, Sheikh.”
“You are lucky that I like you,” he laughed. “It is forbidden to hug me unless I initiate it.”
“You know you like a good bear hug,” smirked Eric. He boarded the helicopter and waited for the rest of the team. When Hayes got to the steps, he looked at Omar and nodded.
“Thank you. For everything,” he said. The man nodded at him.
“I’m disappointed she will not be the wife of one of my sons, but I am happy that such a woman exists. Find her and cherish her.”
“That’s my plan, sir. That’s my plan.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Victoria was surprised that Aamani hadn’t returned to check on her yet. She’d been in the tunnel for at least five or six hours and working on the machine for that long. When the door opened, she expected to see him. Instead, it was a man with a tray of food for her and the guard.
Pushing one plate toward her, he took the other and began eating as if ravenous. She stared at the food and realized that she was actually hungry. The plate of flavorful rice, stuffed grape leaves, lean goat’s meat, and flat bread was delicious and filling. There were four bottles of water, of which she downed two immediately.
Then she regretted it. She needed to pee, and she didn’t see a bathroom.
“Um, excuse me. I need to use the bathroom,” she said to the guard. He stared at her as if not understanding her, but she was fairly certain he did. She crossed her legs, jumping up and down, and then repeated herself.
“I need a bathroom. Hammam,” she repeated in Arabic.
The man’s brows rose, and he stared at the woman, nodding. He opened the main door and waved for her to walk through. To the right of the door was another in the hallway. She’d walked right by it and didn’t see it.
The guard opened the door, and odor hit her, causing her to gag and bend at the waist. He looked surprised, then embarrassed.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m sorry. I’ll figure it out.” He nodded at her as she entered the space.
Victoria wondered how long she would be able to hold her breath, and it wasn’t nearly long enough. The toilet, although that was a stretch, was nothing more than a metal bucket with a trash bag inside. Whoever had the job of emptying that must be on the naughty list.
When she was able, she took another deep breath and finished as quickly as possible.
When she opened the door, the guard was waiting for her, staring at her as if to see if she was going to puke. Instead, he handed her some hand sanitizer and smiled.
Victoria gratefully accepted the gift and rinsed her hands as quickly as possible, rubbing them together briskly. He pointed toward the room once again, and Victoria nodded. When she walked inside, he closed the door behind her, and she heard the lock engage.
