Page 25 of Hayes
“I don’t need anything. But if he can’t get to Hayes, he’ll try for someone else. Wyatt. Wyatt O’Neal is flying Raptors off the deck of a carrier parked in the Gulf.”
“But he’s just a pilot,” said Jak.
“No one in our family is ‘just’ anything,” said Victoria with a small smile. “Wyatt has a degree in aeronautical engineering with a minor in weapons systems.”
“Shit,” muttered Luke. “We need to get to him.”
“On it,” said Gator.
He nodded to Jak for him to follow, and the two men left the safety of the house with one of the local guards. They would need to take a helicopter to the aircraft carrier, get permission to land, and then find a way to convince them to let Wyatt leave with them.
As the son of HG and Maggie O’Neal, he was another fortunate child taken beneath the wings of Belle Fleur. Wyatt was actually Maggie’s nephew. His mother died when he was just four years old, and in a wild turn of events, Maggie thought HG was his father.
He was six-two, two hundred pounds, lean and extremely good-looking with his biological father’s caramel skin and his mother’s blue eyes. He’d grown up attending school at Belle Fleur, training with the men every day.
After circling the carrier for twenty minutes, they were finally given permission to land. Wyatt stared at Gator and Jak, shaking his head.
“What the hell is going on?” he asked.
“It’s a long story, but we need to speak to the captain of the ship and you in private.”
“I can’t leave my duty station. Are you nuts?” said Wyatt.
Now thirty-two years old, Wyatt had been flying for the Navy for almost a decade. He’d flown multiple combat and rescue missions and was one of their favorites in testing new aircraft. Not only was he an experienced, superior pilot, his head was full of secrets for the Navy, as well as G.R.I.P.
“O’Neal,” said his commander, “I think these men have a good point. Someone may try to take you as well or create issues here. I think if I notify command that we believe Bonds is alive, they just might let all of this fly until he shows himself.”
“I’m on a fucking U.S. carrier. Sir,” he said, sobering. “No one will get to me on this ship.”
“And what happens if you’re called to fly out?” asked Gator. “You get in that jet and leave this carrier, you’re an open target. And you’re not stupid, Wy. You know as well as I do that Bonds could maneuver his way onto this ship and get you off. There are five thousand men and women on this carrier. One man missing might not be seen for days.”
“I see you have a lot of faith in my flying abilities,” frowned Wyatt. “I do know what the hell I’m doing, you know.”
“Wyatt, we have no doubt you know what the hell you’re doing, but if they get to you, they will find a way to dig out every fucking secret you have. Do you hear me?” growled Jak.
Wyatt knew enough to not push the big man too far. He was big, strong, and fearless, and wouldn’t hesitate to knock his ass out and toss him over his shoulder.
“So, I’m just supposed to leave my team, my ship, and my plane and walk away for a few days?” he asked, staring at the faces.
“Let’s call it mandatory leave,” said the commander. “We’re not short of pilots right now, but if I should become short, you’ll have to return. I’m sorry, gentlemen, but he is a naval aviator and one of the best on this ship.”
“We understand, sir, but our first priority is to keep his flying ass alive. Sir,” smirked Gator.
“You guys are something else. Tell your old men I said hello,” he grinned. Gator and Jak tilted their heads, wondering if he actually knew their fathers. “Did you think I wouldn’t know Keith Robicheaux and Cam Dougall? I wasn’t born yesterday, boys, and this isn’t the first time one of you assholes has boarded my ship. Go. Take O’Neal with you, but settle this shit fast. I need him back.”
“Thank you, sir,” said Gator. “Let’s go, Wy.”
“Sometimes, I hate you guys.” Jak laughed, gripping the younger man’s shoulders.
“We know, and surprisingly, we’re okay with that.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“Wyatt!” cried Victoria, running toward the big man for a hug.
“Hey, Sprite. Fancy seeing you somewhere other than Belle Fleur,” he grinned.
“I know, right?” she laughed. “It’s a long story.”
