Page 17 of Guarding Zuri
“Where is Joqi?” Zuri cried.
After settling her father into the vehicle, Daemon took Zuri’s arm, filled his other hand with her rump, and launched her into the vehicle, slamming the door after her.
“Joqi was not conscious,” the guard said in a ragged breath. He clutched the side of his hip. “We tried…” David helped him into the front seat and over the console.
Once David was in the back and Daemon behind the wheel, they peeled out.
“We can’t just leave him!” Zuri cried. “I order you to turn around and go back!”
“We can’t go back,” Daemon yelled.
“You evil, son of a—”
“Daughter,” Bayo rasped.
Daemon glanced in the rearview mirror. Bayo held his stomach with a bloody hand. Daemon’s heart dropped.
“Joqi did his duty,” Bayo said. “We honor him by getting to safety.”
Zuri furiously shook her head, and Daemon growled. This girl was too naïve for this. David said her father had taught her how to take care of herself, but she didn’t learn an important lesson in war: emotional detachment. People died because they resisted letting go.
They reached a safe house Daemon had secured after several hours of evading military checkpoints and switching vehicles. A half moon provided little light to their path as they exited the vehicles. Bayo had lost consciousness in the last twenty minutes, despite the triage care David had provided. They carried him inside, and Daemon’s people continued treated his wound. What they needed was a doctor, but with all his money, Daemon’s team could not get one to the safe house before they arrived. David’s efforts had slowed the blood loss, but without an x-ray to ascertain the internal damage…
After settling Bayo in his room, Daemon found a quiet corner and called Blaine for an update on the doctor’s arrival time. “Blaine, we need him here, now.”
“We’re cut off, Daemon. The EG has locked down the city. It’s a miracle you and Archer made it out. Parker’s updating routes now.”
Daemon had spent thousands of dollars on bribes to clear the roads that didn’t have military checkpoints. People moved their food carts and stands and they even passed through the center of an outdoor market. “Keep trying.”
“Will do, boss. I’ll text you updates.”
Daemon ended the call and rubbed at the pain in the center of his forehead. Behind him, men moved about, reloading weapons, eating food, and checking supplies. They couldn’t remain here for long.
David tapped Daemon on the shoulder. “Bayo wants to see you.”
Daemon looked toward the open door of the room where Bayo had been laid. “How is he?”
David shook his head.
“Zuri?”
“She’s accepting it.”
Daemon released a long sigh. His heart constricted for Bayo’s daughter. What started as a day of hope and triumph was ending in bereavement, and not just for Zuri. For all of Bendola. “Thanks, David.”
When he stepped inside the room, his eyes immediately found Zuri, still in her signature black pants and t-shirt from earlier in the day, the color all-too appropriate. Zuri had refused to leave her father since they’d arrived at the safe house. Her hands held tightly to one of Bayo’s, and she brought it to her lips for a kiss. She looked up at Daemon, her weary face stained with tears. The stubborn, annoying princess sat wounded, her eyes full of defeat. Daemon’s heart lurched, his arms suddenly aching with a desire to hold her. Comfort her.
Daemon took a seat on the opposite side of the bed. Bayo’s dark color had blanched. His lids opened a sliver, revealing glazed eyes, as he breathed slowly out of his open mouth. He had enough strength to reach out for Daemon’s hand. Daemon stilled his reaction from the coolness of Bayo’s skin. The last time he held a dying man, felt the warmth of his body cool, it had been Jeremy. Bayo covered Zuri’s hand with Daemon’s.
Bayo looked intently at Daemon. “Promise me…” he rasped.
Daemon glanced at Zuri. He understood what the man was asking him to do. Protect his daughter with his life—for all of his life. His deathbed wish. Daemon wouldn’t deny him, even though he wasn’t free to live a life with Zuri. “You have my word. I won’t let any harm come to her,” Daemon whispered. “Ever.”
A sound of a repressed sob came from Zuri. “Father…”
Bayo smiled at his daughter. “My Zuri. My beautiful daughter… I go to meet your mother. So much I have to tell her. Bendola is free. Ah… My Zuri…”
Zuri snatched her hand from Daemon’s and cradled her father’s face. She bent to kiss him on the cheek and buried her face in his neck. Daemon left the small room to give her some privacy.
