Page 171 of Protecting You
Ghazi released his hold on Alyssa. “There now. Was that so hard?”
Benson lifted the child and plopped her into Alyssa’s arms.
Sobbing, Peri snaked her arms and legs around Alyssa and clamped on.
Ghazi smiled. “If you’ll just do as I say, nobody has to get hurt.”
Alyssa didn’t respond to the obvious lie. Because, when this was over, he would kill them both. Both Peri and Alyssa were, after all,spawn of the CIA.
“You still need to put her down in order to work.”
She turned her back to the thugs and sat at the desk. “Sweet girl, I’m going to need my hands. Can you crawl under the desk by my feet?”
Peri shook her head.
“Take her,” Ghazi said.
“No!” Alyssa lowered her voice. “Peri, you need to crawl down by my feet or that man is going to take you away. I won’t be able to stop him.”
A few seconds passed, and then Peri slid off Alyssa’s lap and beneath the desk. With banks of drawers on each side and the wall behind, it probably felt like a safe space.
“Access to SJSS’s navigation system,” Ghazi said. “Now.”
“Could you grab her a blanket, please?” She directed the question at Benson.
The living area had been warm, but it was cold back here. A space heater in the corner wasn’t kicking out nearly enough heat.
He didn’t seek permission, just yanked one off the twin bed, along with a pillow.
Peri made herself a little nest and curled up.
Maybe she would fall asleep. Maybe she would find some peace.
Alyssa jiggled the mouse to bring the screen to life and found the computer was already on the company’s website.
She set to work, praying for guidance and help and rescue.
Because she’d turned over the Russian’s name at the first threat of harm to Peri, and when it came down to it, she feared she’d give Ghazi access to attack drones too.
Was that the right decision, or the wrong one? Was it right to sacrifice one child to save hundreds, potentially thousands of lives?
Logically, yes.
But her God wasn’t a God of logic. Or more to the point, He transcended logic.
Jesus would leave ninety-nine sheep to save the one that was lost.
And as much as Alyssa wanted to please her earthly father, her Heavenly Father’s pleasure should be much more important to her.
Had she lived to please God? Or Dad?
The answer shamed her.
Hacking into private databases was illegal. A line she’d crossed to prove she could make her business a success. To prove she was competent, capable, and worthy of her father’s love.
A million seemingly small decisions, manywrongdecisions, had led her right here. In danger, and putting those she loved in danger as well.
Forgive me, Lord. Guide me now. Every single step of the way, I need Your help.
