Page 186 of Protecting You
It was the sound of a father who knew he’d failed to do the most important job he’d ever be given.
To protect his child.
Alyssa. Beautiful, talented, brilliant Alyssa. She’d given her life to protect Callan’s child.
A debt he could never, ever repay.
* * *
Think.
That was what Alyssa had told Callan. That he had to think.
Bartlett entered through the window and sat at the desk. “I’m at the control. Weapons are activated. I think I can disable.”
“Do it,” Grant said, his voice demanding. Then, “Callan, enemies are shooting from the door and windows. You gotta flank ’em.”
“Right.” He kissed his daughter on the forehead and, going against every fatherly instinct, set her on the bed. “My friend will protect you. Trust me.”
She gripped his hand. “Don’t leave.”
It killed him to walk away. Itkilledhim.
Bartlett swiveled. “I got her.” To Peri, he said, “We’re the good guys. Just stay there.” He was already back at the system.
Callan let her go. Praying he wouldn’t leave her an orphan.
But if Ghazi got away, his whole family would pay the price.
He crept to the door and was about to open it when one of Grant’s men slipped in through the window, face painted black, armed and ready.
Peri gasped, but the soldier smiled and gave her a thumbs-up.
Bartlett glanced over his shoulder. “This is Jon. He’s also a good guy."
Jon was a friend and former teammate of Grant’s. Former Green Beret and obviously far more experienced than Callan, who exhaled a little of his fear, thankful that he wouldn’t have to do this alone.
He opened the door, staying out of the gap.
No gunshots.
He got low and peeked.
Nobody was there.
“Door across the hall is closed.”
“I’ll clear it,” Jon said. “Head to the front. Stay low.”
They moved into the hallway.
Callan crept toward the main room of the house. There were no lights, and with the windows boarded up, it was dark as pitch.
Right behind him, a gunshot told him Jon had taken out the enemy.
In front of him, a shout in Arabic.They’re here.
“Do not move from your post.” That was Ghazi.
