GUARDIANS: Mission To Rescue Innocence (Beauty 0f Life Book 7)

by Laura Acton

  Hazel eyes attempted to communicate his pride. “You make me proud. Not only as your CO but as your friend and brother. The general is a colossal ass for not recognizing the awesome man you are. I would be proud to have you as a son. Hell, if you were my son … well, truthfully, you would be everything I could ever wish for.”

  Blaze’s face softened at the wonder which entered Blondie’s eyes before they filled with tears. Pulling Blondie’s head to his chest, Blaze embraced him holding him close, offering what the kid needed … unconditional acceptance, security, and love.

  As Blondie cried, Blaze whispered, “Blondie you are a man based on the choices you make not on what others do to you. Please remember we all are vulnerable at times. We can be put in situations where we are powerless to stop the things done to us. Things we wish wouldn’t happen and fight against but are ultimately beyond our ability to control.

  “Son, events such as those don’t change who you are inside. You are a real man. The men in our unit comprehend why you cry, shake, and experience nightmares. Your strength of character, perseverance, judgment, and deeds show us the formidable man inside.” Blaze pushed Blondie a little away from him to observe his eyes. “We are all honored to serve with such a remarkable man. Lay those millstones down.”

  Nonstop tears ran from Dan’s eyes as he listened to Blaze. He desperately wanted to believe him. His burdens became unbearably heavy. Searching for signs of deception in the depths of Blaze’s eyes, he found only sincerity. “But, what I must do to innocent kids changes things.”

  The kaleidoscope of emotions crossing Blondie’s face nearly undid Blaze. Never had he witnessed expressions so freely displayed on the kid’s face. The skepticism and doubt worried him the most. His voice became firm, “Get this through your thick skull, you are a decent man. What you may be called upon to do will change nothing. I trust you to perform to the best of your ability. You can depend on every man here to have your back and support you in any way you need. No matter the outcome.”

  Laying a hand on Blondie’s heart, Blaze said, “Son, I know who you are in here,” he moved his hand to Blondie’s head, “and here. You are a true Guardian, a protector. A moral, kind, honest, and just man who is willing to make personal sacrifices to save others. I will faithfully cover your six. I will always be on your side and protect you with my life if required.

  “Son, you are worthy. A one-of-a-kind man who I am truly grateful to call friend and brother.” Blaze wanted to add, ‘and son’ but remained unsure how Blondie might react, so left it off though in his heart he accepted the truth … Blondie would forever be a son to him.

  Dan wiped his red-rimmed eyes. Blaze verbalized everything he wished the general would say. He inhaled an unsteady breath, held four counts, and gradually exhaled. Blaze uttered many things he needed to think on. Am I still a man? Can I survive this mission with my soul intact? Will they really stand by me if I fail to protect the girls?

  Blaze stood and reached out a hand. “Let’s go back inside, Blondie. You need to eat something. Tonight is going to take all your strength.” He grinned and added, “If you don’t eat, Patch will be harping on you.”

  Taking Blaze’s offered hand, Dan rose. “I need a moment to regroup.”

  “I’ll be over at the door. I got your six, kid.”

  A small smile appeared on Dan’s face, and he gave a quick nod before turning to gaze at the lights. As Blaze’s footsteps receded, Dan sifted through Blaze’s words. This is what it must feel like to have a father who cares. He judges me a worthy man. He believes in me. Opening up to Blaze and extending his trust resulted in something Dan never predicted, a sense of security which soothed his fractious mind.

  His head clearer now, he began thinking strategically and tactically. Resolving to do his best to rescue Dom’s girls and the other children, and save his soul as well, Dan concluded he must find an opportunity to change the game once he entered the bordello. As he stared at the city lights, an idea formed.

  Dan slapped the top of the wall with both hands as the scheme solidified. Turning, he strode toward Blaze with fledgling confidence. “I thought of a new plan. Dangerous, but I’m willing to take the risk.”

  Ready, Set, Showtime!

  26

  May 28

  En Route to Cherry Club – 2330 Hours

  Wedged tightly against Anastasia, Mike sat in the backseat of the SUV. With Mason sitting on the other side of her, the three of them were quite cozy … like canned sardines. However, that didn’t bother him. What did was Dan’s new plan. He deemed the idea as too risky, as did everyone, but for some unknown reason, Blaze vociferously supported the cock-eyed scheme.

  None of the men understood Savelievich as he did. This plan would most likely end with Dan dead. In the suite, Blaze stood next to Dan, and his glare alone told the others to accept this was the way it would go down, making his verbal orders moot. Mike acceded to a degree. Dan’s life was on the line, and he was the one being asked to do an abhorrent act, so, if he came up with another idea, they should go with his plan, even though Mike disagreed.

  Mike realized his commanding officer would be enraged once he read the full mission debrief. Broderick loved his son and worried about him often. Mike wished Dan would acknowledge his father’s love, but the tension between those two made accepting the truth rather challenging.

  Having been the general’s security man since Dan was thirteen, Mike was well aware of the strained relationship and feared their issues would never resolve. Neither one of them had a clue how to fix things. Though the elder Broderick tried, the manner in which he chose to deal with protecting his only son drove the wedge deeper.

  Up to a point, Mike understood the elder Broderick’s actions. His family members were targets which others might use against him. Mike’s predecessor, Gavin, stated he investigated Sara’s death as a potential attempt on the family, but the cause of death was ruled vehicular manslaughter, an accidental death at the hands of a drunken driver.

  Gavin indicated the trauma of witnessing his sister die coupled with the strict manner in which Broderick raised his son, started the Broderick men down this path of miscommunication. And although her death proved a false threat, there had been other substantiated threats on each family member over the years which Mike and his team thwarted. So Mike acknowledged the premise Broderick’s family might be pawns in a nefarious game to cause the high-ranking officer distress.

  Hell, his CO currently received taunting pictures of Dan on an intermittent basis. Unfortunately, the analysts failed to determine who continued to send those photos or why. The only clear thing was they were meant to elicit an emotional reaction from General Broderick for an unknown purpose.

  So publicly, William assumed a façade in which he appeared not to care about Dan to lessen the likelihood of making Dan a target. Mike admitted General Badass did one hell of a job of acting. If he were not privy to all the sleepless nights and covert trips to the hospital, Mike would believe the man was a cold-hearted bastard. In Mike’s opinion, the personal cost of the ruse for both men was too high.

  Mike wished the estranged father and son would one day enjoy a caring relationship like he possessed with his dad. He appreciated the fact his own dad understood the choices he made and supported him though it was not the path the baron envisioned for him. After enduring slavery and conquering his drug habit and fears, with the help of General Broderick and his family, Mike found his passion and a new direction with purpose. When he dove headlong into the life of a soldier, Mike did so with the full blessing of his father.

  His parents expressed their pride in the way he turned his life around one hundred and eighty degrees from his wastrel days. Now someone worthwhile, they took every opportunity to show him how proud they were of the man he became and the way he chose to serve his country.

  Perhaps someday Dan will have an aha moment, peer behind his old man’s shields, and accept his father’s love. Though, he needs to live through this missio
n first. Hope to hell this plan works. Telling Broderick that I failed to keep his son alive will be damned near impossible. It will distress the man enough when he finds out what Dan is expected to do. Hell, even if Dan survives, William will be kicking himself once he reviews the after-action report.

  Mike turned to Mason and Anastasia. “One last review of the scenario we will play out in the waiting area.”

  “We are quite aware of what to do. We hashed it all out several times,” Mason said.

  “Humor him,” Anastasia urged.

  “Fine. Go over it once more. I’m listening.” Mason caught Ripsaw’s amused gaze in the rearview mirror.

  Mike instructed. “Okay, as we rehearsed, Maks will present the invitation at the door. More than likely the guard will accept the invite and have us wait. We will be shown to Panin’s special parlor. Dan and I will be speaking in Russian, setting the tone for the age of entertainment Maks is seeking.

  “Anastasia, you will act as if you are neglected, and attempt to gain Maks’ attention. He will brush you off and make a crude insult.”

  “And I slap him,” Anastasia interjected, disliking that part.

  Mason said, “Can’t believe I’m saying this, but hit him hard. It needs to appear real, and no little slap will do. You need to leave red marks.”

  To relieve the tension, Anastasia quipped, “You promise not to turn grizzly bear on me?”

  Still in serious mode, Mike jumped back in, “No. Mason won’t intercede. Dan will grab you and appear angry. He’ll insult you again and threaten to toss you away. He will order Mason to guard you in French and Mason will acknowledge the order.

  “I’ll address Dan using English, and he will respond, also in English. That way Panin becomes aware we both speak the language in which he prefers to conduct business. Panin won’t want others hearing, so Anastasia complains in Russian to Mason that she didn’t understand Maks. Mason pretends he doesn’t understand you because he only speaks French.

  “In frustration, Anastasia will turn to me for understanding, and I’ll make a play for her which will piss off Maks. That will set the stage for tension between Maks and me. If all goes as planned, Panin will take the bait.” Mike blew out a breath. “If Panin deviates, follow Dan’s lead.”

  Anastasia patted Mike’s thigh. She understood his concerns about entering Panin’s establishment again. Fears could be hard to overcome and pop up even after believing them conquered. “We will all play our parts. Relax, now.”

  Rooftop Half Mile from Cherry Club – 2330 Hours

  With gloved hands, Brody pulled up the rappelling line he used to scale the wall. Once coiled and ready for his exfil, he proceeded to unpack the SV-98, a Russian bolt-action sniper rifle with a suppressor, he serendipitously purloined from a hapless Jackal. He grinned as he pulled out the box of .338 Lapua Magnum rounds.

  What he was about to do would be attributed to the Jackals’ sniper since the man’s fingerprints were all over the weapon and ammo box. The dimwit didn’t wear gloves. A mistake which will most likely result in the man ending up in prison, convicted in the death of five men. The Yurievich brothers information on the gang indicated they wanted to encroach on Savelievich’s turf, so if the police suspected criminal-on-criminal activity, all the better for their cover.

  Brody comprehended his skills as a sniper paled in comparison to Dan’s, but he was no slouch when it came to taking out targets from a distance. As he settled on his stomach and put his eye to the night vision scope, he thought over their mission planning session.

  Dan came down from the roof a changed man. Gone was the desolation in his eyes, and in its place a renewed confidence. More like the old Danny, the one before captivity. Brody would love to know what took place between Blaze and Dan up there.

  Whatever happened, it pleased Brody, and although he disliked Danny’s plan, the fact Blaze backed his idea meant the world. Dan needed to feel in control, and the support of his CO and unit, so Brody caved rapidly and became a supporter of the plan. Mason becoming the most vocal opponent surprised him, though he understood Mason’s concern. A high probability existed Dan would end up dead. When Blaze declared they would utilize Dan’s plan, Mason quieted like the rest, came on board, and assisted in refining the tactics.

  In Brody’s mind, the prospect weighed against Danny having to simulate the act with a child … no contest. The latter would undoubtedly kill Dan’s soul. At least with the revised strategy, Danny retained a slim chance of getting out alive, with the children, and his soul intact.

  Brody scanned the five guards stationed on the top of the club and couldn’t resist smiling as he recalled Ripsaw’s comment on the uniforms. Reporting over the secure network Winds established, Brody said, “Thumper, in position. Five bellhops spotted. Ready on your go.”

  “Roger. Hold.” Blaze grinned at the use of words.

  His eye on the scope, Brody selected his first target and waited.

  En Route to Cherry Club – 2335 Hours

  Mason’s gut churned. Blondie was taking unreasonable risks. In Mason’s eyes, this unacceptable plan would result in his little brother being killed. With alacrity, Mike made them all aware what Savelievich did to those who refused to perform. Dammit, Blaze firmly backed Blondie’s proposal and rebuffed all rational objections.

  Blaze pulled rank and shut down their opposition with a hard glare, and a simple statement. ‘This is the way this mission is going down. If you disagree, keep it to yourself, and commit fully. Solidarity!’

  One word, the Guardian’s motto, solidarity, sealed his mouth. Regardless of his personal opinions, Blaze was absolutely correct. The unit required cohesion if this risky strategy had a snowball’s chance in hell of working. Mason committed his mind to the plan and helped flesh out details, hoping to keep Blondie alive.

  Mason assessed Blondie who sat in front of him in the passenger seat as Ripsaw drove. As they left the resort suite, Brody handed Beauty to Blondie and told him to listen to the playlist he selected. Blondie’s bobbing head and hands now playing an air guitar riff made Mason grin and indicated to him the list contained Blondie’s favorites … hard rock tunes to amp him up.

  From Mason perspective, the music helped in two ways. Beyond mentally prepping Blondie, it helped create the necessary illusion. To all intents and purposes, the highly skilled and deadly Special Forces sniper appeared nothing more than a self-indulgent playboy without a care in the world.

  As far as appearances went, Mason suspected that if his worry for Blondie reflected on his face, it would show as the scowl of a hired bodyguard. That too would help maintain the illusion they needed. He glanced at Ripsaw, noting a frown and intense demeanor also in line with the role of bodyguard.

  Shifting his eyes, he assessed his backseat mates. Mike wore an unreadable expression, neither happy, sad, or … well, almost as blank as Blondie’s stoic mask. Anastasia adopted a bored countenance fitting the character she portrayed tonight. As Mason took several deep breaths and exhaled, Anastasia’s hand landed on his thigh.

  Anastasia smiled at Mason and whispered, “Relax.” She held his gaze until his rigidly held body loosened slightly. She too was not a fan of Dan’s plan, but she conceded the audacity of it might throw Panin off enough for it to work.

  Dan would need to exude egotistical arrogance and brash swaggering. However, his expression when he explained the idea gave her a sense of confidence he could pull off a condescending, self-important mien. She only hoped Panin responded as Dan thought he might. The plan depended on Panin’s reaction.

  Anzhi-Qala Resort – Room 1144 – 2335 Hours

  Twenty minutes ago, Dom disabled the hotel security cameras, wiped all footage from as far back as two weeks before their arrival, and rented a suite in the name of Makar Yurievich. Dom grinned thinking how appropriate he ended up with room eleven forty-four, police code for a deceased person, coroner required. Dropping Makar on the bed next to Kazimir and bound him, determined to obtain the identity of the S
AS leak from the monsters who abducted his daughters and ensure they never harmed another innocent.

  Before he could actually kill them, he needed to do a last sweep of the rooms they occupied. He would make certain to leave no trace of them behind. William helped greatly in sending this unit, and he would protect these men. Earlier today, he had already scrubbed all the video from the clubs they visited and all surrounding video surveillance cameras. Dom left no stone unturned.

  Though, the only images he could not delete were from customs. Luckily everyone except Dan wore hats and sunglasses concealing their identities and Dan entered as Maks, so although he disliked being unable to eliminate evidence, the likelihood of it biting them in the ass was minimal.

  The last-minute requests from the unit had been difficult to arrange, but as he did so, his worries regarding blacking Dan’s soul faded into the background. Dan’s plan was gutsy but would preserve the boy’s soul. William would be proud of the solution his son devised. Only someone with the cockiness of a Broderick could pull it off. Dom had no doubt Dan would do it.

  Back Alley Near Cherry Club – 2340 Hours

  As Patch pulled to a stop, Blaze took a deep centering breath, and gradually exhaled. He held many reservations regarding their scheme, but supporting Blondie outweighed every argument he could muster. This being his first mission after his captivity, Blondie needed their full backing to drive home to the kid he remained a capable soldier.

  Blaze scanned the dark alley, “Patch, keep the van running. Our getaway depends on you and Brody being at the back door as soon as we make it out.”

  Patch nodded and said, “We’ll be there.”

  Winds rubbed the back of his neck and slipped out of the sliding door of the black delivery van. As he shifted his large pack of weapons and tools onto his shoulder, he thought about how fast Dom came through with all they needed. They could learn a thing or two from him. Though, the gleam in Dom’s eyes when he spotted Makar and Kazimir bound and sedated in the room was somewhat disconcerting. When Blaze joined him, Winds asked, “Do you think the Yurievichs will make it out of this alive?”