by Laura Acton
Blaze caught Blondie’s eyes. “I’m okay, kid.”
“Yeah, right, if soaking the sheets with your blood is considered okay.”
Understanding the feelings of helplessness from being in Blondie’s position, having been the one observing far too often, Blaze joked, “Guess I need more instruction from the master … or perhaps the grasshopper.”
An unexpected grin appeared on Dan’s face as he agreed. “Yeah, we need to teach you to move faster.”
Ifran arched his brow. “Faster? I have never seen anyone move as quickly as you?”
“You have not seen my son—” Blaze abruptly stopped and held his breath as stinging pain lanced through him.
“Breathe through the pain. In, hold, two, three, four, release.” Dan moved to Blaze’s right side and gripped his hand to give him an anchor. As he continued to guide Blaze through sniper breathing, the role reversal gave him an appreciation of what his brothers experienced when he was injured.
From the doorway, Shareef observed once again. What he witnessed gave him pause as he attempted to apply the lessons Ifran imparted to him. He noted body language and assessed it against the spoken words. The actions and words appeared habitual but out of synch … odd somehow, as if the players in the small drama before him switched roles. His assumptions were validated when the injured man spoke.
“Neither side of the fence is comfortable, but I’m glad it is me on this side this time.” Blaze held tight to Blondie’s hand as the doctor injected what he suspected to be a local anesthetic into his abdomen.
“I’m not. You should’ve let me make the move.” Dan kept his eyes glued to Blaze’s, avoiding looking at the needle.
“I was closer. You’re fast but not that fast.”
Doctor Saif al-Beshara spoke English as he reported, “Though long, the wound does not appear deep. I will clean and suture it once the anesthetic takes effect.” After instructing his assistants to wash all the foulness from his patient, Saif inquired, “When did you last receive a tetanus shot?”
“A year ago,” Blaze replied.
“No need for another one.” Spying the crown prince and the man he treated for a snake bite earlier, Saif ordered, “You must clean up. You cannot be in here in that state if I am to prevent infection of his wound.”
Conflict warred in Dan, not wanting to leave Blaze, yet understanding the risk of septicity given the crap covering him. Blaze decided for him when he declared, “Go, kid. I’m in excellent hands.”
“I’ll be in the other room if you need me.” Dan reluctantly turned and exited. Once in the common area, he inspected the state of his clothing wishing they brought a change. The knees and the lower portion of his slacks were damp, dirty, and reeked of the sewer, as did portions of his shirt. A thought popped into Dan’s mind, and he spoke before considering the impoliteness of his words. “How does the guard work in that place? The stench is awful.”
Ifran chuckled. “I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment. Luckily for Mastoor, he was born with anosmia. He lacks the sense of smell.” Glancing at Michael, noting the man’s attire appeared as disgusting as his and Daniel’s, Ifran directed, “While you shower, your clothing will be laundered. You will find robes and towels available in the baths. I suggest a long steam to assist in drawing the unpleasant odor from your pores.”
He provided instructions to Saleet and Jaasir, before turning to Shareef. “Brother, if you will accompany me, we can talk.” He ushered his perplexed brother from the room, leaving Jaasir in charge of their guest’s needs.
Saleet first gathered Blain’s clothing then followed Jaasir, Michael, and Daniel into the massive facility to collect their garments after they disrobed in shower cubicles.
Dan unbuttoned his shirt, stopping when he glimpsed the dressing over his catheter site. Pulling the edges closed, he stepped out of the shower area. When Jaasir attempted to initiate a query, Dan said, “I’ll be back in a moment.”
He went to the room he shared with Blaze and stood in the doorway. “Excuse me, doctor, may I ask a question?”
Saif turned and smiled at the young man. “Yes?”
He allowed his top to fall open displaying his bandage. “I had a PD catheter removed four days ago. I still have stitches in, is it alright for me to shower and go into the steam room?”
Serving as a doctor for thirty years, Saif relied on his professionalism not to react to the extensive scarring. It was too old to be related to a recent catheter, so he requested, “What suture material did they use?”
With no idea, Dan glanced at Blaze but received a shrug indicating he didn’t know either. “Uncertain, but the doc said he would remove them in seven to ten days. Perhaps you can take them out for me today?”
“May I examine you?” When Daniel nodded, Saif changed gloves and moved forward. “They used nylon thread, and the site is mending nicely, but they must remain for now. I will seal the area with a waterproof covering so you may enjoy a steam bath. When you are finished, I will apply a breathable dressing. I will also reexamine the punctures on your calf and provide you another dose of antihistamines.”
As the kind doctor taped up Blondie’s abdomen, Blaze smiled. The kid is taking care of himself. Never thought I’d see the day.
Al Sattar Palace – Steam Room – 1710 Hours
After a shower to wash off the grime, Dan wrapped a towel around his waist and joined Mike in the sauna. He spread another plush towel on the tiled bench and stretched out, placing one arm behind his head and relaxed.
Mike opened his eyes and glanced at Dan. “One hell of a day, huh?”
“Yeah.” Dan swiveled his head to peer at Mike. “You truly okay with Panin being alive or was that only lip service?”
Wiping his face, Mike confessed, “Truthfully, I want him dead so there is no chance he can escape and hurt anyone else, but I doubt he can break out.”
Dan chuckled. “If he ever does your father will go to the deepest, darkest, third-world jungle to recapture the son of an unwed mother.”
Mike burst out laughing, and Dan joined him. After they settled, Mike sighed. “So would yours.”
Unwilling to make Mike aware of his thoughts, Dan stayed quiet. For your sake, not mine. Dan pushed negative feelings away focusing on positive ones … his brothers. They won’t believe what transpired here.
When Dan clammed up, Mike realized his mistake. His opinion and knowledge of General Broderick did not jive with Dan’s. He took a stab at trying to make Dan view his father in a different light. “Your dad is a kindhearted man. When he found me, he gave me the clothes off his back so I wouldn’t be degraded further when the others showed up.”
Fury surged through Dan. “General Badass goes to the ends of the earth for someone he deems worthy. He didn’t bother to find me, and after leaving me in a hellhole for months, he didn’t give me shit. Did he offer me one kind word after I was found more dead than alive, in so much pain I want to die? Hell no! He only bellowed and ordered me not to commit suicide because they spent too much on my training.” Dan rose swiftly and stormed out.
Mike bowed his head wondering if he drove the wedge deeper between two men he admired. Hell, he probably just blew the burgeoning trust between him and Dan too. I should’ve kept my mouth shut.
Closing his gaping mouth after overhearing both men, Jaasir ventured, “Did his father actually order him not to kill himself?”
Lifting his head, Mike realized he had errored again in talking too freely. He stood and slowly left the room without answering Jaasir.
Al Sattar Palace – Dan’s and Blaze’s Room – 1720 Hours
Blaze reclined on the comfortable bed with several pillows stuffed behind him as Dr. al-Beshara and his assistants cleared up the supplies used to suture the long laceration. The wound would be more annoyance than anything. Despite the initial blood loss, the thorough examination revealed the shallow cut caused no internal damage. As Blondie stomped into the room and flopped himself down on the other bed,
Blaze noted a thunderous expression.
He waited to speak until after the doctor examined and dressed Blondie’s wounds. The tempest in the kid’s eyes had not abated in the slightest in the intervening time. Although alone in the room with Blondie, Blaze refrained from using call signs as he gained Blondie’s attention. “Daniel?”
Dan whipped his head towards Blaze, fury lighting his eyes. “Don’t you ever call me that!”
Taken aback by the ferocity and venom of his tone, Blaze shifted his position, sitting at the edge of the bed, as concern etched in his features and his hazel eyes softened. “Alright. I won’t. Can you tell me why?”
Letting out a shuddering breath, Dan willed himself to calm down. When he could speak without acid lacing his words, he said, “He calls me that. Never Dan, never son, never anything remotely warm. Always Daniel. I don’t matter one damned bit to the coldhearted bastard.”
Present Day – December 26
Ottawa – General Broderick’s Home – Family Room – 11:00 p.m.
“Daniel!”
Jarred from the past by the general bellowing his name, Dan’s body jerked.
“Son, can you hear me? Danny, please wake up, son.” Concern dripped from every word as William knelt next to the recliner attempting to gain Daniel’s attention, his heart rapidly beating as Daniel remained unresponsive.
Memories of the worst mission of his life faded as the image of Blaze’s concerned face in the room at the Al Sattar palace morphed into his father’s. Confused by the rapid change of location and time, Dan uttered, “What?”
“Don’t do that to me ever again,” William said as he sat back on his heels and blew out a ragged breath. Relief flooded in as Daniel’s eyes focused on him and his heartbeat returned to a regular pattern.
“Do what?” Dan glanced around at the others noting worried expressions.
“Go catatonic. You scared me to death. I thought …” William inhaled a shaky breath and put a hand over his son’s heart. “You matter to me, son.”
Jim gripped Dan’s wrist to take his pulse as he said, “Scared us. Are you sure you weren’t injured in the altercation at the hockey rink?”
Dan shook his hand away. “I wasn’t catatonic.”
“What do you call ignoring us for twenty minutes?” Jim countered.
“Twenty?” Surprise imbued Dan’s response.
William rose, and picked up Daniel’s coffee mug along with his, needing a refill. “Yes, son. Where were you?”
The warmth of the word son from his father’s tongue stabbed him in the heart. How could I have been so blind for so long? I built the fence between us as much or more than he did. Realizing everyone still stared at him with uneasiness, Dan shifted the heating pad to his abs and said, “Sorry, I was thinking about the Makhachkala mission. Dad, what did Mom do to Julie?”
The coffee pot nearly slipped from William’s hand, still amazed and gladdened when Dan called him dad. “She used one of her contacts to ensure Pinchas received a lesson in compassion. The corporal spent four months doing extra duty in the burn unit before transferring back to Canada.”
A smirk crossed Dan’s face as warmth spread in his heart. “Mom is not someone I would ever want to be on the bad side of.” He blinked as another thought entered his head. “Wait, how did she know about Julie?”
After handing over a refilled cup to Daniel, William resumed his seat. “I overheard the woman speaking with Master Corporal Weeks outside my office while you were in Makhachkala. Weeks laid into Pinchas. I realized then I sent you on a mission ill-prepared … I never even considered the scarring. I called your mother.”
He halted. “I’m sorry, Daniel. I made a grievous error in asking so much of you so soon after your recovery. Though, you made me exceedingly proud in how you handled the mission.” He gazed at each man. “All of you did.”
Dom nodded. “I’ve worked with a lot of operatives, and I must tell you, you are the best. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for rescuing my precious girls before their innocence was brutally taken from them.”
Blaze turned to the general. “Sir, I need to ask you a question.”
“Yes.” William met Blaze’s steady gaze. Without this man, all these men, Daniel would not have made it through his six years in purgatory.
“Our decision to divulge information to Baron Wildingham and the Al Sattars, how did we not violate the security act?”
William set his mug down. “Several reasons. Charles Galloway held the appropriate security level since he was and is a member of the Guardian oversight committee. The emir’s guards already knew of your presence in the Cherry Club. What Mike shared about his abduction did not include specific details, and …” William trailed off before he shared that what Daniel said to Mike in the steam bath about his captivity didn’t break the rules either.
“And what, sir?” Dan asked.
Clearing his throat, William said, “And I authorized Galloway’s request to share the details with his father. If any violation occurred, it would fall on me, as you all only followed orders from your superior officer.”
Winds grinned and leaned back. We were so wrong for so long about General Broderick. “One thing remains unclear to me. Whatever happened to Panin?”
“Well, he got what he deserved,” Mike said.
“And that would be?” Winds prompted.
“A long, excruciatingly painful, and fitting death. According to a report Ifran provided my dad, Savelievich suffered frequent bouts of dysentery for about five years. Persistent diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and vomiting caused him to become emaciated. When Panin finally seemed to be recovering, an Arabian cobra bit him. The neurotoxin in its venom attacked his nervous system. He died from respiratory arrest and heart failure.”
Dan recalled the baron’s threat and snickered. “Guess your father will never need to chase down the son of an unwed mother.” Mike and Blaze chuckled, and when they quieted, Dan said, “What’s on tap for tomorrow?”
Blaze patted Blondie’s shoulder. “Whatever you feel up to doing.”
“How about a slow, easy day with no possibility of Blondie being injured,” Mason suggested.
“I’m all for that.” Jim shifted back into his chair, satisfied Dan was okay.
“This is Blondie we’re talking about … nowhere is safe,” Winds retorted.
Dan grinned as he stood. “Whatever you all decide is okay by me, but I’m turning in now.”
Days Like This
71
December 31
Toronto – Green Acres Cemetery – 1111 Hours
Dan stood in the center of the semi-circle, flanked on his left by Blaze and Winds and on his right by Mason and Jim as they all silently gazed upon Brody’s headstone. The drive down to Toronto had been full of laughter as the guys listened to the CDs Brody created. Each one shared their favorite memories of Brody as they remembered their lost brother.
Slipping his hand into his pocket, Dan thumbed the plastic angel he found at Brody’s grave last May when Jon drove him here. He carried the angel with him always … why he wasn’t sure… perhaps it gave him a tangible link to Brody. Dan glanced at his wristwatch and noted the time as a smile grew.
Recollections of the Makhachkala mission still fresh in his mind, Dan said, “It’s now eleven after eleven. Do you guys remember the significance?”
Getting blank reactions, Dan pulled out the tiny angel and showed them. “Back in Makhachkala, Brody told us that eleven is a master number in numerology and implies the spiritual path of an earth angel sent to uplift human consciousness and restore a sense of oneness and harmony … creating the beauty of life.”
“He always believed in guardian angels,” Blaze said.
Jim gaped at the angel in Dan’s hand. “Where did you get that?”
Dan glanced at his hand. “This?”
“Yes.”
“I found it here on Brody’s last birthday. Not an easy day. Guilt weighed so heavy I wanted to end m
y life. This … well, this and Jon changed my mind. You’ll think I’m crazy, but I swear I heard Brody talking to me when I held this in my hand.”
Jim smiled. “I’m glad it helped and that I left it here.”
“You?” Dan’s jaw dropped.
“Yeah, me. I visited Brody’s grave on his birthday too. Shortly after becoming a paramedic. I figured an angel would be a fitting gift for Brody. He is surely a guardian angel now instead of just a guardian. Perhaps Brody guided me here and made me leave this for you to find. A way to help you when you needed help the most.”
Shivers went down Dan’s spine. He didn’t truly believe in angels … but the breeze shifted, and Brody’s laughter tingled his ears.
Floating near his headstone, gazing at his beloved brothers, Brody chuckled as he slung his arm over Ripsaw shoulders. “One day Danny is going to believe. I’ll keep trying until he does.”
Ripsaw grinned. “Jim already does. He is quite receptive to my whispers. I didn’t have to try hard for him to leave the little angel here for Blondie to discover.”
Brody nodded. “Yeah, my birthday was difficult for Danny. I feared he might actually go through with taking his life. I’m glad Joseph was able to break through to his hard-headed brother and suggest Jon take the pistol with him that night. I believe that was Danny’s turning point.”
A snort emitted from Ripsaw. “Jon is as mule-headed as Blondie, but the kid needs Jon around to challenge him to change. Though, I believe those two are still in for a few rough patches.”
Dan closed his hand around the angel. “Do you mind if I keep this or should I put it back?”
“Keep it,” Jim said with a smile, fully believing he had been guided to leave the token for Dan.
Mason uncapped the bottle of Jack Daniels. “Time to fulfill Brody’s last request.”
Blaze passed out the cups as Mason filled them. Once all five held a cup, they raised them. Blaze started the toasts. “To a man, I would be proud to call son. Thank you for keeping us all in the light.”
Winds’ eyes teared up. “My brother, my friend, I miss you, but you are now with your beloved mother.”
