Page 7 of Signed, SEALed, Delivered

“Lieutenant Zach Michaels, from Atlanta Georgia. Your brother, Zane, threw his knee out and lost me a lot of money. I saw him play when I visit my brother Aaron in US. He attends your Georgetown University.”Swallowing hard, uncomfortable with how much he knew about me and my family. If the motherfucker said a word about my mother, I wouldn't hesitate to put a bullet through his head. Remaining stoic, confirming nothing about who he knew me to be. Some hacker living in their parent's basement, snuck into the system, stole records and sold them to dick heads like Aarash.

“Is this not you, Lieutenant?” Before I can tell him where to stick his information, bullets ring out from the right side of the ridge, hitting the men standing on either side of Aarash. Havoc jumps to the side of the middle truck, a rocket launcher on his shoulder. Five more shots ring out before Havoc sets the rocket free, the fucker who killed Aarash's men, also gave away their position.

The blast from the rocket is too much for the blonde under the truck, she bounds out, hands over her ears screaming. “Stop it!”

Face covered in dirt and shed tears, hands scraped and bleeding from my roughness in tossing her to safety. “All of this shooting is ridiculous.”

Havoc looks over his shoulder, Ghost is holding what looks like a crowbar in his hand and I’m assuming it was what fell off my truck, or was tossed at it.

“Don't you fucking listen to anything?” Doc is out from the left, marching with purpose in Blonde’s direction. Not only is she a loud mouth, but she is quick as hell, diving around Doc and landing eye to eye with Aarash.

Something exchanges between them before Doc can attempt to pull her back. Blondie places her back against Aarash's chest, her arms spread out beside her. “If you want to kill him, you will have to kill me.” She is determined as hell it's comical really. She has no idea the kind of monster she is attempting to protect.

“Your funeral.” I shrug, lowering my rifle, her foolishness giving me a new idea of how to use him. “Ghost, let's find this man a seat aboard our bus and let these two kids get acquainted.” Reaper is less welcoming to my idea, where Doc finds it just as amusing.

“Okay, just got to make sure he isn't carrying anything which would hurt us.” Ghost moves to go around Blondie, when she realizes Aarash is about to be searched.

“What do you think you are doing?” Swatting at Ghost with her hands. “This man is defending his land, ask him nicely to use his roads.” Placing a tiny hand on Aarash’s cloth covered arm. “Sir, please know these men do not represent me. I apologize for the Neanderthal treatment you and your family have received.”

Ghost looks to me, silently confirming to continue. Moving around, I hand my rifle to Doc.“Well, since me and my team don't represent you and the facts seem to be getting in the way of your flirting with Aarash here.” I reach around, tugging his turban off his head. Blondie jumps back as half a dozen grenades fall to the ground. I look to the dark balls rolling around, and then back to her shocked eyes. “Think I need to look further?” My question is swimming in sarcasm, but Blondie’s bottom lip vibrates with a quiver as she turns and crawls back under the truck.

***

As the first rays of the new day creep over the top of the ridge, we pull the last of the supplies from the truck. Blondie, whose name I learned ten minutes ago is Vivian, gave no argument as we handed Aarash over to the security team on this side of the valley. She remained silent and worked hard at getting the med station ready to take in wounded.

Ghost radioed for our helicopter ride back to base, a small reprieve awaited us once we landed. Havoc checked the tires of the truck for any damage before thanking the driver for all his help.

“You know, Captain, with the amount of friction between us, the sex would be incredible.” Vivian stood in a pose most men would find sexy, legs slightly parted, with her hip jutted out to her left and her bottom lip held prisoner by her teeth.

Walking closer to her, I shortened the distance and the need to raise my voice any louder than necessary. “You know, the Navy has a zero tolerance policy on sexual harassment. With what you just said, I could have your ass before a judge by nightfall.” The thundering sounds of the helo blades off the surrounding mountains keep her from defending her proposition. Leaning in, my lips nearly touch the ridge of her ear, “Besides, I wouldn't fuck you for practice.”

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