The ambulance arrived on the scene and Shawna looked white as a ghost.
“She’s going into shock!” Stitch yelled to the paramedics. “Stay still and relax, Shawna. Everything is going to be okay,” he told her.
“Where are Mercury and Tiek?” she asked. Lee could see her eyes beginning to roll. The adrenaline rush was leaving her body. The shock of being shot was beginning to take control.
Lee looked at Tex and Stitch as they looked back toward Shawna.
“Mercury and Tiek are fine. They’re making sure nothing like this will ever happen again,” Tex said.
Lee felt that tightness in his chest, that feeling that the danger wasn’t over, not by a long shot.
* * * *
Tiek and Mercury were side by side as they joined the military police in Brazil, prepared to enter Chavez and Roman’s estate and private facility. The sons of bitches were building missiles in their own backyards. Mercury and Tiek wanted to be sure to put this entire ordeal to rest. On their way to the military base, after being prepped on the mission, they got word that both Shawna and Lee were shot. Lee’s was a flesh wound, but Shawna needed surgery to remove the bullet. Mercury wanted to be there for them, but he knew he vowed to protect his family and put this fear, this monster to rest once and for all. As Calico looked into Emoy Roman, the flight and chatter about the package being delivered from the US to Brazil, he figured out that Shawna was part of that package, along with some illegal weapons being delivered to people in the US to cover Chavez’s tracks. That was how they found out about the terrorist missiles and plans on attacking civilians on US soil. Chavez had gotten a copy of the thumb drive and the one with specific details on how to build the missiles from scratch.
The government was now involved because the Brazilian government informed about them about acts of potential terrorism. They conceded to the need for infiltration by both the US government and the Brazilian government.
Calico pulled some strings to get Tiek and Mercury in on the mission. As they held their positions, Mercury looked at Tiek. “Be smart, we want to make it back to our family.”
“You got it, Commander. They’re why we’re here. Chavez and Roman need to go down, permanently.”
As they got the signal to move in, the sounds of gunfire and echoes of smoke bombs surrounded the facility. People were running and scrambling in an attempt to escape.
Mercury heard the words “Chavez and men escaping right side of house,” so he and Tiek abruptly turned around in time to see them fleeing.
“Stop!” they yelled out. Chavez turned around and shoved another man in front of him so he wouldn’t get hit. Mercury fired, hitting the ground around Chavez. The other man yelled out and then turned to shoot at Mercury and Tiek. Both Mercury and Tiek fired their weapons and watched Roman and Chavez fall to the ground.
More gunfire erupted behind them and they heard the gunfire slow down. Finally there was a call on their ear mics confirming that they had control of the estate.
Mercury looked at Tiek as they stared at the two bodies lying on the ground.
“I would have loved to taken him alive. Both of them. Maybe even give them some of the treatment they gave Keith and Shawna,” Tiek stated.
“It doesn’t matter. They can’t hurt Keith or Shawna anymore. Our family is safe now. That’s exactly what I wanted in coming here.”
Tiek nodded as the chaos continued around them. There were police everywhere and information being yelled out from person to person within earshot. They found completed missiles, and an arsenal of weapons and plans to develop a huge bomb.
“Let’s go home, Merc.”
Mercury chuckled. “I love when Shawna calls me that.”
“I know you do.” Tiek smiled.
“But that doesn’t mean you can do it, too.”
“Sure it does. We’re family now, remember?”
Mercury smiled as they made their way back to the vehicles to wait for the opportunity to head out of there. Their job was done. One last mission, one final challenge to ensure that their woman would be safe forever.
Chapter 17
Shawna placed her hand against Keith’s cheek as he smiled. He was sitting up in the hospital bed. Shawna still had her arm in a sling, and her shoulder wrapped.
“I’m so glad the doctor said he’s going to release you in a few days.”
“Me, too, sis. I have a lot to do. I have to look for a place to live. I need a new civilian job.”
“Hey, you’re staying on the ranch with us,” she stated.