Hawk started to walk with Thomas. “Look, you can still get out of here. I’m not sure the CIA even knows you’re here.”
“All the better for us. We hold the tactical advantage in so many ways right now.”
“Except firepower.”
“This isn’t worth you losing your careers over,” Hawk said, protesting Thomas’s insistence on helping. “You have no idea who’s involved in this operation because you probably never would’ve agreed to it.”
“I’m an Army Ranger. I don’t really get to disagree with any assignment. I’m just given a set of operational directives, and the number one goal on my list is to protect you.”
“Well, consider yourself relieved of duty. I’d rather you escape without the CIA even knowing you were here.”
Thomas shook his head. “It’s the CIA. You don’t think they’ll figure out we’re here eventually? We can’t hide forever because you know they’re going to tear this place apart.”
“I’ll go deal with them.”
Thomas smiled wryly. “It’s a little late for that, to be honest. I had some of my guys guard the front door, and I’m sure they’re engaging in a friendly conversation right about now.”
“I’ll handle them. You take the rest of your team, and get Alex out of here. I don’t want her to catch the brunt of this.”
Thomas sighed. “Fine. I’ll honor your request. Just do what you can to protect my men. Just let them know it’s a zulu bravo command. That’ll signal I’ve passed command to you.”
“Roger that,” Hawk said as he dashed back toward the front of the house.
He peeked out the window before entering the courtyard. Two Humvees were parked directly in front of the house, the manned gun turrets pointing at the two Army Rangers who’d refused to put down their weapons. Next to one of the Humvees, an agent trained his gun on one of the guards and urged them to comply.
This is gonna be a blood bath.
Hawk swung the door open and walked out with his hands raised in the air in a gesture of surrender.
“It’s zulu bravo, gentlemen,” Hawk said. “Lay your weapons down. I’m going to make sure you get out of here alive.”
“That’s our job,” one of the Rangers said.
“Not any more. Now, stand down.”
Reluctantly, the two Rangers set their weapons on the ground.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t Mr. Brady Hawk,” said the lead agent as he approached. “Nice work here, but we’ll be taking you in—and we’ll also be taking credit. It’s not every day that we take down a weapon’s dealer, a terrorist leader, and a traitor.”
“So far, you’ve only one out of three.”
The agent stopped. “What are you talking about?”
“First, I’m not a traitor. And secondly, Karif Fazil is who knows where now since we had to suspend our search for him to deal with your interference in this operation.”
“I hate to break it to you, but this has been our operation all along. But nice touch getting the Rangers involved. Some general’s head is going to roll after the president finds out about this.”
Hawk noticed movement out of the corner of his eye but kept his gaze focused on the agent now standing just ten feet away.
“You talk too much,” Hawk said.
“And you need to drop your weapon,” came a voice from behind the agent. He spun around to see Thomas holding a gun. “Drop it now.”
Hawk glanced at the two Humvees, both flanked by a pair of Rangers on each side. The agents manning the turrets raised their hands in surrender.
The lead agent followed suit but then darted toward Hawk and jammed a gun to his head.
“I don’t think so, Sergeant,” the agent said. “Now, put your weapons down or I’m going to kill Mr. Hawk.”
CHAPTER 24
THE TENSION OUTSIDE Malik Bashir’s mansion was palpable. Hawk remained stiff, the end of the agent’s gun pressing harder with each passing moment. Scanning the area for any movement, Hawk didn’t see anything but Rangers and CIA agents refusing to blink.
“I said drop your weapons,” the agent growled, breaking the silence.
The front door to the house swung open.
Alex rushed out with a rifle trained on the agent. “If you don’t drop yours right now, those will be the last words you’ll ever speak. Are we clear here?”
The agent raised his hands and crouched low, setting his weapon on the ground.
“Secure the combatants,” Thomas ordered before nodding at Hawk. “I’m resuming command.”
Hawk snatched the agent’s gun and tucked it into the back of his pants. He turned toward Thomas.
“Thank you for your help.”
Thomas smiled. “Sorry I lied to you. I never relinquish my directives so easily, but I didn’t have time to convince you I had a plan. It worked better without you having any knowledge of it.”
“And Alex? Was she part of the plan?”
“It was partially her idea,” Thomas said. “I’ll make sure to note that in my post-op report.”
Hawk walked toward Alex, who’d just lowered her gun. “You need to be more careful.”
“I think that’s sound advice . . . for yourself. If you took it some time, maybe I wouldn’t have to end up saving you.”
Hawk forced a smile. “I told Blunt I’d take care of you if you entered the field.”
“Well, you’re doing a pretty lousy job. Fortunately, I can take care of myself. Now, let’s get moving. We’ve got work to do, especially if we don’t want President Michaels trying to spin this operation so he can take credit for it.”
Hawk and Alex worked with Thomas and the rest of the Rangers to tie up the CIA agents. They placed them inside Bashir’s panic room, anchoring them to the wall.
Hawk gave a little extra tug on the bindings of the lead agent. “Nothing personal. I hope you understand.”
“You’re gonna regret this,” he snarled.
Hawk yanked once more on the rope. “I do have a list of regrets, but this will never be on it. You can count on that.”
Thomas poked his head in the room. “You done here, Hawk?”
“Everyone is secured. What next?”
“Come with me.”
Thomas led Hawk
