Sam opened his mouth to speak, but closed it, slowly letting go of her arms, as if he was only just aware he was gripping her tightly. “I don’t want to think he’s capable of betraying the men in his command,” he admitted reluctantly. “I shouldn’t be taking out my anger on you. I do believe in him, but once in a while, some little thing will cause me to doubt him and then I get angry at myself. It isn’t you, Azami.”
She put her arms around him and held him for a brief moment. “I know that.”
He dropped a kiss on top of her head. “We’ve got to hustle.”
“Then go, I’m right behind you.” Relief was overwhelming. Their first argument and he hadn’t told her to get out of his life.
She was still that white-haired child expecting to be thrown away. Her father had always told her that her past would haunt her and she’d have to fight it. The past shaped the future. How many times had he said that to her? She hoped it didn’t shame him that she still needed reassurance she was worth something.
She sprinted behind Sam, moving faster now, mapping the tunnel automatically should she ever need to use it. The ground sloped downward, but gently, so that it was easy enough to run. The curving walls were thick and made of concrete and steel. Lily had spared no expense in the building of escape routes.
The tunnel came out at the main house, where the team had already gathered, all armed and spreading out to defend their homes.
“Helicopter approaching,” Ryland said as they entered. He didn’t even blink twice when he saw Azami armed.
“I’ll get my bow,” she said and ran for her room.
“It appears to be General Ranier, although he didn’t schedule a visit with us and always has in the past,” Ryland said, looking at Sam.
Sam shook his head. “He hasn’t contacted me.”
Azami rushed back to her room, noting the halls were empty and Lily and Daniel were gone. All computers were shut down and the building was eerily quiet in spite of the fact that ten men were ready for combat. She snatched up her bow and arrows, shouldering them along with her crossbow, and raced back to the war room.
Sam was already gone, guarding some part of the compound. “What can I do? I’m telepathic, so you can convey your orders to me as well without a radio,” she told Ryland.
“You’re a respected guest in this house.”
“I’m a GhostWalker,” she said. “And Sam’s woman. Let me help. I’m better outside than in.” For the first time she actually felt as if she did belong and she was ready to fight for that right.
“Take the east side of the roof. I’ll let the others know you’ll be there.”
Azami didn’t wait to see if he changed his mind, she sprinted for the roof. She simply poured herself into Sam’s mind and she could hear Ryland giving orders and relaying the fact that she would be defending the property with them.
Helicopter landed.
That was the one they called Nico.
General Ranier and the pilot only. No one else in sight. He’s come in without even his aide. No gunners. He’s alone, Rye.
Kadan, escort him in. Nico, keep an eye on the pilot.
Azami made her way to the roof in spite of the fact that everything looked as if it was all right. She wanted to see the layout of the compound and how much cover was available. Clearly even the roof had been built with combat in mind. There were numerous places for a soldier to stay in cover yet defend the roof and grounds around him. She could see the helicopter on the helicopter pad several yards from the main grounds. Kadan was running beside the man she’d only seen in pictures. General Ranier. She really hoped he was as good a man as Sam believed.
All clear. Assemble in the war room. Nico, keep your eye on the pilot.
The command came several minutes after the general disappeared into the house. Azami wasn’t certain if she was included in the command, but she made her way to the war room. If they threw her out, she’d find another way to listen in. Daiki had planted a tiny camera and transmitter when they’d first been shown around the building. The cameras enabled her to move around without fear of getting hurt when she teleported. She didn’t need them for most of the rooms, she had the coordinates in her mind now, but they hadn’t yet retrieved their equipment, although two of the cameras had been found by the GhostWalkers.
She entered the room in the samurai way, quietly but with absolute confidence. The general glanced up, frowned, and turned to Ryland.
“This is Azami Yoshiie. She’s a GhostWalker, sir,” Ryland said. “She’s one of us.”
“And engaged to me,” Sam added. “We’re going to marry as soon as it can be arranged.”
The general looked as if Sam had hit him with a two-by-four. “What the hell are you talking about? We’re in a big enough mess without you losing your mind, boy.”
“I’m a man, sir,” Sam corrected. “I grew up a long time ago. Azami and I want to get married soon. I thought you should know. She’ll be an asset to us. She’s a skilled fighter.”
“She owns one of the biggest satellite companies in the world,” Ranier corrected. “She’s corporate, not one of us.” He sounded brusque, bordering on rude.
Azami continued to watch him, her demeanor demure and serene. It mattered little to her what he said about her, only what he had come to do here. His visit was obviously unusual. The men, although they knew him and had settled into seats around the table, were still very much on alert, ready for anything.
“Sir, what brings you out to our compound?” Ryland asked.
The general glared at Sam for a few more minutes before he sighed. “It’s classified. You know I can’t discuss it in front of a civilian.”
Sam opened his mouth to protest, but Azami inclined her head and left the room immediately. There was no point in arguing. She put on a burst of speed and made it back to her room, quickly turning on the small video screen to watch what transpired.
The general pulled a sheaf of papers from his jacket. “This is why I came.” His voice was grim as he tossed the papers down in front of Ryland.
Ryland picked them up slowly, scanned them quickly, and passed them to Kadan. “I pick my own team on any mission, General. You know that.”
Azami was surprised Ryland could keep suspicion from his voice. Her heart sank for Sam. The orders had come down to go to the Congo, she was certain of it, and from what Ryland had just said, the general had specified Sam go, just as she’d predicted. Her heart might ache for Sam, but her determination to protect him didn’t falter.
“Exactly.” The general roared the word. “Why do you think I’m here? I tried to follow this order up the chain, but suddenly, no one is talking. I can see taking a team into the Congo and destroying vehicles and artillery as well as taking out the present leader, that idiot who calls himself General Armine, and the one fighting him for the rebel force, Eudes Ekabela’s brother, Ezekial. Both have got to go if the president in that country is ever going to stabilize it.”
“They want both men taken out?” Ryland asked.
The general nodded. “They want this genocide stopped there, and the ragtag army of rebels just seems to smash and run. They’re good at disappearing. They’re keeping the UN from delivering food to the people who need it most, although, if you ask me, the rebels also are holding the diamond mines hostage and the president wants them back, which is probably more of a motivating factor for him asking for help.”
“And the bit about retrieval?” Ryland asked.
“Ekabela has a package he’s protecting-a large diamond. He claims he would hand it over if Armine is assassinated, giving him control of the rebels. He negotiated a time and place where you’ll meet him and retrieve the package. They want Sam to meet with him.”