Page 87 of Moros

“Khadri, you just drove by the—um—place.”

“Stopping will draw attention.” I explained. “We’ll make the turn as soon as I can find a place to ditch this thing.”

“And the guitar?”

“Not a guitar.” I slowed the boat down after a grassy curve and turned.

“I think I know a guitar case when I see one.”

“It’s a rifle—a sniper rifle.”

“A sniper—Khadri.”

“I didn’t tell you what one of my jobs in the military was and right now is not that time. Hang on.”

Finding a place to ditch the boat, I helped her from it, took the case and tossed the strap over my shoulder.

Taking her hand to help her over the uneven terrain, I led her in the direction of the air strip until we could hide at the edge of a small, wooded area

A small plane sat at the far end of the property—a couple of armed men stood outside it. The only building on the land was a small house. Since I wasn’t familiar with the place other than what I’d read and heard from Zero over the years.

Since he and his team trained the special forces JDF team, whenever he was on the island, they brought him on raids and the like.

The door to the dwelling opened and Paul stuck his head out. He looked around like a man with the hounds of hell after him then pulled back inside and slammed the door.

“We have to stop that plane from taking off.” I told her, glancing around.

I needed to be higher.

“Come on.” I took her hand again.

“Where are we going?” Ryanne asked.

“I’m not sure.”

We navigated the space until I had a good view of the aircraft. Ensuring we were hiding, I set up the rifle. Once I was finished, I handed her the case, made sure she knew to stay out of the way, then peered through the scope.

I took out the tires, watching as the plane slowly sank down to the ground.

“Well.” I dismantled the rifle. “That should buy us some time.”

“They just change the tires…”

“At this shithole?” I asked. “It’ll take them at least a week to get the tires to come in.”

“He’ll just find another way.” Ryanne turned to look toward the plane.

“Well, we’ll cross that bridge—” I paused. “Usually, I’d just take him out. But since he’s the only person in this entire situation who has any details on your parents?—”

“I’m sorry.”

“We have to go.”

By the time we made it back to her grandparents’ place, the sun was going down. Zero had returned and one of his friends from the first JDF special forces team he’d trained was there. I hadn’t ever met him but Zero introduced him as Justice Smith—Prime, short for Optimus.

I realized then, he was Bailey’s big brother.

We shook hands and after introducing him to Ryanne, she left the room to use the bathroom while Morgana made us all some dinner.