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Johnson laughed. “You have no idea how famous he is.”
“Not a clue.”
Clapping sounded from my helmet. “Congratulations Tess, you just killed the most wanted man in the world. An assassin I’ve been chasing for over ten years.”
“Shit!” I shot to my feet and slowly scanned the swamp. When I felt that familiar itch on the back of my neck, I stopped. He was in that tree, and he could easily kill all of us, if he wanted. I picked the helmet up. “Why are you here, Pops?”
“I’ve come for my errant daughter,” Pops answered. “A lot of people want you dead, and it’s my duty to protect you.”
A humorless laugh broke from me. “Your duty? Please. You need me for another one of your missions.”
“Come with me now and the Alpha Dogs get to live a bit longer.”
A cold fury engulfed me. “If you harm any of them, I will hunt you down and kill you.”
Pops laughed. “Will you now?”
“Yes. I’m done with you. Stay away from me and mine.”
Stone took the helmet from me. “What kind of father are you? You sent Tess behind enemy lines, alone, and on missions even my team would have a difficult time accomplishing. You cut her rations until she’s literally skin and bones. Plus, you’ve done nothing to stop Roberts from trying to kill her.”
“My daughter is a highly trained soldier who can take care of herself. Captain Harris and General Grandville have paid for their mistakes. I will find Roberts and deal with him,” Pops snapped.
Curiosity got the best of me. “Did you shoot down King Saraki’s cargo jet?”
“No, let’s just say Saraki kidnapped the wrong American.”
The roar of more airboats sounded in the distance. Hopefully, it was Jeb and our backup.
“Come with me now, Tess, and I’ll keep you safe,” Pops promised.
“I think I’ll pass. The Alpha Dogs are the only reason I’m still breathing.”
“Do blood ties mean so little to you?”
“When all hell breaks loose, I know the Alpha Dogs will be fighting at my side, and they will never ever leave me behind. Can you say the same?”
Stone wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Tess belongs to me now.”
I smothered a groan. That was guaranteed to piss Pops off.
“This isn’t over,” Pops said menacingly.
“Oh, but it is. You come anywhere near Tess, and I will kill you.”
Pops sneered. “Challenge accepted.”
“I’m not afraid of you, old man.” Stone’s voice was edged with steel.
I rubbed my aching forehead. Testosterone was the bane of my life.
“You will be. You will be,” Pops vowed.
Whump. Whump. Whump.A Huey appeared overhead, and a blinding white light lit up the area.
“What the hell? Who is that?” God, I hoped it wasn’t more mercenaries.
Stone smiled. “A CIA retrieval team. They parachuted in behind us. The CIA is very anxious to talk to your father.”