Final Vow (16 page)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Bridget raised her 9mm, took aim
, and fired. She smiled in satisfaction as the bullet found its mark.

“Dang, you’re a good shot,” Annie said as she stared at
the bullseye.

Bridget just smiled and stepped back to give
Annie a turn at the shooting range on the Davies family farm. She tried to pay attention as Annie fired off a series of shots, but her mind kept wandering to Ahmed. He’d been working nonstop trying to find Sergei since they got back three days ago. In fact, everyone was working so hard that she was glad Annie stole her away today for some target practice.

Ahmed
had been getting up early and not getting home until late at night. He would need her then and she was happy to be there for him. After making love, they’d fall asleep as he held her. But come morning, she would awaken to an empty bed. Even her father had only called to make sure she was back on U.S. soil. The knowledge that Sergei had so much plastic explosive had rocked the intelligence world.

Cy had also stepped forward to help when he found out what had happened. Most days
, Ahmed and Cy were locked away in the security cottage on Mo’s farm with Nabi as they worked with Jamal in Rahmi and some of Cy’s contacts. So far they had turned up nothing and Ahmed’s mood was turning darker with every passing day.

“
I kinda have an ulterior motive for asking you to shoot with me this morning,” Annie started to say when she emptied her clip.

Bridget looked downfield and smiled when she saw the big
A
Annie had shot out of the target. “What’s up?”

“Well, Noodle is going to
a noodling competition in Alabama and Dinky is taking my cousin, Chrystal, to the Smoky Mountains for a romantic getaway . . . so, I’m kinda on football duty tonight and I could really use the help with the bag checks.”

“Sure. I can help you. Ahmed’s been working late anyway. And there’s nothing more fun than
messing with some teenagers. I’ve been practicing the evil glare Ahmed uses.” Bridget narrowed her eyes and stared Annie down.

Annie burst out laughing. “You may need to keep practicing.”
Annie stopped laughing and grew serious. “What do you think Sergei is planning? Do you think he could attack here?”

“I’ve been thinking about that. He called me the other week and threatened me,
so who knows? I hope not. Seventy-five pounds of Semtex could level the whole town.”

“He called you?”

“Yeah. He likes to talk to me. Threatened me with a torturous death as Ahmed watched—you know, the normal,” Bridget shrugged.

“That’s not normal for an international terrorist to be calling you. Did Ahmed flip out when you told him?”

“Actually, I forgot to tell him. I met Sergei in New York but wasn’t able to catch him. I didn't think the phone call was a big deal. I don’t take it personally like Ahmed does.”

Annie thought for a minute and then looked up at her. “I wouldn’t tell him. He’s
got so much going on right now that he’ll freak out. Not that I know him very well, but with you I fear emotion may cloud judgment.”

Bridget nodded
. “Exactly. He would be blinded by anger and that’s when mistakes happen.”

“But, you’re going to be in
t-r-o-u-b-l-e
if he finds out. I’m going to tell on you,” Annie sang. Bridget shook her head at her friend’s teasing.

“Do you think Sergei will come after you?” Annie asked
, growing serious once again.

“I don’t know, but I’m guessing I’ll find out soon enough.” Bridget raised her gun and emptie
d her new clip into the target.

Ahmed ran a hand through his hair in frustration. No one could find Sergei or figure out what he intended to do with the bombs. He and Cy had been working almost nonstop for days now and still they had nothing.

“No one’s talking. We have men trying to get to Boris’
s boss in Russia, but it’s doubtful they’ll find him or get him to talk. But we’re still working on it,” Cy said as he hung up the phone with a contact in Russia.

“Sergei goes where the money is. He could
be anywhere.” Ahmed slammed his hand on the desk and tried to rein in his temper.

“We’ll find him. Everyone is looking for him. He can’t elude detection much longer. He must have gone
underground, but when he surfaces someone will spot him,” Cy tried to reassure him.

Ahmed was starting
to get worried. And he never got worried. Sergei had been dangerous before, but with this amount of explosives, it was unimaginable what destruction and death he could bring about.

“Look, we’ve been working on this nonstop. I promised Gemma I’d take her to the football game tonight. I need to unwind and clear my head. Hopefully
, I can actually sleep a little and come up with something new tomorrow. Why don’t you and Bridget come with us?” Cy asked as he stood up and stretched.

“He will be going.”

Ahmed turned to the door and saw Mo.

“Nabi is taking the night shift.
Dani and I need Ahmed with us until Nabi arrives. And we’re going to the game.”

“I ca
n’t. I need to . . .” Ahmed started.

“You need to take a break. You’re too emotionally involved in this, my friend. I know what is urging you on, but if you keep going like this
, you will be in no position to defeat him once the time comes. Come to the game, relax, go home, and get some sleep. Those are my orders.”

Ahmed thought about ignoring Mo, but he was right. He needed to decompress and remove him
self from the situation for a bit. Tomorrow he’d look at it with fresh eyes.

Ahmed blew out a long breath and gave Mo a nod. “How much time do I have?”

“We leave in an hour.” Mo turned and headed back to the house.

Cy grabbed his coat and rolled his shoulders. “See you there.”

“Thank you for all your help. I don’t know if I have told you how much I appreciate it.”

“That’s what friends are for.
” Cy smiled before heading for his car.

Ahmed picked up his phone and sent a text to see if Bridget wanted to join him. He had hardly seen her since they got back. Yet, she knew he needed her every night. She took away the stress and worry and allowed him a couple
of hours of peace in her arms.

His phone beeped and he read that she was on duty tonight at the game. Well, at least he would see her before the game
. Maybe she’d need to frisk him. The thought had him smiling as he made his way to his house to feed Zoti and take a shower before the game.

* * *

The crowd was at capacity for the game. Upon their arrival, Bridget had cooed over Zain as Ahmed held him in his arms. Unfortunately that meant he didn’t get frisked. Instead, women surrounded him, gushing about the cute baby. However, he did get to enjoy the cute eye roll Bridget gave him before he was swept into the small stadium with the crowd.

Ahmed looked into
Zain’s round little face and smiled down at him. He hadn’t held a baby since Kedar. He thought it would hurt too much, but instead he felt excitement. The idea of holding a son or daughter of his own with Bridget had taken root and quieted the darker thoughts. She was a great protector and he respected her for that. She would keep their children safe from Sergei or any other dangers. But, it was her quiet and nurturing side that he knew solidified the idea. She would love any children she had and protect them with her life.

Dani and Mo took a seat next to Kenna and
her young daughter, Sienna, who was completely infatuated with the twins. Ahmed handed Zain over to Kenna and took his seat, happy that he wasn’t next to Paige. Not that he didn’t like Paige. She just got a little excited during games and the last time he sat next to her, his arm hurt for days. He nodded to Cade and Will down on the field as they prepared for the game. Cole shook his hand as he made his way to Paige. Gemma gave him a smile and Cy thumped his back as they took their seats next to him.

Miles helped his wife, Morga
n, sit down behind him as they both greeted the crowd. Tammy and Pierce filed in next to Morgan. Tammy leaned forward and gave Ahmed's cheek a quick peck.

“It’s good to see you. You’re loo
king much better,” she smiled.

He did feel better. Somehow being in the middle of all these people was actually relaxing. The Rose sisters stopped at the edge of the row and handed out brownies as they spread the gossip.
He wasn’t alone anymore. In fact, he was far from it. He had a best friend—a brother really—and many people who cared for him. It was an odd feeling, but he finally understood what Mrs. Davies had told him.

“How you doing, Ahmed?” Miles asked when Morgan and Tammy turned to t
alking about their pregnancies.

“Not
too good. Cy and I haven’t found anything yet,” Ahmed told him.

“Well, if you need anything, don’
t hesitate to ask.”

“Thanks, Miles.”

“Same goes for me. You know, if you want it done legally . . .” Cole leaned back and smiled, causing Ahmed to laugh. The FBI and Ahmed had different ways of approaching situations, but they could come in handy.

“Come on
, Keeneston,” Paige screamed and Ahmed knew it was game time. He sat back and followed Mo’s order to relax.

“It sounds like the game just started,” Annie said to Bridget as they took a seat in the cruiser to stay warm. Winter was coming to Keeneston.

“Sorry you have to miss watching Cade coach
.” Bridget took a bite of brownie and sipped the hot chocolate the Rose sisters had brought them. She looked up at the back of the bleachers. So far none of the kids had sneaked under them to do whatever teenagers thought was cool these days.

“It’s okay. Marshall wanted time with Katelyn and the baby
. Plus, I get to stay in the cruiser where it’s warm,” Annie joked as she picked up a brownie.

“I can’t believe all we got were a couple
of kids trying to sneak some flasks in.”

“I’m more surprised Edna d
idn’t try to sneak her gun in.”

“Very true.
And it looks like everyone got here early. The parking lot is deserted.”

“Good. It
gives us time to chat,” Annie grinned.

“Is Marcy enjoying babysitting tonight?”

“Sure is. Cade will be, too, after the game.”

Bridget laughed as her friend winked.
The stadium erupted in applause, and Bridget looked up to see some heads poking up over the top rail as they all stood to cheer. “Guess someone scored.”

“It was
Keeneston. Paige is practically texting me a play by play. I’m sure whoever is sitting next to her appreciates that her hands are occupied.” Annie stopped laughing and leaned closer to the windshield. “Now this looks interesting.”

Bridget
looked away from the stadium and out into the parking lot. Two tough-looking men were walking quickly toward the cruiser. Bridget knew right away it was trouble. “You thinking what I’m thinking?” Sergei was ready to live up to his threats.

“That it’s been too long since I’ve shot someone?”
Annie smiled, not looking worried at all.

Bridget couldn’t help but return her smile. “Well, let’s go see what they want. After all, we are Southern
and our manners dictate it.”

Bridget and Annie got out of the car laughing. The men stopped and looked at each other before continuing their stalk
toward them. “Good evening, gentlemen. How can we help you tonight?”

Annie had her hand placed on her gun and Bridget followed suit.
The men standing in front of them were normal goons. One man reached out quickly and shoved Annie back into the car. “Sergei sent us for you,” he taunted as they aimed their guns at her.

Bridget saw red.
The stress of this situation, the potential lives that Sergei could take with his bombs, and pushing her best friend were more than enough now. She glanced at Annie. When Annie gave her a little grin, she knew they were ready. Without warning, Annie and Bridget launched themselves on the goons.

Bridget
pulled her fist back and used the momentum to land a punch that had the man wheeling backward. He dropped his gun and Bridget kicked it away before she punched him again. In her peripheral vision, she saw Annie jump into the air and kick the gun out of his hand. These poor guys had no idea what they were getting into. Bridget almost smiled as she raised her hands to square off with Sergei’s man.

Ahmed had to admit it. He was having a good time. Cade and Will were doing a great coaching job and the players were on their game. Ryan Hall, the sophomore wide receiver for KHS, leapt into the air and came down in the end zone for another touchdown. Everyone jumped up and cheered. Ahmed wasn’t a cheerer, but he did clap as Paige jumped up and down screaming like a madwoman. Cole held onto his young son and just shook his head at his wife.