Breaking Rules (Delta Force Strong #2) - Elle James Page 0,9
Hayes. He goes by Dash. He’ll be with me 24/7 until I leave Afghanistan.”
As Sunny introduced each one by name, Dash shook hands.
They seemed nice enough and appeared in good shape. Why the hell had they let someone get to their client?
Dash was glad Sunny had chosen him as her own personal Delta Force protector. He vowed to do a better job keeping track of her. He understood that being in charge of her safety was a lot of responsibility.
As a celebrity, even in the States, she probably needed around the clock security. In a foreign country, where the enemy wanted to kill all Americans, she was even more of a target. The only consolation was that they probably didn’t want to kill her. She’d be worth a whole lot more alive to sell to the highest bidder. Some rich oil tycoon might want his own personal singer/songwriter to add to his harem.
Given the massive amount oil money available in the Middle East, she could generate a significant sum of cash for whomever captured and sold her.
All the more reason for the human trafficker to try again.
Feeling the weight of his responsibilities bearing down on his shoulders, he moved closer to Sunny Daye.
“Where to?” he asked.
“I’d like to get back to my people to see if we can do anything to help the women and children who’ve been displaced.” She glanced at the long row of tent quarters. “I’m not sure exactly how to get back to our vehicles.”
Dash chuckled. “The base isn’t that big. I’m sure we can figure this out.” He cupped her elbow in his palm and guided her in the direction he remembered seeing the USO vans and trucks when they’d flown back in the helicopters. Soon, they emerged from a row of buildings to find the trucks and vans with the large USO lettering on their sides.
Back in familiar territory, Sunny led the way to one of the motorhomes and knocked on the door.
A man answered. His eyes widened, and he reached for her hands. “Please, Sunny, come in.”
Sunny climbed the steps into the motorhome.
Dash remained on the ground.
She turned. “You, too. You heard the base commander. I’m not allowed to go anywhere without you.”
He nodded and followed her into the unit. Inside, the motorhome was set up like a small apartment with a fully-equipped kitchen, a comfortable living room and hallway, leading to the rear where Dash assumed was a bathroom and bedroom.
“Lloyd, this is Dash—or rather, Ryan Hayes.” She gave him a crooked smile. “The base commander assigned him to me as an addition to my security detail.” She turned to Dash. “This is Lloyd Pendleton, the USO coordinator for this tour.”
Lloyd frowned. “I don’t understand. You already have four bodyguards.”
Her lips firmed. “And yet, someone was able to get past them to bag me and carry me off without one of them noticing. If not for Dash, who knows where I’d be right now?”
Lloyd held out his hand to Dash, his eyes narrowing. “Hayes.” He gave a brief nod. “What qualifications do you have to make you a better fit to provide for Miss Daye’s safety than her four bodyguards?”
Dash took the man’s hand in a brief, yet bone-crunching shake. “Sir, bodyguards in the States might be sufficient. However, in this theater of operations, you might be dealing with the Taliban, indigenous people who will do anything for money to feed their families and mercenary contractors, who would rather steal money from the government than do the right thing. Stateside bodyguards might not be as effective against them.”
“And you will be?” Lloyd challenged, tugging on his hand.
“I’ll do my best, sir.” Dash released the man.
“Good.” Lloyd rubbed his right hand with his left. “Miss Daye is our main attraction. I’d hate to lose her.”
“And I’d hate to disappoint the troops,” Sunny added. “They work hard. They deserve a little entertainment.”
Lloyd faced Sunny. “Are you sure you want to continue this tour? Even though you’re the main attraction, if it’s not safe, maybe we should put you on the first plane home.”
Sunny was already shaking her head. “I signed on, knowing the risks. The least I can do is see it through. There are a lot of troops out there who’ve risked their lives for us. I’m not going to leave at the first sign of trouble. They don’t have that option.”
“Yeah, but is it worth risking your life when you’re an actual target?” Lloyd asked. “This isn’t the first sign of trouble.”
“I