“We’re going to help them all if we can.We’re gathering a team now that will head to the Dakota property and get the animals out of there.The property right now is zoned as an animal rehabilitation center.That’s probably why no one reported the wild animal sounds that surely they heard,” said Gator.
“Who will go and rescue them?” she asked looking around the room.
“That team is prepping for departure now,” said Ham.“It will include Trak, Striker, Sniff, Dex, and a few others.They’re more than capable of getting in and getting those animals out of there.”
“But won’t the property be guarded and have cameras?Surely there are alarms.And what if there are hunters there?” she asked.
“Do you really want to know, Saylor?” asked Cowboy.
“Yes.I really want to know.”
“If there are hunters, they will be hunted.If it’s only animals, we’ll take them and notify the authorities to shut down the property and seize it.If there is anyone there from the compound or working for the compound, they’ll be arrested.”
She stared at the men for a moment, then looked at her stoic husband, his long hair touching his shoulders, his face a mask of nothingness.There was no emotion, no anger, no lover.Nothing.
This is what he’d done when he’d left last time.He distanced himself from her to shield her from where he was going and what he’d be doing.
“You’re going, aren’t you?” she asked.
“You’re my wife, Saylor.I will do everything to protect you and I cannot allow others to risk their lives when I’m capable of helping.I know you don’t understand,” he started.
She ran to him, wrapping her arms around his waist.Laying her head against his chest, she breathed in deeply, taking in all of his scent.
“You’re wrong.I do understand.I understand more now than ever before.I’ve never had anyone protect me.No one and that’s what you’re doing now.You’re protecting me and the boys and I’m so grateful that I found you and that you love me enough to do this.”He smiled over her head at the grins of the other men.
“Honey, you are loved more than you can possibly imagine.My life would be empty without you and the twins.Not to diminish that but this is about more than you, me, and the boys now.It’s about those animals and the hunters.We have to stop that.”
“I know,” she nodded.“I know and I understand.I think it’s awful and terribly cruel.Can we bring them back here?”
“I don’t know,” smirked Jak staring at the doorway.Luke, Gaspar, and Irene were smiling at them.“What do you think?”
“I think we can make room for more,” smiled Gaspar.“But so help me if you bring me a wild hyena, I’ll skin all of you alive.”
“No signs of a hyena,” said AJ with a straight face.They all turned to stare at him, their brows furrowed.“Oh, sorry.I sent drones once we knew where the property was located.We’re still counting but it’s mostly zebras, lions, tigers, giraffes, elephants, and a few scattered bison and elk.”
“Just found a grouping of black bears,” called Hiro from the comms room.
“Okay,” nodded Ham.“Looks like we’ll have a lot of animals.Make sure we have cages, trucks, and Lucy, Violet, Dani, Summer, and Claire waiting in the jet in case they’re needed.”
“On it,” said Cowboy.“That’ll mean King, Matt and Devin will want to go too.”
“The more the merrier,” said Ham.“Let’s get this done.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
With the team selected, the two custom-Osprey’s were loaded with men and women and more equipment than they could possibly need.Having called ahead, they had trucks with enclosures and cages waiting for the animals to be transported back to Louisiana.
If needed, they were to be tranquilized but they were hoping that the magic of Belle Fleur would allow them to get the animals away without sedation.
On the team of animal experts and veterinarians was Lucy, Violet, Dani, Summer, Claire, and Caroline.Accompanying them as the team that would enter first was Remington, Joseph, JB, Nathan, King, Matt, Devin, Trak, Striker, Sniff, Dex, Luke, Gaspar, and Rush.
Caroline looked at the rows of men and turned to Lucy.
“God help the people who go up against them,” she smirked.
“Heard that,” said Gaspar.“There will be no one helping them.We’re there for the animals and if there are hunters, they won’t get the chance to plead their case.Hunting exotic animals is illegal and the fact that they’re also hunting humans tells me they’re capable of anything.”
“What will you do if there are hunters there?” asked Caroline.
