Love & War

A Seat At The Table

Blaze was with Nior almost every day.

While the family slept, Blaze hacked into Nairobi's computer system. She installed tracking software and managed to obtain all of the passwords, alarm codes for the house, and the combination to the safe.

Now she was just waiting on Fatima's direction to make her move.

Blaze smiled because they never saw it coming. To them, she was just another rich kid hanging out with her friend.

For a brief moment, Blaze actually felt bad. Nior seemed like a sweet girl.

But at the end of the day, Blaze had one job to do. She wasn't about to disappoint or let Fatima down, so she knew exactly what had to be done.

Fatima and Draya were getting ready to meet at the airstrip before taking off on their business trip.

"Are you sure you don't need me to go with you?" Zac asked.

"Yes, I'm sure. I'm a big girl."

"I know you are. I just know the last time you left, I had to hop on the jet."

"Well, let's hope that doesn't happen this time."

"I just worry when you're out of my sight. It's just the two of you going, and you're not taking any security."

"I don't want to spook our potential clients. But I promise I'll keep you updated every step of the way, babe."

Fatima smoothed out Zac's button-down shirt before giving him a few quick kisses.

"It's only a day trip. You won't even know I'm gone. I'll be back to put you to sleep tonight."

Zac grinned.

"Are you sure it's not the other way around?"

"It might be... but I'll still be putting it on you."

"And that you do."

Zac watched as Fatima finished packing the last few items into her bag.

He knew she could handle herself. Hell, she'd been doing it long before they met.

Even so, he wasn't going to stop worrying until she made it back home safely.

Tip and Draya stood outside near the private jet making small talk while they waited for Fatima.

Tip grabbed Draya's suitcase from the trunk.

"Damn, you're only gonna be gone for a day. How much did you pack?"

"A girl can never have too many options. Besides, I want to make sure I look my best. This is the first meeting Fatima has invited me to, and I don't want to disappoint."

"I'm sure you won't."

"I am kind of nervous, though."

"Did you pack your gun?"

"Of course... and a couple other things."

"Ever since you got kidnapped, she stays on you all the time."

"Well, you should be in good hands. Fatima doesn't play. Just keep your head on a swivel. There's always somebody lurking."

Draya smiled.

"Who do you think trained me?"

Tip laughed.

"I forgot you graduated from Fatima's boot camp."

Draya laughed too.

"Her boot camp definitely paid off."

"I bet it did. Do you need me to check in on the girls at the lab?"