Chapter 74-75 - Adopted into a Modern Family

Chapter 74 – Cairo: The Beginning of the Mission in Gaza

Cairo airport bustled with a constant flow of international passengers, tourists, diplomats, and humanitarian workers. In the midst of the crowd, Grant walked with firm steps, his eyes alert to any possible threat. He had arrived a few hours earlier to ensure everything was in order before the arrival of his clients: Gigi and Bella Hadid.

He wore a black tactical shirt, cargo pants, and sturdy boots. His concealed holster kept his pistol firmly attached to his waist, and his trained gaze scanned every corner of the airport. He had already received information about the growing threats in the region after the Hamas attack on the music festival in Israel. The tension was palpable, and any mistake could be fatal.

His radio crackled in his ear.

"Grant, the models and their team have landed. You can go to the arrival gate."

"Understood."

He quickly made his way to the location, arriving even before Gigi and Bella had passed through customs. Minutes later, the automatic doors opened, and the Hadid sisters appeared alongside their team. They were dressed discreetly—loose-fitting trousers, long-sleeved shirts, and sunglasses. Still, it was impossible for them to go unnoticed.

Grant walked directly to them.

"Gigi, Bella. I'm Grant Tucker-Pritchett, responsible for your security during this mission."

Gigi smiled, greeting him with a firm handshake.

"Nice to meet you, Grant. Thank you for being here."

Bella did the same, though her gaze was more serious.

"We know the situation is complicated. I hope we can fully trust you."

Grant nodded.

"You can. But I need to make something clear from the start." He looked directly into both of their eyes. "The situation in Gaza is extremely dangerous. Tensions have never been higher since the last attacks. Extremist movements are constantly monitoring who enters and leaves the territory. You are public figures, and even though you are here on a humanitarian mission, that doesn't make you immune to risks."

Gigi and Bella exchanged glances before Bella replied:

"We understand. But that's exactly why we're here. We want to help in any way we can."

"And I respect that," Grant said. "But my priority is to ensure you stay alive. That means following my every order without question. If I say leave, you leave. If I say lower your head, you lower it. No impulsive actions, no movements without my authorization. If we do this right, you can help many people without anything happening to you."

The two nodded, understanding the seriousness of the situation.

— "Have you already communicated with the NGOs on the ground? Has UNICEF confirmed the logistics for the visit?"

Gigi's team leader, a man named Ethan, approached.

— "Yes. We have direct contact with the UNICEF team operating in the refugee camps. They've guaranteed safe passage up to a certain point, but after that, we'll be on our own. The roads are volatile, and checkpoints can change from one day to the next."

Grant crossed his arms, analyzing the information.

— "We need to secure an armored vehicle and a reliable local driver. I can drive myself, but it would be better to have someone who knows the territory well."

Ethan looked at his team.

— "We have a few options. We'll discuss this at the temporary base we've set up here in Cairo."

Grant agreed.

— "Great. But before anything else, I need to reinforce the security protocols with all of you. We're leaving here quickly. I don't want anyone drawing attention."

He pointed the way, and the group headed for the airport exit, where a discreet convoy of SUVs awaited. Grant knew that the mission he was about to begin would be one of the most complex of his career. Gaza was not Los Angeles, New York, or Paris. It was a real war zone, and a single mistake could be his last.

Chapter 75 – The Beginning of the Tension

The convoy sped through the dusty streets, leaving Cairo towards the crossing point for Gaza. The scorching sun reflected off the darkened windows of the vehicles, creating a blinding glare on the sides of the SUVs. Grant was in the passenger seat of the lead SUV, intently watching the side mirror. The driver, a local man named Samir, kept his hands firmly on the steering wheel, expertly guiding the vehicle through the uneven roads.

In the back seat, Gigi and Bella Hadid were silent, exchanging worried glances. They knew the mission was risky, but the feeling of actually being there, in the middle of volatile territory, made everything even more real.

Since leaving Cairo, Grant had noticed something strange. A black sedan, with tinted windows and no visible license plates, seemed to be maintaining the same speed as the convoy. It wasn't overtaking, but it wasn't lagging far behind either. After a few minutes, another vehicle, a white pickup truck, appeared a few cars behind.

"Samir, did you notice the cars behind us?" Grant asked, without taking his eyes off the side mirror.

The driver nodded slightly.

"Yes. The black sedan and the white pickup truck. They've been following us since we left."

Gigi frowned and leaned forward slightly.

"Could it just be a coincidence?"

Grant shook his head.

"I don't believe in coincidences in this kind of situation."

Bella took a deep breath.

"Who could it be?"

Samir let out a tense sigh.

"It could be the Israeli people or Hamas."

The sisters exchanged glances, now visibly more worried.

"Why would they both be following us?" Gigi asked.

Grant adjusted the holster under his jacket, making sure his weapon was accessible.

"The Israelis may be monitoring movement in the region, especially with public figures coming to Gaza. They want to know who enters and who leaves. Hamas, on the other hand, may be trying to determine if you are a threat or if you can be used for propaganda."

Bella crossed her arms, tense.

"And how will we know which one it is?"

Samir kept his eyes on the road, but answered calmly:

"If it's the Israelis, they'll just monitor from a distance. Maybe they'll try to discreetly intercept for interrogation. If it's Hamas, it could be more complicated. They may be waiting for the right moment to act."

Grant picked up the radio and contacted the drivers of the other SUVs.

"We have two vehicles following us. A black sedan and a white pickup truck. Maintain formation, but be alert for any attempt to approach."

"Understood." One of the drivers' voices echoed through the radio.

Gigi swallowed hard.

"Are we in danger?"

Grant glanced at her in the rearview mirror and smiled reassuringly.

"Not yet. But we need to stay alert. If necessary, I'll handle it."

Silence filled the vehicle for a few moments. Outside, the road began to change, less busy, more deserted. It was territory where any ambush would be easier to set up.

Grant turned slightly to Samir.

"Is there an alternative route?"

Samir thought for a moment before answering.

"There's a smaller road we can take in a few kilometers. More discreet, but slower."

Grant quickly assessed the situation.

"Let's go. Better to avoid any trouble before it happens."

Samir nodded and adjusted the route. On the radio, Grant informed the other SUVs of the change of plan. The vehicles made an unexpected right turn, leaving the main road and entering a secondary road.

Now it was a matter of waiting to see if the pursuers would do the same.

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Chapter 38 - Chapter 74-75