Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 135382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
“The puppy? Are you talking about that animal there? Now I recognize him.” De Vries was staring at Tucker. “Since when do you hire true mercenaries, Taggart? I didn’t see it at first. He’s cut his hair. What the hell are you doing here, Razor?”
Tucker managed to get to his feet, his face contorting with pain. “Razor? Are you talking about me? Do you know me?”
“But you already know all of this, Taggart. We call him Doctor Razor because he cuts so deep. I find it interesting that he is here with your doctor. You like to experiment, don’t you? What were you doing with this one in Africa? Something terrible, I assume,” de Vries said.
Tucker shook his head. “No. I wouldn’t do something like that. I would never hurt someone.”
A low laugh came from the mercenary. “Very cute, Razor. And you call me a monster when you’re harboring the worst I’ve ever seen.” De Vries took a step back. “I think we’ll call it a day. Don’t think this is over.”
“Taggart, take her,” Brody ordered. “I’ve got a better chance at getting Tucker out than you do, and this is about to all go to hell.”
Steph looked up at him, trying to memorize his face. “Please don’t make me leave you.”
His jaw hardened, his eyes flinty as he looked down at her. “Go, now.”
Theo Taggart took her by the arm and started to lead her back. “Hurry, I need to drop you with Erin and get my ass back out here. Please don’t give me trouble.”
She kept up, but turned to see Brody’s big form becoming smaller as Theo led her away.
Through her tears she wondered if the battle had already been lost before she’d even started to fight it.
* * * *
Brody shoved down his fear, trying to stay cool and calm. All these years of fighting and he’d never once had his heart in his throat the way it was now. He’d been trained to handle the anxiety, the pressure, the fear of having his life in danger. It didn’t bother him. Most of the time he welcomed the adrenaline rush, sort of lived for it.
Not this time.
He had no idea how to handle losing her. This was everything he’d thought it would be and more. And this was what it would mean to be with her. She would never take her own safety seriously. Every single day would be a fight to curb her self-destructive tendencies.
How many times would she lie to him? Go behind his back and put herself in danger because a dark impulse made her do it? How would he explain this to their son?
Stop. Breathe. Work the op and let everything else go.
She was safe for now. Alex wouldn’t let her move. Erin would put her on her ass before she’d let Steph run out in the middle of a firefight. He trusted Erin and Alex to keep her where he wanted her.
He moved through the Ukrainian group, who seemed to have figured out that this had gone to hell and they better pick a side. The men at the back of the group were looking to their leader.
Fedor glanced his way and nodded toward Tucker. His voice was low as he spoke Brody’s way. “Take him. He’s in shock over something. I’m sorry about his pain, but I had to do everything I could to save my sister. I thought if I had the drive, I could avoid all bloodshed. Well, here at least. I would have gone after the fucker sooner or later.”
“You’re lucky I don’t kill you here and now,” Brody replied. “I’m only sparing you because of Anya.”
“And your doctor might have something to say about it, too, no? I think we both have difficult females in our lives.” Fedor moved in front of Tucker, blocking him from fire. “You need to move him out of here. De Vries is getting antsy and he’s right about one thing. He’s better armed than my men. I don’t think he will go down without a fight.”
And Taggart wouldn’t let him get away.
“If you step back out that direction, I think you’ll find a small tactical group led by a man who goes by the name of Mr. White,” Big Tag explained. “Well, he has so many douchebag names we can’t keep up with them, but feel free to call him whatever you like. He’ll have the place surrounded by now and I think you’ll find he’s more than willing to provide you with an escort out of the US. He’s got a couple of places where he likes to take his new friends.”
So Ezra Fain had managed to get here in time for the party. Brody hadn’t been sure the CIA operative would make it. When they’d realized they knew where Steph was being held, Taggart had called on Fain, making a deal to get backup. Fain and a team had been on a plane from DC and had only recently landed.