Page 33 of Secrets Along the Shore (Beach Read Thrillers #1)

CHAPTER

FOUR

They were wasting time.

Tyler gripped the railing on the deck at the back of Von’s house.

He had spent the last hour staring at the sea.

The rhythmic lull of the crashing waves did little to ease his wait for updates.

He’d gotten none so far. With a huff, he scanned the neighboring waterfront homes.

He hated being idle, but it bothered him more that Von wasted time negotiating.

Viktor hadn’t asked for a ransom, she offered it.

So far, the Croatian mobster showed little interest in working in a timely manner.

He wanted control. Over Von. And over Elara.

He felt no need to hurry, and he’d keep them waiting for as long as he wanted.

The “Rukas” maintained a certain level of control over law enforcement.

Viktor assumed he could do the same with Von’s small team.

“I’m gonna have to go in,” Tyler muttered.

If he did, things would be complicated and dangerous.

He’d have to infiltrate enemy territory to rescue a woman and her son.

He’d probably go in solo, or with one other, to remain undetected.

Maybe they’d have snipers on overwatch. The chances were slim that they’d get out unnoticed, and the moment they did, Viktor’s men would pursue them.

He didn’t hate the thought. It was what he did.

The near presence of death made him feel more alive.

He needed that rush of adrenaline that came with fighting.

But what if he messed up again? Working with strangers would make things twice as difficult.

He didn’t know them. He couldn’t rely on them. “It’s not going to work,” he muttered.

“Hey, Reid.”

He turned and found Adele standing by the patio doors. Her brunette ponytail flipped over her shoulder as she turned and gestured inside. “They responded.”

Not unexpected. But sooner than he reckoned. He shoved off the railing and followed her into the living room where Von’s team had spread out comfortably. Patrick sat in the dining room working on his computer. “Yep. I’ve got the location. Ten minutes away.”

Von leaned back in her chair in the living room. “Good.” She turned to Tyler. “They’ve agreed to a payment.”

Tyler folded his arms. “How much?” It’d be high. Really high. Something that Viktor didn’t expect Koen could pay. Koen wasn’t rich. He made a little extra money from working with Von’s team, but he still didn’t have enough cash to throw away.

“It’s high, but we can afford it.” She stared at the floor and tapped her finger against the armrest as if processing how it was going to work.

“It’s two mil.” Amir provided from his place beside his sister’s chair.

No. That was way too much. “Koen doesn’t have that kind of money.” Tyler stepped farther into the living room and rested his hands on the back of the chair opposite from Von. Viktor had either given them an offer he knew they couldn’t accept, or he had no idea who Elara’s dad was.

“I know that.” Von met his gaze.

Tyler frowned. “But you said you could afford it.”

She nodded. “I can pay it out of my own bank account. It’ll be a loss for us, but I’d rather lose money than my home.”

Her home? That’s what she cared about? A woman and her son were in danger, and she cared about her home. That was exactly what she was saying. She didn’t know for certain that Viktor would keep his word once he got that money. She wanted to take the easy way out to save her home.

“Thanks for your concern with our lives,” Adele sat beside Adam on the couch.

Their handler sighed and leaned forward in her chair. “You all know the risks or you wouldn’t be here.”

Adam shrugged. “She has a point.”

Tyler pressed his hands into the chair. “Do you think you can trust Viktor?”

“No, but I’m trying to take the easy way out.” Von stood. “Which is why, I want you to meet his men at the location he gave us and verify the proof of life.”

He eyed her. “Why me?” She had five other guys that she could send, and yet she chose to show some trust in him.

“Because you look a little more threatening than Paul.”

The American chuckled.

“I think that they’ll understand we mean business if they see you.”

Tyler nodded. Half the people he met saw how young he was, but the other half realized that his age had nothing to do with what he was capable of. He’d make sure these guys fell in the second category.

“Patrick will send you the address.”

A few seconds later, Tyler’s phone dinged in his pocket.

Von glanced at her brother. “We have reason to believe Viktor won’t be sending just one man, which is why Adele and Gage are both going with you. Adele will provide sniper support while Gage will be on the ground near you.”

While he would prefer to be alone, this mission required support, and he wouldn’t go without it. He gave a nod.

Von held his gaze. “Once you get proof of life, make sure they know that we’ll be handing over cash for an in-person trade. That way they can’t take the money and run.”

Tyler nodded again. She could set as many rules as she wanted for the exchange, but he still didn’t believe Viktor would cooperate .

“Meeting’s set for fifteen minutes,” Patrick said it like it was a reminder.

“I’ll gear up.” Adele kissed her husband before leaving the room.

Gage finally moved from his position against the wall. Must have been his favorite spot. He took a few steps into the living room. His brown eyes met Tyler’s. The hard lines around his eyes made the glare that much harsher.

The hard gaze didn’t faze Tyler. He’d expected someone wouldn’t like him. At first, he’d figured it’d be Von’s brother, but no. Amir had been laid back and chatty. Last night, the mechanic had been quiet, but the look in his eyes said a lot. He didn’t welcome the sudden addition to the team.

Tyler didn’t blame him. He wouldn’t either in his place.

Gage shifted to his handler. “How heavy are we going in?”

“Handguns and knives. Nothing else. You can’t stand out.”

The mechanic nodded and headed out of the room.

“Weapons are in the garage.” Von said.

Tyler nodded. Last night, after Tyler had gotten settled in the room Von offered him, Adam had mentioned where the weapons were.

The remark told him that despite Von’s confidence that the enemy didn’t know their location, Adam believed Viktor could possibly locate them. A good thing to keep in mind.

Stepping away from the living area, he headed into the foyer that was connected to the garage.

“Wait.”

He paused and turned to Von.

She stood and crossed the floor. “You never told me who to contact if something goes wrong.” Her voice had quieted, almost if she’d known that he’d never given her that information on purpose.

Tyler kept his gaze straight ahead. “Koen.” The closest thing to a family he had. No one else seemed to stick around.

She gave a slow nod, a small sympathetic smile on her face. “Good luck.”

He nodded and went straight to the garage. Von’s cars had been pulled in last night. Weapon cases lined the shelves along one wall. Gage stood beside a table with handguns on it, loading bullets into a magazine. He remained focused on his task as Tyler came over.

Tyler grabbed a Glock 19, the feel of it different and yet familiar. He tightened his grip on it. This was what he wanted. To have a gun in his hands. To face the enemy. He’d been born to fight. Every struggle he faced made him more of a fighter. The military hadn’t seen that.

But maybe this was his chance to prove to himself that he wasn’t done yet. Eight years of service couldn’t be all he had in him.

“I’m not taking my eyes off you.” Gage slapped the magazine into his gun. “I’ve already had one stupid newbie kill a friend.”

Tyler clenched his jaw, although it didn’t make the irritation go away.

People had to stop underestimating him. He hadn’t spent his eight years of service sitting around.

Every opportunity he’d gotten, he’d been engaged in the fighting.

It wasn’t like he didn’t know how to fight or work with a team.

“I’m just here to save Elara and her son. ”

“That’s what I thought.” Gage faced him. “But we’re a team. If you’re here, you have to work with the team and watch our backs.”

Tyler glared at him. “I’m not going to just let you or the others die. I know what it’s like to work with a team and look out for them.”

“And yet your team is dead.” Gage strode past him, bumped his shoulder, and exited the garage.

Tyler clenched his left fist, his right hand still gripping the empty pistol.

Yes, his team died. He watched them die.

The IED had literally torn them apart. He’d blamed himself for their deaths, still did.

But it hadn’t solely been his fault. His three men followed his orders.

The other team they were paired with, who died, hadn’t.

Tyler had seen the change in his MWD. It hadn’t been what he’d been looking for, but he’d still stopped both teams. The other team leader refused to wait until Tyler checked it out since the dog hadn’t responded usually.

That bloke and his team rushed in, set off the IEDs, and killed Tyler’s men.

That was why he didn’t want to work with anyone.

He couldn’t see his team wiped out again. He snagged a magazine off the table and slid it into the Glock. This arrangement would only work once for this mission. He’d watch their backs and then leave.

Fifteen minutes later, Tyler sat outside a restaurant, waiting for Viktor’s men. He leaned back in his chair as his gaze drifted over the people walking through the city. Men with cell phones to their ears. Women laden with shopping bags and tugging little kids behind them. So normal.