Page 47 of Secrets Along the Shore (Beach Read Thrillers #1)

Tyler turned the vehicle down a road and drove through an intersection.

He shifted the map on the infotainment system so he could get a look at the buildings in the area.

They needed a safe spot to hide. Since the Rukas would recognize the vehicle, they’d have to ditch it and move on foot.

This neighborhood was a bad place to make a move.

He needed an area with shops or a hotel, maybe.

After a minute, he found it on the map and headed toward an area with stores.

The road followed the Danube River for a few miles.

The blue water sparkled in the moonlight.

He took a right, then turned left and found an alley to park in.

Even though they were leaving the vehicle, it’d be better if no one saw it.

They might need it later. After pulling the SUV to the back of the alley, he killed the engine and sat back in the seat.

“What are we doing here?” Elara glanced around the vehicle. “We can’t stop. They’ll find us.” Her voice was stronger than earlier, the initial panic from the firefight had worn off now that she could breathe.

“We need to find a safe place to hide until I hear back from my team.” Tyler checked the mirrors before exiting the vehicle.

He shut his door, then opened the back one.

His movements slowed as he met Rian’s fearful gaze.

The kid saw things that no one his age should have.

Tyler could relate. At least the kid had a good mother to take care of him.

Tyler retrieved his M4 from the floorboard and slid the sling over his head and through his arm. “You’re alright, kid.”

Rian almost nodded, but jerked as the other door opened beside him. Elara helped her son from the backseat.

Tyler walked around the back of the SUV and adjusted the M4 against his shoulder. Viktor’s men may have disappeared, but they would show up again. He couldn’t afford to let his guard down.

“Do you know where we’re going?”

“We’ll hide in the back of a building until my team finds a way to get us out of here and get you back home.

” He hoped it wouldn’t take too long. With the civilians, he’d rather leave the city before seven in the morning.

A plane could arrive in two hours, but it wasn’t a good option considering what happened the first time.

But Von was also correct about driving instead .

Maybe if she brought more people, they could protect the plane. Once it got airborne, they’d be home free. Until then, they were sitting ducks.

That was for her to figure out, though. His mission stood in front of him.

“Just stay close, alright?” After she nodded, he led the way through the alley and down the sidewalk.

Tyler scanned their surroundings, searching for witnesses and Viktor’s men.

If they stayed hidden, they’d be better off.

Hardly possible with the bright moonlight overhead and the streetlights illuminating their location.

On his right, an older building had been converted into a cafe.

The interior that was visible looked new.

It’d have security. He stepped past it and headed over to a small shop.

The sign hanging over the door was written in Croatian.

Cracks in the crumbling brick wall suggested the building was a little more worn down. A perfect place for them to hide.

Tyler paused and scanned the area. A streetlamp two blocks ahead flickered.

The sidewalks were clear. A lone car was parked against the curb on the opposite side of the road.

No one sat behind the driver's seat. Maybe someone had left it there overnight. Elara stood a few feet behind him with her hands on Rian’s shoulders, the backpack still on her back.

He signaled for them to follow him. “C’mon,” he whispered and led the way into the alley by the shop.

It curved around to the back of the building where a wooden door kept people out of the “employee’s only” section of the building.

He moved up to the door and kicked it in.

It swung open and slammed into the interior wall.

Stepping inside, he cleared the space. Without a light on, each area remained dark.

He checked around the door and eased into a room full of boxes.

Yeah. He had no idea what this place was.

A narrow hallway led to another door. With a flick of his hand, it opened.

On the other side, the neat shelves and tables were left for the next day of business. Tyler backed up and shut the door.

A door on his left had been marked as the bathroom.

After checking there too, he headed back into the main storage room where Elara and Rian stood.

“Close the door,” he lowered his rifle. Pain shot through his lower back above his kidney.

It’d been dull before, but now he couldn’t ignore it.

The adrenaline in his veins was slowing, which heightened the pain.

Elara shut the door, then returned to her place beside her son. “How long are we staying here?”

“Depends.” He tested a box before taking a seat.

A groan escaped him. His right shoulder ached from the strain that he had put on it.

Six months of inactivity made coming back harder, not to mention the TBI.

At least his headache hadn’t returned. He slid his hand around to his back where the bulletproof vest had prevented him from getting lead in him.

The thick metal and cloth rubbed against the bruised spot over his kidney.

“You got shot?” Concern filled Elara’s eyes.

“It didn’t penetrate. It’ll be fine.” He adjusted the M4 resting on his legs.

His body needed a break, but the mission wasn’t over.

He had to keep going. Dropping the magazine from his rifle, he pulled a fresh one off his vest and slid it in.

He pulled his phone out of his pocket, and the light from it brightened the room.

Elara watched him with tired, fearful eyes. Rian looked about ready to fall over. So did his mother.

Tyler frowned at the matted hair against her head. Dark red covered part of her brunette hair. “How’s your head?” If it got worse, he needed to know. Depending on how bad, he’d have to take her to a hospital.

She touched the spot and winced. “Sore, but it hasn’t bled anymore.”

He nodded once. Some good news. He needed it. This job was a mess. It’d be interesting to find out how Von planned to get them out. Tyler gestured to the boxes. “You should sit down and try to rest.”

With a slow nod, Elara sat on a solid box, pulling Rian against her side. The young boy leaned into her. His chin dropped to his chest, his eyes slid closed. The kid needed sleep. It’d be hard to get here. He might lay on the floor, but it wouldn’t be comfortable.

Tyler cut off the light on his phone, plunging the room into darkness again. He rested his hands on his knees. “We’ll keep the lights off and stay quiet. It’ll buy us a little more time.”

“How long? ”

“A few hours maybe.” Even if Viktor’s men didn’t find them, Tyler might still move them.

He needed to keep people guessing, and ensure that he kept Koen’s family safe.

With another grunt, he adjusted the rifle sling around his neck and closed his eyes.

Sleeping wasn’t an option, but he had to rest for a few minutes.

Rian whimpered.

“Shh. It’s okay.” Elara shifted, perhaps hugging her son.

“I’m hungry,” Rian whispered. “When can we get food? I’m starving.”

Tyler frowned and opened his eyes. If Viktor fed them dinner, the kid would be hungry since it was midnight, but not that hungry. Was he being dramatic?

“Shh. I know, honey.”

“When was the last time you ate?” Tyler straightened and grimaced as his vest rubbed against the likely colorful bruise under it.

Neither one answered.

“Elara?” She needed to tell him. Part of his job was making sure that their needs were taken care of. Which included shelter, clothes, and food.

She sighed. “Two days.”

Viktor was trying to starve them. Tyler clenched his fist on his leg. That man had to be taken care of. He’d done a lot of harm. Even to his own family. If he ever got in Tyler’s sights, he’d be dead.

“Can we get some food?” Rian asked.

“Yeah.” They’d have to. Tyler refused to let them starve.

Who knew when they could leave the city and reach safety?

Could have been a couple of hours or a couple of days.

He lifted his phone again and checked the map.

A convenience store waited a few blocks down.

It had closed. But that was what he preferred.

He’d go in unseen, grab what they needed, and leave after placing some money on the counter.

He pushed to his feet. “Just stay here until I get back.” He didn’t want them going out in the open. The Rukas would spot them easily. And probably spot him too with the vest.

Crap. He’d have to leave the vest and rifle behind.

“Wait! You can’t leave us.”

Tyler lifted the rifle sling over his head and set it on the box. After unclipping the buckle on the side of his vest and pulling the earpiece from his ear, he slid it up and off. He placed it beside the rifle. His Glock remained on his belt, so he wasn’t going unarmed. “You and Rian need food.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re hurt. You need the nutrients, and I have to get something for your head.” Something for the pain, and something to stop the bleeding. It may have looked scabbed over, but he’d noticed a spot of fresh blood in her hair.

“But you’re going to leave us.”

“I’ll be back,” he promised.

Elara stood and bumped into him in the dark. Her hands grabbed his forearms. “Please, don’t leave us. Viktor will kill us.”

“No. You’re safe here. There’s a radio on my vest. If something happens”—she tensed— “then you can contact my team. My rifle is also right there.” He pulled his arms away from her a little to ease the discomfort. It didn’t hurt, but his brain registered that it did.

“I can’t shoot,” Elara whispered.

Tyler turned to his vest and pulled the straight-edged blade from a back pocket. He found her hand. “Take this knife just in case.” He nudged the handle into her trembling hand.

“Okay.”

He touched her shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back in ten minutes.”