Page 79 of Secrets Along the Shore

More tears slid down her face. She choked on a sob. Had to be strong for Rian. She ran a hand over his short dark hair. “We’ll be okay.” God would never fail them. His plan was always good. She believed He’d save them. She just couldn’t see how. “We just have to have faith.”

June 8

7:45 a.m., Dubrovnik, Croatia

Yvonne leanedagainst the patio doors. Her gaze followed the rippling motion of the blue water. It was peaceful. Unlike her life. No, her life had been chaos since she was little. Following the murder of her and Amir’s parents, she’d had to steal and kill to survive. She’d never wanted to live that way, but she and Amir had to hide from the Muslims. They didn’t fit in or believe in their god.

Now, Yvonne didn’t know what to believe in, so she chose to believe in her own skills and abilities. She’d worked hard to build her business and live a good life despite her past. But her business operated in a morally gray area. They broke the law to do what they felt was right. Maybe things hadn’t changed that much since she was a child.

But she had to do this. The authorities did nothing. No one cared that Koen’s daughter was held captive by the ruthless Crna Ruka.People in power always overlooked the poor. Yvonne refused to. They had to rescue Elara and her son.

She sighed and turned to her team seated in the living room. “We need to locate them.”

In the dining room, Patrick worked on his computer. “I used the city cams to track the vehicle. It left the city, and I have no way to find out where it went.”

Not good news. “There has to be some way.” She stepped into the living room and rested her hands on the back of a chair. Her gaze drifted to Tyler. He sat in a chair on the opposite side of the living room. His elbows rested on his knees as he ran a hand over his right knuckles. His gaze was fixed on the coffee table. Upon returning to Yvonne’s house earlier, he’d seemed angry, but hadn’t said a word.

He and the team escaped Viktor’s mansion without being spotted. But Adele had mentioned that there was some tension between Tyler and Gage. Yvonne had noticed it when they first met. Gage didn’t trust him. Not that she blamed him. His best friend had gotten shot in the back because of a newer member’s insubordination and followed Carter’s suggestion to take a different route. The move had left them both open, but the fault was Carter’s. He should have followed Yvonne’s orders.

Gage couldn’t wrap his head around that. In his mind, the new guy should have watched out for his teammate better. Now he doubted that Tyler could be trusted with this mission. Maybe Yvonne should have kept the Australian off the team. The last thing they needed was tension among the team. It didn’t seem to bother Tyler, but it did bother her people.

“We know where Viktor has property. We can check the surrounding cities to find out where they went,” Amir suggested.

Patrick shrugged. “It could work. But it could take a couple days.”

“We don’t have a couple days.” Tyler stood, his gaze meeting Yvonne’s.

She folded her arms. “What’d you see?” There had to have been something. They hadn’t heard from Viktor yet. And probably wouldn’t.

“Their room was dark. The bed was nothing more than a cot, withblood on the sheets. Enough blood to be concerned about.” Tyler’s fist clenched at his side. His voice held an edge. “I will not let my friend’s daughter and grandson remain prisoners to Viktor, especially with the knowledge that he’s hurt them.”

Yvonne nodded. She could see the anger in his eyes. He was a soldier, and he hated seeing innocent people hurt. And it had to be harder, since it was his friend’s family. Tyler had instincts to fight and protect. He’d do whatever necessary to save Elara and Rian.

Gage shifted against the wall. “You made this harder.” He took a step toward Tyler. “You never should have been the one to meet with Viktor’s man.”

Tyler’s jaw tensed, but he didn’t move.

“Gage,” Yvonne warned. This was unnecessary. They were working as a team. Why antagonize Tyler? The Australian did everything he could.

“No.” Gage got closer to Tyler. “You tipped them off that we were coming.”

“I did not,” Tyler growled.

“You practically threatened them. That’s why they knew we were coming.”

Fire burned in Tyler’s eyes, but he didn’t look at the mechanic. “They needed to know they couldn’t play us.”

Yvonne exchanged a glance with her brother. The Australian knew Viktor was playing them from the start, just for the money. Viktor was one step ahead of her, too. Though Tyler was trying to work how he used to. But that didn’t work here.

Gage stood a couple of feet from Tyler. “You shouldn’t be here. You’re a loose cannon. Elara and her son will probably die because of you. Not to mention you’ll wipe out us, like you did your team.”

Oh…no.

Tyler’s fist smashed into Gage’s jaw. The mechanic stumbled backward, almost tripping over the coffee table. Yvonne rushed forward. No. This was not happening with her team. Everyone scrambled to their feet.

Shifting one foot back, Gage punched Tyler in the face, but he remained unfazed. The Australian’s fist connected with his face. Once.Twice. Gage blocked the third time. Each move made him take another step back. Tyler grabbed onto Gage’s jacket and slammed him against the wall.

Yvonne stepped past the coffee table, but hesitated. She couldn’t pull Tyler off him. Adam shoved aside a chair to clear his path.