Page 81 of Secrets Along the Shore

No rules? There always were. Von wanted him to follow her lead. But he didn’t like to follow. And yet Koen said he could work how he needed to, which meant not following her lead.

“The team is there if you need them, but you’re supposed to be taking point on the rescue. Yvonne gathers and provides the intel. You go in and get my daughter.”

“I don’t even know where she is.”

“But there is a way to find out. You know that a lot of people will reveal information for money.”

Tyler hesitated. People revealed things. He’d seen it happen several times in the military. Some people were insanely loyal, but others could be bribed. He just had to find one. And a certain Army Ranger had contacts. “I’ll find her, Koen.” He hoped sooner rather than later.

“I know you will. Good luck.”

Tyler hung up and exited his room. He strode down the hall. In the living room, Paul sat on the sofa watching the news. Gage had disappeared, so had the happy couple. Von and her brother sat with Patrick at the dining table. Tyler stepped over to Paul.

The Army Ranger glanced up. “Hey. You good?”

Tyler gave a nod. “Can you find and contact Viktor’s people?”

“Directly? Or…” Paul shifted on the couch.

“I need to find someone who might be persuaded to say where they took Elara.”

Paul smiled and clapped his hands. “I know just where to go. Follow me.”

Twenty minutes later, they sat in Tyler’s rented SUV outside a bar. It was already open with a few people inside. Eight was a little early for drinks, but who cared if it helped them catch one of Viktor’s men? Tyler killed the engine and sat back in his seat, waiting for Paul to confirm that his contact was in the bar.

“It is a little early, but I think I see him.”

Tyler nodded. “Let’s go.” He climbed out of the vehicle and shut the door behind him. A brief scan of the area told him that no threats were nearby. Only three men sat in the room. He followed Paul up onto the sidewalk and into the bar. It reeked of alcohol, and something else. Probably didn’t want to know what it was. A few tables lined each wall. The bar counter was in the back left corner and stretched halfway out into the room. A man stood behind the counter on his phone. Paul passed him and headed for a man seated in the back corner.

“Hey, man! How’re you doing?”

Tyler stayed a few steps back as Paul took a seat.

“Do I want to know why you’re here?” The stranger had an interesting accent, but it didn’t sound Croatian. Something else. Hungarian, maybe? He wore a dark suit. A tie was draped over his shoulders. His pale face made his dark eyes more noticeable.

The way his eyes shifted said he wasn’t trustworthy. His hands shifted under the table, maybe moving for a weapon.

Tyler stayed where he was. He wouldn’t draw first, but he did have the Glock holstered on his hip hidden under his jacket.

“We’re trying to find one of the Rukas.” Paul’s voice quieted as he leaned forward.

The stranger frowned. His gaze shifted from Paul to Tyler. “Who’s he?”

Paul glanced over his shoulder, before shifting back. “A friend. Now, where’s the guy?”

The stranger stood up and finished off a glass of whiskey. He set the glass on the counter. His current path led toward the door, but Tyler sidestepped to block him.

The man was a few inches shorter than him, and had to look up to meet his gaze. “You’re a soldier.”

The strong scent of alcohol filled Tyler’s nose. He held his ground. “Where is the Ruka?”

“Things get pretty dark in this life. Good men have been swallowed up by the darkness.”

What was he talking about? The stranger worked as a contact for mercenaries. Maybe he thought that Tyler worked closely with Paul. It didn’t matter. This was a temporary arrangement. Besides, he’d seen enough darkness and refused to drown in it.

“Where is he?” Tyler demanded.

“He’s by the door.” The man smiled, his teeth yellow against his pale skin. “You may just survive this life.” He shifted past Tyler, bumping into a stool in the process, and exited the bar.