Page 85 of Secrets Along the Shore

“How do I know that Viktor didn’t ask you to trick and trap me?” She had a right to be distrustful, but they didn’t have time for him to answer a dozen questions. The Ruka in the next room wouldn’t sleep forever, and Tyler needed to take them to the getaway vehicles before the Croatians noticed Adam and the team.

He opened the door a few inches more and glanced down the hall. It remained clear. “I stayed with Koen for a few months recently. I was hurt, so he looked out for me. He lives in Alice Springs. His best friend is Mandi, and right now, he’s waiting for me to bring you back to him.”

Elara brought Rian to his side. “Alright. I believe you, but can I know your name?”

“Tyler.” He eased open the door and stepped into the hall. After his targets exited their room, he shut the door behind them. He grabbed his radio. “I have the package.”

“Copy,” Von replied.

“We’re ready for you,” Adam added.

Tyler glanced at Elara. He paused at the backpack in her hand. Did she need to take that? Depending on how heavy it was, it could slow them down. “You need that?”

Elara clutched the bag close. “Yes.” She shifted it onto her shoulders.

He doubted it, but didn’t have time to argue. “Stay right behind me, got it?”

“Got it.” Elara nodded.

“Yes, sir,” Rian whispered a little too loud.

The man in the other room snorted, then fell silent. Something shifted. Tyler pressed the M4 against his shoulder and waited. The snoring started again. But it wouldn’t last forever. He headed down the hall and found the staircase.

One of the men yelled down the other hall.

Elara’s sharp intake seemed to echo in the room. Tyler led the waydown the stairs. He kept an easy pace that didn’t make much noise on the steps. At the bottom, he checked down the black hallway on the left. Tyler had come from the right. Elara and Rian stopped behind him as he rounded the corner of the stairs.

A dark form appeared in Tyler’s sights.

“Hey—”

A bullet from Tyler’s gun dropped him, but the suppressed sound echoed through the narrow area and rattled up to the second floor.

CHAPTER

NINE

June 8

11:39 p.m., Outside Vukovar, Croatia

Elara gaspedand covered Rian’s eyes with her hand. Her heart pounded in her chest as the Ruka slumped to the floor. He wasn’t moving. He couldn’t be…dead. Shock froze her in place. The sound of the gunshot rang in her ears despite the eerie quietness.

Rian squirmed against her, trying to see. “Momma.”

She tore her gaze away from the dead man. Her arms wrapped around her son as their rescuer aimed his rifle up the stairs. Shoes thudded above them. The Rukas had heard the shot. No. No.God, please, save us.Fear made her blood run cold.

Yelling drew her attention down the hall in front of Tyler. Dark shadows appeared around the corner of a wall. Tyler snapped his gun toward the men and fired. The sharp thump followed the thud of bodies dropping. “Elara, get back!” Tyler snapped as he took a few steps back, his body covering them from their attacker’s bullets.

She grabbed Rian and backed into the corner, the contents of her backpack pressing into her spine. This wasn’t happening. It wasnothappening. Just some kind of nightmare. One she had lived for ten years. The danger never left. The dark hallways on the left and rightheld more killers. So did the staircase above. There was no safe place to hide.

On the gangway, several Rukas emerged from the shadows with weapons.

“Elara, move!” Tyler caught her arm and yanked her toward an empty hall on her left. He gripped the rifle and took precise shots at the men above. A body tumbled down the stairs. Tyler ducked as a bullet thudded into the drywall next to him.

A scream clawed up Elara’s throat. They were going to die. The bullets flying everywhere—they’d get shot. Oh, her sweet boy! She grabbed Rian’s hand and ran down the hall. Had to escape. Had to protect Rian. Somehow.

A shadow appeared in front of her.