Page 94 of Secrets Along the Shore

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. Afterunclipping 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.”

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