Page 31 of The Bait

Asher snorted. “We’re not that old.”

“We’re not that young, either.”

“You could have ended the three of them before they’d blinked,” Asher said.

“Maybe a few years ago,” Harry said, looking out the window. “Now I feel like...”

When he didn’t continue, Asher prompted him. “Like what?”

“Like I’m out of step. Like my rhythm’s off.”

“I can assure you, your rhythm’s fine.” Asher meant it as an innuendo and thankfully Harry took it as one.

He almost smiled before he sighed. “It doesn’t feel like it used to.”

“Because we got used to a different life these last two years. But I assure you, with the likes of Cosic and his two idiots, we’re miles in front.”

“You asked him to find out information on yourself,” Harry murmured. Then he shook his head, his gaze finding Asher’s. “It’s risky.”

Asher shrugged. “No one knows what I look like. And if they do have a photo of me, it’s from fifteen years ago. I don’t look like that scrawny, dead-eyed kid anymore.”

“Your eyes were never dead,” Harry whispered.

“They were,” Asher replied. “Before you.”

Harry’s lips twitched in a half smile. “Smooth talker.” Then his brows furrowed. “And what’s with the two G36s?”

“They’re grossly underrated,” Asher replied. Then he smirked at Harry. “Are you seriously doubting my knowledge on the effective firing range of a weapon? Because we have no idea what situations, terrain, or temperatures we’re going into. I went for the more versatile—” Having to say this out loud to Harry made Asher mad. “I can’t believe I have to explain?—”

Harry put his hands up in surrender. “Sorry. I would never question your far superior knowledge on the effectiveness and versatility of a rifle.”

Asher relented a smile. “Thank you.” Then he let out a long sigh as they passed some restaurants. “You know what I feel like?”

“What’s that?”

“Brudet. Then we can spend the rest of the day in our room, doing internet things, and you can fuck me thoroughly.” Then Asher spoke to the taxi driver in Bosnian. “Change of plans. Please take us to the best brudet in the city.”

The taxi driver’s face lit up and he spoke very loudly, using his hands and excitedly telling Asher all about this little place he knew...

Harry sighed. “What is it with you and taxi drivers?”

Later that afternoon,Asher needed a shower after Harry had thoroughly had his way with him. Herelished the ache in his ass, stretching his very relaxed muscles, and he caught himself smiling...

Until he remembered the reason they were here.

Yunho. And Lucas, of course. But Yunho was somewhere—somewhere in the world—most likely suffering anxiety and possibly stress-induced seizures.

Almost certainly beaten. Probably tortured.

Nothing he hadn’t endured before, but still . . .

Asher dried off and redressed, finding Harry sitting at the table with a phone. “Whatcha looking at?” Asher asked.

Harry frowned. “I checked the news back home,” he said. “Searched for anything on Croatian men in or around the mid-north coast.” Then he pointed to his phone. “I found this. A small article on page three of the Coffs Harbour newspaper, four days ago. ‘Search efforts of the three men reported missing in the Tallowwood National Park have been called off. Local authorities say the matter is resolved and would like to thank the public for their diligence.’”

Asher stopped. “Resolved? What does that mean? It wasn’t resolved. Unless they call finding three carcassesresolved.”

Harry scowled. “This has got feds written all over it.”

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