Page 42 of Hero's Heart

Sloane nodded. “So I’ve been told.”

“Linc,” Callum interjected, trying to steer the conversation back on track. “We need your help. I’d hoped we could get to the embassy in Chi?inau and get home through official channels, but some of the Kozaks’ guys were looking for us there. We can’t use that as a way to get out anymore.”

Lincoln’s eyes sharpened with focus. “Yeah, that certainly complicates things. Unofficial channels it is.”

His fingers were already flying across a keyboard offscreen. “Not to worry. I can get you new papers, passports, the works. It’ll take a few days, though. I’ll want to make sure whoever we use is carefully vetted, so they’re not reporting back to the Kozaks.”

Callum felt a mix of relief and tension. “How long exactly?”

“Three days, minimum. Maybe four,” Lincoln replied, still typing furiously. “Maybe we could have them set you up with diplomatic credentials from a small African nation. Or perhaps religious pilgrims? I know a guy who does excellent work with Tibetan monk disguises.”

Callum rubbed his temples. Lincoln was…Lincoln. His brain worked in ways no normal mortal could comprehend. “I think regular passports will be fine. We just need to get back on US soil. I also need you to get word to Theo and Bear that we made it out. Let them know what’s going on.”

Lincoln nodded. “Yeah, they’ve been checking in hourly, hoping for an update.”

“Did they get Marissa to safety?” Sloane asked.

“Yes. From what I understand, it was a little dicey, but they got her delivered as planned.”

Sloane sagged in relief, and Callum felt a weight lift from his shoulders. He’d been busy trying to keep himself and Sloane alive, but always at the back of his mind had been fear for Theo and Bear too. They were good under pressure and knew how to handle themselves, but something could’ve still gone wrong.

“Good to hear. But what do you mean,dicey?” Sloane asked.

“Evidently, Marissa was a real piece of…work.” That obviously wasn’t the word Lincoln had initially planned to say. “Gave the guys hell the entire time. They were very glad to drop her off.”

Sloane let out a soft cry, and he felt her fingers on his arm. “I’m so sorry. My sister can be difficult. She’s been taught that the world revolves around her. It doesn’t excuse her behavior, but…” She trailed off, her eyes downcast.

That apology was utter bullshit if he’d ever heard it. “No, you don’t ever apologize for her.” He squeezed Sloane’s hand. “Marissa is an intelligent, grown-ass adult. She knows how to behave, and if she chooses not to act appropriately, that’s on her, not you.”

Sloane shrugged. “I still feel bad.”

“Don’t worry. Theo and Bear are more than capable of completely ignoring someone like her and getting the job done.”

But Callum had no doubt he’d be hearing about it from his friends. It wouldn’t bother them a bit that what should’ve been a simple exchange had turned into something much more dangerous. But having to babysit someone like Marissa…Thatthey would give him shit for.

Lincoln’s face grew solemn on the screen. “Listen, there’s something else you need to know. Jakob Kozak is out for your blood, Callum.”

“Jakob? I honestly thought it would be Nikola we had to worry about.” Callum felt a shudder run through Sloane at the mention of the man’s name. He wished he could pull her into his arms and assure her Nikola was never going to touch her again.

Not while Callum was on this planet.

“Well, maybe Nikola too, but I haven’t heard anything about him. But Jakob?” Lincoln grimaced. “He blames you for this.”

A picture came up on the screen, and both he and Sloane flinched. It was Jakob, but he was missing basically half his face.

“You do this, Callum?” Lincoln asked. “Because he says you did. And is therefore calling in every favor he can to find you.”

“I didn’t set out to do it. He was trying to kill me, and I was trying to stop that.”

“He’s been tearing through every contact and lead he can find,” Lincoln said. “Pouring resources into figuring out who you are and hunting you down. He’s pissed off.”

Callum’s jaw clenched as he processed the information. He could feel Sloane’s eyes on him, wide with concern.

“Shit.” Callum ran a hand through his hair.

“Fortunately, there are no clear images of you. Compound didn’t have cameras, and you did a great job of causing chaos. So, I don’t think he’ll be able to identify you. If you can get out of the country, you should be in good shape.”

Callum turned to Sloane, whose face had gone pale. He reached over and squeezed her hand again. “Then we make sure we get out of the country without him finding us. We’re going to need a place to lie low while we wait for those exit papers. Anything you can do to help?”

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