Page 8 of Storm Surge

The jet that waited at the family airfield was far too risky. He’d flown Hassanzai’s private jet into the US, but if Strike Force had him, they’d be searching for his jet.

As the noise of the chopper faded with distance, he drove on. Oregon. The old logging mill he’d purchased under a different name. He should be there by nightfall.

And then, he would plan how he was going to rescue his daughter and Betty from Strike Force’s clutches because there was no way he would desert them to the enemy.

He counted off the members of his team within the US who were unaccounted for. If Martinez was compromised, then it stood to reason Wilkes and Suarez were as well.

Several vehicles passed him along the road. Some of the occupants stared at him curiously while others kept their attention straight ahead.

There was too much traffic for a road this size, and it didn’t bode well. He took the first available turn south and pulled off onto the side of the road.

Collins grabbed the bag and found a second burner. He called the one person whom he thought he’d never have to reach out to again. “It’s me. I need your help.”

A long pause was followed by the voice of the man who had never once let him down. “Where are you, Martin?”

“Washington. Things have gone south as I’m sure you know. I need you to get me out of here.”

“I’m well aware how bad things have gone.” His comrade blew out a breath. “I’ll need to know your exact location if I’m to help.”

Collins gave the coordinates of the logging site in Oregon.

“All right. Get to Oregon as quick as possible. I’ll see what I can do.”

Collins wanted to rage at him. Tell him he’d accomplished what this man could never do, yet he knew better. He needed help, and he wasn’t ready to spend the rest of his life in prison. “Thank you,” he said because it was expected. The call ended and he slammed the phone against the seat and yelled into the enclosed space. Beat his fists against the steering wheel. It was all crumbling around him. Everything he’d worked so hard to create was falling apart. All because of them. “Strike Force.” The words tumbled off his tongue with venom.

It didn’t matter if his plan ever came to fruition; if it were the last thing he did on this earth, he would make them pay dearly. Every member of the team.

Collins pulled back onto the road. His driving matched the anger in his heart. For now, they’d taken so much from him. His vision for a world ruled by one true leader—himself. The daughter he loved. His sister. The only thing he had left to give was vengeance. And he would give it. Oh, he would give it in spades.

???

“Your brother is a killer who is not only behind the recent bombings, but he tried to overthrow the government. His name is not Alfred; it is Martin and you know it, even if your niece does not. Your brother is wanted for treason. So, I need you to tell me everything you know, starting with where he’d go to hide out.” The shock on Elizabeth Franklin’s face assured him she had no idea what her brother was up to.

Will’s heart sank. He had a feeling bringing Collins in was going to be one of the toughest challenges he and his team would face. Yet as much as he wanted to bring Collins in and make him pay for what he’d done to the world, all Will could think about was the woman inside the cabin.

“Lies. You’re telling lies. He is a good man. He cares about us, Jamie and me. He would never hurt anyone.”

This woman had no idea who her brother truly was. “I’m afraid it’s all true, Ms. Franklin. And I have the proof to confirm it all.”

Lizzy had said she’d come to Afghanistan for a vacation after college. He’d thought it odd considering he was finishing up his second tour of duty, and a battlefield was the last place for a vacation. At the time, it hadn’t mattered. He’d fallen hard.

A look of uncertainty replaced the indignation on Elizabeth’s face. “I don’t believe you.”

Will had a feeling she wouldn’t believe him even if she saw the evidence for herself.

He nodded toward the cabin. “Is her name really Jamie?”

Elizabeth paled but remained silent.

“Answer the question,” Will pressed.

She looked away. “It is. And you have no right to come into this place. Even if what you say about my brother is true, this is my property. Check the county records.”

There was no way Elizabeth or her deceased husband could have amassed money to buy a place like this, and James had dug into the family’s financials enough to realize there was no inheritance left to Elizabeth and her brother. But he needed her cooperation. “Ms. Franklin, I realize all of this is a shock to you, and for that I’m sorry, but I’ve been sent here along with my people to bring in your brother. My name is Will Grayson and I work for the president of the United States.”

Elizabeth’s eyes widened. A furrow formed between her brows, and her expression softened.

“Look, I’m sure you’re aware of what’s been going on in our country.” She slowly nodded. “Your brother killed your father right here near your cabin. He tried to kill the former president, and he’s instigated international mayhem.”

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