Page 71 of Damned
“Damon Vick, editor by day, hitman as needed.”
“I’m on my way. Where will you be?”
Kruze turned in the direction of the river at his right. He couldn’t see it through the trees, but he could hear it. “Been thinking of doing a little white-water rafting.”
“You be careful,” Chance growled.
“One more thing. Need someone to extract a young woman and her family from Eastern Anatolia. Name’s Derya Najjar. Father’s Benjamin. She’s the subject of the human-interest story Bree sent Vick before this shitstorm hit. Lantz might be gunning for Najjar, too. Need to play this safe.”
Vick’s head bobbed. “Thanks, man. Good idea.”
“Got it,” Chance said. “If Sullivan doesn’t have anyone in the vicinity, he’ll pass the intel to someone who does. Next problem?”
“That’s enough for now. I’ll be home for supper.” Sinclair code for expect me after dark.
“Copy that.”
“Harvey Lantz has joined forces with General Berfende. They plan to bomb Ankara, Turkey, tomorrow. Lantz supplied the plutonium. Berfendesupplied the nuke. It’s currently located at…” Kruze turned to Vick.
“It’s just outside his compound in Eastern Anatolia. West side. Parked alongside the stone wall. You need directions? I can draw a map.”
Kruze lifted an index finger to shush Vick before he thought he had a snowball’s chance in hell of being treated like a friendly. “Tell the boss to check Berfende’s palace grounds in Eastern Anatolia. A trailered nuke parallel-parked should be easy to spot. Derya Najjar can be located there, too.”
“On it. Sullivan’ll be pleased.”
“And…” Kruze stalled. He’d shut Chance and Pagan out of his life these last several years. To be asking favors of them now felt—off. Like he had a lot of nerve. He went for broke anyway. “Take care of my girl, brother.”
“Bree’s already family. I’ll tell Pagan not to scare her when he drops in on her.”
Kruze stared at Vick as he said, “Anyone looks sideways at her, kill ’em.”
“Copy that. I’ll keep the lights on for you.”
“Thanks, Chance. Copy that.” Kruze signed off and tied his end of the rope to a nearby tree, keeping Vick’s neck stretched. Not tight enough to cut off his breathing, just enough to keep him incapacitated until Chance showed. “You’ll be safe here for a while.”
“Who the fuck are you guys?” Vick asked, his voice tight and dry.
Kruze looked down at the man he still might need to kill. “Former USN SEAL, Petty Officer First Class Kruze Sinclair,Mr.Vick.” There was no way he’d extend the professional courtesy of rank to this asshat.
“Shit!” Vick dug both boot heels into the ground until the cords in his neck turned rigid. “I’ve heard about you Sin Boys. That was your brother you were talking to, wasn’t it? That was Chance!”
Kruze dipped his head once. “Chance Sinclair, yeah. He’s coming for you.”
“Jesus! I’d be better off fighting bears! Let me out of these shittin’ ropes!”
Kruze took a knee at Vick’s side, then tied the bandana that had once been around the guy’s neck, up over his big mouth. “The only reason you’re still alive is because you told Lantz‘Brianna’s a good kid. She doesn’t even know what she’s done.’Don’t worry. Chance’ll know what to do with you,” Kruze said.
With one final pat to Vick’s blistering mad face, Kruze stood and headed for the river. The bloody hole in his side had turned into one helluva pissed-off son of a bitch. He was running out of time. But Bree came first. She didn’t have to marry him for him to die for her.
