Page 26 of The Pursuit
Ayaan regarded me steadily, unmoved by my outburst. We’d been friends for too long.
“I get your concern, Krish. But do we really have a better choice here? Ron won’t surface unless he thinks he’s meeting Max. And the only person who can get us close enough is Trisha.”
I scrubbed a hand down my face, frustration bubbling up.
“You sound awfully casual about sending her off as fucking bait to those psychopaths. Have you forgotten what Max did to her before?”
Ayaan’s expression softened a fraction. “Of course, I haven’t. You think I’d ever put her life at risk unnecessarily?” He gripped my shoulder firmly. “I’m not here just as the Intelligence Director but also as your friend. If you don’t want me to intervene in your decision to lead this mission, I won’t. But after yesterday’sambush, I wanted to be sure you had all the support you needed to finish this. I can back off if you have a better plan than this.”
I blew out a harsh breath, reining in my emotions at his words. Ayaan was right—I couldn’t let my personal feelings cloud my judgment on this mission. He was only trying to help achieve our goal as effectively as possible.
“I know,” I admitted gruffly. “And I’m grateful you’re here. The truth is, I hate having to deploy Trisha as bait like this. It goes against every protective instinct I have.”
“Trust me, we can do this,” he replied.
I nodded in agreement.
“I hope it does. And honestly, action doesn’t suit me like it does you,” I added. “I’ve always been better in handling the technical side rather than being the man of action on the ground.”
“Exactly,” Ayaan grinned. “That’s why we make such a good team. So, leave the cowboy heroics to me while you work your computer magic in the van.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle wryly at his friendly jibe. Since our early days at GLEN, Ayaan had always thrived in the field, while I preferred being tactical command. It was what made us such an efficient duo, balancing each other’s strengths.
Clasping his shoulder, I met Ayaan’s gaze seriously. “Just promise me you’ll keep Trisha safe while she’s in there.”
It was only after I said those words that it clicked in my head that Ayaan would question my sudden affinity towards Trisha. So, before he could question me further, Iexplained.
“She is a friend now. And I don’t want her hurt.”
Ayaan’s expression sobered. “You have my word, buddy. I’ll protect her with my life if needed, just as I know you’d have mine.”
With a nod of understanding passing between us, I felt the knot in my chest loosen. If anyone could watch over Trisha in a situation like this, it was Ayaan. He had never failed a mission or left someone behind. I trusted him implicitly.
“Alright, let’s do this,” I said, feeling calmer now. “Though, for the record, I still think this plan is moot. We’re basically gift-wrapping Trisha and handing her over to that sadistic bastard Max.”
Ayaan barked out a laugh, slapping me on the back. “There’s the paranoid worrywart I know and love. That’s why you’re leading this op and I’m just here to provide support.”
I rolled my eyes good-naturedly, relaxing into the easy camaraderie between us. “Yeah, yeah. Just don’t go getting yourself blown up out there. Who else would I hang out with in Austria once we return otherwise?”
Ayaan chuckled heartily. “I practically saved your scrawny ass all the time, so a little respect is in order. Now come on, we’ve got work to do.”
As we rejoined the others, I felt a sense of calm focus settle over me, the anxiety pushed aside. With Ayaan at my side and Trisha’s combat abilities, we could pull this off and finally end Max and Ron’s reign of terror once andfor all.
****************
The hours leading up to the operation were a flurry of activity. Ayaan was off and running, coordinating with local assets to gather the final intel on Max’s compound and any potential locations where he might meet with Ron. My role was tactical planning and logistics—mapping out routes, positioning strike teams, and going over contingencies.
Trisha stayed close by for most of it, preparing herself. But we barely had a moment alone, always surrounded by the other agents and teams of the command centre we’d set up. Whenever our eyes met, I saw the same determined resolution reflected back at me, tinged with an undercurrent of anxiety.
Tomorrow, she would purposefully put herself in unimaginable danger once again. The thought made my chest tighten, but I ruthlessly pushed those feelings aside. She was also not thrilled that I’d tried to decide for her in front of Ayaan and the team by rejecting the idea of using her as bait to reach Ron. But what else did she expect? I wanted her safe. Was that so hard to understand?
That night, before we flew to Kuala Lumpur for the operation, Ayaan gathered everyone for the final briefing.
“Our intelligence has Max’s location pinned down here,” he said, pointing to a dilapidated area on the outskirts of KL on the map. “He’s been lying low, likely waiting for Ron’s arrival.”
My stomach twisted at the thought of Trisha walkinginto that den alone. But this was the only way. I felt her gaze on me and forced myself to remain stoic as Ayaan continued.
“We have two objectives—finding Max and using him to lure out Ron. Once Trisha makes contact with the target, we’ll have her location via the chip’s signal. Then it’s just a matter of moving in swiftly before they can bolt.”
