Page 95 of Protection (Mobsters + Billionaires 2)
Charlie lets out a low whistle, the background noise changing to falling water.
“Where the fuck are you, in the jungle?” I ask, irritated.
“I am, actually. I’m hiking Gunung Nuang near KL. I’m turning around now. Is this going to need extra support?”
I breathe a sigh of relief. He’s only a few hours away.
“I’ve got Hopper coming in.”
“Fuck, that’ll do it,” he says with a sharp, dry laugh. “You’re still in Phuket, right?”
“Yes. Mads was taken from a local market, and Ryder is trying to ping his phone now.”
Ryder speaks up. “I can’t imagine they’ll keep him in the city.”
“Agreed,” Charlie says.
“I’d bet my shiny new retirement plan they’ve already got him on a plane,” she says, her voice cloudy.
“That was my thought as well,” I say quietly. “I’m guessing his destination is Russia. Maybe India. I’ll alert Mads’ flight crew to be ready for us, and Charlie, I’ll wait for you.”
“Charlie, there’s a commercial flight—”
“I’ve got transport, Ryder. Edgerton, I’ll be in Phuket in under three hours.” He hums to himself for a second. “Tell you what, I know a guy. He’s not totally sane, but if we’ve already got Hopper in the mix, he’ll look normal-ish in comparison. And he’s got friends.”
“I’ll take whatever help I can get. Luca is sending his men too.”
“Have him hold off on that,” Charlie snaps out, command in his voice. “We don’t need a bunch of weekend warriors fucking things up. If they’ve got exfil experience, send ‘em. But if we can get my friend’s team, they’re the ones who helped me with the recent mission. I think they were doing a two-for-one. Fuck, where were they going?”
Ryder answers, “Hm. Looks like a general with a horrifying human rights record just died of supposedly natural causes in Cambodia.”
“Yes,” Charlie says, snapping his fingers. “And they were going to Saracen Bay after for a team vacation. Let’s see if they’re willing to delay that for a bit longer.”
“Ryder, can you communicate that to Luca? I don’t want him to be offended if we end up going with Charlie’s friends.”
“Already have. He thinks it’s a good idea. But he’s still sending Hopper.”
“Good,” Charlie and I say at the same time.
“Alright,” I say, cursing myself for letting Mads out of my sight for even a second. We thought we were so clever.
“Charlie, I’ll meet you at the terminal in three. Ryder, is that going to be enough time for you to give us a general direction?”
“I’ll make it enough time.”
“Okay, fuck,” I breathe out, gut-punched. “Thank you both for…”
I don’t even have the words.
“No problem, hoss,” Charlie says, his Texas accent coming through.
“Find him, Anthony,” Ryder says, her voice finally cracking. “Bring him back home.”
* * *
“We thinkhe's in Himachal Pradesh in Northern India. His family is from Shimla,” Ryder says, exhaustion heavy in her voice. I have no idea what time it is in New York. “Also, I’ve got Olga on the call. Gimme a sec to patch her in.”
“Hello, Edgerton,” she says in her crisp Eastern bloc accent. “I am in Afghanistan, heading toward India right now. Do we have any other details?”
