Page 61 of Hostile Extraction

“Maybe we should call Chris,” Stan suggested as he licked the ketchup off his fingers that dripped from his burger.

“Yeah, good call.” Dusty threw his empty wrapper into the paper bag and climbed from the truck. He pulled his phone from his pocket.

“Hey, what’s up?” Chris answered.

“Checking on the status of our ride out of here, and letting you know we’ve got a bit of a hiccup.”

“What hiccup?” He could hear the frustration in Chris’s voice.

“Powers out, and we went for gas for the generator.”

“Sounds like the problem’s fixed, then.”

“Well, not exactly. Amorosi is offering a reward to anyone with information on Asia, so now the whole goddamn island is after her. And…” He drew out the last word. “We’re pretty sure we got made.”

“Goddamn it,” Chris huffed. “Okay, we think we have a plan to get you out in two nights. Can you make it until then?”

“Yeah, we’ve mixed in with the cruise liner crowds.”

“Okay good. Anything goes south, call me, and we’ll come in hot and bust you out like we did that one time in Chile.”

Dusty chuckled. “Shit, I hope it doesn’t come to that. I still blame Grady for crashing the Humvee.”

Chris laughed. “I’m pretty sure he still blames you for the same thing. All right, let me get the final details wrapped up, and I’ll call you with a time and pick up spot.”

“Thanks man. Talk soon.” Dusty disconnected the phone and made his way to the truck.

Dusty had just climbed in when a dark SUV slowed down; the driver and passenger stared over at them as they rolled past.

When the vehicle turned around, Stan tossed his wrappers on the dash and jammed the truck in gear. “Hang the fuck on.”

He sped out of the lot and turned in their direction.

“What are you doing? You’re heading right for them!” Asia yelled.

“Little trick I learned in Bagdad. Always make them turn around. It’s slows ‘em down.”

Dusty shoved Asia’s head into his lap, keeping her out of sight as they drove past. It didn’t fool the men. They made a U-turn and followed.

“Loose them, Stan,” Dusty bit out.

“I’m trying.” He ducked down some side streets and cut through a small shopping mall parking lot. “I think you two are going to have to bail out. I’ll lead them on a wild goose chase.I’ll call you.”

He screeched to a stop at the end of the parking lot.

Dusty threw open the door and grabbed Asia’s hand, and they dashed away, ducking between some cars. Stan raced in the direction the SUV was coming.

Nico’s men slammed on the brakes, made another U-turn, and chased after Stan, disappearing around a bend.

“Now what?” Asia asked.

“Come on,” Dusty said, pulling her to her feet. They ducked into a small souvenir shop where they bought sunglasses, hats, and matchingI honeymooned in the Virgin Islandst-shirts. “You had a good idea. We’ll be tourists on our honeymoon. Tuck your hair up under the hat.”

They strolled outside, their arms around each other, all lovey-dovey. Next, they stopped in an ice cream shop and got cones.

“What do we do now?” Asia asked as she licked the chocolate swirl, now dripping down the side of her cone.

Dusty glanced around, and his eyes landed on the Sky Rider across the street. “Let’s take a ride.”

---