Page 12 of Rush

“Okay. We’ll have Bodwick call the POTUS and make sure Istanbul knows we’re friendlies. Take all the arm candy you need,” said Luke. “Bring our boy and our girl home.”

With the gear loaded and the SUVs ready to pull out to the airstrip, Lauren was standing with folded arms, frowning at her husband. Her daughters were off to the side, frowning as well, while Julia and Katrina glared at Nathan and Joseph.

“Trak, you promised you wouldn’t go out anymore,” said Lauren.

“This is different. He’s one of ours, but he’s also Delta. I won’t leave him out there. We’ll find him and bring both of them home.” He kissed his wife, and when she tried to speak again, he kissed her harder. Julia looked at Joseph, giggling.

“Maybe try that with me more often,” she whispered to him. He smiled at his beloved Julia, holding her tightly to his body.

“I love you more today than yesterday,” he said.

“I know,” she smiled. “I love you, too. I trust you. Do what you need to do.” He nodded, leaving his wife as they loaded up in the vehicle.

Noah hugged Tru, kissing her passionately.

“Bring our son home,” she said, staring at him.

“You have my word that I will not return without him,” he said, kissing her. “Dream of me, and I will be home soon to ravage your body.” Tru laughed, shaking her head. She still had trouble believing that he really wanted her. The big-boned, voluptuous, curvy woman.

The dogs were probably the only ones excited. They knew they were going to get to do what they were trained to do. Beast laid his head on Noah’s shoulder, breathing into his ear.

“Must you,” he frowned at the big animal. He took that as a sign to lick his ear as well. He could only chuckle, rubbing his head.

Finally, on the plane and headed to Turkey, the men sat at a big table discussing the plan. They would arrive in Istanbul, head to whatever hotel the tech boys booked for them and get set up. Istanbul was a city of nearly sixteen million people, all crammed into a small space near the sea. It was a bustling metropolis with a mix of old and new.

For the most part, the residents were friendly to Westerners, but with the unrest happening in the eastern part of the country and the earthquake, they might not be as welcoming.

“Get some rest,” said Trak. “We’re going to need it.”

Moose, Red, Nathan, Joseph, and Sniff reclined in the seats, turning off their lights. Seated across from one another, Noah looked at the man he most identified with. They’d been the most elite warriors in their respective divisions. More kills, more captures, more everything than anyone else.

“We’ll find them, Noah. I promise.”

“I believe you.”

CHAPTER SIX

It took six stops for Caroline to find a hotel that would take them. The hotel reserved by the zoo was booked solid with displaced people. All others were overrun with people begging for rooms. Their only hope was the most expensive place in the city.

She laid her credit card down, and the man looked at Rush. His face was flush, sweating profusely.

“Is he ill?” he asked.

“No. We’ve been working all day, getting animals out of the zoo in Ankara. He was scratched by a tiger in the shoulder. I just need to clean it and give him another round of antibiotics. Would you mind sending some food up as soon as possible?”

“Of course, madam. What would you like?” he asked.

“Everything,” said Rush. He raised a brow, and Caroline laughed.

“Red meat is always good,” she smiled. “Several bottles of water as well.”

She gathered the key, and they walked hand-in-hand toward the elevators. Others were dirty, injured, and bleeding as well, so she hoped the desk clerk wouldn’t think anything of their appearance.

Inside the elevator, the doors closed, and Rush leaned back against the wall. Caroline reached up, touching his forehead again.

“We’ll get you in a cold shower, and you’ll feel better,” she said. “The fever is going down, but you’re not out of the woods yet.”

“I’m going to need a cold shower if you keep touching me,” he said in a rumbling voice. She could only smile, standing on her toes and kissing him.

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