Page 25 of Rush

“Thank you, Alec,” said Rush, exhaling. He felt Trak’s hand on his shoulder as the older man looked around the room.

“Now, we hunt,” said Trak. “He’s been hunting us. It’s time we turn those tables. Say goodbye to the suite. We’re staying in a two-bedroom apartment closer to the water. I paid cash for one week.”

“Two bedrooms?” frowned Nathan.

“There are four sets of bunk beds,” said Trak. “The smaller men will need to take the bunks. The others will sleep on the floor.”

“Smaller men? Where do you see smaller men, Dad?” frowned Joseph. He stared at his son, and Joseph stiffened.

“This is not a party! Grigoryan is out to kill us and the law enforcement of this city. If we allow this man to live, he will create chaos in this region, unlike anything since Constantine.” He took in a deep breath, and Nine, Ghost, Ian, and Gaspar stared at him.

“I didn’t mean to raise my voice,” said Trak. “When I was out finding a new place for us to live, I overheard three men standing outside the gates of the shelter for the displaced villagers. They are planning to gather the women and children, use those they want, and sell the rest.”

“Fuck,” muttered Nine. “Would you remember what the men looked like?” Trak stared at him, not blinking, not saying anything.

“I see. They’re of no concern any longer,” said Gaspar. “Good.”

“The boys that were chasing Caroline said that he’s training men out in a small village at an old wool factory. If they’re in training out there, that means that Grigoryan isn’t there. But it doesn’t mean we can’t get them boys free,” said Tailor. There was a knock at the door, and the men all froze.

“That would be an old friend,” smiled Nine. He opened the door, grinning at the older man on the other side. He was about five-feet-ten, a snow-white beard, ribbons on his chest, and a younger man behind him.

“Kaan Yilmaz, you look exactly the same,” grinned Nine.

“Do not lie to me, old friend. I’m ancient, I have arthritis, I forget where I put my car keys most days, and my wife tells me I get up four times a night to piss. I honestly don’t remember.” The men all chuckled as Nine pulled him in for a hug. He turned to the younger man, who was smiling. “Dehmet is my assistant. May he join us?”

“Of course,” nodded Nine. “You do look good, Kaan.”

“So do you, my friend. Too good. You’re still as big as the day I met you, and I still would not want to anger you. But someone has. Yes?”

“Yes,” said Nine. “These are my friends and family. We’ve discovered a problem for your city. Ari Grigoryan.”

“Achhh,” moaned the older man. “Ari has been a pain in my ass for thirty years. He is always creating chaos in this city and the surrounding area.”

“Well, this time, he believes he has the advantage. The earthquake has given him an edge. He’s taking young males displaced by the quake and recruiting them for a new army. He believes he can take this city from you,” said Rush. “With the military focused on maintaining order and control in the outlying villages, all that’s here in the city is your police force.”

“And all of you,” he smiled.

“Yes, sir,” smiled Rush. “But my main goal is to kill Grigoryan. That’s it.”

“That is the goal of every man on the right side of the law, young man. He seems unable to be killed.”

“He can be killed,” frowned Rush.

“How can we help?” asked the younger man, Dehmet.

“We need to stop the supply of young men to his army. If we get those in the plaza and the other meeting areas into a shelter, we can keep them from him. But his men must be kept out of those areas,” said Trak. Kaan turned and grinned at the man.

“Trak Redhawk. I barely noticed you there. Still the trickster in the group,” he smiled.

“Your eyesight is bad, Kaan. I’ve been here all along.” He stared at the older man, then gave a tiny smirk.

“I can alert my men of what’s happening and keep them working longer shifts. They’re exhausted as it is, but if they know what’s coming, they will be willing to keep the city out of Grigoryan’s hands. But why my city?” he asked.

“He believes if he has Istanbul, he will hold the gateway between the East and the West,” said Nine. The two Turkish police officers nodded. “We’re not going to let him take it.”

“Yes, but what is his plan once he has it. We know Grigoryan, and he does nothing without having a grand plan. So, what is it?” Rush nodded, looking at the other men.

“I’m not sure, sir, but I will find out.”

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