Page 31 of Rush

“Hello, Ece. That is your real name, right? I mean, is there anything else you’d like to tell me?” She stared at the big man and swallowed. “A fucking reporter. Why wouldn’t you tell us that?”

“Look, I didn’t want anyone to know I was out there.”

“Why?”

“Because I was supposed to be undercover.”

“Why?”

“Why? Why are you asking me? What does it matter to you? I appreciate that you got me out of there, but I don’t owe you any explanations,” she said, staring at him.

“Fuck you don’t. We saved your damn life at the risk of our friends’ lives. What the fuck are you doing in the middle of an earthquake/warzone?”

“I’m following a man.”

“A man? You’re following a fucking man? All this, you almost getting killed, is about finding some dick you slept with?” he asked, leaning against the bed. She slapped him so hard he almost wanted to slap her back. Almost.

“Don’t you dare. I wasn’t chasing some asshole that I had a one-night stand with. Don’t confuse me with the women that you sleep with.” He raised a brow at her retort. “I was chasing a madman. A killer. He’s taken the lives of more displaced people, refugees, homeless, you name it, in the Eurasia corridor than anyone in history. He is Genghis Kahn personified. He conquers, takes, and you either join him or die.”

Moose stared at the woman, then pulled a chair closer to the bed.

“Who?”

“You won’t know his name.”

“Try me. I’ve read more than just comic books. Or at least that seems to be your opinion of me. Who?”

“Ari Grigoryan.”

“Fuck me,” he muttered, leaning back. She stared at him and swallowed.

“No, thank you. I don’t fuck men who think so poorly of me.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

By the time the men were back in their little apartment, they noticed that Red and Moose were still missing. Kiel, Baptiste, and Rafe took the four dogs for a walk and picked up dinner for everyone. Opening the boxes of food, a soft knock came at the door. With weapons drawn, they waited for Rush to slowly open the door.

“What the fuck?” he muttered, opening the door wide. Moose was carrying Ese in his arms, her booted foot hanging over his arm. “I thought you were taking her to the hospital?”

“We did,” said Red. “Big boy there got a wild hair up his ass that she wasn’t safe there.”

“Why wouldn’t she be safe?” frowned Gaspar.

“Jesus, who the fuck are you guys? I guess I didn’t get a good look at all of you when I was pulled out of that hole,” said Ece. She looked down, seeing the dogs, and clung to Moose’s neck. “What the fuck are those?”

“They were your original rescuers,” said Sniff. “This is Beast, Monster, Lucy, and Ranger. I guess now they’ll be your protectors.”

“Moose, explain, brother,” said Rush.

“Maybe she should explain. Go ahead, princess.”

“Shut up. God, you’re so damn annoying,” she frowned. The men all stared at one another and then looked at Moose and the woman. “I’m not a princess. My family are descendants of the Ottoman Empire. We hold no titles, no property. I’m an American but work out of London. I wasn’t lying that I have an aunt and uncle still here, and I was checking on them.”

“But that’s not why she was here,” said Red, taking a bit of the rice and lamb. “Tell ‘em.”

“Ari Grigoryan killed my family. Nearly all of them except my aunt and uncle. They’re now safe in a home we own in another country. But I wanted to stop him. He’s been taking young men, boys, even some women from villages for two years now.”

“He’s been doing it longer than that,” said Rush. She stared at the big blonde and swallowed. Moose was large, but he seemed somehow less violent than this man.

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