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The older man turned to the two younger men with him, and they shared a look. Then he addressed Krieger. “You don’t recognize me, Tanner, or James? Shit, son, have you lost your mind or something?”
Krieger’s heart hammered in his chest. His head already ached with the stress of the day, he didn’t need this bullshit too. “State your business or kindly fuck off.”
The man laughed. “Oh man, you have! And to answer your question, yes, I think I would know the son of Thomas Beck.”
Krieger’s heart fell into his gut as his mind swirled with questions and his blood ran cold. “You are mistaken.”
The older man shook his head as he eased himself to the forest floor. The two men with him mirrored his movements, never taking their eyes off Krieger. “Then you must have been injured about two months back, right?”
Silence filled the air. How much did these men know?
The old crow was laughing again, his deep voice filling the air. “I’ll take your silence as a yes. That would explain a lot, actually. Hell, we thought you were blown to bits. You see, I’m General Albert Rush, andthere is no mistaking that you are Cillian Beck, Stone Haven heir.”
Chapter 14
Krieger studied the men. “You lie, I’m from an area near the Skyline Sanctuary. I came with two other men and joined their caravan to Everwood. I’m sorry, you have the wrong guy.”
The older man removed his canteen from his bag and took a long drink, then said, “Who told you that, son? Was it Samuel Wolf or his arrogant daughter?”
Krieger’s hand fisted at his side. “Don’t talk about her like that. You don’t know her.”
This man named Albert started laughing again, slapping his knee as he turned to the others with him, who snickered. “Please tell me you’ve fallen for her. That would just make my day.”
Krieger glared at the three men in front of him. “I think it’s time you all moved on.”
Albert narrowed his eyes on him. “Does she trust you, son?”
“I’m not your son, now leave.” Krieger itched to grab his gun. The sun had set and darkness covered the forest, the only light that of the campfire.
Albert replaced his canteen in his bag and shook his head. “I can’t do that. See, you’ve crossed over into Stone Haven outpost territory.” He chuckled. “And this just got interesting. You, son, can help us.”
Krieger’s pulse pounded in his head, the ache from earlier increasing. “How’s that?”
Albert’s lips stretched into a wicked grin. “You can get us into Everwood. If Sam’s daughter trusts you, if you’ve become one of them, they will let you in—let us in.”
Krieger shook his head. “No, I won’t do that.”
“Son, if you care about Eva, you’re gonna do anything I ask. Otherwise, she’s gonna get hurt.”
Krieger grabbed his large knife from his open bag and stood. “I’m not gonna let you do that.”
The two younger men stood and began to circle to the side of Krieger as Albert glared at him. “Cillian, I have a long history with your father. I consider him a dear friend, even though I may not agree with his ways. So, for that, I won’t kill you. But I won’t let you stand in the way. Maybe you just need time to think it over. Boys!”
The men rushed him, one going for his feet, the other for his arms. Krieger swung his knife, slicing through one man’s sleeve. The man backed away, gripping his arm, when Krieger found himself flat on his back—his knife falling from his hands.
The other man, the taller of the two, had kicked his legs out from under him and now was on top of him. He clutched Krieger’s shirt with one hand as the other connected with his face. Not once, but twice.
Krieger rolled, taking the man with him. Shit, his head was splitting open from the pain. What was happening to him?
Once on his side, Krieger used his leg to kick the man in the gut, knocking the wind out of him. With quick movements, Krieger gained his footing.
Once he got up, he swayed on his feet and his vision was blurry. Hold it together.
Krieger crouched down, hoping to gain his balance as he looked between the men. “I won’t help you. Ever. There is no need to take it by force. Don’t you know of the peace treaty?”
The two men closed in on him once more, but Albert held up his hand. “Wait.” The general stood and slowly made his way to stand in front of him. “Son, I don’t share very well, I’m not interested in a partnership with Everwood. I want to rule it.”
Krieger blinked hard, trying to clear his sight. Sweat rolled off him as his stomach twisted and bile rose in his throat. “No—” His jaw snapped shut as blinding pain coursed through his skull, and a sharp ringing in his ears brought him to his knees. What was wrong with him?
