Page 68 of Brutal Truths

Interesting.

Now I want to know what’s in that envelope. Might have to grab it, after I’ve killed him.

Killing him won’t hurt my feelings, not after what he did to Izzy.

If anything, it will be my pleasure.

I pull out my dark aviator sunglasses and slip them on. “Any other requests?”

“Don’t get my son killed. If he dies, you die. Then who will look after the princess?”

If he were here, I’d be tempted to shoot him for bringing her into this.

“Now go, you’re wasting daylight.” The line goes dead.

Silas can’t hide the damn smirk on his face. If he’s not careful, I’ll wipe his pretty face off with my fist. Maybe knock out a few teeth. Leave his arse behind when we hightail it out of here and head to where Teddy is waiting. He can walk his arse back to civilization or try to hitch a ride. I don’t care.

If he gets on my nerves, I could shoot him and blame Rurik. No witnesses. No one to say otherwise. Trent knew the risk when he sent his son. It has me wondering if maybe that was his plan all along.

Which now makes me want to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Goddammit. I hate doing the right thing, ruining all my bad guy plans.

Chapter 20

Aiden

Climbing out, I stare down the long, winding dirt road toward the building Rurik specified as our meeting place. The sun is directly above us. The only sound comes from the rustling of the tall grass in the breeze, stirred by the wildlife all around us.

I don’t like this.

It’s a long walk to the barn, and we’re exposed the whole way. Driving up the narrow lane limits our options. No space to turn around should things go cock up. Walking gives us more control. If shit hits the fan, we can break into the fields. I’ve been in fields like this many times. Tall grass, uneven ground. Perfect cover if you know how to use it.

That works in our favor.

Rurik’s focus will be on the road, not the fields. He’ll expect us to roll in, nice and predictable, giving him time to set the stage.

So, we flip it.

We go in a way he won’t expect, even if that means I have to beat it into Silas, who I know will dismiss it the second I suggest it.

Zanders’s gaze meets mine, and a bright, knowing smile unfolds. “What’s the plan?”

I walk to the back of the vehicle and pop the boot to access the extra guns and supplies.

As I gear up, strapping on my tactical belt and loading it, Silas steps up beside me, watching. “What the fuck is all that shit?”

“Smoke bombs, flash-bangs, grenades.” I lift each one to show him as I stash them where they go. With my boot braced on the bumper, I tug up my pant leg and strap on a holster. “Backup weapon.” Then I grab the heavy, leather-sheathed knife and secure it to my thigh. “Knife.”

Reaching in, Silas snags a grenade and tosses it lightly into the air. “Why do you need all this? It’s overkill.”

Zander joins us. He quickly gears up, muscle memory kicking in from missions long past.

Silas chuckles heartily. “You guys are fucking crazy. This isn’t some damn op from your glory days. All you need is a few guns and nerves of steel.”

“I don’t like surprises. Better to have too much than not enough.” Once we’re set, I nod toward the boot. “You sure you don’t want more than just your gun?”

Being his usual arrogant self, he waves me off before pulling out his gun. “This is the only thing I need.”