Page 72 of Brutal Truths

I jerk my chin toward the door he nearly opened. “See that wire along the top?”

He steps closer, squinting. “No.”

When he steps closer, I grab the back of his jacket to stop him and pay for it. He spins fast and clocks me hard on the jaw, snaps my head back and sends me reeling backward.

“That’s what you get for touching me.”

Bent at the waist, I grunt out my frustration. “Fine. Get closer. Maybe you’ll step on one.”

He backtracks until he’s behind me now. “You serious?”

I rub my jaw, working it from side to side. Nothing’s broken—except my pride. He got one in. It won’t happen again.

Still bent over, I study the ground in front of the door and shrug. “Maybe.”

I’m not about to tell him no. From what I can see, that’s not a possibility. The dirt hasn’t been disturbed. No wire running down the frame. Nothing tucked underneath.

Zander edges closer, eyeing the doorway while I gather myself. “I’m not stepping in there until I know what the hell we’re up against. You think they left or just got far enough away to watch us blow up?”

The dust still hangs in the distance. “They’re not coming back or watching. I doubt they even know we’re here.”

My focus shifts back to the door. “I’m more concerned about why they’d booby-trap a door on a building they were just inside. That’s insane, unless you don’t care you’re okay with dying when it blows.”

I glance at Silas. “Is this Rurik prick that crazy?”

Silas’s eyes move between us like it takes a second to register I’m talking to him. “You’re asking me?”

“You know him better than we do.” I straighten and go stand next to Zander. “So, is he?”

“Hell if I know.” Silas folds his arms, stepping closer. “So, which one of you is going inside?”

“No one’s going that way. That much is certain.” I point to the door. “You stay here.”

I turn to face him and say it again. “Stay. That means don’t move. Zander’s heading that way. I’ll go this way.” I point in opposite directions. “First one who finds a safe way inside takes it. Once we know what we’re facing, we’ll let you in.”

I don’t break eye contact. “But you don’t move until then. Got it?”

Reaching into his pocket, Silas plucks out a pack of ciggies and nods. “I’ll just smoke this while I wait.”

Rolling my eyes, we split in opposite directions. I scan everything as I move, not taking a step unless I know it’s clear. We make it all the way around to the other side, far from Silas’s eyes and ears.

“What the fuck, man?” Zander keeps his voice low once he’s close enough.

My phone buzzes in my pocket again. This time I pull it out. Rurik’s calling again, so I pick it up.

“What?”

“You’re late.”

“Traffic was a bitch,” I tell him, taking a step back to check out the old barn. “I’ll be there soon.”

“That’s too bad. I had to leave. I’m a busy man. My time is valuable, and I don’t appreciate it being wasted. So, I left you a gift instead. Hope you like it.”

“I love gifts. Tell me more.”

“A gift is only a gift if there is an element of surprise. Better hurry, the clock is ticking.”

He hangs up, and I don’t waste a second explaining my actions to Zander. I head for the door Rurik exited earlier.