Page 62

“These guys aren’t mobile. We’re going to need to bring the SUV to them,” Linc said.

“Is that going to be enough space, or should we commandeer one of their cars?” Ryker asked.

“I’ve got the keys to the Mercedes on this key ring,” Linc said. “We can use that. You go get the SUV and bring it around. We don’t have a choice. The one with the cut finger is septic. I don’t know what fuck-all they’ve done to him, but he’s in bad shape.”

“I’ll be back with the SUV,” Ryker promised. He took off at a run toward the back fence. He knew he was putting more distance on his run, but it was less likely for the Kraken crackheads to notice him…until he started up the SUV that is.

Ryker poured on the juice and continued toward the SUV while also watching for any signs of flashlights or movements in the large building. Just as he was making the turn on the fence, he saw it. A flashlight on the second floor, right above where the main entrance in the front would be.

“Idiots,” he murmured.

“Ryker, what’s your ETA?” Kostya asked.

“Less than two minutes if the SUV starts.”

“Bite your tongue,” Linc yelled.

“I agree,” Gideon chimed in.

“Me too,” Landon said. “Quit trying to jinx the mission.”

“We really don’t need to hear from the peanut gallery,” Kostya’s calm voice squashed any more remarks.

“There’s somebody on the second floor of the plant above the main entrance. I see their flashlight.”

“Continue to keep an eye out,” Kostya ordered.

Ryker slid up to the driver’s side of the black SUV and let himself in. He started the engine as the loud sound pierced the quiet of the night. He turned off the headlights that had come on automatically and did a one-eighty so that he could get back to the outbuilding. He prayed that the merry mercenaries wouldn’t take a shot because they would think he might be one of the Polat brothers.

“Coming in on the east side of the outbuilding, furthest from the main plant,” Kostya said.

“Affirmative,” Kostya answered. “Open up the hatch and flip down the backseat.”

By the time Ryker had the vehicle stopped and open for patients, he heard someone yell. So much for being stealthy. The Krakens weren’t really a crack team.

Kostya and Linc each carried a man to the SUV. Ryker looked down at both of them. One of the Princeton boys looked like he might not make it.

“What the fuck?” he asked Kostya as Linc ran in to help the third kid hobble out to the SUV.

“Not sure,” Kostya said. “An infection from the finger couldn’t have acted this fast. I’m thinking they beat him and he has internal injuries.” He held out his hand to Ryker. “Give me the keys.”

Ryker handed them to him. Kostya and Linc helped the third Princeton boy into the back of the SUV—it was a tight squeeze—then Kostya passed the keys to Linc. “Get back onto the main highway back to Batman. Gideon will tell you how to get to the hospital. He’ll arrange to have the American ambassador waiting at the hospital.”

“I will?” Gideon said.

“Cut the shit, Gideon, and get it done,” Kostya growled.

Gideon laughed.

Ryker closed the hatch and watched Linc get in the driver’s seat. “Good luck, Linc.”

Linc nodded and headed out.

“And us?” Ryker asked his boss.

Kostya turned off his mic and made a motion for Ryker to do the same. “I want this to be just a closed loop between you and me, got it?”

Ryker nodded. “Whatcha got planned?”