Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 144571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 723(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 482(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 723(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 482(@300wpm)
Zach stopped, his eyes on Cooper. “I hope we can sit down with our ladies and have a beer one day. If we can’t, know that I loved you from the minute I knew you existed. I know you have a family, but I don’t have much anymore. Thank you for sharing yours. Even for a little while.”
Damn it. He didn’t want the surge of sympathy that rolled over him. Or the curiosity about the man who was technically his big brother. He’d always been the big brother to Hunter and Vivian. There had definitely been times in his life when he could have used a guiding hand. Maybe if Zach had been around, he and Kala wouldn’t have wasted so much time. “Zach, don’t fucking die.”
Up ahead he could see two armed guards coming out of the house, rifles pointed their way.
“It’s show time, little brother,” Zach said and put his hands up. He dropped to his knees. “When the time comes, a punch to the kidneys might be called for.”
Cooper did the same. He’d disarmed back at the van with the exception of the camera Lou had given him. It was a weapon of sorts. It would definitely send intel back to the team about what was happening. “Who am I punching?”
He hoped it was Huisman. The guards yelled some guard-like things. Hands up. We’ll shoot. Shit like that, but Coop was watching Zach. He had a grim look on his face as the guards approached.
“Me, if you have to,” Zach said under his breath.
“Both of you stand up,” one of the guards said. Now there were four of them. “Who the hell are you? This is private property.”
“This is Dr. Emmanuel Huisman’s property, and I think you’ll find I was invited,” Zach said. “Tell him Captain Reed is here to discuss a very important matter with him. You’ll find I’m unarmed and hoping we can deal with the issue like gentlemen. My brother is here to ensure the negotiations go smoothly.”
“Hey,” Cooper said, giving the big guy a nod. “Nice place you have here. Do you know if they’re hiring?”
Sarcasm. He’d gotten it from his woman.
The guard ignored him, pulling his radio out and talking in French.
“He’s calling his boss, who’s going to talk to Huisman,” Zach said quietly, his arms still behind his head, but no one was tying them up yet. Zach was counting on Huisman’s curiosity and his arrogance. “The boss says Huisman is with one of the prisoners.”
He should have learned French. He was fluent in Spanish, German, and Russian, but only because he liked to know what the Taggart girls said about him. He’d learned Russian early since they spoke it around him all the time. Even when he was a kid he hadn’t wanted to be left out of any group.
Now he only needed one. “Kala. He’ll be with Kala.”
He hoped he would be escorted to where she was. Huisman could be cruel and might think seeing her being tortured would wreck him. It would, but it would also mean he was in the room with her. The closer he could get, the more easily he could snatch her up and run like hell.
Nothing mattered but getting her and Devi out of here.
“Well, well. Look what the cat dragged in,” a familiar voice said. Lena Gallagher stood not ten feet away from them. Her head tilted, features shadowy in the dim light from the moon. “I expected the captain. You’re a surprise, McKay. Where’s your boss and how did he find us?”
Cooper tilted his head slightly Zach’s way. “Boss is right there, lady. He’s in charge of this insane op.”
She frowned, arms crossing over her chest. “I meant Ian Taggart.”
“He’s back in Texas. He doesn’t know I’m here,” Cooper replied. “When Zach found out you have Devi, he called me. You have Kala, too. You have to know she’s mine, and we’re willing to do what it takes to get them back. Bringing the team in means bringing the Agency in, and we don’t want that.”
She studied him for a moment as the guard waited for orders. “I’m supposed to believe you ditched your team? She’s his daughter. You don’t think Taggart would move heaven and earth for his precious girl? I call bullshit.”
“Call it whatever you like,” Cooper replied. “I have other family, and I have loyalty to them, too. I didn’t want Kala hurt in the inevitable gunfight that would happen if I brought her parents in. Zach wants the same for Devi. Look, I’m only here so Zach has backup, and I can take the women with me when Zach turns himself in. He’s my brother. I owe him.”
“Ah, but he’s not just turning himself in, is he?” Lena asked. “It’s your biological mother Huisman wants. No loyalty to her?”