when their boss held up a hand. “This man is right.” He moved in front of his men. “We misjudged our opponent. Arrogant of us.”
Grizzly didn’t respond, surprised at Viktor’s honest answer. His attention shifted to Vulture. “What now?”
“Good question.” Vulture gestured toward Viktor. “We’re here for the answer.”
“It is simple. We underestimated the ability of the men holding the woman. They were organized and well-armed.”
“You should’ve asked,” Grizzly said. “Or better, not called us off.”
Viktor shrugged. “Perhaps. That is irrelevant. We still want the woman.” His piercing black eyes met Vulture’s. “Can you bring her to us?”
“The answer is the same as before. Because of your monumental fuck up, it will cost twice as much.”
Viktor stiffened, jaw ticking. The only tells of his displeasure.
The Russians were known for their lack of loyalty to those outside of the tight-knit members of the various syndicates. Not that they wouldn’t turn on their own. They were equally ruthless to anyone suspected of crossing them. Russian or not.
Rubbing his jaw, Viktor gave a slow nod. “I want her within twenty-four hours.”
“Too soon. We need forty-eight to devise the plan.” Vulture didn’t mention two of his most trusted men, Trick and Pistol, had ridden into town with him, Fingers, and Viper.
“For double the price, you will have her to me in twenty-four. If you can’t produce her…” Again, Viktor shrugged. “We have other sources.”
“Twenty-four hours with half the money now and the rest when you get the woman,” Vulture gritted out.
The two men squared-off, neither flinching, the room going eerily quiet. The others tensed, hands moving to the weapons tucked into their waistbands. A minute passed, then another, before Viktor raised his hands.
“Twenty-five percent wired into your account today. The rest when you bring the woman to us.”
Vulture pulled a torn piece of paper from his pocket, handing it to Viktor. “Bank info. If the money isn’t in there by midnight, our deal is off.”
Taking the paper, Viktor gave Vulture a curt nod before walking out with his men.
“It’s time to get ready, Fuse.” Mitch stood beside him on the patio, both each nursing sodas. They’d rather have been holding beers, a strict no-go while on an op. “The gear is hidden by the back fence.”
“Are Rock and Ghost en route?”
Mitch checked the time. “Twenty minutes out. Go time is midnight.”
Tossing the remaining contents of his glass onto the grass, Fuse turned to look through the glass doors into the house. Wrath’s plan was a bold move. Also a stroke of genius.
“I’ll get Brit.” Fuse strode inside, considering his words.
After dinner, she’d moved into her bedroom to work. Fuse had gone with her, checking the bedroom and patio before declaring it safe. Before shutting the door behind him, he’d kissed her. Quick, hard, and deep.
Each time it happened, he’d sworn not to kiss her again. Each time, his desire for Brittany outweighed common sense. Her presence messed with his mind, his determination not to get involved beyond sex. His heart hadn’t gotten the message.
Rapping lightly on her door, it surprised him when it opened within seconds. Although minutes before midnight, it was obvious she’d been working. Holding the knob, she stood on the other side in her sleep clothes, one brow lifting in question. Walking past her, he turned, closing the door behind him.
“Change clothes and pack.” He tossed a lightweight duffel on the bed.
Curiosity turned into surprise. “Pack?”
“No questions. Toss whatever you need into the duffel.” He began pulling clothes from a drawer, flinging them onto the bed.
“I don’t understand.” She grabbed pants, shirts, and underwear, dressing, then quickly stuffing the rest into the large bag.
With the drawers empty, he scooped up toiletries on top of the dresser, dumping them over the clothes. “What else?”
She went to the closet, dragging a windbreaker and sweatshirt off hangers, adding them and shoes to the pile. “That’s it.”
He lifted the black sweatshirt, handing it to her. “Put this on.”
Slipping her arms into it, she zipped the front. “What now?”
Fuse grabbed her computer and accessories, sliding them into the case before handing it to her and picking up the duffel. “Time to go.”
Entering the hall, she noticed most lights were off. The others lowered to just enough for them to move through the house. She made out a silhouette of one of her protectors near the front door, knowing there were others close by.
Taking her arm, he guided her through the office and onto the deck. “On my word, we’ll run from here, through the barn to