“Shedoes.” Range couldn’t stop the swallow his throat processed. “He … visited her.”
Canyon’s gaze sharpened. He was all over that. All over the way Range swallowed. The way he said little, chose “visit” rather than any other rancid term or phrase.
“Then he’s right,” Azzan said. “We need to get them out of here ASAP.”
“Stateside,” Range insisted. He’d all but promised her. “And the kid—Kasra is her mother.”
Leif and Canyon exchanged a look, and Range didn’t care. Beyond the window, he saw Kasra. “She’s awake.” He shoved into the room. “Hey …” At her side, he smiled. “How are you doing?”
With a hooded look, she grimaced. Groaned. “Hurts …”
“Yeah, but at least you’re alive.”
Her eyes widened. “Atia!”
“Safe.” He caught her hand. “She’s here, safe.”
Her eyes slid closed and she released her stress. Sighed. “Where are we?”
“Landstuhl,” he grunted. “Germany.”
Kasra hauled in a breath. “No!” Came up—and yelped in pain. Dropped against the bed, and though she was in obvious pain, her panic wouldn’t let her rest. “No. We cannot be here.”
When she gripped the rail, as if to climb out of the bed, he stopped her. “Whoa. Wait. Stop, Kasra.” He held her shoulders. Pushed her back. “You can’t—”
She grabbed his arm. “Range. You don’t understand. He is here.”
“Who?”
“Adler. Adler Roth lives here.” Her gaze met his and she slumped, tears forming and her chin trembling. “Viper!” She was again coming out of the bed. “He will find us. I can’t be here.” She started crying.
Gut clenched, Range steadied her. “Canyon!”
The door burst open, his brother’s expression fierce as he entered, trailed by the guys and all their mission readiness. “Viper is Adler Roth.”
“Are you kidding me?” Leif balked. “TheAdler Roth, the fashion titan?”
“And partner to Germany’s Prime Minister,” Griffin added.
“Stay with her,” Range ordered. “I’m going to get Atia and we’re ditching this place.” He opened the door.
A weapon aimed into the room.
“Gun!” Ranged shouted as he dove forward. Thrust hands up as gunfire cracked against his ears. Felt the bullet whiz past his head. He drove into the man’s gut. They went down, slamming into a concrete pillar. A notable crack sounded. Range drew up, fist ready to coldcock the guy. Saw the face.
Hellqvist.
Only then realized the guy wasn’t moving. Saw the odd angle of his head.
He pushed onto his haunches, realizing the trajectory and impact of their collision had snapped his neck. Though he hadn’t meant to kill the captain, he wasn’t sorry. Especially considering the man had just tried to kill Kasra.
She’d be safe now …
“That’s one way to solve things,” Canyon said as he helped him up. “You okay?”
On his feet, Range nodded. “Yeah.” His right ear was ringing. “That’s Hellqvist.”
Azzan joined them. “Likely sent by Roth to finish the job.”
