“I have. I know a lot about you, too. For example, I know you’re a very smart man. Otherwise, you would’ve been caught a long time ago.”
Shrugging, Walker said, “Doesn’t pay to get caught. And we both know I love my money.”
“We do. Which is why we’re going to make a deal.”
The man’s brows rose. “Youare going to make a deal with me?” Chuckling, he whispered in Gracie’s ear. “This should be good.”
“Let her go right now, and you walk away free and clear.”
Walker laughed. “Your deal is missing one very vital thing. I leave without her, and I don’t get paid. To be honest, Nathan, I’m disappointed in you. I thought you were supposed to be the brains on Bravo Team.”
It was Nate’s turn to shrug. Continuing on with the seemingly casual conversation, he said, “Sure, you won’t get any of Yavuz’ money. But you’ll be out there—” he tilted his head toward the cabin window— “and not stuck in a six by eight cell. Surely a man with your skills would have no problem finding another employer.”
During a stretch of silence, Walker actually appeared to be considering Nate’s proposal. Nate prayed with everything he had the man would make the smart choice and leave.
Please, God. Don’t let him hurt her.
“Or,” Walker countered. “I kill you, take the girl, and get paid a shitload of money by the man with the power to destroy your country.” He looked down at Gracie. “What do you think, sweetheart? Doesn’t that sound like a better plan?”
To her credit, Gracie kept her eyes on Nate, standing stoically, even though Nate knew she was terrified.
That’s my girl.
The three of them stood there, waiting in silence while Walker decided to make his next move. When he finally spoke again, his words shocked the hell out of Nate.
“You know, Nathan. You actually make a good point. I think maybe I will take that deal, after all.”
Nate forced himself not to react, but holy shit! He hadn’t truly believed Walker would just leave them both there and vanish.
Thank you, God.
Those three words of praise had barely left his thoughts when the Walker gave him a feral smile and said, “On second thought…”
Moving faster than Nate had been prepared for, Adrian Walker pulled the gun from Gracie’s head, pointed it at him. Then, he pulled the trigger.
The bullet felt like a Mark-50 torpedo as it slammed into Nate’s chest. He could hear Gracie screaming his name as he fell, followed by another shot, just before everything went black.
Chapter 14
What the ever-loving fuck?It was the first thought Nate had as he slowly began to regain consciousness.
A dull ache was present in his left shoulder and it felt as though a drumline was performing in his head. He didn’t know what he’d done the night before, but whatever it was, he and the guys must’ve had one hell of a time.
“Jesus Christ,” he mumbled.
Why did his voice sound so rough? Nate swallowed, the soreness in his throat answering his internal question.
“The fuck did you guys do to me last night?”
Matt’s voice reached his ears. “‘Bout time you woke your lazy ass up. You gonna stay with us this time?”
This time?Nate forced his heavy eyes to open against the harsh lighting. Someone must have realized his struggle because the room suddenly dimmed. Even without the bright lights, his eyes felt like he’d been rubbing them with 60-grit sandpaper.
Blinking strongly, the room and everyone in it finally came into focus. It took a few seconds longer for Nate to realize he was in the hospital.What the hell?
Then, in one horrible, gut-wrenching moment, it all came rushing back.
The cabin…
