Sven followed behind Andrei as they both reached into the back seat and grabbed small black bags that had a single strap that went across their chest and over one shoulder. The contents were simple: extra ammo, a first aid kit, and two rolls of duct tape. They got out of the car and paused at the edge of the road, letting their eyes adjust to the thick darkness that crowded close around them.
The summer air was heavy, but not as hot as it had been, as if a storm system was creeping close to the river valley, promising to dump some much-needed rain on the region. Crickets chirped and tree frogs seemed to answer back. But there were no other cars on the narrow road so late at night. And there were only a couple of lights in the distance indicating that anyone might live in the area…but not close.
“We’re headed in,” Royce growled in Sven’s ear through the piece he was wearing. Both Royce and Dominic had parked their SUV and were now walking through the surrounding woods toward the farmhouse.
Sven saw Andrei nod once and then he led the way down the slope from the road and into the thick tree line. They moved slowly through the woods, branches snapping underfoot no matter how carefully they traveled. It was too damn dark to avoid the brush. Sven just hoped that Nathan didn’t realize that they were on to who he really was.
Sweat trickled down the side of his face and along his spine by the time they reached the edge of the woods. Several yards away stood an old two-story farmhouse with white clapboard siding. The second floor was dark, but light shone through cracks in the curtains hanging over the windows on the first floor, proving that someone was definitely there. Dead bushes and overgrown grass filled the yard. There was a rusted truck pulled off to the side while a late-model silver Mercedes sat in the gravel driveway.
“Andrei,” Sven whispered as he knelt behind a tree with his boss.
“Yeah.”
“My head is with you and Royce and Dominic. I won’t let you down.”
Even in the darkness, he could see Andrei staring at him for a long moment before he finally nodded. Pulling the handgun from the holster under his left arm, Andrei pushed back to his feet. “And we’re not leaving here without Geoffrey. I swear it.”
Sven believed him.###
Geoffrey had the hangover to end all hangovers. He groaned as he turned his head, but quickly stopped when the world started to swim around him and his stomach lurched. Oh God. What the hell had he been drinking?
Gentle fingers slid through his hair, lightly grazing his forehead and across his temple before repeating their path in a slow and steady fashion. It felt so damn good. The queasiness ebbed and the world settled back on its proper axis. Everything in his brain felt scattered and foggy, but he was grateful for those fingers soothing away the lingering pain.
Slowly he cracked his eyes open but shut them again against the bright light and groaned louder. He tried to lift his left hand to rub his head, but his arm was caught. He tried again, but whatever was wrapped around his wrist tightened, trapping him. Cringing, he opened his eyes again, blinking rapidly until he focused on the pale blue strip of cloth that was tied around his wrist and pulled tight as it bound him to the bed he was lying on.
The bed squeaked at his movement and the sheets felt coarse against his slightly sweaty flesh. There was a fan slowly turning overhead, but that was the only thing cutting the heat in the room. No central air. No breeze from the one closed window. He blinked to focus his vision and the peeling, water-stained wallpaper drew his gaze. It was an old flower print with pale blue swirling lines. The woodwork around the window had been painted white, but it was chipped and peeling away, revealing rotted wood. Heat made the air stuffy and stale. None of it made sense. He’d never seen this room before.
“Easy now,” cooed a low voice. The fingers threading through his hair sped up, increasing the pressure slightly as if to push back the panic that was threatening to consume him.
Geoffrey snapped his head the opposite direction to look up at the speaker and stared in dumbfounded confusion as found Kody looking down on him, a warm smile on his lips.
“Kody?” Geoffrey croaked. He licked his dry lips and tried to swallow before speaking again. “What’s going on? Where am I?”
“You’re safe. There’s nothing for you to worry about. I’ve got you somewhere safe.”
“What do you mean?”
“I realized after the video was released what I had to do.” Kody’s hand slid down from Geoffrey’s hair to cup the side of his face. “I had to get you away from that bodyguard. He was keeping us apart.”