by Rae Marks
Andreiko’s nostrils flared. It was a bluff, but Andreiko had no way of knowing it. Mase had told Sam that the man was always complaining that the Germans had all of Western Europe and were now creeping into Eastern Europe. Mase ran his tongue over his top teeth. If Sam hadn’t known the guy for almost seventeen years, he’d think Mase was pissed. But Sam had known him that long and knew that Mase was trying to keep from smiling.
Sam wondered if Brayden had any similar little tics.
That errant thought made Sam focus even harder on the task at hand. Distractions would cause mistakes, and mistakes would crumble the house of cards they’d built.
“Let me talk to Clement and see what he says. I don’t think cutting him out all together is wise.”
“We’ll leave France alone for now and even Italy, but we already have Greece,” Sam said.
Jazz, going by the name Lucien Bernard, had already taken over the market in Greece. They were trying to flush Clement out, forcing him to make a mistake and show his hand.
Clement used his connections and aristocratic heritage to insulate himself. And Sam wasn’t green enough to believe that a few Ukrainian mafia bosses admitting to working with him would do any good.
They needed proof that Clement was a part of this underworld, just like they needed the names of the US citizens who connected this puzzle to the United States.
“Greece?” Kozak asked.
Sam nodded. Greece was a big market for drugs, which was Kozak’s side of the business. Mase had also told Sam that Andreiko and Kozak had been arguing over how to handle Greece. Kozak wanted to unload drugs there, but Andreiko wanted to tap into the refugees who had been flooding to Greece. They’d be low-hanging fruit for the scams that traffickers used to rope people in.
“Monsieur Bernard has strong contacts there and has moved in. He’s already got distribution networks working overtime. We need to get more supply into the country. He’s also looking to move some human capital out of Greece. We’re interested in partnering to use your distribution network.”
“We’re not DHL,” Andreiko said.
“Maybe not, but working with us would be a lot more lucrative for you than competing with us. Besides, we can’t supply the needs of the whole world simply from Greece.”
“We already have an operation ready to go into Greece,” Kozak said.
“And you think we’re just going to back off and let you move in, especially when you have all these restrictions that will allow Clement to keep his foothold in France and possibly the East Coast?”
The light seemed to go on in Andreiko’s eyes as he understood the bargaining chip. They’d have to decide if they wanted to keep Clement happy or if they wanted a boatload more money to expand their own business.
“It’s an interesting offer, Wheeler. We’ll have to discuss it.”
And he’d have to talk to the people he was working for, the people whose names Sam and his team were desperate to uncover. Sam nodded and stood from the table.
“Please give us a few days to discuss your offer,” Kozak said as he stood. “Is the hotel room to your liking?”
“It is. I can stay for a few days, but I have a meeting in Thailand in six days.”
“It shouldn’t take that long,” Andreiko said as he too stood.
“Mason, can you show Mr. Wheeler to his car?”
The muscles in Sam’s shoulders relax but he didn’t change his stance. He counted to two before looking at Mase so they wouldn’t think he knew who Mase was. Mase hesitated with a look of confusion for just a second. When Andreiko lifted an eyebrow, Mase agreed and waited for Sam just outside the door.
“This way,” Mase said as he pointed in the direction they’d come from before the meeting.
“Isn’t this usually Sergiy’s job?”
Mase shrugged.
“Hope this isn’t a demotion for you,”
“I’ll get along.”
“Your accent, it’s American.”
“So is yours,” Mase shot back.
“Yes, but I’m just visiting. I don’t live here.”
“Does this conversation have a point?”
Another of Andreiko and Kozak’s men walked past them going the other way.
“Not really. Just small talk. I mean, if I had a nickel for every ex-pat I’ve met in Ukraine, I’d only have a nickel.”
Mase’s forehead wrinkled in confusion.
“Isn’t the saying, ‘if I had a dime’?”
“No. I have a nickel, just one nickel, like I said. Then again, I wouldn’t bet my life on it. I might end up with a dead nickel.”
Sam watched Mase take a breath, but there was no other outward sign that he might be distressed. He scraped his top teeth over his bottom lip. It was a tell, but one that made it appear he was thinking. The anxiety didn’t reach his eyes, but Sam knew the wheels were turning.
“A dead nickel? And you called me the ex-pat? At least I remember American clichés,” Mase said with a shake of his head.
“I’ve never really liked clichés,” Sam said with a shrug.
He had a feeling he’d be getting a call from Mase within the next four hours—as soon as his friend could get away and get a secure line. Sam would have to figure out a way to talk, even if he was in the bugged hotel room. He couldn’t leave Mase hanging.
Chapter Seven
Brayden
Bray picked up his phone after the first ring. He’d been pacing back and forth in the office of the hotel room and had just looked at the screen for the fiftieth time when it rang.
“Please tell me you have good news,” Bray said once he had the phone to his hear.
“I have decent news. I’m not a miracle worker. I was able to get in and watch where the car went via traffic cams. I have an idea where they went, but I’m not positive, and I don’t think you’ll be able to get in if I’m right about their destination.”
“I have to try.”
Bray jotted his phone number down on a piece of hotel paper and left it on the desk for Sam. Then he picked up the gun and the hotel key. His hoodie had been a loss after the attempted mugging, but he’d found another one in Sam’s suitcase. After sticking the gun in the back of his jeans, Bray put the hoodie on and zipped it up. It was so big that it made him feel like a toddler playing in his older brother’s clothes.
It smelled like Sam. Bray lifted the wrist cuff to his nose and inhaled. He pocketed the room key as he headed to the private elevator.
“You going to send me directions?” Bray asked as he pushed the button for the lobby.
“Already done. Do me a favor and be careful. I can track you, but I can’t really get you help unless I call the actual military.”
“I don’t think I’ll need the cavalry. I’m not going to try to bust in. I’m just going to scope the place out and see if he’s there.”
“All right. Just be careful.”
Bray hung up without responding. He’d already told him he’d be careful. There wasn’t much more he could say to ease his friend’s conscience, because he wasn’t going to turn around now.
Before the elevator reached the lobby, Bray took his wallet out from the money belt under his shirt. He slipped it into his front pocket as he headed for the valet stand.
He was looking at the directions on his phone when the valet pulled up with his car. He got in and was confused when the passenger door opened. The confusion dissipated when he felt the barrel of a gun press into his ribs.
“Hand over the phone.”
Bray looked at the guy in his passenger seat. He was in a suit, which meant he probably belonged with the people Sam had gone to meet. Bray leaned against the seat and took comfort in the feel of the hard metal of the gun pressing into his back. When he didn’t hand over the phone, the guy took it from him. Two other men got into the back seat.
His odds had just gotten worse, but they didn’t pat him down, so he still had his gun. There was a little bit of an advantage to being considered eye
candy.
“How did you get this?” the man in the front seat demanded.
Bray didn’t answer.
“Go to the address on the phone.”
The man rammed his gun harder into Bray’s side and started talking in low tones with the men in the back seat. They were speaking what he assumed was Ukrainian, but he had no idea. Bray could speak Spanish, a little French and even some Italian, but no Ukrainian.
Following the directions on his phone, Bray drove onto the street. He turned when his phone said to as he listened to the men argue. One of the guys in the back pulled out his phone and made a call. The only word Bray even understood was Sam’s name.
He hoped Sam was still at the meeting. He would be pissed, but Bray was ninety percent sure he wouldn’t want Bray dead. He was just as sure the men in the car with him were looking for a reason to kill him.
Trying to keep a cool head, Bray started to come up with a plan. If it had only been the guy in the front seat, he would have been able to handle himself. It was the three-to-one ratio that made him nervous.
He needed to figure out if he should try to get his weapon as he got out of the car or if he should try to wait until it was a one-on-one situation. If he didn’t draw the gun as soon as he had the chance, they might frisk him and take it away.
When the instructions announced his arrival, Front Seat Guy told Bray to pull into a driveway that was blocked by a chain-link fence. One of the guys got out of the back seat and entered a code into the keypad. The gate slid open and Bray drove through.
Front Seat Guy had him stop at the second building in the compound and told him to get out of the car. There were now only two of them. Bray didn’t know exactly where the third guy was, but he couldn’t see him in any of the car mirrors.
“Get out,” Front Seat Guy demanded again.
Bray opened the door and slowly scooted to the edge of the seat. He reached back under his shirt with his left hand so the men in the car wouldn’t see. It wasn’t as smooth as it would have been if he’d been able to use his right hand, but he had the gun and he knew it was loaded. He could change hands when he took aim.
Twirling around, Bray ducked behind the open car door. Front Seat Guy told him to stand with his hands up. Bray made sure no one was behind him as he crawled around the front of the car. He didn’t want to take fire, but the building wasn’t close enough to dive for. Hoping the men in the car were still aiming their guns at the driver’s-side door, Bray ran for the building.
Bullets pierced the bricks near his shoulder as he ran around the corner. He heard the men talking in Ukrainian as he edged his way along the wall. The buildings were all one-story cinder block boxes, so Bray silently climbed on top of a garbage can and scaled onto the roof.
Crouching low, Bray moved around the perimeter of the roof. Trapping himself with no way to run wasn’t the best option, but he didn’t know the layout, so he’d taken the high ground. He also had no idea how many men were in the buildings. He only had seventeen rounds in the Glock he’d taken from Sam’s desk.
Scooting back, Bray moved to the farthest corner from where he’d jumped onto the roof. That would likely be where they came up, since that was the last place they’d spotted him. He had the low wall of the roof at his back and he kept his gun aimed forward. Eventually they’d start searching the roofs. He wasn’t sure what he’d do then.
Boots crunched on the gravel below as shouts rang out. Bray kept his eyes front and tried to focus. Dog barks pierced the air as men continued to speak to each other in a language he couldn’t decipher. He was trapped.
Bray desperately looked around the roof as he tried to form a plan. There were more than seventeen men on the ground. If he did go out with a fight, he’d have to try to get a new gun.
He was a sitting duck, but he’d gone with his instincts. He hadn’t wanted them to take his gun. The men below would have the advantage of using the wall to shield them as they climbed up. Bray would need something more to protect himself.
The only thing on the roof not attached was an old grate of some sort. There was also a metal satellite dish, but he’d have to pull that loose, and it wouldn’t be a quiet endeavor.
He’d just wrapped his hand around the grate when he heard it. He was speaking Ukrainian, but Bray recognized Mase’s voice. His brother had yelled at him enough as a kid that he’d know the sound in any language. Mase was his only chance.
Bray turned his head slightly and tried to assess where his brother was. There were so many voices.
“What the fuck is going on?” Mase grumbled in English.
He sounded just below the ledge. Bray turned around and slowly moved forward enough to see down. It was Mase. That was the last thought he had before he heard a thump. He felt the roof reverberate and his head exploded in pain.
Everything went black for a moment as his shoulder hit the ground. Someone was yelling at him. Feet were kicking at his ribs. Bray’s training kicked in and he curled up in defense and aimed the soles of his feet at his attacker.
Bray was able to reach for his gun and blindly fired off one shot, then another. He didn’t want to hit Mase, but he didn’t imagine Mase was the one currently kicking the shit out of him.
Somewhere in the distance, he heard Mase’s voice again. He knew his brother would save him, so he let his body give out.
Chapter Eight
Sam
Andreiko and Kozak’s reaction had been exactly as Sam had expected. He’d been able to chat with Mase, but that had been pure luck.
They were quiet as Ax drove them toward their hotel. Sam felt anticipation tingling along his skin. He shook it off. The last thing he needed was to look forward to sparring with Brayden Hart.
He’d delivered the message, so it was time to send the kid home. He’d never have to see him again. He should be celebrating.
“Seemed like Mase got the message,” Ax said.
Sam nodded.
“You think Andreiko and Kozak will give him some PTO?”
“Ax, shut the fuck up.”
“Seriously, though. If his brother needs him…”
Ax didn’t finish the sentence, but Sam knew that if Ax’s little brother needed him, the man would move heaven and earth to help him. Mase had that same integrity in him, but he hadn't spoken to his family. At least, he hadn’t been in the all the time Sam had known him. Before that, Sam figured Mase had been extremely close to his family.
“We’ll figure something out. I’m sure he can get thrown in jail or deported or even extradited for a ‘crime’ committed in the US. The possibilities are endless. We’ll see what Jazz has to say if Mase asks for some time.”
“I’d want a little more than ‘some time’ if Diego was dying.”
“Brayden said possibly life or death. We can sure as hell hope that Nick will pull through whatever is going down.”
Ax nodded, but his grim face said he was still putting his brother in Nick’s place. As they neared the hotel, Sam put his SIM card and battery back in his phone. It was time to sit down and chat with Brayden.
* * * *
As soon as he stepped over the threshold of his hotel suite, Sam knew Brayden wasn’t there. He rushed into the office anyway. When he found Brayden’s note on the desk, he crushed it in his fist. Sam had pictured Brayden sitting by the front door ready to pounce on him. Brayden seemed like a smart kid, but leaving the hotel had been a very stupid mistake.
“He’s not here,” Sam said to Ax, who hadn’t left the front door.
“Not too surprised. Kid’s on a mission to find out who you’re hanging with.”
“We’re heading back to Andreiko and Kozak. I don’t know how the hell he found out where I was going, but he’s going to tell me as soon as I beat his ass.”
“Don’t be too hard on him, boss. He’s doing the wrong things for the right reasons.”
Sam shook off that sentiment as they stepped back into the elevator. He opened his fist and looked at the little p
iece of hotel stationery.
“Aw, he made sure you could find him.” Ax smiled.
Sam rolled his eyes as he pulled out his phone.
“I just hope we’re not too late.”
“Andreiko and Kozak won’t kill him. They might use him as a bargaining chip now they know he’s important to you, but they wouldn’t kill him out of the gate.”
“But how’s Savage gonna react to seeing his baby brother ‘questioned’ by his associates?”
Sam used Mase’s call sign just in case anyone overheard. Ax didn’t need to answer. They both knew it might not end well. They might end up rescuing Mase for blowing his cover more than Brayden for being naïve. Sam dialed Brayden’s number, but it went straight to voicemail.
“Let me use your burner. I’ll try to track his phone so we know for sure where he is before we make any accusations.”
Ax handed Sam his phone then strode back to the valet. Sam dialed through to get a secure line. When he heard the clicking, he entered his code. There was no guarantee that Jazz would be available, but this op was his current highest priority, so he needed to know what was at stake.
Sam was still waiting on the line when Ax jumped into the driver’s seat. Sam slid into the back and Ax had the car moving as soon as Sam’s door was shut.
Sam tapped on his leg. Slowly and purposefully, he straightened his shoulders and gently laid his hand on his knee. He was an operator of the highest caliber. He was an agent in a team that risked some lives every day, including his, in order to save others.
“You’re like a virgin on prom night back there, boss.”
Sam could only see the lower half of Ax’s face in the rearview mirror, but he didn’t even need the reflection to know Ax was smiling.
“If anything happens to Mase’s brother and this whole deal goes south, we might all be without a job. Your wisecracks aren’t helping.”
“Mase won’t blow his own cover.”
Sam wasn’t so sure.
“You sure you’re tied in knots because he’s Mase’s little brother, or is it because you like him?”