Page 82 of August

Trees stretched for miles, and the continual rise and fall of treetops and peaks would’ve been breathtaking if their circumstances weren’t so dire.

Rami steered onto the dirt road and the Tahoe bumped over the uneven terrain. As soon as Rami pulled over, August leapt out. No way he could sit another fucking second. “Why aren’t they here yet?” he barked as Rami and Toth got out, leaving Todd inside.

Toth glanced at his watch. “We’re five minutes early. They should be here soon.”

August checked the clip of his Glock. Leaving the front passenger door open, he kept his AR-15 at the ready. He needed to be prepared to shoot and kill if something went awry, but he also didn’t want to get off on the wrong foot with Alvarez.

He couldn’t make a stupid move based on emotion. He had to keep his head on straight, had to treat Gigi’s rescue like any other mission—common sense needed to be stronger than impulse.

Todd had been oddly quiet during the ride. His skin was pale and sallow, and frown lines were etched around his mouth. If the guy hadn’t made his own bed, August might feel bad for him. But he didn’t. Todd was a means to an end. Specifically, the end of Gigi being hunted. He’d made his choice long ago and had been well aware of the risks.

Todd’s eyes, small and pitiful, looked to August, silently pleading. August cocked the weapon in his hand.

Todd gulped and turned to look out the back window.

Headlights were approaching from the highway. The vehicle slowed and turned onto the dirt road.

“All set?” Rami asked.

“Yup.” Toth held his gun low at his side.

August rounded the truck to stand in front. He wouldn’t hide the Glock in his hand. Surely Alvarez would expect nothing less.

The sleek black SUV parked facing the Tahoe. The driver’s-side door opened and a man in a suit stepped out.

Tension electrified August’s muscles. His gaze was hyperfocused on the vehicle, searching the tinted windows for any sign of Gigi. But they were too dark. He could see only an occupant in the front passenger seat, through the untinted windshield. A man. Aviators concealed his eyes, but the weathered skin and graying hair told August it was Alvarez.

“Show us Todd,” the driver commanded.

Apprehension made August’s hair stand on end. “I want to see Gigi first.” His voice boomed with authority.

The driver turned to glance at Alvarez, but the man in the front seat shook his head. The driver took a step forward. “We need to see Todd first. Then we’ll bring out the woman.”

“What do you want to do?” Toth asked.

He didn’t want to waste any more time. “Bring him out.”

Toth signaled to Rami, who opened the back door and hauled a handcuffed Todd out into the open. Rami shoved him forward a few feet, keeping his gun trained on him. August kept his finger on the trigger of his own gun but his gaze on the driver and Alvarez.

Todd stood trembling on the dirt road, his body hunched forward and sniffles and sobs escaping his throat.

The driver turned to his boss. “Is that him?”

Alvarez climbed out of the car and the driver moved to his side, gun drawn as if ready to take a bullet for the man.

“It’s him,” August shouted with impatience. “Now let us have Gigi and you can take Todd.”

“That’s Todd,” Alvarez confirmed. He went back to the SUV and opened the rear door. Someone stepped out and August’s heart lurched, his attention riveted on the partially hidden person.

The driver motioned for Todd to move forward, and he started to walk.

“Wait, I don’t see her,” August hissed. His senses prickled and his brain took in the quick movements of Alvarez getting back in the vehicle. “It’s a setup!” August screamed.

Crack, crack!

Gunfire erupted. The man who’d exited the back of the SUV fired rapidly at them then dove back inside. Rami and Toth returned shots as rage blasted through August with the force of an explosion. Bullets ripped through Todd’s body. Blood and brain matter splattered the dirt.

A jolt hit August in the abdomen, and he grunted as pain radiated across his midsection. The familiar dull ache without the burn of metal through flesh assured him the bullet had hit his vest.

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