Chapter Thirteen
Thrasher stepped from his dwelling with Tony in tow. They’d both showered, had a bite to eat, and paced the small bungalow like caged rats. Thrasher wasn’t sure what Vaughn had on his mind, but he couldn’t seem to get Kaspyn off his. “Howell is near, Tony. I can feel him.”
“So can I,” Tony muttered, jumping from the porch while Thrasher took the steps. “Something is off. I can’t figure out what it is, I just know something is.”
Glancing back, Thrasher noticed Gryke, Rykaur, Brant and the two Arkadian males heading in their direction. He wanted to ask about Kaspyn, but decided against it.
Just then, a young native girl stuck her head out the door of Kaspyn’s bungalow. “We will be right there.”
Thrasher sent the girl a two-finger salute and headed off toward Oz’s home.
“Down there,” Oz informed them, nodding toward a door that lead to a basement. “Maria is sleeping, and I’d rather not wake her if I can help it.”
Everyone filed inside, keeping their voices low and taking the stairs to the room below ground.
Thrasher glanced around with a low whistle. “Impressive.”
“Thanks,” Oz responded. “I had to do some remodeling after what went down here with the cartel, but it’s stronger now than ever before.”
Monitors and weapons lined one wall. A large desk sat across the room that held a CB radio, satellite phone, and a computer. A bar ran along the opposite wall with a bathroom to the right of it, and in the back corner of the room rested a huge, red-canopied bed.
The corner of Thrasher’s mouth lifted. “I always took you for a freak.”
“Rykaur’s the freak,” Oz shot back. “I merely have good taste.”
A grunt came from Rykaur but he didn’t deny the accusation.
Thrasher sauntered over to the wall of weapons, admiring the vast assortment on display when a low whistle sounded from behind him.
He turned in time to see Kaspyn make her way down the stairs and nearly swallowed his tongue.
She wore a pink top with matching bottoms that were tucked into her sharkskin boots. A hint of her stomach showed where the shirt didn’t quite reach her waist. But that wasn’t what held his attention the most. Her incredible amber-colored eyes were lined with black eyeliner that seemed to make them glow. Her lips and cheeks were the same color pink as her outfit, and her hair had been curled, falling over her shoulders in a billow of white silk. Thrasher had never seen anything more beautiful in his life. And he’d thought her gorgeous before.
The vision that was Kaspyn, stopped at the bottom of the stairs. “What is your problem, human?”
Thrasher found his voice. “I don’t have a problem, but you will, walking around looking like a painted-up hooker.”
If Thrasher had ever wished he could take some words back…it was in that moment. The hurt that flashed in her eyes immediately sent regret slamming through him.
“I do not know what a hooker is, but from the sound of your voice, I will assume it is not good.”
“Kaspyn, I—“
“Your opinion of my attire matters not, land walker.”
Brant leaned his hip against the desk Thrasher stood next to. “Well, I think you look fantastic, Kaspyn. You could definitely grace the cover of any major magazine in publication.”
Jealousy, strong and true came to life inside Thrasher. He bit back a snarl, forcing himself to turn away before he knocked out a couple of Henagar’s teeth.
Tony cleared his throat. “Okay then…now that we got that out of the way, let’s figure out what we’re going to do about Howell.”
“Kerik was last seen by some of my spies about twenty miles east of here. Which tells me that Howell is definitely close by.”
“I say we go there tonight and kill Kerik in his sleep,” Rykaur growled while running his palm along the red covering of the bed.
Thrasher shook his head. “I can guarantee that it’s a trap. Gerald Kerik used to be the secretary of defense. He’s smart, cunning and dangerous. You can bet your ass that he knows we’re here. You can also count on knowing that he is more than aware that we know where he is also.”
“Then what is he waiting for?” Gryke rumbled, anger sparking in his eyes.
Thrasher met Tony’s gaze. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“Probably.”
Oz threw up his hands. “Care to fill us in?”
Tony blew out a breath. “It’s a classic poker move. He wants us to go charging in, guns blazing, so they can surround us…trap us. Kerik knows that Klause would have sent me as well as Thrasher. He also knows that I’m mated to the king’s daughter and that Klause would do everything possible to see me safely return.”
Understanding dawned in everyone’s eyes.
“What do you suggest we do?” The question came from Zyen, strange as that was.
Thrasher met the giant’s eyes, noticing that even though a touch of malice lingered in their depths, it was shared by determination. Zyen would do whatever was asked of him.
“Kerik knows we’re here,” Thrasher began. “I say we wait him out, make him come to us.”
Oz ran a hand down his face. “But if the Cuban military finds out that you’re here, they’ll likely blow us off the map. How do we know that Howell won’t send a little birdie to chirp in Mendoza’s ear?”
“We don’t know.” Thrasher glanced at every face in the room, including Kaspyn’s heart-stopping one. “But I have an idea.”
Tony narrowed his eyes. “I know where you’re going with this, and it could very well work.”
“Are you planning on telling us?” Though Kaspyn’s words were softly spoken, there was no mistaking the underlying anger in her voice. And it was directed at Thrasher.
Thrasher gave her his full attention. “We will stay in Playa Pilar for seven days. On the morning of the eighth day, we’ll board the boat that brought us in and head back toward the yacht we left anchored in The Gulf. It must be during daylight hours so we are sure to be seen leaving.”
“You mean to run from him?” Kaspyn’s indignation was palpable.
Shaking his head, Thrasher continued, “It will look as if we’ve left, but once the boat circles the port, we swim back, come around behind the ruins of the hotel, and take them out.”
Kaspyn ran a fingertip along her chin. “By take them out, I am assuming that means to destroy them?”
“It does.”
She held Thrasher’s gaze. “How can you be certain that this Kerik will be there?”
“I know that he’ll be there because there’s a spy in our midst, and they’ll make sure Kerik knows of our plans to leave.” He paused when murmurs erupted throughout the room.
“You’re sure about that?” Oz asked in a deadly soft voice.
Thrasher nodded. “That’s why he hasn’t attacked you yet. He knew we were coming. How many have you spoken with about our impending arrival?”
Oz narrowed his eyes. “A few, but it’s men I would trust with my life. You’re certain they’ll wait until you’re on the boat before they attack?”
“I am,” Thrasher stated before returning his attention to the room at large. “Kerik and his men will attack the boat they think we are leaving on. They’ll plan to disable it, board it, and take the Bracadytes prisoner, including Tony. It’s the safest way to ensure that Klause will come, and the easiest way to apprehend us.”
“And you? What of you?” Kaspyn raised an eyebrow.
“I’m nothing to them,” Thrasher admitted. “They’ll likely kill me immediately.” Was that fear that flashed in Kaspyn’s eyes?
Brant held up a hand. “Where will Howell be during all this?”
“He’ll be close. You can bet your ass on it. After everything he’s already lost and is now running from, he has nothing left to live for but revenge. And that revenge won’t taste nearly as sweet if he’s not there to witness it. No, he’ll be there.”
Oz nodded his agreement. “It’s settled then. On the morning of the eighth day, everyone will be packed and ready to go. Once you’ve boarded, I will move Maria down here where she’ll be safe. And then it’s on.”
“Call a meeting with a few of your men,” Thrasher advised Oz. “Tell them to keep scouting the area, and that if Howell isn’t located within the week, we will be heading back to Aukrabah on the king’s orders.”
Oz gave a sharp nod. “Sounds like a good plan. Whoever the spy is in our midst, they will make sure that Kerik knows your plan to leave on the eighth day.”
“If you will bring your men to me,” Kaspyn offered, “I will tell you who it is that cannot be trusted.”
Thrasher shook his head. “Not until after Kerik and Howell have been destroyed. We need a certain amount of information to be leaked to them.”
“Once I know who the spy is,” Oz growled, “I will take great pleasure in removing his tongue.”