Merciless Hunter (Dark Syndicate 4)

38

Olivia

It’s so beautiful here.

I’ve only ever heard of Brazil’s scenic beauty and picturesque landscapes.

As I gaze out the window of the little villa we’ll be staying in and watch the birds flying around I wish I could have been here under better circumstances.

I only hope I can leave here in a better situation than I came.

It’s late morning and Aiden is downstairs with the other guys preparing for the day. They’ve been down there for a while. I can only imagine they’re talking strategy on how to get inside the place where Eric is.

The majority of men were already here when we arrived. The others accompanied us on the flight from L.A. along with two other guys who sat close by us. I heard Aiden call the oldest looking one Massimo and I realized that who Eric’s the letter was for.

It was him I delivered the letter to and I’d never met him until yesterday. And, even then I didn’t really meet him.

Aiden just kept me with him which was fine.

I’m aware I didn’t exactly make the best impression with how I got here, and I’m used to people being reserved around me.

What I’m concerned about is how this will all end and even though I know I’ll be sitting here waiting, at least I’m close to the place that holds all the answers.

The door opens and Aiden comes in.

I push away from the wall and ready myself to hear what’s going to happen.

Apart from him being away for the day, I don’t know much about what’s supposed to happen during that time or what he’ll be doing.

I’m sure he’s been vague on purpose since I shouldn’t be here. I just wish I could do more to help.

The whole thing serves as a reminder that I was way out of my league when I first left San Francisco and thought I could save Eric. Even if I had managed to get some information, I don’t know anyone aside from Aiden who could have pulled this off.

“We’re leaving in five minutes,” he states.

“Will you be away for the day?”

“I don’t know yet. We’ll have to play it by ear. We’re going to scout the facility. Of course if we see an opening we’ll take it. The goal will be to find Eric and get him out. If we can do that today, we’ll do it.”

He walks over to the suitcase and pulls out a little black duffel bag.

“Come here to me,” he says in his habitual way. This is just the first time he sounds authoritative. There’s nothing remotely close to the sexy, alluring manner I’m used to.

It all alludes to what’s going to happen when this is over. he barely looked at me last night and except for his arm around me as we slept he hasn’t touched me.

I felt like maybe he slept with me like that to keep me close. To protect me.

I move over to him and he unzips the bag.

There’s a stack of cash, a little lunch box, a cellphone, what looks like t-shirts rolled into a ball and then a Glock.

I swallow hard when I see that and I press my lips together when he takes it out.

“This bag is yours,” he says.

“Mine?”

“Yes. Now make sure you listen to me. I don’t know this part of the world. We’ve got some solid backup but never rely on anybody else to keep you alive. The only person you trust to do that is yourself. You understand me?”