“I heard about Orlov.”
“Yeah, that’s why the need to get UR called off has risen to priority number one.”
“You need me?”
Gunner was almost speechless. He knew the last thing Razor would want to do was to leave
Ava, particularly given the Petrov threat was a priority too, not to mention, she was pregnant.
“I’m good, but I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the offer.”
“I know the reason Ivashov got off the island was because Doc called you for backup instead of me.”
“Flip of a coin.”
“It wasn’t, and you know it.”
Gunner prayed that he, Raketa, or someone else came up with another name because for now, Kuznetsov was the only one he had. Knowing handing her over would result in Raketa’s life being spared was like looking to make a deal with the devil.
If he pursued this, he and Shiv would be adversaries, both protecting someone they loved.
Marquess Thorton “Shiver” Whittaker was like a brother to him. Maybe now he understood what Raketa meant more than he’d wanted to admit earlier.
She came out of the bedroom, and they stood face-to-face.
“I can’t come up with anything.”
Gunner pulled her closer to him and kissed her forehead. “We’ll keep trying.” All the while, one name, Kuznetsov, continued to echo in his head.
—:—
Gunner was quiet all night, even when Pimm brought them food. Something was on his mind, and whatever it was, was eating away at him.
“Striker should be here within the hour,” said Pimm, standing to leave.
“Fuck,” Gunner muttered. “I forgot he was on his way.”
Raketa knew he didn’t like Striker, but that he’d forgotten he was coming added to the mystery of what was on his mind.
“If I was doing what you’re doing, you’d tell me to talk to you.”
“I’m sorry, what did you say?” he asked, looking up at her.
“Something is troubling you.”
Gunner rubbed his shoulder. “It’s a damn long list, sweetheart.”
“Something specific.”
Gunner shook his head, but even that was a lie. Raketa went back to the room she’d been in and slammed the door behind her.
More telling than anything, Gunner didn’t come after her.
—:—
Striker came inside without knocking and threw his bag on the floor. “I’m here. Let’s get to work.”
Gunner thought long and hard about what the consequences would be if he took out his gun and shot Striker.