Page 56 of Terminal Voyage

In surprisingly good English, the ringleader said, "I know who you are. You’re going to transfer one hundred million dollars in crypto to this address," he said, showing Declan the address on his cell phone.

Declan shook his head. "I don't have access to that kind of crypto.”

"You’re worth billions. A hundred million is nothing to you. Make the transfer, or my friend is going to start shooting your friends.”

It was clear they were only targeting Declan. They probably didn't know who Luciano was. The magazine story had made Declan high-profile.

I bet he regretted that now.

I backed away and crept up the trail toward the vehicles. As I closed in, I caught a glimpse of Felix on the ground by thevan. Blood pooled around his body. They had shot him and the other driver.

These guys meant business.

28

Icrept up the trail, inching closer to the vehicles. I crouched low, huddling behind high grass. A pickup truck had pulled in and parked next to one of the black vans. It was a beat-up gunmetal double cab with a mismatched red quarter panel. It had its fair share of scratches, scuffs, and dents.

A thug stood with his back to me on the other side of the truck, taking a piss in the grass by a clump of trees. His rifle leaned against the truck.

It was a daring move, perhaps stupid, but I figured it was my only chance. I ran up the trail, my bare feet quiet against the dirt. I raced across the makeshift parking lot, grabbed the rifle, and rounded the tailgate.

The goon had just finished his business. He shook the last few drops, zipped up his pants, then turned around. His eyes widened when he saw me.

I came across hard with the butt of the rifle. It cracked himin the face, wrenching his head aside. He dropped to the ground, out cold.

I was a little stunned. I didn't think I had it in me. It's amazing what you're capable of with a rush of adrenaline and the fear of death.

That training with Tyson paid off.

With rope I found in the back of the truck, I hogtied the dirtbag and gagged him. Then I grabbed the rifle and headed back down the trail toward the hostages.

I held up at the top of the ridge and took cover in the trees.

The ringleader had his rifle aimed at Declan, who was still on his knees.

Another goon had his weapon aimed at Vanessa. She lay face down on the deck.

“Maybe I haven’t made myself clear,” the ringleader said. “If you don’t transfer $100 million, my friend is going to start killing people. As in dead.”

“My wealth is not liquid,” Declan said. “I don’t have access to that kind of cash.”

The ringleader nodded to his accomplice.

The goon’s finger tightened around the trigger, about to put a hole in Vanessa.

“Wait!” Declan shouted. “I can get you $5 million. Right now.”

“Five million?” the ringleader repeated with disappointment. He pointed to the magazine cover. “It says right here $32 billion. $100 million should be no problem.”

“Liquidity,” Declan said. “Do you understand the concept?”

“I want the money.”

“Five million. It’s all I have access to.”

My heart raced. I didn’t know what to do. I kept asking myself what would Tyson do?

Tyson would take aim.