Page 68 of Captive

“What the hell do these guys want?”

“My blood. How did you find us?”

Travis huffed. “I noticed the boat was missing after I got to the cabin. I figured what you’d done. I also knew you had no idea about the falls. The boat eventually drifted to the shore, getting stuck in the mud. Then I saw the tire tracks and several sets of footprints. Didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what happened. Where are they?”

“Smell the smoke?”

His eyes opened wide. “Remind me not to get into an argument with you. Is that it?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then we need to get you the hell out of here.” He nodded toward Chloe. “How’s she taking all of this?”

I turned my head, studying her. There were so many thoughts in my mind, desires that would never go away. I wanted to give herthe world. Instead, all I could try to provide was a return to her life. Just not the one she wanted. “She’s okay. No, she’s better than okay.”

“Interesting. If I didn’t know you better, I’d say you really like this girl.”

“Bullshit.”

“You do. Christ. Leave it to you to find love in a Bruce Willis movie.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, huffing afterwards.

“Yeah, we need to get you some medical attention.”

“No hospital. Just some rib tape. Do you know anywhere off the grid we can stay? Can’t risk going back to your cabin or to Waltham at this point.”

“Actually, I do. Just don’t burn my friend’s house down.”

“I can’t promise you anything.”

He laughed. “I guess you can’t. Come on.”

“There’s a couple items I need to retrieve first.”

Nodding, he followed my gaze toward the burning house. “You used to live some kind of life.”

“It wasn’t living at all, Travis.”

“I hear you. Maybe that’s what you need to remember, Nikolai. Life isn’t about money or power. It’s about enjoying your time.”

“Funny. That’s very close to something Chloe told me.”

“I think that girl is exactly what you need in your life, but that’s up to you. Only if you allow it to happen.”

“That’s just it, Travis. I won’t ruin her life in order to find mine. I care about her far too much.”

“Yeah, I got it. You’re a man in love and don’t you dare deny it.” He laughed as he moved toward his Bronco, giving me a wave.

Before heading for the woods, I glared in the direction of the house, watching the smoke rising from the trees.

A war had started, one that had been in process for two generations. It was time to end it the Federov way.

* * *

Three days later

Healing.