She nodded. “Anton liked to play the big man, but he was thoroughly under Volkov’s thumb.” She added bitterly, “Unfortunately, Lara is more familiar with the dynamics of their interaction, but I can vouch for that.”

“Why did you say we might have some time?” Lara asked. “You obviously thought he might be on his way here.”

“Nash knew about this airport. He knew that’s where we were heading. Under torture I don’t have the slightest doubt he would have told your father.” He paused. “But they took the Chinook when they left Stockholm. There’s a chance that they might have changed to a faster aircraft somewhere along the way, but I’d bet they’ll use the Chinook to come directly here and try to catch us off guard. So it will give us a little time to get out of here.”

“And where are we going?” Lara asked.

“I haven’t changed our destination. No one knows about the mountain house. It will still be safe.”

“Until it’s not,” Lara said. “I don’t like the idea of hiding out anywhere close to an airport where you’re expecting an attack. This is a big country. Maybe we should move on.”

“We will,” he said quietly. “But not yet. We’ll bury ourselves in the mountains for a couple of days while I gather information, look over the situation, and make a few decisions. I didn’t expect to be on the run quite so soon.” His lips twisted. “And Nash would have told your father everything he knows about me along with where I was taking you. It makes me a bit vulnerable. I don’t like that. It’s nothing I can’t handle, but I have to consider possible consequences.”

“I can see how you wouldn’t like to feel vulnerable,” Lara said sarcastically. “What a shame. Maria and I wouldn’t know what that feels like.”

“Point taken,” he said. “But it doesn’t change anything except it adds to my empathy, and I didn’t need that.” He stepped on the accelerator. “We’re still going to the mountains. You can argue with me when we get there.”

Chapter 7

Chapter
7

Four Hours Later

I can see why you thought this place would be safe,” Lara said dryly as she held on to her seat belt while Tanner made another sharp turn through the tall jungle-like thornbush at the sides of the dirt road they were traveling. It had been a nightmare of those twists and turns since they’d left the main road a full twenty minutes ago. And that thornbush…She shivered. “I’ve never seen banks of thorn plants like those. Very intimidating. And there’s no way I could find my way here even if I knew where I was going. Are you sure you do?”