her from crazy testosterone-filled men. âIâm going to the armament room to pick out a gun.â She turned away and headed toward the door.
âIâll be down there in a few minutes.â Ryker waved over Liam. âGo with her to the basement shooting range and pick out a gun for her to use. Something thatâll fit into her small hand.â
She gritted her teeth. He was determined not to listen to her. She would figure out a way to make him. For now, sheâd give in and let him teach her how to shoot.
âOkay, boss.â Liam walked toward the door. His vivid blue eyes and ebony hair touched with silver at the temples gave him a Pierce Brosnan look. Heâd joined The Circle, as he liked to say, âwhen he was a wee lad,â playing up his beautiful accent. If ever asked about returning home to Ireland, he would shake his head and change the subject. The man was a genius at finding any kind of equipment or supplies The Circle could need. Plus he was a dangerous man to cross. The gossip was he never met a weapon he didnât like. Since the previous security officer defected to the OS, he handled security and logistics for The Circle.
Sheâd just stepped out into the hallway when someone shouted.
At the other end, two guards had the arms of a man with neon-blue hair pulled back into a long braid. He used their hold to jump up and twist his body, taking the men down with him. Before they could recover, the man was running toward her.
âM ove!â Ryker shoved her behind him. âStop, asshole.â He pointed his gun toward the threat.
The man slid to a stop. He slowly raised his hands and focused his dark almond-shaped eyes on Ryker.
âCollin Ryker sent me.â Instead of the expected Asian accent, he spoke English with a slight drawl. âThe Wizard has something of mine. So you can let me go with you to find him or Iâll follow.â
âHowâs it going, Ice?â Jack moved to the side and nodded toward the man. âMy brotherâs still having problems with his ex-fiancé since sheâs working with him now?â
âA. J.?â Ice Takahashi cocked his head. âI stay out of Rexâs business. Safer that way.â
Ryker knew of Ice, that heâd acquired his name from what ran through his veins. Of all the stories bandied about, one was that heâd tracked down and killed his own father.
If a man didnât protect his family, he was a man not to be trusted. In Rykerâs way of thinking, a good reason for him to leave.
âI donât give a damn what he has of yours.â Ryker lifted his chin. âGo back to Collin and tell him to keep his nose out of my business.â
âHe said you would say that. He told me to tell you that you owe him.â
Ryker straightened his shoulders and stepped closer to the man. âI donât owe him jack-shit.â
âHe said you took his kill.â Those cold dark eyes stared back.
Ryker knew most would agree he had the greater right to the kill if they knew all of the facts.
âBoss, you want me to throw him out?â Liam shouldered his way through the crowd surrounding Ice.
Ryker had to give his little brother credit. Collin was a smart man. He had to be to escape Theoâs perverted clutches all those years ago. If only Ryker had known too. The years of pain and depravity the man had forced on him. The way he made him beg. Now wasnât the time to think of that.
His brother was known for being a master strategist. Whatever reason he sent Ice would most likely be revealed in its own good time.
Ryker nodded. âOkay. Jackâll get you up to speed on our plan.â
Â
C HAPTER S EVEN
R yker pressed the gas a little harder after rounding the curve. The roads in and near Gatlinburg were narrow and curvy. He heard Marie moving around, probably trying to get comfortable. A few miles back heâd stopped to tie her up and place her