A Pair of Second Chances (Ben Jensen Series Book 1) by Brian Gore Read Free Book Online

up, but I had no reason to pay attention to them. But, as soon as he slowed in front of the building, their van started and pulled along side. The cab is still there."
    "Good boy Ivo" his uncle said, patting the boy on the shoulder. "Go now, or we'll both have trouble with your Grandmother." He waved toward the door with his hand.
    As Ivo went out and the door closed behind him Raif turned to the men at the table. "Trouble follows us like a plague... It hunts us again now. I feel it now... We ran from Bosnia... I will not run again."
    "Not me either. Do we call the police?" one of the card players asked.
    "Did calling the police help us in Srebrenica? When the United Nations declared it a 'Safe Zone'... did it do us any good? or Prijedor or Zvornik? We were on our own then too, but foolishly left the safety of our families to the authorities and our leaders. I will never again surrender to the promises of politicians and cowards!" Raif answered with a cold rage burning in his eyes. "I will defend my family myself. In the ways I learned from my enemies! And those who make themselves my enemy, will learn the tradition of the Blood Feud, that I learned from my Grandfather."
    Murmurs of agreement floated around the table.
    "OK, we agree" another of the men said; "So... what do we do?"
    "We have to decide who is our leader now... that is first." responded Zlatko Durakovic, another of the card players.
    "That's easy" spoke another; "Sgt. Bukvic! Who led us in the Bosniak Militia and who brought us all here! Who else?"
    Every man at the table, except Raif Bukvic nodded in agreement. He hadn't wanted the responsibility back in Bosnia. He didn't want it now. But, many of the things we must accept in life are unwanted he thought.
    They had come to America seeking a peaceful life for their families, or what was left of them. A few of them still had wives and children. Others, like Sadik lived with the horror of how their families had been taken, and how they had suffered. They had come here hoping to find a fresh start away from the brutality and obscenity of the old country.
    It seemed that their wishes would not be granted. Raif rubbed his face with his hands... as if to wipe away the horrors he felt again gathering around him. But, when he looked up, the other five men still sat, awaiting their instructions.
    Five men and himself, not counting Sadik. The remains of their unit in the home defense Bosniak Militia. Experienced, combat soldiers, and good family men all.
    "The van, according to Ivo, had been sitting, as if knowing the cab would come. Zlatko, you and Juka go there. Ivo said the cab is still in the street. Go to it... Drive it to the garage. Talk to the dispatcher. Find out who called for it... Something stinks Zlatko... find out Who... I know that slimy little bastard... make him talk and waste no time... Understand?"
    Zlatko and Juka rose and left the room grim faced, with out a word. They only nodded their understanding of their orders.
    "Mirza, go to the storage space. Load our weapons and gear in the trunk of my car, then return here" Raif commanded, thumping the table top with his index finger. As he handed Mirza his keys he continued; "and Mirza... no one sees you. No One... Understand?"
    "Of course Raif... No one." he replied, took the keys and went out the back door.
    Raif, Milan Granic, and Jadranko Prazina sat quietly at their table in the otherwise empty barroom, sipping their beer... "and so it begins again." Jadranko said quietly... speaking to no one in particular.
    They sat quietly, waiting, each immersed in his own thoughts. They had left Bosnia-Herzegovina to escape the sickness that seemed to infect that land yet they seemed unable to escape. Troubles followed them everywhere.
    Though they had no desire for war, they'd sworn an oath to each other that they never again would allow themselves to be defenseless in the face of an enemy. When they had settled in Chicago, though they were surrounded by the