The Bones of Valhalla (Purge of Babylon, Book 9) by Sam Sisavath Read Free Book Online

said.
    “Like I said, Collins, this doesn’t have to go any further. We can still salvage this. But that option goes out the window when someone fires the first shot—”
    Pop-pop!
    Two shots, close together, and it came from below deck.
    “Too late for that now,” Bray said, and Gaby thought there was something that almost sounded like regret in his voice.
    “This was the plan, remember?” Collins said.
    “I know…”
    “What’s happening?” Zoe asked.
    “We’re doing what you should have done when you found that thing in Texas,” Bray said. “After that, we’re taking over the boat.”
    “Over our dead bodies,” Nate said.
    “Yeah, well, if it comes to that,” Collins said, and like before with Bray, Gaby thought she could hear the regret in Collins’s voice also.
    The two shots were followed by silence—maybe it was ten seconds, or thirty, or possibly even a minute (though she didn’t think that last part could possibly be true).
    But it didn’t last, and soon the pop-pop-pop of fully automatic rifle fire exploded from below her…before it was joined by gunfire from seemingly all across the boat.

4
    Lara
    “ N o wonder you spend all your time in here,” Bonnie said as she stepped inside the cabin. “Compared to the zoo out there, this is paradise.”
    Lara smiled and finished drying her hair with the towel. She couldn’t remember the last time she had a moment to herself where she could take a shower and spend more than just a few perfunctory seconds in front of the mirror. “Is that what you came here for? To make me feel guilty about having this penthouse suite?”
    “Well, yeah. That, and Riley requested the presence of your company.”
    “He said it just like that, huh?”
    “Just abouts.”
    “Did he say why?”
    “No, but he looked pretty serious.”
    “He always looks serious,” Lara said. She took a moment to breathe in the cool air; it was like stepping out onto the exterior deck at night after the scalding hot shower. “And since when did you start doing Riley’s bidding?”
    Bonnie shrugged. “Well, he is pretty cute. You could even mistake him for handsome, if you were so inclined.”
    “There is that.”
    “And oh, word’s getting around. Everyone’s talking about it.”
    Lara gave her an alarmed look. “About what?”
    “Mercer. People are talking about the radio message that we intercepted earlier.” Bonnie paused and gave her a curious look. “What did you think I was talking about?”
    “The chest.”
    The other woman shook her head. “As far as I know, that’s still just a secret between us. Danny, Carly, and everyone else I’ve talked to has been driving that point home. I think we’re safe on that front.”
    Maybe , she thought, but said, “I’m sure we are.”
    “Have you gone to see him?”
    She nodded.
    “Talked to him?” Bonnie asked.
    No, because I’m afraid. God help me, I’m afraid.
    “I will,” she said instead.
    “I know it can’t be easy for you. I thought he was gone, and then he shows up…” Bonnie gave her a pursed smile. It was probably meant to be reassuring, but didn’t quite get there. “Not that I know what it’s like for you. None of us really do.”
    “It’s okay, Bonnie.”
    “I’ll be honest with you, kid…”
    “Kid?” Lara said, giving her an amused look.
    “Well, you are younger than me.”
    “Not by much.”
    “Still technically younger.”
    Even though I feel like sixty going on ninety.
    “You were saying?” Lara said.
    “I don’t know how you do it.”
    “Do what?”
    “Everything.” She shook her head. “It’s like you were born for this.”
    Or maybe I’m just a very good liar , she thought, tossing the towel onto the bed and picking up her gun belt and slipping it on.
    Bonnie watched her from across the room. Lara could tell the other woman had something else on her mind, but for whatever reason she was reluctant to say it.
    “What is it, Bonnie?” Lara asked.
    “If Mercer’s