BLOOD TIES (Decklan Jennings Thriller Book 1) by Philip Duncan (book recommendations for young adults txt) 📕

“It seems that your brother is a bit of a greedy coward,” Vladimir answered. “When the big guy finally found where you were living, he recruited me and my men for the job. The only thing that could possibly get in our way was the police, so I went to talk to your brother. At first, he refused to help and swore he was going to warn you, but that quickly changed when I showed him a picture of one of my men at his house watching his wife cook dinner. Once he feared for his wife along with his own life, he didn’t think twice about saying yes. Of course, I was still unsure he would follow through, so I bribed him. I told him I’d wire him two million dollars once the job was done and believe it or not, he agreed. Your own flesh and blood.”

It was clear that Vladimir was trying to get Decklan fired up and pissed off. He took joy in watching other people suffer.

“Why the hell should I trust a word that comes out of your mouth?” Decklan said.

“At this point, what do I have to lose? I already know I’m a dead man. Even if you don’t kill me, my boss will,” Vladimir answered. “I might as well die with a clean conscience.”

I doubt that’s possible, Decklan thought to himself. “Let’s say you are telling the truth. Why would Parker tell me where you ran off to and why would he hook me up with an old buddy to help me while I was here?” Decklan asked.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Vladimir said. “He figured if you killed me, then he would be in the clear and you would have no way of ever finding out he was helping this whole time.”

Damn it! That actually makes sense. “Okay, but he had to have known…”

“That, my friend, is a good question. I suppose he didn’t think about that. So I guess your brother is not only a greedy coward but also naïve,” Vladimir replied, with a sadistic grin. “Maybe he thought you would just kill me on sight, but clearly you needed answers because I’m still alive.”

Not for long! Decklan thought. “What about your boss, the big guy? Why would he choose my family to murder?”

“Let me answer your question with a question,” Vladimir replied. “Does the name Igor Abdulov mean anything to you?”

Decklan had to rack his brain for a minute. The first name didn’t ring any bells but the last name was trying to pull something from his memory.

“The last name. I’ve heard it before, but I can’t remember where,” Decklan answered.

“Allow me to refresh your memory, Mr. Jennings. You see, it seems that about fifteen years ago you were deployed overseas in Germany, is that correct?”

“How could you possibly know that?” Decklan replied.

“Do you remember why you were sent to Germany for that particular deployment?”

Decklan thought back…

“Yes. We were sent over there to infiltrate a large drug operation that was constantly pumping drugs into the States and killing hundreds, if not thousands, of people a year. Me and a few of my men specialized in undercover operations so we had the best chance at success.”

“And your main target?” Vladimir asked, seeing the realization slowly coming to Decklan.

“Holy shit! Dimitri Abdulov, who I now assume was related to Igor Abdulov,” Decklan said, completely shocked.

“That is correct, but not just related. Dimitri was his son,” Vladimir replied, clapping like a proud parent. “It turns out Igor has been carrying that hatred for you for the past fifteen years, waiting for his opportunity to seek his revenge.”

“How could he have known it was me? We were undercover, and that cover was never blown,” Decklan replied, still not completely understanding the full weight of the situation.

“You are correct, Mr. Jennings. You were undercover and they would have never figured out who you were if it weren’t for your fellow soldier who you thought died during the mission. Turns out, when some of Igor’s men found him, he was fatally wounded but still alive. One tough son of a bitch from what I hear. Took them days to beat the information out of him, but every man has his breaking point, no matter how tough they are, and they found his. He gave up your name, along with those of the other two soldiers with you who made it out alive.”

Teddy hadn’t moved during this entire conversation. He knew Decklan was fragile and could snap any second, so he stayed ready but quiet.

“Why didn’t he just kill me if that is what he has been waiting for all these years?”

“That’s the thing—he doesn’t want you dead. He wants you to have to live with the fact that your family was torn away from you without warning. He wants you to feel the same pain he has felt for fifteen years.”

“But you have clearly been trying to kill me for weeks now. That would be the opposite of his plan, according to you,” Decklan said.

“Yes, that is correct. I tend to get a little carried away sometimes when I’m pissed off, but killing your friend was reward enough for me,” Vladimir replied, smiling.

Decklan flipped his rifle around and drove the butt of the gun directly into Vlad’s nose, shattering it on contact.

“That’s for Langley, you heartless bastard!” Decklan said.

“Son of a bitch!” Vladimir yelled out in pain. “Why don’t you just shoot me already!”

“Not yet. You still have answers that I need,” Decklan replied. “Where do I find Igor?”

Vlad started laughing, before suddenly stopping to hold his broken nose. “You don’t find Igor, he finds you. But even if I told you, you couldn’t get within ten miles of him without being killed. You think I have been hard to get to? It pales in comparison to Igor and his army of loyal soldiers.”

“I don’t care how many men he has. I’m going to hunt