The Milestone Protocol by Ernest Dempsey (best books to read in your 20s txt) 📕

why,” Adriana admitted, “but I trust him. I saved his life. That kind of debt is never forgotten.”

“Yeah, but you’re competing against someone who basically controls all of the world’s currency,” Tommy argued.

“I know. But some things are more important than money or power.”

Sean reached out and touched Adriana’s fingers. “I trust you. And if you trust him, that’s good enough for me. Come on.”

He tugged her gently toward the rental. It didn’t require much effort.

“Tommy?” Sean said.

His friend perked up.

“You mind driving?”

“Sure. No problem.”

The four climbed back into the sedan. Tommy steered the car out of the parking lot, following the Maserati closely so they didn’t get separated. In the back, Sean took his cell phone out of a pocket and typed a quick message to Emily. “Where are you?”

He looked out the window at the passing buildings. Some almost looked alive with the vibrant colors adorning the exterior walls, while others appeared drab, emotionless, devoid of creativity.

Sean’s phone vibrated in his hand. He looked down at the message, acknowledging it silently.

“On our way to Russia.”

“That was fast,” he typed back.

After twenty seconds, another reply appeared. “I figured you missed me.”

The comment brought a smile to Sean’s face. He’d always loved Emily, although there'd never been any romantic feelings on either end. To Sean, she was family. The two had been through more than a few storms together in their partnership at Axis.

“I’m a married man, Em. And the man you’re with could have me erased with the snap of his fingers.”

He sent the reply with a chuckle, which drew Adriana’s attention. She looked over at him and asked what was so funny.

“Just messaging Emily,” he said. “Apparently, she’s on her way to Russia, although she used a plural possessive. I wonder who’s with her.”

His phone vibrated again. “You’re not as funny as you think.”

He typed, “Who said I was being funny? Hey, who is with you?”

There was a long pause while he waited for the reply. The two-car procession continued through the city until they were back on their way toward the country, though this time in a different direction. Tommy was thankful for that, knowing that if they went back toward the restaurant there could—at that moment—be a legion of cops and investigators poring over the crime scene.

Another message came through. “June, the kids, and someone I just met. His name is Dak Harper. Says he knows who you are. Met Tommy, I believe.”

Sean read the text, then raised his head. “Hey, Schultzie, you know some guy named Dak Harper, right? Seems like you mentioned him after the Bolivia thing.”

“Yeah, I met him. Nice guy. Former Delta Force. I bet you and he could exchange quite a few war stories. Literally.”

“Maybe,” Sean said. “He’s on his way to Russia with Emily and your wife. Tara and Alex are coming, too.” He sent a quick text back to Emily, made a quick change in his settings, then stuffed his phone back into its pocket.

Adriana’s head snapped around again, a concerned expression stretched her face. “Why are all of them coming here?”

“I guess Emily felt like we could use some help,” Sean guessed. “Why?”

Adriana held his questioning gaze for a few breaths and then turned toward the window again to stare out at the buildings as they passed by in a blur. “I just don’t want any of you caught up in this.”

Sean nodded, understanding. “Look. I get it. This is your burden. Based on what you told us, dealing with this cult is your cross to carry. I know.”

Tabitha listened from the front seat, though she tried to make it look as if she wasn’t.

“But you are going to need as much help as you can get. We’re talking about a veritable army here. It will be a lot easier to fight the coming battle with an army of your own.”

Adriana straightened and stared ahead as she let the words sink in. “I don’t want to lose you. Any of you,” she said.

“You won’t.”

“You don’t know that. There are no guarantees.”

“Are there ever?” He winked at her and rubbed her shoulder.

Tommy flashed a glance into the rearview mirror at the two. He, too, was listening to the conversation, even though he felt he shouldn’t. It was impossible not to hear what the two were discussing.

“Hey,” he interrupted, “if you think that we’re not coming along for the ride on this one, then you’re sadly mistaken. You may be some super Ninja or something, from an ancient hardcore group of elite warriors, but you’re still a person. And more importantly, you’re my friend. Where you go, we go.” He faltered. “I mean, I can’t speak for MI6 over here, but as for me and Sean, we’re in.”

“I’m not backing down now,” Tabitha added.

“I don’t even know where we’re going.”

“Well,” Sean said, “I guess maybe this red diamond is going to tell us that answer.”

38

Russia

Niki slowed down and turned on his blinker. The convoy of two had been driving for twenty minutes and were now well outside the Moscow city limits. From the back seat, Sean watched the Maserati through the windshield, suspicion brimming in his thoughts like a bubbling stew.

The snowfall had slowed to a flurry, and fortunately, it hadn’t accumulated nearly as much on the roads. Farmhouse roofs were blanketed in white, as were the fields and hills. Clusters of hardwoods delicately balanced thin rails of snow on their branches, while the evergreens were flocked with inch-thick powder.

Tommy followed the lead car onto the snow-covered gravel driveway to the right and around a long curve toward a gray farmhouse with black trim and shutters around the windows. The tiled roof held a thin layer of snow, like everything else around it. A matching gray barn stood off to the right. The dilapidated doors hung loosely on the hinges, giving a narrow glimpse of the rickety stalls within.

“Looks like a perfect place to dispose of some bodies,” Tommy grumbled.

He wasn’t wrong, and Sean knew it.

Out here, no