Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 91243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
He shakes his head slowly. “I don’t think that’s possible.”
“Are you seriously telling me that Medved’s got a bigger army than we do?”
“Not exactly.” Enzo crouches beside Lucy. She moves back reluctantly, giving him a hard glare as he types at the computer she was using. “We have more troops, that’s true. I believe our munitions are better. We have more stockpiles here on the island. But he’s got bigger and better ships, and I’m guessing there are more surprises in store. Our best bet is to stay back and let him come to us.”
“If he establishes a beachhead, we’re screwed.” Lucy doesn’t sound happy that Enzo’s taking over the conversation. The two of them usually get along, but they’re both type-A psychopaths. Neither wants the other to come out on top, even if we’re on the same team.
“The Fortress was built to withstand a siege.” Enzo taps on a map of the island. “Medved’s forces are gathered out here. He’s coming up toward the Resort, and I suspect he’s going to land right on the party beaches.”
“That fucking bastard.”
“No kidding. Most of our defenses are on the other side of the island. We’re weakest over there. But—” He taps at the map again. “Taking that beach means he has to fight all the way through the Resort if he wants to make it back here to the Fortress. That’s where we’ll stop him, before he even makes it to the interior of the island.”
“How sure are you that this plan can work?” I don’t like the idea of letting Medved land on the beaches, but I see sense in what Enzo’s proposing. We’re strongest fighting on land, and Medved’s forces will take a lot of damage coming ashore.
“As sure as I can be. Trust me on this one. Battles are what you hired me for.” Enzo grins, all cocky confidence and self-assurance. He backs away, raking a hand through his hair.
“Start evacuating the Resort,” I order, aware of how this is going to look. The people staying there are all extremely powerful and important individuals. They won’t be happy getting caught in the middle of a Dragon war.
Nothing I can do about that now.
“Already on it,” Lucy says, shooting a look at Enzo. “Unlike your other employees, I’m usually on top of the situation.”
Enzo doesn’t seem fazed at all. “Permission to get the battle plans together?”
“Do what you have to.” He strides off with a casual wink thrown at Lucy.
She flips him off. “Hate that guy.”
“No, you don’t. And we don’t have time for your petty rivalry. Make sure the Resort is empty in an hour and start evacuating all nonessential Fortress personnel. Even if Enzo’s right and we stop Medved at the Resort, I can’t take the risk of losing anyone.”
“I’ll make it happen.”
“And Lucy, that includes my wife and my child.”
“What about her brother?”
“Him as well.” I stare at the screen, thinking about the fight to come. It’s going to be bloody and bad. “I might even owe him an apology after this is over.”
“Apologize now then,” Lucy murmurs, looking over my shoulder.
I turn in the direction she’s staring and watch as Allie, Rosie, and Gabe come hustling through the chaos toward me.
I almost scream a string of curses.
“What are you doing in here?” I face them with a stern glower and crossed arms. “My men had orders to keep you safe.”
“And your men are also terrified of your wife’s wrath.” Allie beams innocently at me. “Gabe wanted to talk to you, and I wanted to come to make sure you listened.”
“Wife, my love, we don’t have time for this right now.”
Gabe steps forward. His face is a wreck. I really did a fucked-up number on him. “I want to fight.”
That’s a surprise. I wouldn’t have blamed him for leaving the island with Allie. The man took an ugly beating and lost half an ear to my rage. He doesn’t owe me a damn thing anymore.
“Why?” I ask seriously.
“I fucked up. I got involved with Medved without really realizing what he was going to do to my niece. I came here with good intentions, but that doesn’t change the way that Russian bastard used me. I want revenge.”
Well, at least that’s something I can understand.
“You can stay with Allie and make sure she’s safe during the evacuation. You’ve done enough.”
“I’m fighting.” Gabe stares at me with fire in his eyes. I can respect that.
“And I’m staying.” Allie looks just as determined.
It’s annoying as fuck.
“You’re taking our daughter and you’re leaving until this is over. I don’t have time to argue.”
“Then don’t. Gabe’s fighting. I’m staying. End of discussion.” Allie looks around, clutching Rosie tighter. “Where should I hang out?”
I resist the urge to start randomly murdering people just to vent some of this frustration. Lucy seems amused, though. “Gabe can help with Enzo’s prep. I’ll take him over.”