Read Online Gorgon: An Alex Hunter Novel by Greig Beck - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Greig Beck
Ads: Link
Alex,’ Hammerson wheezed through a constricted windpipe. ‘You’re fighting the wrong guys.’
Alex lifted Sam higher. His arm was beginning to vibrate, not so much from the strain but from the conflict going on in his head.
Remind them who you are. They’ll only leave you and the boy alone if you teach them a lesson.
Alex’s teeth were compressed, and his eyes blazed, as he fought against himself.
Sam remained calm, unresisting. He let go of Alex’s forearm. ‘We came here for you, Alex – as friends. Listen to me, Alex, hear my voice. You’re safer with us. You want your life back … then you come back to us.’
‘I don’t need anyone any more,’ Alex said, but he released both HAWCs and turned away. The voice in his head still raged, but he shut it out.
Hammerson coughed and rubbed his neck. ‘So what now? You’re just going to carry on drifting around and messing up muggers? There’s more to life for you than that.’
Alex started to walk away and Hammerson raised his voice. ‘You never spoke to Aimee, did you?’
Alex stopped but kept his back turned.
‘Why not?’ Hammerson asked. ‘You tracked her down.’
‘She doesn’t need me,’ Alex said. He heard Hammerson step toward him.
‘You don’t know that, son. She still calls me. One guess what we talk about.’
Alex turned, frowning. ‘She thinks I’m dead, and she’s better off that way.’
‘Yeah? Maybe her head thinks so, but her heart tells her something different. Intuition, I guess. She always was pretty insightful. I’m betting she looks at that kid and sees you, every day.’
Alex shook his head. ‘You were right; I’m not ready. Everything’s messed up. Inside me is a tornado of chaos and violence. Not good for Aimee or the boy.’
‘I can’t make promises,’ Hammerson said, ‘but I know that you’re out of options by yourself. With us, you still have some.’ He put his hand on Alex’s shoulder. ‘What if I said we could give you back the stability you need? We can bring you back in undercover, and the medical division will work with you on your terms. Marshal’s in charge there now.’
Alex felt like a door opened a crack and light shone through. ‘Graham’s gone?’
Hammerson nodded, but didn’t expand on the subject. ‘You have my word that we’re here to help – fill in some of those blanks.’
Alex raised his head and gazed at the trees in Antelope Park. Anything’s better than the half-life I’m leading now , he thought.
‘There’s something else,’ Hammerson said. ‘Uli Borshov’s on our turf – could be fixing to pay you a visit.’
‘Borshov.’ The name conjured up an image of a giant of a man, freezing caves, and monstrous brutality. Alex remembered a gun barrel pointed at his face – the blast and then blackness. ‘You want me to kill him?’
‘No. If we can find him, we’ll do that ourselves. He’s snatched Captain Graham, which can’t be a coincidence. If he’s after you too, there’s no telling who he’ll try and get to. With Borshov, no one is safe … no one. ’
Alex’s shoulders slumped. ‘Aimee. Joshua.’
Hammerson nodded. ‘We’re watching them, but …’
Alex stared into the distance, thinking. He knew he was being manipulated, but if there was a chance of curing the rages he suffered from, the price was negligible. He might even get to live a more normal life, and make it safer for those around him he cared about. He looked at Hammerson, and the older soldier’s craggy face curved into a grin.
‘Aimee and Joshua are safe. Don’t worry about them. But we’ve all got some scores to settle with that big bastard, and we’ve got some leads. Let’s grab a coffee and we can catch you up on a few things.’
‘Borshov the beast.’ After another few seconds, Alex returned the smile. ‘Coffee sounds good. I know a place – I’m a regular.’
CHAPTER 7
Izmit, Turkey, sixty miles east of Istanbul
Arf-arf-arf-arf-arf-arf.
Zayda screwed up a
Alex lifted Sam higher. His arm was beginning to vibrate, not so much from the strain but from the conflict going on in his head.
Remind them who you are. They’ll only leave you and the boy alone if you teach them a lesson.
Alex’s teeth were compressed, and his eyes blazed, as he fought against himself.
Sam remained calm, unresisting. He let go of Alex’s forearm. ‘We came here for you, Alex – as friends. Listen to me, Alex, hear my voice. You’re safer with us. You want your life back … then you come back to us.’
‘I don’t need anyone any more,’ Alex said, but he released both HAWCs and turned away. The voice in his head still raged, but he shut it out.
Hammerson coughed and rubbed his neck. ‘So what now? You’re just going to carry on drifting around and messing up muggers? There’s more to life for you than that.’
Alex started to walk away and Hammerson raised his voice. ‘You never spoke to Aimee, did you?’
Alex stopped but kept his back turned.
‘Why not?’ Hammerson asked. ‘You tracked her down.’
‘She doesn’t need me,’ Alex said. He heard Hammerson step toward him.
‘You don’t know that, son. She still calls me. One guess what we talk about.’
Alex turned, frowning. ‘She thinks I’m dead, and she’s better off that way.’
‘Yeah? Maybe her head thinks so, but her heart tells her something different. Intuition, I guess. She always was pretty insightful. I’m betting she looks at that kid and sees you, every day.’
Alex shook his head. ‘You were right; I’m not ready. Everything’s messed up. Inside me is a tornado of chaos and violence. Not good for Aimee or the boy.’
‘I can’t make promises,’ Hammerson said, ‘but I know that you’re out of options by yourself. With us, you still have some.’ He put his hand on Alex’s shoulder. ‘What if I said we could give you back the stability you need? We can bring you back in undercover, and the medical division will work with you on your terms. Marshal’s in charge there now.’
Alex felt like a door opened a crack and light shone through. ‘Graham’s gone?’
Hammerson nodded, but didn’t expand on the subject. ‘You have my word that we’re here to help – fill in some of those blanks.’
Alex raised his head and gazed at the trees in Antelope Park. Anything’s better than the half-life I’m leading now , he thought.
‘There’s something else,’ Hammerson said. ‘Uli Borshov’s on our turf – could be fixing to pay you a visit.’
‘Borshov.’ The name conjured up an image of a giant of a man, freezing caves, and monstrous brutality. Alex remembered a gun barrel pointed at his face – the blast and then blackness. ‘You want me to kill him?’
‘No. If we can find him, we’ll do that ourselves. He’s snatched Captain Graham, which can’t be a coincidence. If he’s after you too, there’s no telling who he’ll try and get to. With Borshov, no one is safe … no one. ’
Alex’s shoulders slumped. ‘Aimee. Joshua.’
Hammerson nodded. ‘We’re watching them, but …’
Alex stared into the distance, thinking. He knew he was being manipulated, but if there was a chance of curing the rages he suffered from, the price was negligible. He might even get to live a more normal life, and make it safer for those around him he cared about. He looked at Hammerson, and the older soldier’s craggy face curved into a grin.
‘Aimee and Joshua are safe. Don’t worry about them. But we’ve all got some scores to settle with that big bastard, and we’ve got some leads. Let’s grab a coffee and we can catch you up on a few things.’
‘Borshov the beast.’ After another few seconds, Alex returned the smile. ‘Coffee sounds good. I know a place – I’m a regular.’
CHAPTER 7
Izmit, Turkey, sixty miles east of Istanbul
Arf-arf-arf-arf-arf-arf.
Zayda screwed up a
Similar Books
