BLOOD TIES (Decklan Jennings Thriller Book 1), Philip Duncan [bill gates book recommendations TXT] 📗

and willing to do anything to make sure the bad guys don’t win. Too many people nowadays are scared to stand up for what they believe in or stand up to the big bad bully. It’s nice to know that I’m not alone. My buddy Langley was the same way. I think you two would have got along,” Decklan said.

“If he was anything like us, then he would fit right in.” Teddy said.

Decklan knew Langley would be right here with him if he were still alive, but he was ready to see his family and he could never fault him for that.

“Just curious—do you think Vladimir would expect you to follow him here?” Teddy asked.

Decklan hadn’t thought about this, but it was a good question.

“To be honest, I’m not sure. He did leave town as soon as the fight at my house was over but that was because he would have had too much heat on him from the police if he stayed,” Decklan said. “But at the same time, he knows what he did, and he knows that I’ve been trying to take him out for weeks now. Why do you ask?”

“Because if he thinks he’s safe back here in Russia and doesn’t have to keep looking over his shoulder then his security won’t be as heavy. However, if he suspects you would follow him here then he is undoubtedly going to ramp up his security, which will make it that much harder to get to him,” Teddy said.

“Makes sense,” Decklan said. “I guess that is something we are going to have to find out the hard way.”

They exchanged looks, indicating they were both aware of this. They wouldn’t know the full force of what they were up against until they actually went looking for Vladimir. Regardless, it was going to be hard as hell, heavy security or not. It seemed Vladimir had a way of surviving, even when the odds were stacked against him, but right now, he had all the power.

Decklan looked outside and noticed it was starting to snow. Back home in South Carolina, it was starting to get chilly, but they never had to worry about snow. Moscow, however, was a completely different story. The temperatures got well into single digits and snow was inevitable during the winter months. Just one more thing to make this shit harder than it already was. Decklan wasn’t used to having to navigate through the snow or frigid temperatures, although the mountain ranges of the Middle East were known to get pretty damn cold when the sun wasn’t out to sweat you into a heatstroke.

“I assume you can work well in the snow?” Decklan asked Teddy.

“I’ve been here long enough to know how to move in it. But shit isn’t fun. The cold here is a lot different than back home,” Teddy said. “But don’t worry, I got clothes for you so you don’t freeze to death before we get started.”

Decklan laughed and was relieved Teddy wasn’t going to send him out into the frigid air in jeans and a light jacket. It never dawned on him to pack warmer clothes when he was rushing to catch the first flight out, but it didn’t matter since he didn’t own anything warm enough to make a difference.

“Why don’t you try to get some rest and we can game plan when you wake up?” Teddy said. “You look like hell.”

Decklan knew he needed rest, but probably wasn’t going to get any, even if he tried. “I’m okay. I’ll sleep when the job is done,” Decklan said, against his better judgment.

“Have it your way, kid,” Teddy replied.

They left the kitchen and went back down the same hallway—the only hallway, actually—and into a room in the back. Teddy went to the closet and started pulling out some clothes.

“Here, try these on,” Teddy said, tossing a heavy jacket and some snow pants toward Decklan.

Decklan caught them, but they had more weight than he expected. “Shit! These are some heavy clothes,” he said.

“The heavier the clothes the warmer you’ll be, but we can’t weigh you down too much or you won’t be able to move, and that means you’ll be a sitting duck and wind up getting us both killed,” Teddy said with a smirk.

Finally dressed, Decklan tried moving around to get used to the feel. “Not too bad. I think I can make this work,” he said.

“Good, because we still have weapons and gear to carry too,” Teddy replied.

Decklan took the winter clothes off and put his clothes back on. They headed down to the basement, where all the weapons and gear were. They needed to be smart and strategic with what they brought for the mission. They needed enough firepower and ammo to take out anyone they came across, but they also needed to be discreet and quick.

“No RPG for this one, huh?” Decklan said jokingly.

“Unless you want to roll up to his front door and blow that shit to kingdom come, I think it’s best if she stays behind,” Teddy replied.

They both laughed, but at the same time they were both secretly thinking what a fun idea that would be. When you had nothing left to lose and you’d been to hell and back, shit like that started to sound normal.

“You a good shot?” Decklan asked, pointing at the sniper rifle mounted on the wall.

“In my younger days, but I ain’t got the eyesight for it anymore. I guess these puppies have seen too many things,” Teddy said. “What about you?”

“I’ve taken out my fair share of towel heads when I served, but it’s been a while since I shot anything with that kind of power,” Decklan replied. “But we might need something long range to help us out before moving in close.

“I think so too,” Teddy said. “We will bring it just in case and take this silencer for it as well.”

Next, they grabbed some pistols, both 9mm and .380. Teddy grabbed a dark green sack and filled it with several