Reign of Coins by Aiden James

Author:Aiden James [James, Aiden]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Romance, Historical, Thriller, Action & Adventure, Genre Fiction, Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Mystery; Thriller & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Men's Adventure
ISBN: 1479204013
Amazon: B00810X59E
Publisher: Aiden James Fiction
Published: 2013-12-18T14:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Talk about the ultimate quandary.

Should we immediately leave and take our chances somewhere else? Or, would it be best to quietly enter our room—me only—and move through quickly in an attempt to disarm or destroy anyone lurking inside? In all likelihood, there wasn’t anybody here—that’s the way the old timers like myself would play this type of ‘present at the doorstep’.

For a moment, I just stood there, while my son kept mouthing ‘What in the hell do we do now?’ Granted, there were panicked vocal inflections to go with this, but I scarcely noticed. I was too busy thinking about who was involved and what this could mean—in every scope of possibilities.

“Shhhh!”

“But, Pops—”

“No!... I need to think for a moment.”

Really, I didn’t need to think any longer about anything. I knew what had to be done. Leaving the floor could easily set us up for an ambush by whoever had left the surprise on our doorknob. The way the antique stamp was precariously balanced upon the handle told me it had been delicately and purposely placed. Logic said whoever did this wasn’t inside the room, and the likelihood of an explosive linked to the door was remote. No one I knew would leave a booby trap so blatantly obvious.

“Wait here,” I mouthed silently, pressing my forefinger against my kid’s lips to keep him from saying anything else.

I gently removed the stamp from its perch to keep from jiggling the door handle, and quickly swiped my access key. In the next instant, I threw open the door and moved into the darkened room, somersaulting across the floor when I didn’t immediately detect anyone. Noises will usually draw some type of movement—even slight—from an assassin. I came up quickly in a crouched position, ready to launch myself in any direction, whether to avoid gunfire or meet an attacker head on. Of course, if it was Viktor Kaslow, everything I just did would produce a good laugh from him and little else.

“That has to be the sorriest defensive roll I’ve ever seen, William!” A gleeful voice announced from the bathroom. “Maybe you should stay retired!”

Cedric Tomlinson, my former field boss. Normally, his jovial voice would lift my heart and disarm my natural wariness. But, after what Roderick revealed to me the other night, I felt apprehensive. Cedric could be here to eliminate me and/or my progeny.

“Come on in here, Alistair,” he said, stepping into our room while turning the bathroom light on behind him. Despite nearing his fifty-sixth birthday, Cedric’s full hairline and flawless ebony skin made him look late-thirties at worst. And, that’s only because he carried a little gray in his closely trimmed beard and hair. He flashed the dimpled movie-star smile he’s known for and opened his palms as he raised his arms above his head. Not carrying a weapon in either hand, he motioned more urgently for Alistair to come inside. “We’ve got some serious shit to discuss.”

My son took a tentative step into our room and looked at me for further direction.

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