Rogue State (Adam Knight Thrillers Book 3) by Sam Cogley

Author:Sam Cogley [Cogley, Sam]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-10-04T00:00:00+00:00

30

NOKSAEK FOREST, NORTH KOREA

As dawn crept over the hidden heart of the North Korean woods, the darkness gave way to the first touch of sunlight. The night’s chill melted into the crisp morning air, producing goosebumps across Knight’s arms. He breathed a sigh of relief, having got through it all unscathed.

Energized by the warmth, the trio broke camp, rolling up their sleeping bags and collecting their supplies. They checked their backpacks to ensure they left nothing behind and continued on through the wild.

Lim took the lead, directing them through dense thickets of low-hanging branches, always mindful of the more treacherous paths. The mire, however, was unavoidable. Mud clung to their boots, weighing down each step up to their ankles, a constant reminder of the relentless terrain.

At a gentle slope, Toropova fell into place beside Knight. “You know, Adam, if I knew we would end up hiking through this perdition, I may have reconsidered back in Honolulu.”

“I don’t really remember you volunteering.” Knight pushed aside a branch and held it long enough to allow her to get through with him. “I thought I convinced you to come along. One might say I blackmailed you.”

Her jovial tone disappeared. “Is that what you believe?”

“You knew that if you didn’t help me, my employers may have thrown you to the wolves if they tired of paying for your new Hawaiian life.”

“In other words, you think I’m devoid of any real feelings.”

“I never said that.”

Toropova grabbed him by the arm and stopped him in his tracks. “No, but that’s what you implied. Perhaps you’re not as smart as you think you are.”

“I—”

She let go of him and put her hands on her hips. “Have you ever wondered why I defected in the first place?”

He opened his mouth to reply, but she steamrolled over his intended words.

“My father was SVR. Before that he was KGB. Not that I ever knew it until I was old enough to. When I was a child I was treated… poorly.” She paused, lost for a moment in the past. “He was testing me. To see if I had what it took to follow in his footsteps. When I graduated, I saw him smile for the first time. Do you know what I felt?”

Knight again tried to answer but was cut off.

“It wasn’t happiness. He had put me through hell. But I felt obligated to do right by my country. Soon, I found out I was working with people just like him.” Toropova sighed. “People like my father were not good for Russia. I defected, not for personal gain. It was for the Motherland. The deeper it sinks into chaos, the less chance there is of it ever recovering. I gave your agency the information, hoping Russia might one day be liberated from those who drag it down.”

Knight frowned. “I’m sorry, Natalia.”

“I don’t want your pity,” she spat back. “I’m here to help stop something that people like my father started. Thank yourself lucky I came with you. If I hadn’t, you wouldn’t have made it this far.

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