The Freedom Broker (Thea Paris #1)(88)

“Because they want me to lead Kanzi in a new direction.” The General’s eyes blazed.

“I’m afraid the coup is over.” Nikos whipped out his Glock and pointed it at the General’s temple. “Hands on the wheel.”

Cold realization dawned on the giant’s face. He’d performed too many double-crosses himself not to realize he’d been duped. “I should’ve known.”

Nikos searched him for weapons, removed a knife and a pistol, dropped them to the ground and kicked them under the truck. “People believe what they want to hear most. It’s what helps men like you and I deceive them.” He remained alert. The General was a seasoned warrior who wouldn’t go down easily, and Nikos wanted to keep him alive for a little while longer.

“You need me. Don’t be a fool.”

“Get out, hands above your head. Make a move, and I’ll shoot you in the leg like Kofi did all those years ago.”

“And look what happened to him.”

“I’m not Kofi.”

The General slid his bulk out of the vehicle. Although his former abductor had aged, he still maintained his brute strength. Nikos remained far enough away that any attempt to escape could be stopped by a bullet to the giant’s legs. He didn’t want things to end quite yet, not before he’d had his say.

“Hands in front.” He grasped the Glock in one hand while securing a thick zip tie from his pocket.

“This isn’t necessary. We’re stronger as a team.” The General presented his hands with his thumbs together, palms facing downward, fists clenched tight.

“Unclench your fists, and turn your wrists inward.” Nikos wasn’t taking any chances the giant would squirm out. He yanked on the zip tie, making sure the thick plastic was tight around the General’s meaty hands. “Kimweri trusted you, and look what happened.”

“You’re different. We’re cut from the same cloth.”

“Desperation breeds false humility. I’ve been there myself, thanks to you. Now we’ve come full circle. Move.”

The General entered the thick bush at a lumbering pace. Nikos wanted him far from his Land Cruiser in case his bodyguards returned. No one was going to interrupt this long-overdue meeting.

“You’re different from your father. Not so greedy. You care about the people of Kanzi.”

“Don’t misinterpret my deeds. I’m no communist; I just like to help the underdog. Head to the right.” He’d hidden a few items in the jungle earlier in preparation for this moment.

“The people of Kanzi love and respect me.”

“Fear does not equate to love and respect. I know this too well. My own father fears me, but any love and respect he had for me died after my kidnapping.”

“I tried to protect you from the warlord.”

“At twelve years old, my future was filled with endless possibilities. After nine months in the jungle, my life was irrevocably altered. My father could barely stand to look at me; my sister treated me like a broken doll. You took everything that mattered from me.” Nikos kicked the tire that rested beside a nearby acacia tree. “Stop here.”

“You’re making a mistake.” The General’s voice faltered as he took in the tire and the gas can perched beside it. Necklacing was a horrific way to die.

“I can smell the fear on your skin, a wonderful change from the stench of oil I’ve been carrying around with me since you first locked me up.” Nikos flashed on the smelly hood and the General’s shed. “Now smoke, oil, and gasoline will fill your last breath.”

Keeping the gun trained on the giant, Nikos filled the tire with gasoline. He stepped back, slipped the Glock into his waistband, and reached down to lift the tire with both hands.

The General raised both arms above his head, flaring his elbows, thrusting his hands downward into his own gut. Snap. The intense force ripped through the locking mechanism on the zip ties and cut bloody furrows into his wrists.

The giant barreled toward him. Arms wrapped around the tire, Nikos had only one option. He smashed the tire into the bigger man. Gasoline splashed, soaking them both, burning Nikos’s eyes.

The General rallied, channeling his considerable weight into pushing the tire. Nikos tried to stand his ground, but the man outweighed him by at least sixty pounds. His feet slid along the muddy earth as he started to lose the pushing match.

He ducked, letting the tire sail over his head, and stomped on the General’s right foot, cracking metatarsals. The giant grunted, encircling Nikos with his massive arms in a bear hug. Nikos tried to twist away, but the General was surprisingly quick—and strong. He squeezed like a giant boa constrictor, forcing the air out of his lungs. A couple of Nikos’s ribs cracked, the crunch echoing in his ears.

Sweat and gasoline dripped into Nikos’s eyes, blurring his vision. He blinked, face-to-face with the depths of the General’s fury, then brought his head back and slammed it straight into the big man’s nose. Blood gushed. The giant’s grip loosened enough for Nikos to twist around and bring his knee up into the man’s groin, hard. A groan. The General’s grip faltered. Nikos planted his hands against the man’s colossal chest and broke free.

He sucked in a deep breath. The giant shook his head and came for him again, arms wide. Nikos drew the Glock. Two quick shots, one in each leg. The General collapsed onto the ground, blood darkening his pants. Still he crawled toward Nikos, rage fueling him.