Chapter 26

Chapter 26 SummaryAs dawn breaks over rural Texas, Bravo wakes behind a set of fuel tanks off Peach Ridge Road, having taken backroads to avoid tolls on his trip from Austin to Houston. His prisoner, Larry, lies still in the back seat until, suddenly and brutally, Larry attacks. Catching Bravo off guard, he loops a rope around Bravo’s neck, nearly choking him unconscious. A fierce struggle erupts inside the cramped car, with glass shattering as Bravo fights for air. Desperation gives him a final burst of strength; he lands a crushing blow to Larry’s groin, turning the tide. Moments later, the rope goes around Larry’s neck instead, leaving him unconscious and gasping.Bruised and shaken, Bravo realizes Larry faked being bound, freeing himself while Bravo slept. Furious at his own carelessness, Bravo restrains Larry again, this time with ruthless precision. After catching his breath and drinking from a water bottle, he contacts his handler, Cortez, and reports what happened. Cortez shows irritation rather than concern, asking for confirmation that the Austin job was finished. Bravo assures him it was. Cortez instructs him to drive to Houston’s George Bush Airport, meet an operative named Remington, and hand off Larry before flying to St. Louis under his current alias.Before leaving, Bravo texts Cortez the rental car details, taping Larry’s mouth shut once more to ensure silence. The payment for the Austin hit arrives almost immediately: over $33,000 is transferred to his account. The figure soothes his anger but doesn’t erase the sting in his neck or the humiliation of nearly being killed by his captive. Starting the car, Bravo rolls down all the windows to hide the shattered one and merges onto I-10 toward Houston, where his next assignment and danger are already waiting.