PRIMAL Vengeance

Chapter 47



150km northwest of the Refinery, Sudan



The two four-wheel drives raced along the main highway to Khartoum. Highway was a generous description for what was essentially a single-lane dirt track bulldozed through the Sudanese bushland.

The lead vehicle slowed as it approached a herd of cattle, the driver leaning on the horn. The cattle herder raised his fist as the SUVs forced their way through his herd. Clear of the obstacle, the driver mashed the accelerator and they resumed their breakneck pace towards the Sudanese capital.

In the back seat of the lead vehicle Bishop sat with his hands cuffed behind him, a black hood covering his head. It had been well over twelve hours since his capture and his body was letting him know it. His face was badly bruised, along with his torso, where Yang had used him as a punching bag. The gunshot wound to his upper arm throbbed; every bump sent jolts of pain through the injury. He fought hard to suppress even the slightest of moans, intent on depriving Yang of that small victory.

As he sat in silence his thoughts were preoccupied with Jess. He had not seen her since their arrival at the refinery and he hoped she was in the vehicle behind them. He knew if they had separated them, then she had very little hope of rescue.

The shrill ring tone of a satellite phone snapped his thoughts back to the present.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Yang took the call. A short conversation in Mandarin ensued. Bishop listened intently, hoping to pick up a word or two, or even garner the slightest information from his tone.

Yang terminated the call.

"It would seem your friends fell for my little deception, Aden. They attempted to recover you from the airfield, but you were not there apparently." Yang laughed. "Very unfortunate for you. It would seem the SEALs are not coming to rescue you anytime soon."

Yang and the driver laughed. Bishop sat in the back of the vehicle in silence.

"What, no smart comment? No jokes, Aden?"

Bishop sat perfectly still, his mind racing. Was Yang trying to trick him? Had the team really fallen for a ruse? Had anyone been killed?

"I have a joke for you, Aden. What did your girlfriend say to the rescue team?"

Bishop was silent.

"Nothing—because she was dead!"

Yang's words hit Bishop like a kick to the chest. Grief coursed through his body. Tears ran down his cheeks, hidden by the black hood. He tasted blood as he bit down on his lip in a long, silent scream. Forcing his emotions under control he let out a breath and spoke.

"You're a dead man, Yang!"