Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 69365 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69365 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Expecting Garcia to retort with something witty – or snobby – from around the corner where he slipped to grab his stuff, only to be met by unforeseen silence immediately has those ancient sounds they say would blare when you were trying to get onto the internet roaring in my head; however, the opportunity to think or act on the strangeness is swiftly stolen.
Salay’s turning frame is unsuspectedly met by a stranger and a hand towel.
Trapping her arms to her sides is executed in a single one-armed bear hug motion to allow the other to cover her open mouth and nose.
“Salllayyyyyyy!” rushes out of me as I prepare to jump back onto the boat yet again not anticipating to be stopped by a gun being pointed in my face by a random stranger.
“I would advise against taking another step,” an unknown, accented female voice states from somewhere behind me. “I would hate to have my men wound you as a warning to how gravely serious I am.”
The sight of the woman I’ve fallen for lifelessly slumping in his arm sends my heart plummeting to the pit of my stomach.
“You can rest assured, Mr. Fiorenzo.” She waits until I’ve pivoted to face her to continue. “Miss Henderson – much like Mr. Garcia – is alive, just momentarily incapacitated.” Fear wrinkles my forehead prompting the slender, golden beige skinned brunette slowly approaching to officially introduce herself. “I’m Princess Temperance Weslington.”
Between the accent and the similar features, she shares with her brother, that much is apparent.
“And I am here to make you a deal.”
“I already have a deal,” I announce, voice shakier than I intend, “with your brother.”
“Yes, I am aware.” Her tight, peach dress bearing frame stops in front of mine as do those of her security details. “However, I am here to strike a different deal. Your friends-”
“Partners!”
“Whatever,” she emotionlessly brushes off, “for the location of the golden discovery you finally managed to make today-”
“How do you-”
“Pathetic that you think I would be stupid enough to not have an inside source on his team.”
“What’s-”
“To stop him from having one on mine?” The eye roll I’m given is far from amusing. “His lack of vision as well as execution. He’s practically the equivalent of walking chlamydia stuffed into a designer suit with a cocaine addiction.”
Didn’t know about the former.
Well aware of the latter.
Pretty sure we saw him do a line before we left from his birthday party.
“As I was saying, I will take the actual location of where you found the treasure, along with all the information you’ve collected and decoded regarding it – including the original, lost clue my sibling provided for you.” There’s no time to even consider objecting. “You give me that, and I’ll return them.”
“But if I give that to you then your brother will kill me!” impulsively pours out of my mouth.
“And if you don’t, I will kill them.” The corner of her lip kicks upward. “Quite the little conundrum you’re in, isn’t it?” Temperance tauntingly leans a bit closer. “You have to decide who is more worthy of saving. You or the two people you’ve come to care about most in this world.”
Chapter 21
Zero
Am I lawyer?
No.
Do I play one on TV?
No.
Can I spot bullshit on The Serengeti like I’m the king of the pride who hasn’t eaten in almost a month and will be damned if that stops him from defending his territory?
Fuck yes.
Slamming my back into the couch cushion is attached to me growling, “Our contract stated-”
“Your contract stated that we – Fyght or Flyght – would actively run interference to prevent any opposing, outside agencies from taking extermination contracts against Mr. Garcia, Ms. Henderson, and you, Mr. Fiorenzo.” Marshall-Green, the shifty prick on the other end of the video chat arrogantly grins. “Your contract did not include a clause regarding kidnapping.”
“And if the kidnapping leads to the aforementioned extermination, asshole?”
“Ah,” he lifts a condescending finger, “this is where wording matters in particular.” Another smug smile is delivered. “Mr. Garcia – while a worthy adversary in many ways – failed to include contingency clauses for such circumstances.”
My lips press firmly together to prevent from expressing my irritation.
And let this fall under reasons why I hate the human species.
If we were lions, there’d be none of this bullshit.
It’d be a battle of strength.
Resilience.
Not headfucks.
Post a heavy exhale, I fold my hands together and ask, “And who do I talk to about setting up a rescue contract?”
“That would be me.”
“Convenient.”
“It would be if there was not already an active contract that has the company assisting another client in the acquiring and relocating of the two targets you would be requesting us to retrieve.”
“Are you fucking with me?!”
Cockiness leads to him tilting his head condescendingly to the side. “Is that what my expression infers?”
“Your expression infers that you like fucking me.”