Page 96 of Good Enough

“I don’t know that we’re going to get any answers on any of this until we locate Ka-Bar,” God admitted. “Finding Zahra and Ka-Bar are the primary objectives now. The only objectives. It’s time to regroup.”

Waters looked at the television screen and God’s black box with suspicion. “What do you mean ‘only’?”

“Exactly what I said. We need to regroup. Reassess. The objectives have changed. It seems to me that Ka-Bar wanted us in Kubrick’s life to help her get to this package. Now that we know what the package is, the course of our work has changed. I want you back on a plane and at the office in twenty-four hours.”

Waters' skin went cold, and he felt like his heart had both stopped and pounded with a deadly tattoo at the same time. “No,” he whispered.

“Don’t fuck with me, Waters. Get your ass in gear and get back here. The more people on this now, the better.”

“We can’t just leave Kubrick here by herself with that shitweasel.”

“While I appreciate that you’re concerned over your lady director, she is no longer the center of our work. She’s a strong woman. Before she knew you, she was dealing with fuck-alls like him and doing just fine.” God paused briefly. “Get back here. That’s a direct order.”

God disconnected from the video chat. Everyone in the room stood in silence, looking to Waters with concern and for direction. Even Midas on the screen was unsure how to proceed.

And this is why you told her not to become involved. That this was only temporary. You couldn’t even follow your own directive. Instead, you followed your dick. Dumbass.

“Jesus Christ,” someone whispered.

“Boss…” He wasn’t sure which man tried to address him, but he had to shut it down quickly.

They all saw this as some sort of fantasy. You let them suck you into it. You knew better. You knew this was coming. You just thought you had more time.

Grinding his molars and tensing his body, Waters barked out orders, “Pack. We leave at first light.”

There was an inhaled gasp.

Waters went to the corner where he stored his gear and began repacking. The men stood stock still, looking between themselves, not wanting to believe this was happening. Without looking up, Waters barked, “What are you waiting for? You heard the man. Get your asses in gear.”

With a final look at each other, the men began to file out of the office in silence. Demon was the last to the door.

Jesus, I actually fell in love with her. This hurts worse than any physical wound I’ve ever had. There’s no way I can leave her unprotected.

“Demon.”

The Irishman stopped and turned to look at his boss. He said nothing. No expression on his face. Just waiting. Waters still didn’t look up. “You’re staying.”

Demon’s green cat eyes were solemn. “Copy that.”

35

APRIL 9TH

Kai

Her eyes felt gritty and her mouth like ash.

What the…

Then it all came flooding back.

The email.

The envelope.

Zahra.

Telling Waters she loved him.

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