Page 61 of Ex-SEAL Bad Boy

Perhaps it was my honesty.

Truth was, I hadn’t even meant to say what I said. It just kind of slipped out unbidden.

But maybe that was the key. Love can make us say things we wouldn’t ordinarily say.

I won’t lie, the loss of control is a little scary. It’s something I’m not used to.

On the other hand, it’s something I had better get used to if I want what I have with her to last.

We dress quickly and pack our belongings as I stream the latest newscast on my phone. It seems like the Harrison Whitmore story is all anyone wants to talk about.

Before we leave, I receive a call from Graham. He seems particularly pleased with the role he played in this, and I can’t blame him.

“I think you owe me one,” he says, and I can practically hear the smile on his face.

“We did it, buddy; we brought down the Kingfish.”

“You did most of the heavy lifting,” I argue.

“Yeah, well, it was worth it, even if it was pro-bono,” he jokes.

“Aw, come on now, you know I’m good for it.”

Graham was only joking about being paid for his work, of course. That’s just the kind of guy that he is. If justice is the cause, he’s all in, no matter the cost.

But I knew that he put in a lot of time and expense in tracking down and exposing Whitmore. He absolutely deserved to be paid for his work.

I would, at the very least, reimburse him for his expenses and include a tidy little bonus as well.

“Hey, you want to repay me, consider coming to work for me. The position is still open.”

“What about my dad? I thought he scared you off.”

“Suddenly he doesn’t seem so big and bad anymore. Besides, I think he’s going to have a lot more on his plate to deal with than to worry about some guy trying to steal his son away from him.”

“Have you heard from Yiva?” I ask.

She was as responsible as anyone for breaking the story.

“Talked to her this morning. She’s losing her mind. You know she keeps a very low profile, not many people know how to get in touch with her, but the major media outlets are killing themselves trying to find out who she is and how to contact her.”

“She deserves a lot of credit, but I hope she doesn’t go mainstream. We need people like her. It’s got to be hard to resist the call of big time exposure, not to mention the amount of money I’m sure they’re prepared to throw at her.”

“So, are you guys planning to head back anytime soon, or are you booking an island getaway until things cool down?”

As enticing as that sounds, Sophia’s family needs her back, and it’s time to face the music. The longer we delay, the harder it will ultimately be.

We make the drive back, the car windows down, and the cooler air a nice, although temporary respite, from the searing summer temperatures.

The closer we get to home, the more the apprehension builds.

I’ll bring Sophia home first, and with any luck, it’ll just be her parents at home. Dealing with these things in small chunks will be easier.

As I turn the corner at the end of her block, I’m once again jolted to alertness.

Parked at the curb is a shiny black Lexus with heavily tinted windows.

This is not a car I recognize.

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