Page 49 of CJ

“Are you ready, madam?” asked Simon. She turned to him, smiling.

“I believe I am.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

“Copy that, harbor master.”

Ham stared at the other men as he steered the ship into port, praying that those at the docks knew what to do on their end. Although he had a moderate knowledge of how to sail, steer, and maneuver large ships, cargo vessels were an entirely different animal.

“Weren’t you all SEALs?” smirked U-Jin.

“We traveled on ships. We didn’t drive them,” said Ham. “Besides, I can drive just about any vessel, but a cargo vessel is different. Its weight is different; the engines are different. It’s meant to transport cargo, not men and weapons. It’s not meant for war, but that’s what we’re using this one for.”

“They’re securing the lines,” said Marcel. “It’s time for us to get down into the cargo hold.”

Locking the bridge behind them, making it more difficult for anyone to interfere should they board, the men took the steps as if they were sliding down a slide. Lifting their legs over the railings, they went deeper and deeper until they were standing with the others in the hold.

“Hiro, tell me we’re confirmed on who is on that damn dock. It’s about to be daylight, and we want the hell out of here,” said Gator.

“We’ve got forty men and one very obvious woman on the docks. Evie and Chipper are sitting on the top of that building behind the port. Once we do our thing, we need to make it to the top deck in less than nine minutes, and she’ll be ready for us.”

“What about the ship?” asked CJ. “What do we do about that?”

“Oh, that’s easy,” smirked Marcel. “I have been taking many lessons from my family member, Pierre. I am fascinated by the explosives we have in our hands. I have them ready for detonation, scattered strategically around the ship.”

“Jesus,” muttered Gator. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

“I assure you. I have no wish to die again so soon.”

“Gentlemen, it’s a pleasure to see you again,” said Mikella with a smile and outstretched hand. They were never sure whether they were supposed to kiss her hand, bow to her, or simply shake. They chose a shake. They were business partners, after all.

“Before we begin, we’d like some assurances that our agreement is still intact,” said Fayha.

“Are you questioning my honesty?” she said sweetly.

“Do not play as if we’re stupid, Mikella. We know that you killed your sister, and since the other is not here, we can only assume you’ve killed her too,” said Messina. “We are in this together. We gather our armies, our weapons, and our money to rule the region together.”

“Of course, gentlemen,” she said, holding her anger inside. “We’ve agreed that the weapons that I have successfully acquired from America are the best in the world. You would never be able to purchase them on your own. I should think that owes me some favors.”

“No one owes anyone any favors, Mikella,” said Tehren. “We agreed to support you in this, but we will each run our own regions. Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, and Türkiye will be yours.”

“Gentlemen, gentlemen, I don’t think we need to discuss this right now. Of course, I will control those areas, but there are other areas that should fall within my reach as well. I can’t just allow you all to take over the regions that are the richest with oil, minerals, gas, and gems. That seems unfair and would indicate that you obviously believe I’m stupid.”

“I warned you that this would happen,” said Messina. “She is power-hungry and believes herself to be superior to us. Need I remind you, Mikella, that we have put up equal amounts of money.”

“Then I will buy out your parts,” she said confidently. Then, a sinking feeling hit her stomach. Her sister took their disposable cash. She had nothing on hand to give the men in good faith.

“You think we are fools,” said Tehren.

“I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Let me show you what I’ve brought for you, and then you can decide if my value is to your liking,” she smiled.

The men nodded at her as they walked toward the cargo hold. She waved at her men to open the hold and stood back, knowing that it would impress the men.

The massive hollow of the ship opened up, and the crates of cargo stood stacked, one on top of another. Giving the signal, one of the men opened the first one, and the crate displayed a multitude of beneficial cargo.

The three men had to admit that they were impressed, nodding at the woman. She smirked at them as if she knew something they did not. Nodding for the next to be opened, they found themselves again, impressed. Tehren stepped forward, staring into the dark hold.

“What game are you playing?” he asked the woman, squinting into the dark space.

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