Page 74 of Call Sign: Thunder
“Fifteen grand? What’s this, a signing bonus?”
“No signing bonus, although you blew it. You probably could have talked me into giving you one of those if you’d pressed me harder.” Ryder grinned, making Zach feel like an inexperienced idiot when it came to negotiating.
He didn’t have too long to feel bad about it though when Ryder added. “I know you aren’t on the payroll yet, but you deserve your cut of the bonus for the mission we just finished.”
“But… it was less than one day’s work. How can my share be fifteen grand?”
“Trust me… this is one of our lower paying jobs.”
“You mean the bonuses could be more than this?” Zach asked, feeling light-headed.
“Most certainly. Like I said, there is no guarantee, and we do have slower periods where we may not go out for a few weeks, so you won’t be able to count on big checks like this every day, but that’s why I pay the six-figure baseline — to cover the slow times.”
Zach didn’t know what to say. The base salary alone was a big pay raise for him. Had Allison’s father known how lucrative this job would end up being?
Ryder slapped him on the back and started walking toward the waiting car that would take them back to The Bunker.
“I have to admit, the last guy Senator Benson sent my way was a real loser, but you really came through. I’m glad to have you joining the team, and you earned the bonus. I’ll tell you what I always tell the guys. Just don’t spend it all in one place since you don’t know when the next check will be coming in.”
While that sounded like good advice, Zach stood looking at the $15,000 number and knew exactly what he was going to do with his unexpected windfall.
“Thanks for the advice, but just this once, I’m gonna have to pass on your suggestion. I have something important I need to buy.”
Chapter Twenty-eight
ALLIE
Allison’s feet were killing her. Laura had conned her into working a double shift because she’d needed help rearranging the store to make room for the new spring inventory coming into the store. Now, eight hours in, she was hot, tired, and ready to go home. The only thing she wanted more than a hot shower was for Zach to call.
She hadn’t heard from him since he’d called her the day before to let her know he’d be out of pocket. Knowing what kind of missions his job required him to go on, she hadn’t slept well the night before, worried he was out in some jungle with his helicopter getting shot down like he had the night they’d met. She tried to tell herself she was being silly, but she knew she wouldn’t truly relax until she heard from him.
For the hundredth time, Allie pulled her phone out of her pocket, disappointed when there was no message from Zach waiting there.
Ready to be done, she took a seat on the floor in the middle of a pile of unopened boxes in the back office and got back to work. She was determined to finish unboxing the new items so she could go home. Allie took the boxcutter and opened a box of spring scarves, purses, belts, and undergarments. Before she could start putting price tags on each item, she had to swish her long hair out of her eyes as she felt a bead of sweat drip down her temple from the physical exertion.
“Only eleven more boxes to go,” she said to the empty supply room, grabbing the next box.
Three very long hours later, Brian, her driver for the day pulled her SUV into the garage.
“Ms. Benson, we’re home,” he said from the front seat.
She’d closed her eyes for the short drive to her house. Normally, she’d hope her father would be home to eat dinner with her, but tonight she was too tired. With any luck, he would be working late because all she wanted to do was drag herself upstairs, take a hot shower, and fall into bed.
The kitchen was dark as she came in through the garage.
“Daddy, are you home?” she called out, unsure why the housekeeper hadn’t left her dinner out on the counter like she did most nights Allie got home late.
Her father answered. “I’m in the dining room. Come eat with me.”
Sigh. There went her quick escape upstairs.
Rounding the corner into the dining room, she answered, “I’m not really hungry. I think I’m going to…”
It took a few seconds for her tired brain to understand what she was seeing. Yes, her father was sitting in his normal spot at the dining room table. But there, sitting to his right was Zach… in a business suit… looking absolutely yummy.
“Zach!” she screamed, too excited to moderate her voice.
He pushed to his feet just as she threw herself into his arms for a tight hug.
