Page 46 of Ham

“Thank you, Trak. I promise to return it.” The older man nodded, then hugged Sadie again.

“Listen to your man,” he said in a very stoic, although somewhat neanderthal, style. “He will ensure that you return to us alive.”

“I promise, Uncle Trak.” She watched as he turned to leave. “Uncle Trak? Do you or your grandfather, do you know if Patrick and Christopher will be alright?”

Trak gave her a puzzled look, then stared at Ham. There was an unspoken language that passed between them.

“Their fate is in their hands,” he said calmly. He left them standing in the living room, and Sadie turned to Ham with a frustrated expression.

“I swear to God, one day, you men are going to learn to communicate better.”

“Baby, he communicated just fine. He said that their fate was in their hands. No man could ask for more. Your brothers are well-trained, highly skilled Navy SEALs. They’re warriors, and they will return as warriors. When this mission is done, they’ll be home for good, and we’ll be able to all live here as family.”

Sadie hugged him tightly, laying her head on his shoulder. With only three inches separating their height, she loved being able to do this.

“Promise me you’ll do what Trak asked. Promise me you’ll listen to me, Sadie.” She smiled up at him, kissing him sweetly and turning to grab her bag.

“If it’s reasonable, I’ll always listen.” She walked out the door, leaving him frowning. Grabbing his own bag, he chased after her to the boat.

“Wait! Hey, that’s not what I wanted to hear!”

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Davis Myer had been staring out the window of the small motel room for two days, waiting for them to come. He had enough ammunition to blow up the entire place if they approached, and he was damn sure going to take a few of them with him. He knew he couldn’t trust that bitch, Sadie. She’d bring her family and the rest of the idiots, and he’d be outmanned.

But they didn’t come. They didn’t show up, and they didn’t break down the door. They didn’t call him again, and they didn’t send any bombs or bullets his way. Why? Why weren’t they chasing him? Everything he knew about these men said that they would track him and find him. Maybe she was dumber than he thought. Maybe she really was coming alone, which would be perfect for him.

“No matter,” he muttered to himself. “It’s time for you to pay up, Sadie.” He dialed the number, waiting for her to answer.

“Hello, Davis. I was beginning to think you didn’t want your money.”

“Shut up, Sadie.”

“Now, I can hardly talk to you and shut up at the same time. Where are we meeting, Davis?”

“Sadie, I’m telling you right now that if you screw me over, if you dare to bring any of those Cro-Magnon men you work and live with, I will fucking put a bullet between your eyes.”

“I’ve said it before, Davis. Unlike you, I can be trusted to honor my word. I have the ten million, and you have the crown. All I want to do is the right thing. I want to return it to its rightful place.”

“Always the Girl Scout, right, Sadie?”

“And you’re always the asshole,” she said, shaking her head. “Where, Davis? Where do you want me to meet you?”

“Where are you?” he asked.

“I’m vacationing in the islands,” she said with a smirk.

“Fucking bitch. Where the hell are you?”

“I’m stateside, Davis. That’s all you need to know. Tell me where to go and what time to meet you.”

“Fine. Dinosaur, Colorado. Meet me at Dinosaur National Park in the visitors’ center. Crowded, lots of people, children touring the place. If your idiot friends decide to shoot, there could be massive casualties.”

“I’ll be alone,” she quipped. “So, my idiot friends shouldn’t be an issue. Although, if they knew you were calling them idiots, they might make it an issue.”

“I loathe you,” he said quietly.

“Well, that’s a shame. I’ve decided not to waste my energy on loathing you. I feel sorry for you, Davis. You had a great career, made good money. Your wife is lovely, your children are beautiful, and you’ll never have that again. It makes me sad for you.”

---