And shit doesn’t get much sexier than that.
“You don’t anchor this far into the ocean, guppies.”My body continues backing up towards the area I need to grab my gear from.“We could use drift socks, but the water and weather don’t warrant it at this time.Now, if you two could please hold all further questions, so that I may change beforethatdoes, it would be greatly appreciated.”
Two slightly embarrassed expressions are flashed prior to me sassily strutting away towards the rear of the boat where all equipment is stored.
While I absolutely prefer free dive scouting missions – the type that don’t require me to look like a deep blue sea nightmare – Icananddohave the equipment for ones like this.As nice as it would be for treasure toliterallybe floating near my feet when I get in, the combination of time, currents, and other natural elements moving shit around makes that impossible.
Okay.
Maybe notimpossiblebuthighly fucking improbable.
“Look for shipwreck markersfirst,” Garcia needlessly advises during my drysuit dressing.“There’s no need for heavy searching in the wrong area.”
“It’s not the wrong area,” murmurs Zero at the same time he posts up against the railing.
“The pieces might not be as obvious as you think.The wreckage is quite old, and the materials are severely weathered and-”
“And you are micromanaging me like you didn’t surf a ten-footer to recruit me for this because you know I’m the best.”
“You are.”
“I am what?”I teasingly poke and pull on my footwear.“I wanna hear you say it.”
Seeing Zero smirk out of the corner of my eye doesn’t distract me.
But it comes close.
He just has one of those smiles.
Those sweet, goofy, kiss me I’m a seal grins.
And I mean seal,not sea lions.
Those bitches are not to be fucked with.
Actually,Iwould be the sea lion in this trio.
“You are the best,” Garcia smoothly announces prior to shoving his hands into his navy shorts pockets, “but-”
“No backhanded compliments welcomed.”
“Time is a factor, Salay.”
Stuffing my head into the covering is accompanied by a twitched glare.“And so is respect.”We all remain utterly silent until I’ve finished tucking everything in.“Which is what I’mnotreceiving and what we both know I fucking deserve.”
“This is about protecting Zero.”
“I didn’t ask forprotection,” he unhappily grouses.“I hit F1 for a little help.”
“Help thathewent out of his way to get,” is propelled at him before my focus shifts back to the other person on board, “and help thatyouare paying me a shit load to provide.Now, how about you let me do the thing I get paid very well to do, the thing my father snubs his nose at me doing because it isn’t for the fucking local PD or feds, and mind your tone about it going forward before you too end up marooned onIsn’t Allowed To Speak to Salay Island?”
To no surprise, Garcia clamps his mouth closed.
Releases a heavy breath.
Begrudgingly nods and gestures a hand towards my gas tank that’s waiting to be slipped on.
“Unbelievable,” Zero dumbfoundedly whispers.“He just…backs down…to you…”
