The three men stood, shoulder-to-shoulder, staring out the living room windows at the twinkling city across the river. Maverick slung his arms around bothmen.
“It’s good being around you guys,” Maverick said. “Before you know it, you two idiots will be chasing babies in stinkpotdiapers.”
Crockett flashed a grin. “Bring iton.”
“We’re in no rush,” Coltonreplied.
“I’m never getting married.” Maverick leaned against the window to face them. “Time to talkshop.”
“Now?” Crockettasked.
“He’ll talk even if we don’t listen,” Colton said and theylaughed.
“We’ve finished phase one beta testing of your pregnant Eagle,” Maverick said to Crockett. “You’re a fucking genius to create a surveillance bird that carries a smaller device inside her. She’s a beauty. I’m going to need half adozen.”
“You did the math on that, right?” Crockettasked.
“One point five mil.” Maverick shot him a grin, then flipped his attention to Colton. “I need a silentinvestor.”
“Colton’s anything butsilent,” Crockett said. “And that’s a good thing. He goes quiet on you and you’ve got a whole different problem on yourhands.”
“We’ll talk,” Colton said. “Did you hear back fromInternado?”
“The good senator made a few calls,” Maverick said. “He set up more meetings in the past week than I’ve had all year. It’s like I’ve landed inOz.”
“Stay clear of the flying monkeys,” Colton said. “Those things creep meout.”
“I’d destroy those damned monkeys,” Crockett said. “I don’t trust that wizard hiding behind thecurtain.”
“My problem isn’t with the monkeys or the old geezer,” Maverick replied. “The Wicked Witch of the West scares the living hell out ofme.”
“Everyone has a price,” Colton said. “Especially the senator. That job is just a launching pad for him. He’s got his sights set muchhigher.”
“You know better than anyone, Mav, there’s no such thing as a free lunch,” Crockett said. “Watch yourback.”
37
The Gift
After Crockett bowed,hislittle tykes bowed in return. Then, they scampered off the karate mats and over to their waiting parents. His yellow belts showed continued progression and he smiled.Slow andsteady.
He couldn’t spar until the sutures were removed and he completed the PT treatment, which meant he had to drop out of the karate competition. Minor setback. Gratitude filled his heart as he slipped into his shoes, said goodbye to Hannah and her dad, and left thedojo.
On his way home, he called Alexandra. “Hey, babe. Be theresoon.”
“Why, hello, Huntah. I haven’t heard from you in awhile.”
Crockett smiled. “Electra.”
“I’ve missed you. Are you availabletonight?”
“For you,always.”
“Your mask will be on the bar, along with a nightcap. Shed your karategiunless you want to show me your hotmoves.”
Her sultry voice lured him home in record time. He entered his penthouse, expecting to see her waiting by the door. Instead, the rich, earthy timbre of Imelda May crooning, “How Bad Can a Good Girl Be” and the flickering candlelight and dancing flames in the fireplace greeted him. His Goth Girl was nowhere insight.
He eyed the shot of whiskey she’d left for him on the bar. But he didn’t want the burn of alcohol. He wanted the sweet taste of his woman. She’d left him a handwritten note beneath the bottle. “When you find me, you can haveme.”
