Page 95 of False Flag

“I’ve never lied about that. I don’t want Gerard or anyone of his ilk to be able to continue to claim their theories haven’t been investigated by professionals. Big Archaeology isn’t a thing, and archaeologists certainly aren’t organized enough to hide great secrets of lost civilizations. We love finding evidence that supports new timelines and paradigms to understand past cultures. The idea that we’d hide anything along those lines is ridiculous.”

“It’s entertainment. Harmless fun.”

She stepped back and held up her shirt, exposing her scar. “Harmless? I don’t think so.”

“I’m sorry. I—shit. I didn’t mean AT is harmless. I was referring to the podcasts. I mean, isn’t it good that they get people interested in archaeology? Doesn’t that count for something?”

She’d heard that argument so many times. It was asinine, but apparently, people who wanted to believe in ten-thousand-year-old aliens thought it had some unfathomable merit.

“No.”

“If Beau is the problem, ask Gerard to fire him.”

“I’m sure that will go over well.”

“Gerard doesn’t need Beau. He’s just dumb muscle. What did you see in him anyway?”

“I wish I could claim he was a good lay, but he was crap at that too. You know he never gave me an orgasm?”

Jake snickered. “So why were you with him so long?”

“The first time we dated, we were young. High school. I only had sex with him once—the night before he left for boot camp. I had this dumb idea that maybe he wouldn’t break up with me if I gave him what he’d been asking for for months. It was quick and painful and a reminder of why I hadn’t been tempted to say yes earlier. He didn’t even try to turn me on.”

“Prick. And later?”

“It started off promising. I mean, at least he located my clitoris and put in some effort. Or seemed to. I don’t come easily and⁠—”

“Hard disagree.” He smirked.

She covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.

“I could make you come in thirty seconds with just one finger.” He held up said finger and wiggled it.

She gave up on suppressing it and let out a full laugh. “You absolutely could. But I’m sure Gerard and the others are on their way down from the house.”

“Thirty seconds, Staci.”

She leaned toward him and spoke in a breathy whisper. “And I could make you come almost as fast, but I’d have to use my whole mouth.”

“Come back with me. To the house. To the expedition. Share my bed. I’ll protect you from Beau the lousy lay.”

“Ha! That’s the perfect name for him.”

“And what would your name for me be?”

She flashed a grin. “Jake the magnificent, of course.”

He pulled her close and kissed her. “Of course.”

Jake stepped out onto the aft deck first, carrying his backpack with Staci’s new computer and a bag provided by Bastian that was stuffed with supplies including weapons, more spy gadgets, and the clothes he’d purchased for them both yesterday. Staci followed with her laptop bag and purse.

Beau and another man from the security team waited on the dock.

Jake turned to Staci and grinned. He had no doubt the security team had listened to and recorded their conversation in the salon. If Gerard hadn’t heard it live, he’d hear it later.

It was the perfect way to establish Jake’s reason for returning and continuing to be an acolyte, even as Staci objected to his pseudoarchaeological beliefs.

He grinned at Beau the lousy lay and reached for Staci’s hand, threading his fingers through hers. Meanwhile, behind the security team, Gerard and a small entourage that included Felix—who was clearly filming—walked down the dock.