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Chapter Seven
Swan
“Wait. We’re going where?”
“Katmandu. You’ll need some warm clothes. It’s not real cold in the city, but Everest Base Camp will be pretty fuckin’ cold.”
I laughed. I was sure the sound was borderline maniacal. “I’m equipped for Florida, Reaper. I don’t have anything even close to appropriate for extreme temperatures.”
“Honey, that was a list for me. Not you. Everything will be delivered and already stowed away when we get to the airport.”
“Airport.”
“Well, yeah.” He turned to give me a confused look. “We can’t take the bike there, I’m sorry to say.”
This wasn’t computing. “We’re going to Mount Everest Base Camp?”
He grinned. “Yeah, baby. That’s what I said.”
“This is insane!” I was laughing at him, but I wasn’t joking. “We can’t go to Nepal!”
“Why not? And I caution you about telling me how to spend my money.”
“Well, for one, I don’t have a passport.” I grinned, knowing that would be a deal breaker.
“Good thing I know a guy who can make one and the finished product is official.”
I blinked at him. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
Reaper barked out a laugh. “No. Not at all, baby. Now. Pack everything you need. We’ll be gone about two weeks. It takes close to a full day to get there and a full day back. We’ll fly into Lukla, then take a helicopter to Base Camp. El Diablo already has the permits and permissions and all that shit, so it’s no problem. The only thing is the altitude. We’re not used to it. If we walked up, no problem. Flying up there with only a day or so in Katmandu? We’d probably be fine since we ain’t stayin’ long, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. We’ll likely be the only dumbasses there wearing oxygen, but Fury tells me it might be necessary if we stay any length of time given the speed with which we’re going.”
“We don’t have to do this, you know.” I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. “I only put that on the list because, I mean, who doesn’t want to see the tallest mountain in the world? I’m not in any shape for climbing -- or a lot of walking, for that matter.”
“And you won’t be walking much. Another reason for me to have oxygen is so I can piggyback you when necessary. But we’re choppering in. We’ll stay as long as you want, then leave. Another overnight stay in Katmandu, then home. It can be that quick. If you want to see some of the sights in the city, we can do that, too. Only thing we have to worry about is keeping you off your leg as much as possible.”
“Reaper…” I didn’t want to hurt his feelings or anything, but this was seriously too much. “I can’t do this.”
He stopped, his attention suddenly focused on me wholly. “You hurtin’?”
“No. It’s not that.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Then what is it?”
I sighed. “You know why. Reaper. No. It’s too much.”
Instead of arguing like I figured he would, Reaper just nodded a couple of times. “I see.” Then he pulled out his cell, stabbed in a number, then put it to his ear. “Yeah. Need you out here ASAP.” A pause while he listened. “Yep. I got everything else packed. Just waiting on her and she’s balking.” Another pause. “Don’t think so. It’s the money.” Pause. “Yeah. Thanks.”
Reaper scowled at me. “You’re gonna learn not to tell me not to spend money on you. I told you you’d never win those types of arguments.”
“I’m not trying to tell you how to spend your money, Reaper,” I said softly. “I just don’t want you to put so much of an investment into me when I’m not gonna be here. In fact, as much as it pains me to say this, I really wish you’d find a woman who’s gonna be here with you to spend your time and money on.”
“Stop!” he growled at me, taking a step forward before stopping himself. He was about to say something when the door opened, and El Diablo and Jezebel stepped inside. No invitation required. I raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
“What’s this I hear about you not wanting to accept El Segador’s trip to Nepal? Wasn’t climbing Mount Everest on your bucket list?”
“Well, yeah, but it was a token addition at best. No way I was ever gonna be able to climb a mountain of any kind, let alone Everest.”
“She’s starting to talk about herself like she’s already gone, Liam,” Reaper said. His face was tight, his expression closed off, but I could see I’d hurt him in some way.
