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“How about you? Has the right woman come along?”
Preacher’s head whipped around. “I don’t know.”
GQ scoffed. “I think you do. Tall, gorgeous, and lethal. Hmmm. Who could that be?”
“You going to bust my chops about Karasu now?”
“Who else has been busting your—Ice.”
“Yeah, both of you are nosy bastards.”
“We just want to see our number two happy. So what’s the scoop with her?”
“I’m trying to figure out some shit in my head right now. Karasu is…aw what the hell. I never stop thinking about her. Happy?”
“No. I’ll be happy when you're happy. Tell me what shit?”
Preacher closed his eyes and the facade fell from his face. His expression twisted. “Striker. My part in screwing that up.”
It sounded like he wanted to say more but was holding back. “Don’t ignore and override this shit now. Tell me what you’re afraid to say.”
“I think…after some reflection…I resent the Navy for what they did to him, even though he chose to go after his brother. Why couldn’t they understand he had to intervene?”
“Because cake eaters have to keep order and if we start disobeying them, well, that could lead to anarchy. I hate what happened to Striker, too, and seeing him like that was humbling. But I don’t think you can blame yourself, Preach. Striker knew what he was doing and what the consequences were. He didn’t have much choice. Stop blaming yourself for something that was out of your control. We can only influence how we react and how we’re going to move forward. I don’t want you to end up like him.”
“What?”
“Are you drinking?”
Preacher chuckled. “You’re just a kid. How are you smarter than me?”
“You’re not much older than I am. So, are you?”
“No. I’m studying the seven tenets of being Hawaiian and surfing my ass off.”
GQ frowned. “How’s that?”
“Ocean ‘Blue’ Beckett is doing a rotation here and he suggested this kind of…unconventional therapy. He said it worked for him. He also said to talk to my teammates.” He gave GQ a sidelong glance. “At the very least, I’m no longer celibate and I am sleeping a little better.”
“When you’re not lusting after Karasu?”
Preacher gave him a hard shove off his board and GQ plunged into the water, the wetsuit he was wearing keeping him dry and warm. He popped back up to the surface, but Preacher was already gone, riding a huge wave. It crested over Skull, who was knocked off his unicorn floatie and they all almost died laughing as Bones dragged him out of the water with his teeth.
* * *
Delgado Asociados,La Paz, Bolivia
Maria Delgado left her office and walked to the conference room. She wanted to be there to greet the CEO and other directors from the company. Everything was ready for the members of Heath Global, tension crackling in the firm, but it was all good tension. New business, strong competition, and expanding their international footprint were all so very positive. The partnership with Heath Global was a thing of beauty.
They arrived on time and the morning slipped away as they discussed the contract and their business and how they would mesh. It was almost time for lunch, but first they would sign the agreement that made Delgado Asociados partners of the larger corporation.
Maria picked up her pen along with the CEO and she smiled. But in the next moment, the smile slipped from her face at the distant sound of shouts, screams, and…automatic weapons discharging.
People at the conference table looked at each other. One woman got up and peered outside the window. The good vibes of the morning devolved into fear and uncertainty. Whispered murmurs filled the room.
There were times in the city when there was unrest, but these chilling sounds came frominsidethe building. Suddenly, black-masked, armed men came down the hall and stopped in front of the glass that enclosed the conference room.
They lined up like a firing squad, the muzzles of their weapons aiming inside. Maria made a soft, fearful sound and her son stood. Many people screamed, their eyes wide and terrified. “What is the meaning—”
