Page 115 of Exit Strategy

“Absolutely. It’s a mining startup down in South America, precious gemstones mostly.”

“I’m no geologist, mate,” I said.

“Look, this company is basically taking advantage of the fact that Venezuela is a few years away from being the next Somalia. We get in on the ground floor, and when the mines start paying out, we’re virtually partners. I’ve got a meeting with the guy behind the venture. He seems legit, but reminds me of that Afghani general, the one who always had a riding crop.”

“Oh, that guy. I think he was working both sides,” I said.

“I’m sure he was,” Conan said. “He made a ton of money too.”

“Right up until he caught all that shrapnel,” Kyle said.

* * *

“You’re tense,”Callie said, her hands on my shoulders.

“I know,” I said, looking out at the ocean. I could see night hurtling toward us, the sun turning into a memory in the west. “I’m at a bit of a loss.”

“I don’t see why, tell me,” she said.

“There isn’t any more plan.”

“Sure there is.”

“Nah, it’s all done,” I confessed. “There isn’t a next job, there isn’t another looming disaster.”

“Hush, you don’t have to go hunting for a job,” she said. “Tate and the Fallout lawyers are still working for us, and worst-case scenario, I only get ten percent of Rex’s estate. That’s still in the multi-million-dollar range. Best case, I get everything. He had no legitimate children, no one to contest the will, and if there are any agreements between his estate and New Eden, they’re burned bread now.”

“Toast?” I asked.

“Yes, toast.” She kissed my cheek, and for a moment I thought I could smell lavender. “And I’ve been told you’ve made a lot of money with internet coins?”

“Aye, I’ve made enough to be comfortable for a while,” I admitted.

“In your cabin,” she added.

“I’d like to take you to see it once it’s finished being repaired. I’m still a bit miffed that the captain has had some contractors head out with a crane and saws to finish that, since I’m a little worse for wear.”

“Aren’t we quite the pair?” Callie asked. I could see a look in her eyes. She wanted to be close to me, to sit in my lap, but knew that my leg was still tender. There was nothing broken that could be cast or splinted, but the bruises would take a while to clear up. Doc Max had me loaded with painkillers and some meds that would make sure that none of the bruises turned into a blood clot.

“I like us,” I said.

“I do too. You’re different from Arik, and he’s the only other man I’ve been with.”

“You know I’ve done horrible things, and have issues with PTSD, and I don’t celebrate Independence Day or Thanksgiving,” I said.

“Arik celebrated himself. Every movie was its own holiday, and the awards’ show season was his Christmas.”

“I’m not him,” I said.

“He did horrible things and had issues with narcissism and was about one pubic hair away from being a child abuser, so there is no comparison between the two of you. You made the world a better place. He made terrible movies and was even worse in bed.”

I let out a small laugh.

“Don’t laugh, you’re good at all of that bedroom stuff.”

“That’s not what has me tickled, Love,” I said. “God, his movies were bloody awful.”

“At least we won’t have to see any more remakes and sequels to movies made sixty years ago, and you’ve made me enjoy the only two things he liked, so you are by far the better man.”

“Don’t,” I said.

“I’ll do as I please, Mister Worthington,” she said, planting another kiss on my lips this time.

“Aye, that you will.”

She smiled at me, and suddenly the future which had seemed bleak on my end the moment before, was brighter than her eyes.