Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36646 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36646 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
We stayed in Louisville. I tried to be nice. Go through the proper channels without stepping on toes or anything. After two days of waiting with minimal to no response from Fort Knox, I’d had enough. I was done being nice.
“Well?”
Mike was right beside me. I almost jumped because I hadn’t heard him approach. I scowled. Not paying attention to my surroundings could get me killed. Except this wasn’t ‘Nam. And Mike had my back the way I’d never completely trusted anyone else to. There was something different about that man and it wasn’t just my attraction to him -- which was something I’d definitely have to analyze. I filed it away for later.
“You ready to get the fuck outta this place?”
“And leave that kid alone?” I answered him with more irritation than I should have. This whole situation was a shit deal for Alex, even if it was one of his own making. I knew I would do something. I had no idea what, but I could make sure the kid got an adequate defense and that his CO didn’t cut corners and trick him into a plea deal or something that would put him away for the rest of his natural life. He’d have a better chance of having a life after this if he were tried in a military court than he would a civilian court, especially in Louisville after Martin Luther King, Jr. had been assassinated. At least, I hoped so.
“Well, if we leave, that’s what we’ll be doin’. You finally ready to shake things up a bit?”
When I glanced over at Mike, a smile tugged at his lips. How could the man have my number so early in this game? I could tell he knew I wouldn’t let this go. And he’d go along with anything I decided.
“We don’t know each other, Mike. So don’t pretend you can read my mind.” I was trying to push him away. Had been trying for two days. I’d kicked him out of our hotel room three times yesterday alone. I worked better by myself anyway.
“We went through something together.” He grinned. “I think that warrants a little commiseration. We can talk about our feelings and shit. And you can tell me what’s goin’ on inside that pretty head of yours.” He winked at me.
I scowled at him. “What’s going on is I’m trying to decide if I’d have a better chance of successfully killing you if I slit your throat while you sleep or shove you in front of a fucking bus.”
“If I were you, I’d go with slittin’ my throat in my sleep. But only if I get to play with you a bit before I go to the Hereafter. Hell, you let me show you a good time, and if you still want to kill me, I’ll furnish a fuckin’ rusty, dull-ass knife and let you saw as long as you need to for me to die.”
“Wow. Been a long time there, soldier?”
He shrugged. “Didn’t say that. Just that fuckin’ you would be worth any punishment.”
No one talked to me that way and got away with it. I tried to scowl at him again. Except I felt my lips twitching, trying to grin at his audacity. “Keep it up, man. We’ll find out who’s the better fighter.”
Mike chuckled as he put his hand on the small of my back and led me from the motel. It was time to swing by Fort Knox. If I was right, it was the 138th who were stationed there and getting ready to deploy. I just happened to know the commander and he owed me a huge favor. Official channels weren’t working. It was time to use the backdoor. No pun intended.
“Come on, Mama Tiger. You got a ride?”
I shrugged. “Figured I’d get a taxi. Ain’t no biggie.”
“Ride with me. I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”
“I suppose I could do that.”
He grinned and took my hand and led me out of the little motel we’d been crashing in. I was surprised when he led me to a Harley Davidson Electric Glide. Black with silver accents. Subtle, but beautiful. We hadn’t gone anywhere that required more than walking a short distance since we’d been here, so the bike was a pleasant surprise. I couldn’t help the slow smile that spread my lips. “Where the fuck did you get this? And how did you get it here?”
He shrugged. “A friend from Nam. Dropped it off for me last night. He’ll be meetin’ us in Somerset.”
“So sure I’m coming with you? I don’t even know where that place is.”
“Good. When I get you home, you won’t be able to find your way out.”
I gave him a hard look, hoping to bend him to my will. When he smirked at me, I knew he was on to what I was going to demand next. I decided to sweeten the pot. “How about you ride with me. I’ll give you all the sexual favors you want.”