Lochlan snorts. “Do you know what Suds calls his wife? A danger magnet. If she comes within a mile of a sinkhole, she will tumble headfirst without knowing how she did it.”
Glancing in the rearview mirror, I push the speedometer to eighty. “You guys are not making me feel better. Surely, our wives can have a pleasant weekend away for chrissake. It’s only for two overnights.”
The other two men grunt, clearly not in agreement. ETAs exchanged. Once Slate hangs up, I focus on driving through the blinding downpour.
Once I exit the thruway, the slick, unlit, narrow roads hold all my attention.
Finally, the rain lets up, freeing some of my brain cells. “Did you try calling Callie?”
“My last message from her said she and Gwen had arrived. Management locked up their cellies and purses.” His tone again echoes my fears as another chill runs down my spine.
Why the hell would a day spa confiscate their bags?I phone Slate to keep Lilac from going, but I must be in a dead zone. “In an hour, we’ll simply collect them, then take them home.”
Lucky scoffs, “Roiight. And our little missuses will fall into line? What planet you livin’ on, mate?”
“Well, I sure as fuck am not letting them stay.” Reaching a steep incline, I shift gears, and at the top of the hill, Slate's call comes through.
We can barely hear him over the running water of a nearby stream. “After I dropped my wife at registration, I took a stroll. They’ve got armed men walking the perimeter, drones overhead, and security cams every few feet.”
I lower my voice to match his. “Why in God's name did you let her go?”
“She said the staff would get suspicious if the guest of honor did a no-show, putting her friends in danger. I hate to admit it, but she’s right. Save for knocking her out, there was no way to convince her to leave.”
“Copy that. We’re here. When you finish, come find us.” Despite our encrypted connection, I say little. Call me paranoid. Until I know better, I’m keeping a low profile.
Now, in the hotel parking lot, we shake hands with Suds and his two cousins by marriage. Because I already owe these ex-SEALs so much, I apologize profusely for bringing them into another of my wife’s messes.
“Hell, once a woman makes up her mind, there’s nothin’ you can do about it. I talked to Slate. He says the place is locked up tighter than a clam’s ass. Let’s check in before we decide our next steps. From what I can tell, the facility poses no danger to our ladies. To me, it appears like a lot of wanna-be soldiers cosplaying.”
I agree, and to be sure, I call my boss. “I’m sorry to wake you, Ira, but I got my first break and need immediate access to any intel regarding survivalist groups in PA.”
“Understood. I’ll expect a full report in my inbox at oh-eight-hundred.” After I hang up, Lucky crosses his arms while the others drop their jaws.
“Don't get your panties in a twist. I lied. There's no connection to my current case. I’ll simply state my sources were wrong. No biggie. It happens all the time.”
"Woof."Bear's tail pounds on the pavement. At least someone agrees with me.
Hoping I don’t lose my job, I shrug my bags over my shoulder, then follow the guys to our rooms. It’s going to be a long night.
Chapter 7
“She slept with wolves without fear, for the wolves knew a lion was among them.” — R.M. Drake
Gwen
“Oh lordy, the presenter was so creepy, I thought he’d never leave us alone.” Mia, the shyer of the two sisters, shivers.
“Don’t let it bother you. He was using classic brainwashing tactics.” Blake hugs the other woman and frowns. “It’s downright unethical. None of us agreed to this.”
Our pregnant guest of honor, Lilac, opens the refrigerator for a water bottle. “Well I, for one, am scared shitless. I had no idea we’re on the verge of extinction.” Originally from Maine, she still drops an occasional R, such as,pahk the cahin the garage.
“Honey, you’ve seen more trauma in one night than most of us experience in a lifetime.” Sam joins the ER doctor in the kitchen. Their embrace falls short because of the enormous baby bump.
While they laugh, Rose takes a paperback out of the provided plastic bag. “I can’t remember the last time I read a printed book. I had to borrow this one from Nonna.”
The half-naked man on the cover causes her sister to blush. “My grandmother hides her romances from Mom and Aunt Donna.”
Rose adds, “They’re afraid she’s going to give herself a heart attack from masturbating.”
