"Yeah, I'm more than okay. You remember those two redheads…"
I laughed. "Two assholes just tried to kill me.”
I gave him the details.
"Well, I'm definitely having a better night than you are.”
"That's an understatement,” I said. “You need to keep an eye on your six.”
“I say we pay Shane Phillips a visit tomorrow.”
We talked for a bit, then I let him get back to the redheads.
I made my way below deck and checked on Ariel. I woke her as instructed. She peeled open a sleepy eye and looked annoyed by the disturbance.
"You doing okay?”
"Yeah. I totally forgot where I was for a second."
I smiled. "It happens.”
"Alright, go back to sleep," I said.
"What time is it?”
"A little after 3:00 AM."
"Have you been to sleep yet?”
I shook my head.
"What have you been doing?"
"You didn't hear the gunshots?"
Her eyes rounded. "Gunshots?"
"Go back to sleep. I'll explain tomorrow."
"I'm not sure I want to go back to sleep now."
"Everything is fine. Call me if you need anything.”
“Aye-aye, captain,” she said with a mock salute. In a soft voice, she whispered, "Thanks again.”
"My pleasure."
I left Ariel, then climbed up to the bridge deck and settled in for bed. It had been a full day, and I was ready for some shut-eye. I didn’t think Shane would try anything again tonight, considering the fact that his friend had been killed. Their ambush had been an utter fiasco. Still, I slept with my pistol at the ready and never fully dozed off. It was that half-ass, thin sleep. My mind raced, flooded with adrenaline.
I woke with the sunrise, pulled myself out of bed, and went through my morning routine. After a shower and shave, I headed down to the galley and started grilling up breakfast. It wasn't long before Ariel joined me.
"You're looking better than you were last night," I said, even though the bruise was looking worse.
"Are you saying I didn't look good?"
"You puked twice in Jack's car,” I said dryly.
She cringed. "I guess there's no forgetting that, is there?”
