Gunner slapped his back. “That’s one of the reason’s why I love you, man. You don’t give up.”
“No, I don’t.” Maverick tucked his shirt into his pants. “Let’s test the sound.” After confirming they could hear him, he peered into Carly’s eyes. “Wish me luck.”
Her smile was brimming with love. “You’ll do great. I have complete faith in you.”
“Nothing better than a woman’s love,” Gunner said. “Now, go get ‘em.”
Maverick arrived early, got situated at Rudy’s private table in the kitchen.
“Good seeing you, Maverick.” Rudy set two water glasses on the table. “Meeting with the senator?”
“Sure am. How’ve you been?”
“Can’t complain. Business keeps me hoppin’. You two eating?”
“Absolutely.”
“You want me to wait until the senator arrives?”
“I’m here.” Internado brushed past Rudy. “Bring me a cold one, will ya, Rudy?”
“Yes, sir. Two?” Rudy asked Maverick.
“Sure.” As Maverick slid his grin from Rudy to Internado, his blood chilled. Since first meeting there, so much had happened. Maverick’s good opinion of the senator had plummeted to rock bottom. But he’d put on a good show to get what he needed. He extended his hand. “Thanks for meeting me.”
The senator shook it and his skin crawled. “How have things been going for you, Maverick?” Letting out a sigh, he eased onto the rickety wooden chair.
“Not good. I have to let my training recruits go. I burned through a quarter mil just to bring them on board. Kills me to have to fire them.”
Internado shrugged. “You brought this on yourself.”
“I did, and I regret my decision.”
That snagged his full attention. “Tell me more.”
“I’d like to offer you my services. Take you up on that generous offer you made me, right here, last month.”
Internado smiled while Maverick gritted his teeth. Rudy set down their ice-cold brews. “Ready to order?”
“Dinner is on me, Senator,” Maverick said.
“I don’t have much time,” Internado said.
“Bring us a couple of appetizers.” Maverick scanned the menu for anything that would warrant using a fork. “Steak tips. Got any scallops?”
“You want those wrapped in bacon?” Rudy asked.
“I’m not into finger foods. Let’s eat ‘em with a fork.”
“Senator?” Rudy asked. “Those sound good to you, sir?”
“Whatever.” Internado checked his watch.
“And two whiskeys,” Maverick added.
“I’ll get right on that.” Rudy high-tailed it toward the bar.
Maverick waved the white napkin. “You win, George. I concede.”
