Page 30 of Protecting Kelli
Kelli had a lot of faith in him. Flash hoped it wasn’t misplaced.
Determination swelled inside him. He’d do whatever he could to make this experience as painless as possible for the woman at his side. They’d be uncomfortable, and until they climbed out of this damn bus, he wouldn’t let his guard down, but maybe, just maybe, they’d come out of this dented instead of broken. He hoped.
Brant Williams looked at the US Naval ID in his hand and smiled. His plan had been to contact the families of the American tourists they’d kidnapped and demand ransoms, but knowing he had a member of the military in his grasp was even better.
The Navy would want to rescue this guy. They’d definitely pay.
“I’m not sure the Navy is gonna pay a ransom,” Errol said, the uncertainty clear in his voice.
“Of course they are,” Brant retorted. “There’s no way they’ll ignore me. They’ll have to pay, or I’ll go to the media and tell them the US government is letting one of their own die.”
“But the US doesn’t negotiate with terrorists,” Errol told him.
“We aren’t terrorists,” he argued.
When Errol continued to frown, Brant felt irritation rising. “You were the one who fucked things up. If you’d done what I told you, brought at least four or five peoplewith you, we would’ve been able to get more money. But instead, you only brought two.”
“I told you! I couldn’t justforcesome of the others to wait while those two were still on the water.”
“Why not?”
“Because! They were bitching about leaving and the other driver offered to cram them all into his bus!” Errol yelled. “You know what? Fuck this! I’m out.”
“What? You aren’t out!” Brant yelled back.
“I am. You aren’t listening to me. You think I’m stupid.I’mthe one who found where Wade Gordon is stationed in Riverton, California.I’mthe one who found Kelli Colbert’s Facebook and discovered she works for a tiny travel office. She doesn’t make shit for salary. Without me, you wouldn’t even know who to contact to ask for money in the first place. And youstillaren’t listening! The Navy isn’t going to hand over fifty thousand dollars for this Wade guy. He’s enlisted. Not an officer. That makes a huge difference.”
“No, it doesn’t!” Brant argued.
Errol rolled his eyes, which pissed Brant off all the more. “Whose idea was this? Mine! Who paid for that bus to be buried? Me! This whole plan wouldn’t have happened without me. I invitedyouto joinme, not the other way around. I’m in charge. And I’m telling you that this is going to work just fine. Now chill!”
“Nope. I’m done. Good luck. Don’t contact me again. Ever,” Errol told him.
“Fine. Good. All the more money for me.”
“There won’t be any money,” Errol muttered, as he turned and left Brant’s small rundown house.
Brant dismissed the asshole before he’d even slammedthe door. He didn’t need him. He already had everything he needed. He had the addresses of his captives, and Errol had given him the contact information for Wade Gordon’s commander. He also had an untraceable cellphone that he’d use and get rid of right after the call was made.
Then he just had to sit back and wait for the money to be deposited into the account Errol had already set up.
The man was good with computers, and it was a shame to lose someone with that skill, but Brant would find another partner.
Starting with someone to remove the bodies from the bus after his captives died.
But he’d worry about that later. First things first, call this Navy commander and let him know Wade Gordon was in imminent danger—and the only way to save him was to send fifty thousand dollars.
Brant was done living in squalor. He wanted more. What he deserved, which wasn’t to be living here. And this job would be the first of many. Once he had a million dollars, Brant would move to Los Angeles, buy a huge house, and live like the king he was meant to be.
And it all started with Wade Gordon.
Brant glanced at the drivers licenses on the table, then back to the Navy ID in his hand. The Navy would be desperate to have their soldier, sailor…whateverback. He was sure of it.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“What the fuck?” Kevlar bit out, after he and his team were abruptly pulled out of an important meeting about a possible upcoming mission…to talk to the commander about something entirely different.
They’d all thought they were summoned about an emergency mission. And they were—but nothing at all like what they’d expected.
