Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 80660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
“Personally, I’d prefer the SVR didn’t get their hands on any of this.” Alexei glanced over at Gabriel’s whose expression had softened. “But you know I’m biased.”
Reaching over, Soren covered Alexei’s hand with his own. “With damn good reason. I don’t want any of it going to the Russians either.”
“You know, maybe I’m a cynical old bastard,” Charlie started. He relaxed in his chair and stretched his legs out in front of him under the table. “But what are the odds of this money doing normal people any good if we do hand it over to the CIA or MI6?”
Justin gasped and turned to his husband, grabbing his arm. “G Love, I totally agree with him. Does that make me a cynical old bastard too?”
Gabriel leaned close and pressed a kiss to the corner of his husband’s mouth. “No, darling. You’re simply realistic and definitely not old.”
“Well, I don’t need billions of euros. I don’t know anyone who does,” Soren muttered.
“Except for those charities.” Alexei’s heart sped up for a new reason. He laid his hand on Soren’s chest and leaned in close. “Think about all the people who could be helped. Even if we sent a million dollars to a charity, there are thousands of charities we could help. Lots of lives we could change for the better.”
Soren leaned close, bumping his nose against Alexei’s. “Just when I think you can’t possibly get any sexier, you open your mouth and prove me wrong yet again.”
“Really? You want to give the money away?”
He shrugged. “Maybe keep a million for that vacation in the Maldives you promised me. And then give some to your uncles to at least cover expenses.”
“And Marilyn,” Alexei added.
Soren nodded. “Well, there is one group I’d like to give some to that isn’t technically a charity.” He looked up, staring down the table at Charlie and Kairo.
“What?” Charlie gasped.
“You can’t be serious.” Kairo nervously laughed.
“Before we lost our jobs, Charlie was constantly in my ear, talking about wanting to start this merc group that helped people in bad situations. People that can’t pay you guys enough to stay operational. Trust me, I know. Bullets and Kevlar aren’t cheap. I don’t want to worry about my friends surviving on ramen while in the field.”
Justin grunted. “Not to mention the latest tech. Surveillance gear. That shit is expensive and constantly needs to be upgraded.”
“No, we can’t. It’s too much,” Charlie growled, folding his arms across his wide chest.
“You will if you’re going to be inviting my nephew to join you on jobs,” Gabriel growled.
Justin nodded, giving his best thoughtful look. “That is a good point. We don’t want Alexei associated with some cheap-ass group who buys their bullets on a payment plan.”
Alexei could only groan, but inside he might have been laughing. A merc group trying to save the world was right up their alley. His uncles had spent several years risking their lives to help people. It was nice to know that someone else might be taking over the fight.
“What do you think?” Justin asked Gabriel, ignoring Charlie’s sputtering noises.
“A billion,” Gabriel said decisively.
“A billion sounds good to me.”
“A billion? What the fuck would we do with a billion dollars?” Charlie croaked.
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” Soren replied with a smirk. “Just don’t let Ed waste it on an Apache with heat-seeking missiles.”
Charlie gave another shaky laugh as scrubbed a hand over his face. Clearly, the man was in shock.
Soren turned his attention to Gabriel and Justin. “The only problem is that I’ve never tried to move this kind of money. I’m afraid of setting off every kind of alarm and having it confiscated before it can do any good.”
Justin smiled and nodded. “If you’ll trust me with it, I’ll see that it’s properly and secretly moved to where it needs to go.” He looked at Charlie and Kairo. “If you’re not prepared to receive the funds now, I can set up a trust to hold it until you’re ready.” He then turned his attention to Soren. “For this amount of money, it’ll take me at least six months if not a year to get the funds distributed to all the charities. But I will give Alexei a full list of everyone who receives money.”
“Well, now that we’ve got the fun part settled, what do we do with the other information?” Kairo asked.
Soren relaxed in his chair, wrapping his arm around Alexei’s shoulders. “You know, I’ve got an idea for that too. And don’t worry, it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Chapter 19
Soren wasn’t surprised when the call came in. He’d been expecting it.
That didn’t mean his stomach didn’t churn with worry and fear, leaving his palms sweaty as he clutched the phone to his side as he hurried from the bedroom he was sharing with Alexei to the first-floor study.