Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 140965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
“I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.”
“Your bodies are fighting it off somehow,” Wyatt said. “We just haven’t figured out how. Your cells are doing crazy things. We’d like more of your blood tomorrow to see what, if any, progression.”
“I’m getting married tomorrow.”
Trap didn’t turn around, but he must have been listening. “Still need the blood, bro.”
Draden sighed. They did need it. Even if it was too late to save Shylah and him, if the virus was let loose on the world, those working around the clock to find a vaccine and a therapy would need their blood.
“I’ll make sure you get it. I need your jet, Trap. And any money Joe needs to make things happen the way I want. I’ve got money in my account, but Joe may need a death certificate to access it after I’m gone. You know the drill with the paperwork we all filled out. He knows to pay you back.”
Trap glanced over his shoulder, annoyance written on his face. “Shut the fuck up, Draden. We’re friends. You need the jet, it’s yours. My woman won’t buy herself a pair of shoes and I just spend money on equipment. I think we’re good.” Sarcasm dripped. “And you’re not going to die, so make certain you want to spend your life with her, because she’s going to live through this too.”
Draden understood it was Trap’s way of showing he cared. He wouldn’t say the words and he wouldn’t act emotional. He’d contribute what he could, and he’d work until he dropped to find a way to save them. Trap didn’t act like the nicest of men, but he was solid, and he’d never stop until he found a way to make things right.
For some reason, Trap’s reaction to his request choked him up when nothing else had. He had insisted Shylah would live. He was adamant. Trap had already turned away from the camera, head down, studying something in front of him without giving Draden a chance to respond.
“You thinkin’ of takin’ the jet and makin’ a run for it?” Wyatt asked, dropping his voice as if they were co-conspirators. That only made his Louisiana accent more pronounced.
“I’ve got Joe running all over the world looking for things for my woman. I want to surprise her.”
Wyatt’s eyebrow shot up. “You really are fallin’ for this woman.”
“Already gone,” Draden admitted. “I fell hard, and I want the world for her. If we lose this battle, Wyatt, I want her to have something extraordinary. And I want her to know she was loved.”
Just saying it out loud to one of his closest friends had him choking up again. What the hell was wrong with him? With dying came some clarity. “This isn’t just for her. I want this for me as well. I want to have this day with her. If there’s any way for Bellisia and Zara to be with us, not physically, but with her, so she doesn’t feel so alone, I would very much like to give her that as well.”
Wyatt nodded. “You know, computers aren’t my thing, but we’ve got a few people who know what they’re doing. Flame, my sister-in-law, is hell on wheels with a computer. She should be able to put something together for us. Azami is loaning us the satellite for as long as necessary and we’ve got the use of it anytime. We can do this, for you, Draden.”
“Thanks, man. I want to marry her at sunset. It’s beautiful here when the sun is just sliding out of the sky and the forest is beginning to stir.”
“You’re going to want it light enough for all of us to see, especially if Zara and Bellisia are watching. Bellisia is in Louisiana, and Zara is up in the mountains of Montana. We’re here in Sumatra.”
“I’d forgotten about that. We’ll set the ceremony for a half hour before sunset. That way we’ll have both. I put cameras on the list for outside and inside. I think I can hook it all together. At least I hope so.”
“If you can’t, and you promise Bellisia a wedding, you may as well stay right where you are because if you don’t come through, she’ll end you herself. Zara will be sweet about it, but knowing you disappointed her, it will be Gino who will come after you.”
Draden couldn’t help smiling and it felt good. Wyatt called it exactly the way it would be. Gino would probably punch him for making his woman sad, and Bellisia would at least pretend to do him in.
“I don’t think I’ve actually seen you smile before,” Wyatt observed. “This woman must be the real deal to teach you how to smile.”
That brought him up short. He didn’t smile often, but he did smile, didn’t he? He honestly couldn’t say. At Nonny? He’d brushed a kiss on her cheek before he’d left for the mission. They all had said good-bye in their own way to her. No, he hadn’t smiled. The triplets? The three beautiful little girls with their dark curls and large eyes and quirky little ways? They were all three geniuses, which wasn’t too surprising considering Wyatt was off the charts and Pepper was extremely intelligent. No, he didn’t smile around them either and he should have. He liked them. He thought the three were little troublemakers and funny as hell, so why didn’t he smile?