Romancing the Treasure - Cami Checketts Page 0,1

of hot water they could get themselves into?

“I’m out,” Tanner said. “If I go on a reality show I won’t be able to do uncover jobs to fight trafficking anymore.”

Emerald gave him a level look. “We’re way ahead of you, Mr. McKay. Obfuscation software is available for any of you who would like your face obscured during the show.”

“Perfect for plug-uglies like you.” Ryker pushed at Tagg who shoved him back. They all laughed.

“I appreciate you thinking of that but t’s not worth it,” Tanner said. “Women and me are no bueno.”

Emerald tilted her chin in a challenge and asked, “What would you do it for?”

Britton’s heart picked up in speed. Apparently, whoever was funding this show really wanted him and his men. Maybe the producer would earn it back, but maybe not. “Who’s your boss?” he asked before Tanner could answer.

Emerald shook her head and her face tightened. “I’m not at liberty to say.”

Britton looked at the other men. They were starting to look uneasy. “How do we know he or she can be trusted to pay us? That they’re not going to put us into some modern-day gladiator situation?”

“I will swear to you on a stack of Holy Bibles,” Emerald began. “This job is legit. Yes, you will face obstacles and danger. Maybe the women will be hard to protect or work with, but it will be well worth it for you.”

They all stared at her, obviously wanting more. For Brit it was enough; he was struggling with facing his future at this point anyway. A week of adventure and testing sounded much better than trying to find a death-defying job where he could risk his life and help others. He didn’t want his men to needlessly risk themselves, but they were all strong, well-trained—by him—and more than up for any adventure.

“I can also promise you my boss is the best man I’ve ever known,” Emerald continued. Ace’s shoulders rounded at that statement and his eyes dimmed. “He’s a billionaire who honors veterans and wanted to give you men the chance to earn a large paycheck. You can trust him, and you can trust me.”

The room was silent for a moment. Tanner said, a little belligerently, “Sorry. It’s just not that enticing to me.”

“I need you all to commit or I have to find another group.” Emerald looked a little weary at that prospect. “And unbeknownst to you, I’ve been researching all of you and the women you’ll be paired with. I have put a lot of time and thought into this.” She held up a hand before any of them could protest further. “Not that any of you should care about the time I’ve spent. I’m just saying that your adventures and your female counterparts would be a good match for each of you. Yes, it will be dangerous, but I thought you were all the type to laugh in the face of danger.”

Ace poked out his chest. “I am.”

Britton had to hide a smile. Her baiting would work for some, but Tanner still appeared uninterested.

“What’s it going to take, Mr. McKay?” she swung on Tanner. “A hundred grand?”

Someone whistled and Ace called out, “Sign me up.”

Emerald gave Ace a warm smile that brought the brightness back to his eyes. She looked back at Tanner. She must have had schooling on how to read people, because she seemed to quickly know he wasn’t in yet. “Two hundred thousand?” she upped the ante.

“Please,” Ace said to Tanner.

Tanner smiled at him, shaking his head. “I don’t know, man.”

“Five hundred thousand,” Emerald said.

The room went dead silent. Even Tanner looked impressed. A few beats passed, then some of the men started muttering, some talking more loudly.

“I could start my restaurant on Vieques,” Eli said.

“I could pay off my grandpa’s farm,” Satchel said.

“I could fight trafficking full time for a lot of years on half a million dollars,” Tagg added.

They all nodded. Each of them had dreams and goals, charities or businesses they wanted to start, lives they wanted to lead. Everybody except Britton. Their leader, who now had no idea where he was going with his life. He loved supporting and working with a variety of causes, but he couldn’t say any one of them was his life’s calling. In the past twelve years, his men and his missions had distracted him from the emptiness of his future, but now that he was back home, it had hit him between the eyes. If only he dared confide in his trusted