Romancing the Treasure - Cami Checketts Page 0,2

pastor about the impetuous vow he’d made at eighteen. The vow that now made it impossible for him to ever find love and have a family.

In the military, with his friends, life hadn’t felt quite so empty.

Shaking the depressing thoughts off, he looked at his former team, now his friends. Half a million dollars would change their lives. Maybe this was exactly what he needed to move forward in a positive way. He’d never have love or a family of his own, but at least he could have a purpose. If he stepped forward, he knew they’d follow suit. It was what they’d been trained to do, but they also trusted him implicitly.

“I’m in,” Britton said, stepping up next to Emerald and giving her a nod, then looking out over the team. He wanted to know exactly who her boss was. There was a chance it was his old high school teammate-turned-billionaire, but it didn’t really matter at the moment. He and his buddies needed this.

Relief showed in the woman’s blue eyes. She smiled her gratitude. “Your leader is in. What about the rest of you?”

Ace nodded eagerly, giving her a secretive smile that luckily only Britton and Emerald saw or the razzing would’ve been off the charts. Emerald’s cheeks tinged pink.

Satchel and Kane nodded more reluctantly.

“It’s intriguing,” Denzel admitted. “I’ll commit to one week for half a million dollars.”

“Let’s do this,” Eli said.

“Let’s go, boys!” Ryker hollered, flexing and letting out a whoop.

Emerald appeared amused as the rest of them chuckled. Everyone’s eyes went to the last two holdouts. Tanner and Tagg looked at each other. They’d been best friends since college and were heavily involved in the anti-trafficking battle. It would be tough for them to take a break, but a week wasn’t that long. Half a million dollars would give them the independence to commit more time and money to their causes.

“It is a smart move,” Denzel said quietly to them.

Tagg nodded. “Let’s do it.”

Tanner put up his hands. “I want it known that I’m doing this for all of you, not for some unknown woman she’s matched me up with.”

Ryker bounded over to him and put him in a headlock, rubbing his head as Tanner fought him off. “That’s my boy. Always thinking of others.”

Everyone laughed and started jostling each other. The room was suddenly full of excitement and anticipation. Half a million dollars would be incredible, but the adventure could be a lot of fun too. The unknown called to them.

Britton felt a peace settle over him. Everyone was in, and he had a purpose again.

“Now,” Emerald called and they settled a little bit, “each of you will have to commit to no contact with the media for the next six months until the shows have all aired.”

They all shrugged and then nodded. What did they care about interviews and exposure?

“Thank you. You will also have to commit to no contact with each other for the next eight weeks,” Emerald said, still smiling.

“What?” The room seemed to explode with that one question. Ryker released Tanner and joined in the calls of, “No way! We can’t do that!”

Emerald’s smile was replaced with a look of panic as she tried to talk over the noise. “Please, please.”

“Listen to her,” Ace hollered, but nobody was listening.

“Please,” she tried to continue. “I know it will be rough because you’re close friends, but with one of you having an adventure each week for the next eight weeks, we can’t have you sharing information.” She looked to Britton. “Please, help me explain to them.”

“Team,” Britton called sharply.

Everyone stopped talking and looked to him.

“You don’t have to do this, but I think we all know what a difference we can each make with half a million dollars.” He paused and looked at each of them in turn. “Eight weeks will go quickly and we’ll be back together laughing about our adventures. Besides, after living with you savages for years, a break will help me fit in with civilized people.” He smirked and waited for their response.

The other men’s eyes moved from one to another as they carried on a non-verbal conversation they’d perfected through numerous missions.

Ace was the first to speak. “Well, Cap, you couldn’t carry a tune even if you had a bucket.”

“And he snores,” added Tagg.

Denzel waved a dismissive hand. “You’re picking on Cap? Don’t get me started on how bad all of your feet smell after three days without changing socks. I’ll gladly take eight weeks without smelling that.”

Brit