AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The two men laughed, sharing the story.
“I knew Ece wasn’t for me, Jake. I shouldn’t have gone to London with her and made her believe I was in love with her. I liked her. We had good sexual chemistry, but I didn’t love her, and I knew it. I feel bad about that.”
“Son, don’t feel bad about it. In the end, your instincts were right, and you did what you needed to. You left her. Now look what you got. A wife, a little girl, and a son on the way,” smiled Jake. “You’ve hit the jackpot.”
“I guess I did,” smiled Moose. He turned to Jake, watching his eyes as he laughed at Jennifer. “I’m sorry you couldn’t have children, Jake.”
“Me? Boy, look around you. I’m like Matthew. I got hundreds of children. I not only got my girl, I got all of this here that I’m watching out for. All of you. No man could ask for more, Moose. Nor would I dare to ask for more. I just might get it,” he laughed. Jake stood, his knees cracking as he did.
“You’re a good man, Moose. You’re going to be an amazing father and husband. But trust your teammates to watch out for them. I can tell you’re itching to be with them. There are at least a hundred men right here watching them. You go, do you.”
Moose nodded at him as he walked off, tossing Jennifer into the air as he passed by. He caught her, gave her a raspberry on her neck, then gently set her back down. When his phone rang, he stared at the number, thinking it might be bugged.
“Hello?”
“Major? It’s Ece. I need to speak to all of you.”
“We’ll come to you,” he said. “Where are you?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Without knocking, a young monk entered their room and set the tray of food on the table. He smiled at the visitors and bowed as he turned to leave. Remembering the message, he turned back.
“Jae-Hua will see you in the courtyard in an hour,” he said.
“Thank you,” nodded May. When the door closed, they removed the tray cover to see fresh ox tail, rice, pickles, and an assortment of vegetables.
“I’m not sure I can eat that,” frowned Tanner.
“It would be an insult,” said Hiro. “Just try a little of all of it.”
“Who eats pickles for breakfast?”
“Monks,” smiled May. “It’s filling, nutritious, and stores well. I suspect the ox was made just for us. They usually don’t eat meat.”
“Lucky us,” frowned Tanner. Despite his complaints, he ended up eating the entire plate. The pickles were closer to a spicy cucumber than the acidic pickles he knew from home. It was filling and satisfying.
The sun was bright today, already making temperatures soar. Gathering their things, they made their way into the courtyard and took a seat at one of the many tables with stools. A few moments later, a young man walked out and bowed to them.
“Are you Jae-Hua?” asked Tanner in Korean.
“Yes. If you are here to kill me, do not do it in front of the monks. They’ve been good to me.”
“We are not here to kill you,” said Hiro. “We’re terribly sorry to hear of your wife and child. Is there anything we can do for you?” He stared at the strangers, unsure of whether or not this was a joke. Shaking his head, he slowly took a seat across from the men.
“We mean you no harm at all,” said May. “We are friends with Hae-Won Park.”
“They’ve succeeded, haven’t they? They’ve killed her.”
“Who succeeded?” asked Tanner. The man said nothing, just staring at them.
“She is alive and well,” said May. “Her daughter too. In fact, she’s quite happy in a safe location. She married a friend of ours.”
Now, he was certain they were lying to him. How could she still be alive if the guards went after her?
“We’re not lying,” said Tanner, reading his expression. “She is safe. Were you ordered to kill her?”
“No,” he said, shaking his head. “I was ordered to not tell anyone that General Park killed President Wi-Kym Chuen. I just couldn’t continue to watch him destroy what I loved, who I loved. I thought of killing him myself many times.”
