“It’s okay,” he said. “Hartley, these are my friends. This is Flynn and this is Gage.”
The man with the green eyes named Flynn smiled. “Good to meet you, Hartley.”
Gage nodded. “Hartley.”
“Hi, guys,” I said.
“They’re here to help us,” Travis added. “They have a pretty important role at the end of this.”
“Anything I do is pretty important,” Flynn said.
“Now I know that isn’t true,” Gage said. “Flynn here has a very high opinion of himself, though I have no clue why.”
“It’s because I’m incredibly handsome and smart,” Flynn said.
“Enough from you two,” Travis said, cutting them off. He opened the apartment door. “Let’s get inside.”
The two men grinned at me as we walked inside. Travis took the lead and the other two fell in behind me. I realized just from watching them move that they were both SEALs just like Travis. He must have called them in for backup.
Now I had three Navy SEALs involved in this, trying to save my life. I couldn’t decide if I felt horrible or grateful. Probably a mix of both.
We got into my apartment and instantly the men looked around like they were scouting for danger. Once they were satisfied, Travis leaned up against the kitchen counter while the two guys sat down at the table.
“Can I get you anything?” I asked them.
“I’m good,” Gage said.
“Whisky might be nice.”
Travis laughed. “Might be early for that. Plus, we have work to do tonight.”
“Don’t matter,” he said. “Whisky anyway.”
I got a glass and poured him a drink. Travis got three more glasses and poured everyone else a drink. He raised his glass.
“To defeating our enemies,” he said.
“Here, here,” Gage answered.
We toasted and drank.
I had to admit, the whisky felt good. I was exhausted, but I was also stressed close to my breaking point. Just getting a little alcohol in my stomach helped to calm me down a little bit, and when I noticed Travis giving me a look, I suspected that was exactly what he had intended.
“So,” Travis said finally, “we’re here for a reason.”
“We’re not just getting hammered?” Flynn asked.
“Unfortunately,” Gage said.
“Putting us to fucking work,” Flynn joked.
“That’s the only thing you’re good for, Flynn,” Travis said.
“What, working?”
He grinned. “No. Fighting.”
Flynn laughed. “Damn right.”
“Can we get down to it?” Gage cut in.
“Plan is simple. I’m setting up a meeting with the Dixie Mafia tonight. I’m going to make sure their leader is there, a guy named Merton Digger.”
“Merton?” Flynn asked, cutting in. “What kinda name is that?”
“Southern,” Gage answered. “Now shut up.”
“Anyway,” Travis went on, “Merton is the leader of the Dixie Mob in this area. The Dixie is spread out all over the south, but the Caldwells only care about drug rights in Knoxville. So if we take him out, the Dixie will be like a snake without a head. The Caldwells won’t have much trouble taking over.”
“Seems simple enough,” Flynn said. “But how are you going to get him at this meeting?”
“You let me worry about that. You two are playing support. Basically, hang back and keep an eye on things. If shit goes south, I’ll need you guys to pull me out.”
“Easy,” Gage said. “Just a little snatch and grab. I can do that in my sleep.”
“Yeah,” Flynn complained. “Can’t we get something a little more fun?”
Travis gave him a look. “This is fun enough, man. You’re not in fucking Pakistan. You can’t go all Rambo here.”
“Sure I can,” he grumbled.
“What about me?” I cut in suddenly.
The three men looked at me.
“You don’t have to do anything,” Travis said. “You saw enough violence this morning, Hartley. You can sit this out.”
“No need for you to see anything else,” Flynn added soberly.
“No,” I said. “No. I know I messed up, but I can’t just let you guys take all the risk.”
“That’s what we’re here for,” Gage said. “We’re making sure that risk is damn tiny.”
“He’s right, Hartley. You don’t need to be anywhere near this,” Travis said. “We can handle it. Believe me.”
“Travis, please. I want to help finish this.”
He glanced over at Gage, who shrugged. Travis looked back at me. “It’s going to get violent. Men are going to die again. Hell, we may get shot at. Are you sure you want to put yourself in the middle of this?”