THE BRAVO BOYS - SNAKE EATER [book three]

Chapter FIFTY NINE

Logan Nash

If there is one corrupt bastard powerful enough to pull off the political manoeuvring it will take to clear Iris and her team of collusion or criminal activity, then I need that man to owe me a favour.. And getting it will take going against everything in my rebellious nature, fighting all rational judgement as I summon the willpower to sell my soul..

If Shelby were here, I'm sure she'd tell me not to do it.. Not to trade my life for hers.. Not to break under the unbearable pressure of fear..

But the truth is I am afraid..

I am afraid of a life without her..

I can so easily understand now why Hendrix made the exchange that he did.. But knowing how Hendrix's decision had so painfully affected Shelby, her sense of sanity, well that only makes me feel worse..

If I could see any other path, if I believed in an alternative solution, I'd try it in a heartbeat..

But this plan is all I have..

Using Dallas's bedazzled cell phone, it takes me a little under thirty seconds to find the necessary number.. Meanwhile my niece, needing something to occupy her worrying mind, wanders off down the corridor to raid the hospital vending machine..

Dallas always snacks when she's stressed.. I know her well enough to see the toll the past few days have taken on her and I wish like hell I could have protected her better or changed the outcomes..

But I can't.. Truthfully, I don't even know if I can actually fix any of this, I just know I have to try..

Hitting the dial button, I lift the receiver to my ear, to hear the trill of the tone as it rings, once, then twice again before a bubbly receptionist answers.. "Sabre Corp, this is Cara, how may I direct your call?"

"Good morning, Mam'.. My name is Logan Nash; I need to speak with Alistair Sabre.." I do my best to hold a steady voice, disguising the tension I feel in my chest and the sharpness of breath in my lungs..

Quickly apologetic, Cara makes a practised attempt to palm me off.. "I'm sorry Sir, Mr Sabre isn't taking any calls-"

"Cara, is it?" I cut her off, infusing my tone with a friendly and persuasive cadence, allowing my lazy Texan accent to thicken to warm molasses..

"Yes, Sir.." I can practically hear her blushing through the phone and a coy smile in her reply..

"Listen, I know you're a busy woman and I'm sure your boss don't much appreciate you like he should, but I gotta warn you this is of the utmost importance, Cara.. See, Alistair, he needs what I got, and if he finds out you're the one who delayed its delivery- Well I can only imagine he might not take so kindly to ya'.. Now I wouldn't want nothin' bad to happen to you, Darlin', you sound mighty sweet and I would sure hate for you to lose your job over somethin' so simple.. So why don't you just go and let Mr Sabre know that the director of Alpha-Tech is calling.. And tell him I've got what he needs.. I'll hold.."

"Oh- kay- um- just one moment, Sir.." She fumbles briefly before the line beeps as she places me on hold..

...

"Mr Nash!" Alistar's smug timbre vibrates down the line after a few long minutes of waiting.. "That was quite the play you made, sending Ms Santiago to buy up Blackstar shares before the bell.. I'll admit, I was impressed, if not entirely fucked off by the betrayal.. Here I brought you reliable intel about your little girlfriend's daddy, and you repay me with something like this? Tsk, tsk, tsk.." Alistair clicks his tongue at me in exaggerated disapproval.. Reminding me of just how much of a smarmy prat the man is..