Page 60 of Uncharted

“There’s no way of saying they didn’t. I’d only worked with those guys for a short time, but I got good vibes from them.”

“Sam was right. There’s nothing here. Someone came back down.” Easton put all the diamonds in the bag and is holding the necklace around his hand, the charm inside his closed fist.

“Looks like something.” Zane cocks his head.

“This? This isn’t worth much, not to anyone but myself or Emily. These? I’m sure they’re worth something. But nothing near what was in the other bags. And certainly not what the Pink Phoenix is worth. If that was even here.”

“I was coming to see if you would be willing to help dry up the engine room with me.”

“What?” Easton stuffs the necklace in the bag and pushes it into his shorts. “Sorry. Yeah, I’ll be right there.”

“Easton?” Haley puts her hand on his chest. “Are you okay? Maybe you should just lie down and take a break.” Haley moves things to the middle of the bed, giving Easton space to lie down, and he does.

“I’m fine, Haley. It just took me by surprise. I haven’t seen it in a long time. My mom wore it every day. My dad bought it for her on her first Mother’s Day. I wasn’t even born yet. I’m coming now.” Easton swings his legs around the side of the bed and hops up. “Really, Haley, I’m good. It’s game time. I’ve got things to do. I’m the water-boy.”

Haley nods once, stepping out of his way. But she’s got that I’m-not-impressed stew face on. It’s a cross between a smirk and her you’ve-been-a-naughty-boy school teacher look. Easton gives her a quick kiss as he leaves the room, but she grabs his arm. “I’d like to talk about this later. I don’t think stuffing your feelings in your pocket is going to help you in the long run. Because it’s not.”

“I know. You’re right.” Easton smirks.

“What?” Haley’s eyebrows rise, and I sink to the bed. Damn, I love good drama.

“It’s just, I’ve never had anyone care enough to call me out on things before,” says Easton. “It’s good. It’s hard, though. Thank you for caring.”

I groan.

“What?” Easton and Haley say.

I shrug. “Nothing. It would have been more fun if you got yourself into trouble, that’s all.”

“Dante?” Haley scowls.

“Who’s the one in trouble now?” Zane grins, heading for the hallway.

“Me, but then I like being in trouble.” I pull at Haley’s shorts.

She shakes her head at me. “You really are the king of trouble.”

“It’s my middle name.”

She cocks her head.

“What? It’s how I like it, Sassy.” I glance at my wrist where my watch isn’t—weird how I didn’t look for it at all the entire time we were at camp. This feels almost real but not. “It’s stifling in here. I want to finish cooking dinner.”

“I suppose if they don’t need me for something else, I can work on cleaning the main salon.”

“Or maybe you do an Italian-themed table?”

Her blue eyes light up. “I suppose we could all use a little levity.”

“That’s the spirit, Sassy.”

* * *

I’m shredding cheese when Sassy comes into the kitchen holding two separate plates, one a checked red and white and the other an onyx black. “Cute or classy?” She waves them at me.

“Which way are you leaning?”

“Not sure? The red and white is fun.”

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