Page 51 of Paradise & Vodka
"Oh? So, are you still in Fiji?" I asked, looking at the palm trees and shit behind him.
"Yeah, so, about that…" He looked away from the screen, and I furrowed my brow. Something seemed off. "There was a tsunami—"
"No shit?" I hadn't been online or anything to get any news because Joss and I had gone out for dinner. "Are you guys okay?"
"Yeah, so…" He paused and looked away again, and my gaze caught on Joss's as she arched a brow. "I need for you to transfer a million dollars—"
I snorted. "A million dollars? What the fuck, dude?"
"A guy I met and his three friends need it. Told them I could come through."
In an instant, Joss was walking out of the bathroom. She had her cell phone to her ear and was likely already on the line with someone at headquarters. In this day and age, we were able to trace a call right away, but I tried to keep Nick on the line just in case. Something was off for sure. Nick would never need a million dollars for someone, and I knew that he was in Fiji for Saddles & Racks.
"Okay. Well, it's going to take me some time," I replied.
"How long?"
"It's not like I have it sitting around."
"I have half in a few of my accounts. You can find the info at my place. You can transfer it to yourself first."
I nodded. "Good, I'll go over there tomorrow. I think I can get the other half, but I'll need to transfer some things around."
His blue gaze moved to someone behind the phone, and then as he spoke, he moved the camera view to something behind him. I took a screenshot, not sure what it was but figuring he was trying to tell me something. "Yeah, so, how long will it take? I have an account number for you to transfer it into."
I didn't answer him. "Are you coming home after you give yourfriendthe money?"
He tilted the screen back so I could see his face. "I'm not sure. Like I said, there was a tsunami. Things are crazy over here."
So, the tsunami was real? Was Nick's newfrienda pirate or some shit? Did he get picked up before the tidal wave or because of it? And where was his date?
"How's your girl?"
His stare moved to the other side of where it had before, and he gave a sad but compassionate smile. "Doing the best she can."
Joss came back into the bathroom and nodded once as though she had what we needed.
"Good," I said to Nick. "Let me see what I can do about the money."
"You need to hurry."
"Seeing as I've never done this before, not sure how long it will take."
His gaze moved to the first person behind the phone. "I'm gonna need that in an hour."
"An hour?" I grunted. "Banks are closed at this hour."
"What time is it there?" he asked.
"Just after seven at night."
He paused and then said, "Make that twenty hours. That should be enough time for the banks to open and get the wire transfers going."
"Okay," I agreed. "Twenty-hours, but are you—"
The call disconnected.
"What do you have?" I asked my wife. We were both in agent mode, the thought of her not being pregnant forgotten for the moment.
