Two Dauntless Hearts

“Hey.” He laid a hand on Buck’s shoulder.

“You snooze, you lose, buddy.” Buck grinned up at him. “Besides, I want to get to know this new, sexy Marly. She’s hot.”

By the time Pitbull turned to the seat on the other side of Marly, Big Jake had settled in.

When Pitbull glared at him, he frowned. “What? Do you want me to move or something?”

He wanted to say Get the hell out of my seat, but why? Marly wasn’t his property. He had no more of a valid reason to sit beside her than any one of his teammates. They all wanted to be close to the beauty she’d transformed into. The only difference between him and them was they wanted her for what she’d become. Pitbull wanted Marly for the woman in the flight suit, not the one in the fancy blue dress.

He took the seat across the table from her and contented himself with staring at her as often as he liked.

The meal was excellent, served in seven courses. By the time dinner was over, Pitbull could swear he’d ground his back teeth into nubs. Who ate dinner over the space of two hours? The longest meal he’d ever had lasted maybe fifteen minutes, tops. In the military, you ate fast, not knowing when you’d be interrupted by enemy fire.

He wanted out of the suffocating pretentiousness of the house, out in the night where he could stretch his arms and legs, and remember what it meant to be free. At least there, the animals wouldn’t give a damn which fork he used with the salad and which he used with dessert.

When the dessert was served, he jammed it down his throat, pushed back from the table and half stood, ready to make a run for the exit.

“Mr. Taylor, are you up on the dangers of the African safari?” Talia asked.

He sat back down in the chair. For a long time, he didn’t say anything. Finally, he nodded. “I know not to move around alone in the night and to make sure my weapon of choice will bring down a man or an elephant, whichever attacks me first.”

Talia nodded. “You’re right. The four-legged animals can get testy when you invade their space. They usually don’t attack in this area, but we’ve had a rogue lion sneak in the past few nights and steal away a farm animal or, in the worst-case scenario, a child.”

Marly’s soft gasp could be heard around the table. “Did they find the child?”

Talia shook her head, her mouth turning downward at the corners. “Sadly, no.”

Marly glanced down at her half-eaten cheesecake. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Talia forced a smile to her lips. “My goal wasn’t to make for depressing dinner conversation. I just want you to be aware of the dangers lurking in the dark. Don’t go out alone, and don’t assume you’re safe. The animals have learned humans can be easy targets.” She placed her palms on the table and stood. “That said, please don’t hesitate to enjoy the walled gardens behind the house. We’ve never had any big cats attempt to scale the walls.”

When Talia had risen from the table, all of the men rose with her.

Pitbull pushed his chair up to the table. “On that note, I could use some fresh air.”

“Please, make yourself at home,” Talia said. “And you’re welcome to play pool as late as you like, or have drinks at the bar. The house is well insulated, so the noise won’t bother other guests.”

Harm nodded toward T-Mac. “You and I have a game to win. We can’t let Big Jake and Diesel claim the title.”

Big Jake shook his head. “I’m out. I’d rather have a beer and watch.” He tipped his head toward Buck. “Let Buck and Diesel clean your clocks.”

Buck cracked his knuckles. “You won’t have a chance against me and Diesel.”

T-Mac laughed. “I’ve seen you play. You’re all talk.”

“Put your money where your mouth is,” Buck said. “I’ve got a twenty saying we’ll win.”

“Make it thirty. I could use the extra cash in my pocket,” T-Mac shot back.

“You ladies care to join us?” Harm asked Marly and Talia.

Talia smiled. “I’d love to.”

Marly shook her head. “I’ll pass. Sounds too intense for me. I’ve had my share of intensity for the day.”

“Right.” Harm nodded. “Landing a plane in the middle of a herd of water buffalos and zebras has to be a bit extreme.” He shrugged. “If you get bored or lonely, join us anytime.”

“Yeah.” Buck winked. “We’ll be up late wiping the floor with these guys.”