Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem ( Elysia and Tarquin)

Evan stuck his tongue out, making a face as he translated for White.

"Great-grandpa and Great-grandma aren't here, but all their stuff still is."

"Every cabin's got someone on guard. Every place to stay is already taken."

"The storage shed is packed with all kinds of animal pelts and meat. And... there are over a dozen dead black storks."

Elysia's brows shot up in alarm. Black storks-those were on the endangered species list!

They were called the "pandas of the bird world" because they were so rare. And these people had killed more than ten?

Were these poachers?

But her grandparents had lived in these mountains for years, treating the animals as friends. How could they possibly allow people to kill so many protected animals?

Wait. Maybe they hadn't allowed it—but what could they do?

There were so many intruders, all of them armed. What could her grandparents possibly do against them?

Elysia's worry deepened, both for her grandparents and for the animals that had suffered.

"White says that when these people arrived, Great-grandpa and Great-grandma had already left," Evan said suddenly.

Elysia blinked in surprise. "They left? What do you mean?"

"They went out. Left the place."

"Where did they go?"

"No idea yet. White heard that they left yesterday evening. Not long after, these people showed up."

Elysia felt a little bit of relief.

At least her grandparents hadn't been caught by these people.

"Don't worry, Mom," Elliot piped up. "I'll ask White to look around some more."

White could talk to the animals in the forest, so it'd be easier for them to get info. After sending White off with his new mission, Elliot furrowed his brow and turned to Tarquin.

"Dad, shouldn't we get someone over here and ask a few more questions?" Tarquin nodded he had the same thought. "I'll take care of it."

He walked to the cabin door and knocked.

It took a while before someone strode over, scowling. "What do you want?"noveldrama

Tarquin didn't waste words. He slid a watch through the crack of the door.

"You can sell that secondhand and get at least five hundred grand."

The guard's eyes went wide. He snatched up the watch, checked it over, and slipped it into his pocket.

Tarquin laid out his terms, calm as ever. "I'm thirsty. I want some water."

"Tough luck," the guard snapped. He had the watch, but he wasn't about to open the door.

Tarquin didn't seem surprised. His tone was mild, almost casual.

"If I can hand you a watch worth half a million, it means I'm loaded. I've got plenty more valuables on me. If you don't want to trade water for my money, I'm sure someone else will. I'll just shout for the others.

The guard bristled, feeling threatened. He hissed, "Try yelling, and I swear I'll shoot you all right now!"

Tarquin raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Will you? Your boss said not to touch us before he left."

He took a deep breath, looking ready to shout. The guard lunged to stop him, panicked. "Shut up!"

His tone was harsh.

"I'll get you a bottle of water, but if you're lying about the money, I'll break your legs."

Tarquin said nothing, just waited.

The guard hurried away and

moments later, he slipped inside the

cabin, shutting the door fast behind

him-obviously, he didn't want

anyone else to know about his little side deal.

He pointed his gun at Tarquin. "Where's the rest of the stuff?"

A flash of cold calculation darted through Tarquin's eyes. With a swift move, he grabbed the gun and turned it on the guard.

"Don't move."

The guard froze, stunned. He only realized he'd been tricked when Tarquin pulled the trigger.

Click.

The empty chamber snapped, and

the guard's eyes nearly popped out of his head. He collapsed onto the

$69, breath coming in

shallow bursts.

“Please—please, don't kill me!"

Tarquin's expression was icy. "Answer a few questions, and I won't."

The man nodded frantically. "Ask—just ask!"

Tarquin's voice was calm and dangerous. "Who are you people?"

The man's face twisted in fear. He hesitated, but with the gun pointed right at him, he caved immediately.