Sammy held Chase's stare for a long, long moment.
Then the shark shifter tilted his head. “Rusty,” he said to one of his henchmen. “Ask Hammer and Eights to step up here, would you?”
*I told you this would work,* Chase sent psychically to Griff, as the henchman disappeared off below decks.
“Don't count your chickens too early,” Griff muttered grimly. “Or your sharks. He's up to something.”
A few uncomfortable minutes passed, during which Sammy and Chase continued to smile at each other. Chase's jaw was starting to ache by the time the henchman hurried back, escorting tw
o other men.
“Hammerhead and… octopus, I think,” Griff informed Chase under his breath.
He didn't have to point out which was which. The hammerhead shark shifter was nearly as big as Sammy, while the octopus shifter had uncannily long, supple fingers. Both looked incredibly edgy.
“Pay attention, Mr. Eagle,” Sammy said to Griff. He switched his attention to his two fidgeting thugs. “Boys, you remember I mentioned a certain Mr. West the other day?”
“Yes boss,” rumbled the hammerhead shifter.
“What exactly did I say?” Sammy asked, glancing over at Griff.
The octopus shifter twined his hands together nervously. “That he was such a good pilot, the only way he'd lose the Rydon Cup was if he broke both his arms.”
“Did I tell you to break both his arms?” Sammy pressed.
Both shifters shook their heads.
“Was I, in fact, laughing and smiling in such a way that might indicate I was just joking around?”
The hammerhead and the octopus shifter nodded silently.
Sammy swung back to Griff. “Seems to me that my boys had what you might call an excess of initiative. A bit of high spirits that just got a little out of hand. Don't you agree, Mr. Eagle?”
Griff mouth set in a thin line. “He's telling the truth. As far as it goes.”
Damn! Chase thought. He maintained his smile, though it took all his willpower. He wasn't going to give the shark shifter the satisfaction of seeing him wrong-footed.
Sammy put his hands in his suit pockets, rocking a little on his heels as he contemplated his cowering henchmen. “Now, boys, from what these nice folks tell me, the Phoenix is very upset about that fire.”
“It wasn't us!” the octopus shifter blurted out.
“It was the girl,” said the hammerhead. “She started it.”
“Yeah.” The octopus shifter nodded vigorously. “If the Phoenix is gonna burn anyone, it should be her.”
“Thank you, Hammer, Eights.” Sammy dismissed them with a flick of his hand, and they scuttled off gratefully.
“Don't you worry, boys,” Sammy said, turning back to Chase and Griff. “I'll make sure my men learn a real good lesson from this little incident. It won't be happening again in future, you have my word. Thank you for bringing the matter to my attention, and please do give the Phoenix my very warmest regards.”
“But what about the plane?” Chase's mind raced frantically. “What about the bet?”
Sammy shrugged. “West already took my money. I intend to collect the payment.”
“I'll pay the money back myself,” Chase said, his fists clenching. “Double. Triple. Whatever you want, just name your price.”
“Now, that's a mighty fine offer. I know your family has deep pockets. But, see, here's the thing.” Sammy gestured around at his luxurious yacht. “So do I. Keep your money, boy. I don't want it. But I do want that plane for my collection. And I intend to have it.”
“Wait!” Chase called, as the shark shifter started to stroll away. “You can't take Connie's plane!”