Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 107639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“Too right,” he barked before his face softened. “You have your mother’s looks, thank god.”
Nan took the seat next to Cora and glanced between us. “What’s happening in San Cordova? Isn’t that where your friend is?”
I nodded absently while I searched for news on my phone.
San Cordovan Government Betrays Miners
Copper Toxins Threaten Island Nation
Citizens of San Cordova Protest Government Corruption
I scanned the articles and murmured a few of the details as I came across them. “Looks like there was a breakdown of the filtration system that limits exposure of toxic particles and gasses. I guess this would usually trigger a shutdown of mining activity until they can get it up and running again, but the government granted the mining company an exception and extended the allowable exposure time…” I continued reading. “There are allegations of government corruption and bribes. It mentions a history of similar broken promises. The people are protesting.”
Nan frowned. “Do you think your friend is safe?”
“I talked to him last night,” I said, trying to reassure both of us. “He sounded fine. So far, it seems fairly benign. No violence has been reported.”
“Good.”
I tried calling Kenji, but it went directly to voicemail. I shot him a text.
Are you reading the news? What are they saying about the protests there?
I sent him links to the news articles but quickly realized I was being overly dramatic. Angry copper miners didn’t have a beef with the tourists, and from what the articles said, the environmental toxins were dangerous to people working in the mine, not necessarily tourists several miles away.
Still. I worried. There was only one airstrip on the island. It was conceivable protests could impact Kenji’s ability to get out of there safely if things escalated.
I forced myself to get a grip and calm down. Kenji was smart and travel savvy. He was also fairly risk-averse. He could handle himself. Thankfully, he was staying in the kind of high-end resort that would keep its customers apprised of the situation in town.
Still, I groaned in relief when my phone rang many hours later.
“Sorry it’s so late,” Kenji said as soon as I answered. “Were you asleep?”
“No. I was too worried,” I admitted.
I’d managed to keep my cool for the rest of the day and through an interminable dinner with the family. If Davencourts weren’t too civilized to yell, people across the park would have heard how displeased the family was by my proposed two-year delay in stepping forward as the heir. As night came without a phone call from Kenji, though, my anxiety had ramped up.
In desperation, I’d even tried to lose myself in Netflix since their algorithm had my personality on lock somehow and they always suggested the best shows, but that hadn’t worked, either. There was nothing new since the last time I’d logged in a couple of weeks before.
“Yeah, well…” He let out a breath. “I had my phone off until I overheard some of the guests talking about the situation in town.”
“What are they saying?”
“Resort management is acting like it’s no big deal, as if the locals protest over every little thing. But several of the guests are concerned enough to leave early.”
I hesitated, worried my asking him to leave would have the opposite effect. “Kenji… I think you should consider—”
He cut me off. “I called to get a flight just in case, but they’re all full.”
I let out a breath of relief. “I’ll send the plane.”
“There’s no point. They’re not approving any new aircraft into the island’s airspace. Apparently, the media attention has made it a zoo at the airport, and they could barely handle their air traffic on a good day.”
I was surprised to hear a hint of nerves in his voice. Kenji was never nervous. He always had his shit together with several different backup plans, all with their own shit together, too. He was the most quietly confident person I knew, and nothing ruffled him.
“What are you going to do?” I asked. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“The managers of the resort are assuring us we’re safe where we are. That they have plenty of supplies even in a worst-case scenario, and they have armed guards at the resort gates. Obviously, Chaska himself is encouraging everyone to remain calm and stick around.”
I could only imagine. “Let me guess. He said something to the effect of… ‘Whatever storm rages around us, remember—it will pass, as all storms do. Together, we will weather this moment. Peace begins here, with you.’ Or some bullshit like that.”
The warm rumble of his laugh made me grin like a fool. “You’re learning. A few more of those and you’ll be well on your way to being a die-hard apostle. I should bring you back a meditation robe and incense-burning kit.”
“Are you worried?” I asked softly. “You must be if you’re trying to get out of there.”