Chapter One

"I refuse to accept it in that condition," Ace said, glaring at the man who was holding out a clipboard and expecting him to sign the acceptance papers.

"Look, mister, I'm just the deliveryman, and nobody said anything about busted crates. So just sign it so I can get out of here."

Ace kept his hands at his side. "Maybe you can't read, but I can," he said. "The fine print on that contract says that once I accept shipment, it's my responsibility. That means that if it's broken, then it's my problem. But if I find out that it's broken before I sign, then it's your problem. Got it?"

For a moment the man stood there opening and closing his mouth. "Do you know what's in that thing?"

"I most certainly do, since I'm the one who ordered it. And paid for it, I might add."

The man still didn't seem to understand. "So let's get it out of here so we can — "

"No," Ace said. "We open it here and now."

At that the m ... read full excerpt from High Tide ebook