Free The Razor's Edge: A Postapocalytic Novel (The New World Book 6) by G. Michael Hopf Page B

take a seat. I’ll have some drinks brought in and we’ll discuss why you’re here,” Jacques pleaded.
    Gordon’s nostrils flared and his fists were still clenched. He felt a strong temptation to pummel Jacques relentlessly but doing so would only result in his own death. No, he had to contain his anger and listen to what Jacques had to say while concocting a plan to escape.
    “Gordon is correct. This will never occur,” Cruz said, looking at the map.
    “Gentlemen, please sit…sit! We have much to discuss, and I promise when I’m done, your answers to my proposal will be yes,” Jacques said with a grin.
    Gordon began pacing.
    Cruz walked over to one of the large leather chairs and sat.
    “Gordon, please sit,” Jacques said.
    “No, I need to walk off my anger.”
    “Very well, let me get some drinks.”
    “Stop the bullshit and tell us why we’re here,” Gordon snapped.
    “Fine, I just thought just because we’re adversaries we shouldn’t be heathens,” Jacques said rubbing his jaw. “You have a strong punch.”
    Gordon leered.
    “You’ve taken us hostage, and now we see you have aims to take over a large swath of the United States—” Cruz said before Gordon interrupted.
    “And Cascadia,” Gordon interjected.
    Cruz gave Gordon a slight look and continued, “Just get to the point, please.”
    Jacques sat in the chair opposite Cruz, crossed his leg and placed his hands on his lap. “Western Canada has had long-standing claims to the lands that you’ve seen marked on the map. Our claims go far back, much further than the existence of the United States in the west and clearly before the existence of Cascadia. With those confines gone, we in Western Canada intend on asserting our claim. We wish to do so through a peaceful treaty but are willing to wage war.”
    “This isn’t a game of Risk,” Cruz said, his response also targeted at Gordon.
    “I can assure you this isn’t a game, and our intentions, now made, will be exercised. I just want to do this peacefully,” Jacques said.
    “I’ll never,” Gordon spat.
    “Gordon is clearly angry, as I am, but he and I have different approaches, but I agree with him a thousand percent. I’ll never surrender the territory of the United States.”
    “That’s not entirely true, Mr. Cruz. You were considering that with Mr. Van Zandt before I showed up,” Jacques said.
    “I, ah,” Cruz mumbled.
    “Everything is up for negotiation,” Jacques said.
    “Never going to happen, ever,” Gordon again asserted.
    Jacques leaned in and said, “Gentlemen, I never had the pleasure of having a family, sometimes I wish I had taken the time, but life got in the way. I envy you both. Sometimes I look back and wish I had done it differently, but then I see my life as it is today and wonder if I could have gotten here with them. I don’t know and I personally don’t like looking back with doubt much less guilt. What I do know is that families offer a deep connection, an intimacy that is priceless.” Jacques paused and gave both men a hard stare.
    Gordon grunted loudly to show his disgust for Jacques.
    Cruz sat drumming his fingers in anticipation of where Jacques was going with his long diatribe.
    “But families also compromise a man. For all the strength they give, they give an equal weakness. You see, a family offers a man something to fight for but can also be used to stop a man from fighting.”
    Gordon now knew where he was going with this. “You’re now threatening my family?”
    “No, Gordon, I’m threatening you. I know you’re willing to sacrifice a lot to have Cascadia but are you willing to sacrifice your family? The same goes for you, Mr. Cruz. Does land mean more to you than your family?”
    Cruz stood up and asked, “Is this how you plan on negotiating?”
    “As a matter of fact, yes,” Jacques answered.
    “Whatever you thought you had planned won’t happen,” Gordon said.
    “Don’t be so sure,” Jacques said then stood. He walked to