Page 292 of Heart of Frost and Scars

We avenged Frankie.

It’s early morning when we return to the cabin and find her waiting on the porch with Oliver.

She takes one look at our blood-soaked appearances and grimaces. “Showers for everyone.”

We step into the cabin, bloodied, exhausted, and relieved.

The smell of death clings to the air, but it’s fainter now, not as overwhelming as before.

I exchange a look with Kody. He notices it, too.

Drawn by the need to confirm my senses, I veer toward the kitchen, expecting to see the grotesque dinner party Rhett left behind. But the kitchen is empty. The bodies are gone.

Oliver appears before us, his eyes flat, kind of scary. “I moved the corpses into the walk-in freezer.”

I blink, the answer almost too simple, too practical. He says it like it’s nothing, just another task he had to check off his list.

Who am I to judge?

I just hacked up a heart surgeon without hesitation or regret.

Kody and Wolf head upstairs to shower in our old bathroom.

“Monty.” Frankie brushes her fingers against his, drawing his attention. “Oliver wants to cash in his favor.”

That was quick. The Ghost doesn’t fuck around.

Monty stiffens, his brow furrowing as he turns to Oliver. “What do you want?”

“I want the cabin.” Oliver doesn’t smile, doesn’t even blink. “This cabin.”

“What for?” Monty’s eyes widen with surprise.

Oliver gives him a blank look, the same inscrutable expression he’s worn since we met him.

It’s unsettling, the way he can make even the simplest requests feel like something darker, something that should be questioned.

Monty glances at me, then back at Oliver, and there’s a sudden flash of worry in his eyes.

“Does that mean you’re no longer my chef?” he asks, his voice lighter, but there’s an edge to it. “No more Eggs Benedict?”

Silence.

Monty’s unease grows as Oliver remains expressionless, giving no indication one way or another.

There’s no negotiation here. Monty agreed to Oliver’s terms when he hired him. Now Monty must pay it.

“Monty.” Frankie’s tone carries a quiet authority that we all instinctively respond to. “I intended to scorch this place to the ground when we leave. Oliver wants the cabin and the second plane, too. He’ll stay behind and deal with the bodies.”

“You can fly a plane?” Monty cocks a brow at Oliver.

“I can do many things.”

He jumps out of planes, too. This dude has secrets.

“I have a bone to pick with you.” Monty steps into Oliver’s space.

“Interesting word choice,” I mumble.

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