Page 28 of Absolution

Collins.

Kenner hadn’t spoken to that spineless son-of-a-bitch for a long time. He hadn’t been impressed when Collins had let him down all those years ago, but perhaps it was time for a second chance. Collins had failed to eliminate Bowman on their special op, and Kenner had made his discontent about the balls-up well and truly clear, but time seemed to have softened the jagged edges of that loss.

Enjoying his comfortable life, Bowman was barely an aggravation Kenner needed to take care of. He certainly wasn’t worth elevating Kenner’s blood pressure.

Maybe I’m getting soft in my old age?

His gaze slid back to the blonde, recalling the hours of passion they’d shared. He definitelyhadn’tbeen soft where she was concerned.

“I’m going outside.” Rising from his lounger, he strode around the pool, enjoying the curve of her tight little ass as he headed for the terrace. “You stay and swim.”

He didn’t wait for her to respond as he opened the French doors and stalked outside. Hitting the call button, he pushed the door closed behind him and raised his face to the waning sun as the dialing tone echoed in his ear. The weather would have been much better at his Caribbean home, but until his ‘Tucker Bowman’ problem was resolved, he was stuck in England.

“Mr. Kenner?” Collins sounded shocked as the call connected. After the way things had been left between them, Kenner was hardly surprised.

“Collins.” He ran his hand over the back of the stone-chiseled waterfall. The feature had been switched off for the season, but he still admired its craftsmanship. “Long time, no hear. How are you?” Not that he gave a shit, but even Kenner could do pleasantries when he was in the mood. Fortunately for Collins, the pretty blonde had helped his disposition.

“I’m… okay.”

“I heard about your new work situation.” Kenner suppressed the snigger that rose in his throat. “How are you faring?”

The fact that Collins’ elevated position had recently been snatched away was not lost on Kenner. It was probably the reason Collins’ name had lingered so long in his head. Kenner had been instrumental in the worm’s rise through the military ranks, maneuvering Collins into the special operations team alongside Bowman, then beyond Bowman’s rank. But when Kenner’s pals in the military had indicated Collins’ inherent lack of ability, his demotion had seemed like an opportunity. The military was ready to push Collins out, which meant Kenner had a potential new role for him.

“Yeah.” Collins paused, and in his mind’s eye, Kenner imagined how awkward he felt admitting it. “Things have been better.”

“I’m sure.” Kenner turned back and watched the blonde climbing out of his pool. She looked like a teenage wet dream as she flicked the water from her long hair. A flashback of how her long legs had looked hooked over his shoulders erupted in his head as she padded over to the table and grabbed a towel. “Things sound tough.”

He’d never sounded less sincere in his life.

“Thanks.” Collins pulled in a breath. “I didn’t expect to hear from you.”

“I bet.” Kenner forced his gaze back to his sweeping lawns. “Life has been busy, but I might have an opening you’d be interested in.”

“Oh?”

Collins was clearly trying to play down his interest, but Kenner didn’t buy his indifference for a second. Collins’ salary had just been cut, and Kenner knew he’d be keen on a cash injection.

“What’s that?”

“Your old friend Bowman…”

“That asshole?” Collins balked. “What about him? I thought he’d gone into the wilderness.”

“Me, too.” He didn’t know who he had the most disdain for—Bowman, the guy who’d chosen to live in the middle of nowhere or Collins, the one who’d allowed him to slip away and do so. “But he’s back, and I need him taken care of.”

Kenner had made an identical request to Collins once before, but it was just possible that one of Kenner’s outstanding problems could take care of the other.

“You’re asking me to do the job again?” Collins laughed, as though he, too, couldn’t believe Kenner’s stupidity. “Why? I fucked up last time.”

At least Collins admitted it.

“What can I say?” Kenner shrugged although there was no one there to see the gesture. “I’m just a forgiving kind of guy.” Kenner wasnotknown for forgiveness, and the corpses of his various enemies easily proved the point, but then, it wasn’t compassion driving his intentions now.

“You’re serious?” Collins wasn’t laughing anymore. “You still want me to take Bowman out?”

“I want him out of the equation, not out for dinner,” he clarified. “But yes, Bowman has to go. I’ll pay you what I promised before, plus inflationary increases.”

“Why do you want me to do it?” Collins’ self-pitying tone reverberated down the line.

---