Page 147 of Things Left Unsaid

“Who else?” is his bitter retort.

His hatred for the man echoes along the line. Marvin is clearly suicidal with how he keeps pushing us. But that’s the problem. He gets to hold his wife hostage all while knowing we won’t touch him for Bea’s sake.

First Clyde, now Marvin.

I could strangle someone and Marvin’s closer.

Butthat would diminish Theo’s satisfaction so I’ll back off. Begrudgingly.

“Is she all right?” I ask, gaze darting to Fen who’s rolling around on his back ten feet away. His satisfied grunts and whinnies would ordinarily make me smile, but Marvin destroyed any chance of that.

Looks like the suspension backfired on us.

“The asshole did a real number on her. I’m here with her at the hospital. How do you feel about setting her up somewhere?”

“Ecstatic. I’ve been waiting years for this. Is she being discharged today? How soon do I need to set everything up?”

“She’ll be here for a week. Minimum. Plenty of time for me to convince her to leave that son of a bitch.”

“Okay, we can make arrangements by then.” I rub my eyes. “This means we can get that asshole off my ranch permanently. End his contract with us.”

“Consider it done.”

Hearing the satisfaction oozing from his tone, I rumble, “Whatever you do to him, don’t get caught or let it go too far. The last thing Bea orIneed is for you to be sent up over this.”

“And I thought we were friends.”

“If you go to jail, you know none of your brothers will bail you out. It’ll be me and I’ll say I told you so?—”

“All right, all right. I won’t kill him.”

“Good. Give Bea my love and tell her I’ll be in to see her later.”

“She doesn’t want any visitors.”

I pause. Ponder the tightness to his tone. “You included?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s how bad she looks?”

“He treated her face like a punching bag.”

“Tell me she’s pressing charges.”

“Going to work on that too.”

“You acting on her behalf here or just hoping she’ll listen?”

“Hoping.”

Fuck.“I’m here if you need me.” He has the Korhonen purse strings at his beck and call—that’s pretty much all I can do for him.

“Thanks, Colt. Talk later.”

“Text me updates.”

“Will do.”

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