Page 106 of On a Fault Line

“Oh, no. That’s not how this game is played.”

Grabbing a handful of balloons, she tosses them at me as I close the distance. Cool water cascades down my chest, absorbing into the fabric of my shirt.

“Are you starting a war?” I ask softly, as I reach into the cooler.

“No!” she says, running as fast as she can to hide behind a tree trunk.

Come out, come out.

She is lucky her family is around, because if it was anywhere else, I would have gone feral for her until she was squirming in my arms and paying the penalty she undoubtedly deserves.

And she knows it.

“Don’t let my sister get away with that!” Graham yells to me.

“I don’t plan on it!”

He throws a balloon, smacking Angie right in the ass.

“That stung!”

“Good.”

As I wait for Penny to let down her guard, I glance around the space.

What a sight…

Nic has Claire cradled in his arms, as she balances a pile of water balloons on her belly. She looks like she got him pretty good before he captured her, if the huge wet patch on his shorts is any indication. She definitely was targeted in her aim for a certain part of his body.

Donna and Germain have exited the battlefield to tidy up the buffet area that will soon be stacked with food. I feign the loss of interest and make my way up to them, only to have Penny lured out of hiding just long enough for me to swing around and nail her right in the chest.

“Oops,” I say proudly so only she can hear.

“That was on purpose,” she grumbles.

“Absolutely.”

“I’ll get even with you.”

“I hope you try.”

“Why are you so cocky?” she asks, her tone playful.

“Because I have the receipts to back it up. Now, go grab a drink to stay hydrated. And stay in the shade. Otherwise, you need to put on some sunscreen so you don’t burn.”

“Yes, Daddy.”

21

COLLINS

I growl. This fucking girl. I can’t believe she called me Daddy. The sass coming out of her today is going to earn her a punishment. “Keep it up, Penny…”

“Or what?”

“You might just find out what happens to bad girls.”

“I hope you try,” she says, echoing my previous phrase.

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