Page 4 of Collateral Claim
“Oh, please.” I suppress a snort because ladies don’t do that. “Why are you doing this? What’s going on?”
“We’re engaged to be married until your father comes through.”
“Comes through with what?” Charlotte’s almost arrived. Her heels dig holes in the grass as she stomps over the lawn.
“My brother’s location.”
Empathy stings when you have it, I tell ya. “Is your brother missing?”
“Yes, he is. And I have it on good authority that your father knows where I can find him.”
“Why would he know that?”
“They went into business together.”
Charlotte’s husband, Josh, intercepts her just as she nears us. When she tries to go around him, he grabs her elbow and pulls her, harder than I’d like, but I told Charlotte he’s not a good man before, and it almost cost me our relationship. I learned to keep quiet about Josh. I get the impression he doesn’t want her near me. Not just now, but in general.
As he pulls her away, Charlotte stares over her shoulder at me.
I reassure her with a thumbs-up.
What’s really weird is that my dad hasn’t spoken to me since the announcement, and even now, after my “fiancé” and I made our social rounds, he’s avoiding us.
I’ve got to give it to Endo. His social game gets an A+. He handled the partygoers with a charm that slayed even a fashion designer ice queen who smiled more tonight while chatting withEndo than she has since her late husband had a heart attack while banging her best friend.
After she buried her cheating husband, Abigail Laurent inherited his fortune and used it to fund a new fashion line called Karma Sticka. The woman is an icon. I’ll be shocked if social media doesn’t blow up with a picture of the ice queen caught smiling at a much younger man. Especially a handsome one like Endo.
On their way to the table, Josh stops by the bar, and my sister uses his distraction to spin on her heel and practically materialize in front of me.
Charlotte rests her hands on her hips. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you’re getting engaged.” She huffs. “What am I? Chopped liver?”
“Charlotte, he’s…” I pause because Endo opens his suit jacket and flashes me his holstered weapon.
Is he threatening us? I meet his eyes, which are devoid of humanity. I’m a physician, and in my job, I’ve learned to read people quickly, so I can tell this is not an idle threat. My sister and father are in danger. Endo means to hurt us, and by us, I mean my family.
What in the world is happening here?
I’ll find out later. Meanwhile, I’m not a dummy who will provoke an armed man, that’s for sure. Not when it might come at the cost of others. My niece, for one, but also my little sister. As my grandmother “kindly” likes to remind me, I’m the unmarried sister and a doctor dedicated to a life she calls “chosen poverty.” Hence, of the two Pembroke sisters, I’m the more expendable one.
But I don’t want to lie to my sister either. She’s my best friend and an ally through thick and thin. She’ll know if I’m lying, and it would hurt her feelings.
“Scarlett?” Charlotte prompts, now looking between Endo and me.
He breaks the silence. “I asked my fiancée not to say anything to you because I couldn’t tell my brother either. It seemed only fair.”
“Oh. Oh, I see. Okay. I can get behind that.” Charlotte chews her lip. “That’s kind of sweet.”
Endo gives her a panty-melting smile. “I’m the sweetest.”
Charlotte inches closer and pinches my butt. She’s expressing her approval of Endo, who is deceptively charming. All women, no matter their relationship status, should avoid him.
“Congratulations.” Charlotte hugs me. “I’m so happy for you. But also, you should’ve told me about him even if he asked you not to.” When she steps back, she flashes him the brightest of smiles. “You must come over for dinner tomorrow. My husband, Josh, will be pleased to meet you, and my daughter, Beatrice, already asked me about you ten times.”
“Let’s give Endo some room to breathe,” I suggest. He’s not integrating into our family any more than he already has.
“Thank you for the invite, pet. You can reach me at your dad’s house.”
Did he just call my sisterpet? And why do I get the feeling he thinks he’s staying at my dad’s house? The place where I’m staying before I leave for work. I open my mouth to ask when my sister playfully slaps his shoulder. “Sounds great, lion. I bet Scar looks forward to spending some time alone with you.” She winks at him. “If you know what I mean.”
