Page 80 of Collateral Claim
“Why?”
“It’s within the sniper range. The other two are a stretch.”
I assess the layout of the locations. Without sniper coverage, we’re all sitting ducks. Since I spot no advantages in the first or third sites, I settle on the one Declan picked. His ability to hit the target is important. I don’t want him to stretch unless he must.
“Hey,” I greet Scarlett when she walks up to the table.
Her hair is up, exposing her slender neck, and she smells like coconut lotion. Is that a bathing suit string tied at her nape?
“You going for a swim?” I ask as she reaches past me and grabs the champagne bottle. She swigs from it. No glass. No class. Straight up, like a sailor.
Declan claps softly so as not to wake up Marquis. “That a girl.”
I glare.
Connor plucks a carnation from the vase and hands it to her. “You’re fitting in, princess.”
“Princess?” I don’t think I should carry guns to the family table anymore. I might kill my nephews and cry crocodile tears of regret afterward.
Scarlett accepts the flower and tucks it into her messy bun. “Thanks, Con.”
“Con?” I repeat. “Since when are you using nicknames?”
He shrugs.
Scarlett moves away.
“Hey, I asked you a question.”
She keeps walking.
“Scarlett,” I shout. I dislike having to raise my voice, but here we are. It does nothing but wake Marquis from his nap.
“What’s going on?” he asks.
“She won’t speak to me.”
“Shocker,” Marquis says.
I narrow my eyes. “Go back to snoring.”
“I don’t snore.”
“He doesn’t,” his husband confirms, even though he heard it. “Doc’s going for a swim.”
“Yes, but why?” I ask.
“Because it’s a nice day,” Connor says. “Duh.”
“She’s drinking.”
“You worried she’ll drown?” Connor asks.
“Yes, I’m worried she’ll drown. She’s my collateral.”
“Is that all?” Marquis asks.
I lean in. “Cass is coming home. And if it’s in a body bag, there’ll be hell to pay. The first person to pay for his death will be her.” I point. “Giving up on my brother so I can have some pussy is not how this will play out.”
