Page 104 of Collateral Claim

Endo shrugs. “So?”

I open my mouth, but I have no clever response. He’s right.So?The ring is mine. My fear paid for it. I damn well earned it. “Thanks.”

He jerks his head. “I need to keep moving. My skin’s crawling, and I can’t stay in this place much longer. Let’s get this over with.”

We catch up with the woman, who leads us behind a massive wall made of brown wooden shutters like the ones in our bathroom. Topless women congregate with much older men around an Olympic-sized pool.

Slada and I lock gazes. I don’t know what she’s thinking or why she made a point to connect with me right now, but I hope it’s because we are women and we see what’s unfolding by the pool. The massages, the pampering of men, the servitude of women.

I’m certain all of it is wrong when I pass three women with the same tattoo on their toes. I’ve never wanted to hurt anyone, but if Massio choked on the crab leg, I don’t know if I would try to help him.

Or any of these men, for that matter.

“Does this look like fun to you?” I ask Endo. It’s unfair to group him with these men, but I can’t help it.

“You’ve lived with me. You’ve seen what I do for fun.”

“I’ve never seen you have fun.”

“I ate your pussy. That was fun.”

I regret poking him.

A large table full of drinks and food awaits. My dad wears a white polo shirt and sits with Wilfred, who wears a blue polo shirt. They stand when we approach.

My dad spreads his arms. “My baby girl.”

For a moment, I think I might slap him. But I collect myself and round the table to embrace him and kiss him on the cheek. “Thank God you’re okay.”

Endo said his skin was crawling. Mine is too. Gently, I push my father away. “How is your leg?”

“Not too bad.” He looks me over. “You seem to be all in one piece?”

“Endo shot in the air.”

My dad’s eyebrows rise. “You call him Endo?”

“Why, yes, Daddy. What else would I call him?”

Dad’s eyes narrow.

I follow up with a smile.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” Wilfred says from behind my dad. He seems to want to get closer to me, but my father is firmly in the way.

Wilfred steps past my dad, which makes my dad snap his head to look at him. I think the Doberman has broken free of the leash.

Wilfred spread his arms. “Don’t I get a hug?”

Usually, Wilfred and I don’t hug, but today is a very strange day full of unexpected events. My father and his business partner are in bed with a person who brands women. I’ll never forget those tattoos, and someone will have to convince me I’m wrong before I ever forgive my dad or Wilfred for bringing me here in the first place.

“Of course.” I smile like a hyena and hug him. He smells fresh and cold, his gentle touch making my stomach churn. When I try to pull away, he traps me for a few seconds before releasing me.

His gaze shifts over my shoulder, and I turn to see Endo sitting down, not paying attention to us.

Wilfred seems annoyed.

I’m annoyed.