Page 7 of Collateral Claim

“You okay?”

A simple question. I have a complicated response. Endo isn’t here to tell me what to say or do, but the brief flash of his gun and the bold way he commands the room, as well as the fear on my father’s face, make me type:

“I’m fine. You?”

“Also fine.”

Neither of us is fine.

“Did Josh go home with you?”

“Don’t start, Scar.”

Josh looked lit up tonight, and he’s not spending the night at home again. I bet he told Charlotte he’s got business out of town early in the morning so he could sleep elsewhere. Although Josh is a successful businessman and provides for my sister and Beatrice more than they need or want, I don’t think he’s being faithful. And if he’s not cheating, then he’s married to work.

My sister spends her nights alone, and I don’t like it. But I’m not the one married to the man, and if my sister’s content, oftentimes I bite my tongue. I don’t want her to distance herselffrom me or to not tell me about Josh. I never want that. I want Charlotte to come to me for everything, hopefully to tell me how wrong I am about her husband.

She’d expect me to confide in her as well, which is why my situation with Endo feels wrong.

Do you want to come over?I type, but I don’t send it because I can’t very well invite my sister over (not that she needs an invite) when a dangerous man is in the house. In fact, I want Charlotte to stay away.

“Aren’t you going to ask me if I’m coming over?”

“It’s been a long night. I’m tired.”

“Cut the crap, Scar. What’s going on?”

“Nothing!”

I make sure to punctuate with an exclamation mark, even though I reserve those text signals for when they’re used in a cheerful manner.Congratulations!My favorite one.

I enter my bedroom and kick off the heels in the closet.

“Who is Endo Macarley?”

I have no answers. Charlotte is either hurt that I didn’t tell her I met the man I want to marry, or she knows something isn’t right. I’m betting on the latter. But until our dad and Endo settle the situation, I’ll maintain the charade.

“I’ll tell you everything tomorrow. Love you.”

I throw the phone onto the bed and wish I could put on my pajamas, but I change into a casual pair of slacks and a T-shirt. It’s after four in the morning, so I should wash my face and brush my teeth before I call it a night, but I can’t do that yet. I might be needed downstairs, and walking around in my jammies feels too private. Vulnerable, even.

I slip into my late mother’s fuzzy green slippers and sit in my reading chair by the window, my gaze falling to the driveway out front. Endo’s men lean against an SUV. I take it as a good sign. They appear to be waiting, which means Endo will depart shortly.

I’ll wait too.

Chapter 4

He’s still here

Scarlett

The moment I open my eyes, I check my watch and gasp.

I slept. Crashed, really, since I can’t remember waking up and walking from the chair to my bed. It’s ten past noon, and the charity luncheon’s on the schedule today.

Once a month, there’s a charity luncheon that raises money to care for the injured horses that we house on our ranch. Between the seventy-five thousand Endo danced off last night and the luncheon today, the charity caretaker will have collected more than twice the amount she hoped for. I’m happy about this.

I shower and dress in black slacks and a white silk blouse. I pin my hair into a decent bun, put on light mascara and a red lip gloss, then rush down the stairs. I’m at the front door when I overhear that dreadful man’s voice. Endo Macarley. What’s he doing here again?