Page 72 of Collateral Claim

This explains the white business suit and riding boots on a Saturday morning when she’s not going to work. She’s out of clothes.

“I can take you shopping,” Declan says.

“Is that so?” I ask him.

“I meant drive.”

“Say what you mean, then.”

I look around the table at my men. “What?” I say. “Which of you will wash her clothes? Walk her dog, maybe?”

“The dog doesn’t like the leash,” she says.

“Depends on the dog,” Marquis pitches. “The one with two legs or four.”

Connor barks. Twice.

Declan howls.

I throw up my hands. “I’m running a zoo.”

My phone pings with a reminder. Scarlett reads the notification.

“You have a meeting with my dad now?”

“Whenever you’re finished.”

“Ten minutes.” Scarlett tosses back her mimosa, and Connor pours her one more. She’ll need it if her father doesn’t provide valuable information. I’m no longer feeling charitable, sweet pussy on my tongue or not. In fact, now that I’ve tasted her, I’m less tolerant than before. Not sure why that is, but I’m sure I don’t care about the reason either. All I know is that I woke up ready to conquer the world, and Daniel better help or get out of my way.

Scarlett twirls her champagne glass. “Did he call the conference or did you?”

“I did.”

She looks up from the glass. “Because if he hasn’t called, that means he has nothing new.”

“Likely.”

“The plan is then to tell him about the wedding?” She looks like she’ll throw up the meal. Am I that repulsive to her? She didn’t seem to mind last night. It was dark. She couldn’t see my face. Maybe that’s why.

“That was the plan. Now I’ve changed my mind.”

Her face brightens with what appears to be hope. She is repulsed by me. If that’s the case, I’ll double down, give her something more repulsive.

“I can’t wait till I get him on the phone.”

Scarlett’s face pales. “Why?”

“Endo?” Marquis says, worry infused in the way he says my name. “I know that look.”

“Mmhm.” I dial her dad, but he doesn’t pick up. It goes to voicemail.

I stare at the phone, then look right at her. “He’s letting my call go to voicemail. You know what I’m thinking? Maybe I took the wrong sister.”

“Oh no. You took the right sister.” Scarlett nods, trying to convince me to stay away from the other Pembroke sister.

“Charlotte could join you here.”

“Endo,” Marquis says. “Let’s pause and reassess. Let’s not act on impulse.”