Page 81 of Collateral Claim

“Nah,” Declan says. “Cuz, you’ll have your cake and eat it too.”

I smile. “Correct.”

“I disagree,” Philip says as he picks up his knitting needles. “Something has to give.”

Scarlett arranges her towel on the grass and takes off her riding boots, then her clothing, underneath which she wears a black thong bathing suit. Her entire ass is showing.

“For fuck’s sake,” I curse.

“That’s a fine ass,” Declan says.

I close my eyes and count backward from ten. I absolutely will not bring guns to family gatherings anymore. This jealousy inside me is not a joke.

“You all cannot find her attractive,” I order.

“Why can’t they?” Marquis asks.

“Because I said so.”

“And because he might marry her,” Connor says.

Marquis’s eyebrows shoot up so high, I think they might hit the clouds gathering above us and make it rain.

“Is that true?” he asks.

I shrug. “Just an idea.”

“They hired a wedding planner,” Declan says.

Philip drops his knitting. “When is the date?”

“August,” I say.

“You should’ve cleared that with me,” Marquis says. “There are security measures we need to consider.”

“Marquis.” I pierce him with a look. “I don’t need to tell you everything. I don’t need your permission to make decisions. If I didn’t mention it, it’s because I don’t need your input. What I need from you is for you to heal so that you can run my security at the location of my choosing. That is your job. And you two.” I glance at my cousins. “Don’t get all cute with my collateral. Scarlett is a smart woman, not some damsel in distress, and as much as I’d love to think she’ll stand idly by while her father works out Cass’s location, we remain on guard. She rode that horse and made me chase her. Remember?”

As I say that, Scarlett lies down on the towel.

I lean back. She’s just tanning. When she opens up a book she must’ve picked out from the Keep’s library, I roll my shoulders and relax again. My mother was right. Women shouldn’t be bothered when seeking solitude. Scarlett will enjoy what’s left of the afternoon by the water with a book and champagne.

My collateral is living her best life. I don’t see why she’d ever want to leave.

I smile.

“Careful, Endo,” Marquis says. “She’s the type of woman men don’t recover from.”

“Is that your expert advice, dear?” his husband asks. “From the many women who have done a number on you.”

Marquis glares. “You’re supposed to help, not be a sarcastic sasshole.”

Phillip knits again. “I am helping. Endo will do what Endo does. And if he allows a woman to ruin what his family built, then so be it. We are all going down with him. You should let me shave you and cut your hair so you can make a gorgeous corpse.”

“I’m growing a beard.”

Philip scoffs.

I shake my head. “Nobody is going down.”