Page 39 of The Prey (The Hillers of Barratt County #6)

Jason heard Hanan’s words as he stepped out into the lobby to take a damned call and just there they were. Cozied up against each other where anyone passing by could see. Hanan was playing with her fucking hair.

Saying I love you and shit. Hell, Jason had been prepared to say that to her if it would have gotten him what he wanted. He’d seen good old Mac Barratt floating around the courthouse, acting as if he owned the world. Jason despised that rich prick.

Just as much as he did Hanan.

“Can’t you find a bedroom for that shit?” Jason asked, the words slipping out before he could stop them. “Or just strip her naked right here and get it over with. Doubt you have five minutes in you.”

“Clarke!” Shit. Walters was right behind him. Jason had thought that moron had stayed behind with Fullman. “Completely inappropriate.”

“Is it? This isn’t the place for romance. I thought we were in a court of law?” He’d run his mouth when he shouldn’t have. No denying that. Oh, fucking well. They’d just have to deal with it.

His phone rang again.

Jason checked the screen.

His so-called friend from Wichita Falls. Damn it. “Excuse me, I need to take this.”

“We’re going to discuss this. You can mark my words.” Walters had a temper—Jason had seen it before. He forced himself to bite back what he wanted to say.

Jason didn’t need this shit. “I apologize. Just having an off day.”

Hanan stared right through him. “Sure you are. Watch yourself, Clarke. Don’t make an enemy of me. You won’t like the results.”

“Thought I already had. Years ago. How long you been screwing her?” Jason just didn’t want to stop. He wanted to know. He honestly wanted to know. “Years?”

“That’s none of your business,” Giavonna said. She actually stepped in front of Hanan. Like she was going to protect him or something. Hell, they looked like brunette Ken and Barbie there. So pretty perfect together. Beautiful, rich, connected.

Of course Hanan didn’t have to scheme and manipulate to get what he wanted in this damned county. He was too damned networked for that. “Guess when you marry her, you’ll have everything then, won’t you? A hot, rich wife. Friends in high places. Going for B-3 anytime soon?”

“Hudson or me?” Giavonna asked. He heard the sarcasm.

Damned bitch was watching him out of those eyes of hers.

Making him feel like a dumbass. She’d always been good about that.

One reason he’d wanted to tame her back then.

“We both have standing offers to join Barratt, Barratt, & Barratt anytime we want, you know. Do you want to discuss that with Mac Barratt? He’s somewhere around here if you do. ”

“You’ve always been a snotty bitch. Think you’re better than everyone else. You’re just Hanan’s little whore, aren’t you?”

Hanan stepped around her. “Back off, Clarke. Now.”

“What are you going to do if I don’t?” Hell, fighting with this asshole would be stupid right now.

Jason understood that on a rational level, but he was just so fucking fed up with this place, and the shitheads in it.

From Hanan and his whore all the way up to that prissy ass bitch behind the bench.

Collins was just as snide as the rest of them.

She’d been just as snide to him all morning.

“Laugh at you. Right in your face,” Giavonna said. “What do you think we’re going to do about you, Jason? You are nothing. Nothing you do or say matters to us at all. And never has. No matter what you do. ”