Chapter 34
The villain is chipper
Scarlett
Endo dropped me off by the fireplace, where I spent the night in a lazy chair wrapped in military-grade thermal blankets. At around four in the morning, I woke up to use the bathroom and found my pajamas next to me. I put them on and moved from the chair to the couch, where I have slept till now.
It’s nine thirty, and a commotion wakes me up.
I sit up and cover my yawn when Endo walks up to stand by the couch. He wears a crisp white shirt with black slacks and smells fresh, as if he just put on his cologne. His beard is trimmed, and there’s a sparkle of excitement in his eye.
“You seem excited. Who died to make you so happy?”
“Good morning,” he says and offers me a cup of coffee. “Nobody has to die to make me happy when I have a beautiful captive stretched out on my couch like a lazy cat.”
He called me beautiful. It’s too early to think about what it really means. “A peace offering?” I ask.
“No. I made coffee and brought it to you.”
I accept and sip, moaning at the taste. “Dark roast.”
“The only kind we brew.” Endo is attractive when he smiles. It’s like the sun shines on me.
“You’re chipper.” Please say my father called.
“Got villains to kill is all.”
“Villains?” I chuckle. “There’s a delusional world you live in where you are on the side of the good guys who are taking out villains. Whatever you’re taking should be shared. Can I have some?”
Endo laughs. “How are you feeling?”
“Rested.”
“Good, because you need to pack.”
Hope blossoms. “No way.”
“Yes way.”
“My dad came through?” I rise from the couch, sloshing the coffee in the cup.
Endo doesn’t step back, so I invade his space. “He called bright and early this morning.”
I scream in excitement and hug Endo with one arm, taking care not to spill coffee on his white shirt. “Oh my God, I’m free.” Once my body recognizes his hard body and starts melting all over him, I stand back and collect myself. “And you get your brother back.”
“And I get my brother.” Endo smiles tightly.
“Is there a problem?”
He shakes his head. “No.” He checks his watch. “You have three hours. I hope that’s enough time to gather all your belongings.”
“When does our flight leave?”
“Whenever we’re ready. You think you can be ready in three hours?”
“Oh, I thought you chartered the plane already. I can get my affairs in order by then.” Mentally, I start making notes of what I need to do, starting with the people I need to call first.
He frowns. “What affairs?”
“I need to speak with my staff and Fiada.”
“I’ll take care of them.”
“I would like to say goodbye.”
Endo shakes his head. “I said I’ll handle them. Those are my people.”
“I feel bad the town will be out a physician. Maybe I could recommend someone.”
“Maybe.”
And just like that, Endo and I are having a “normal” conversation, not as enemies but as allies.
It’s nice. He’s not so bad when he’s made happy and his demands are met.
In another world or under different circumstances, I could, possibly, be interested in this man.
Handsome, wealthy, supportive of my career. What’s there not to like?
His job, my conscience supplies.
“Be sure you keep your ring on your finger until the exchange is made.” He taps his own ring. “Your dad needs a reminder that you are my collateral until the very end.”
“Endo Macarley, I like it when you smile and don’t speak.”
Endo leans in. “I don’t speak while I eat. Maybe you want to feed me.” With that, he winks and disappears into the foyer.
The mirror over the fireplace reflects my blushing cheeks. I down the rest of the dark roast in a single gulp.
In the foyer, Slada converses with Marquis in hushed tones. When I appear, she stops talking and nods at me. “Going home today, huh?”
“That’s what I hear,” I reply as I climb up the stairs.
“Let’s hope your dad’s not planning to trick us.”
I turn. “Why would you say that?”
She shrugs. “People mistake mercy for a weakness. Endo should’ve let Dec put a bullet between your eyes and taken your sister.”
“Slada,” Marquis says in a warning tone. “Show some compassion.”
Slada scowls. “I doubt Cass is being shown compassion, so why should I? I want him back safe and sound.”
“I do too,” I say. “I mean that.”
Marquis dismisses me with a wave of his hand. “Off you go, before you remember to check my vitals.”
“You seem fine.”
“Only because you saved my life.” He glances at Slada.
She sighs. “Point taken. The collateral girl grew on you all.”
Endo walks up. “Like cancer.”
“Awww.” I continue upstairs. “Here comes the family charmer. God forbid we have a conversation without him.”
“Don’t you have something to do?” he asks.
“Besides annoy you? Yes. I’m on my way to pack. But I can multitask.”
I’m sure he has a smart reply, but I walk into my room and slam the door behind me before I screech in joy.
I’m going home!