Page 124 of Brutal Collateral

Thatwas Hadleigh.

This is Ava, and for the first time, I likeherbetter.

I leave the bedroom wearing sleep pants and after Zeke searches the wardroom closet, I return to the bedroom but find the bed empty. Before I panic, wondering what the hell happened to Ava, she comes out of the bathroom again in one of my T-shirts and stops in her tracks, seeing me standing there.

“I thought you went out again tonight.”

“Not tonight,” I say, realizing she wears my shirts when I’m not home. I’m taking that as some kind of win that she wants to stay close to me. “It’s our wedding night.”

She glances at my fist. “What is that?”

I lift the bolt cutter. “You seriously don’t know what this is?”

She gazes at Bozo. “No, wait.”

“Sorry, that ship has sailed.” I hike to the bed, and ignoring my heaving stomach at this hideous clown, I clip the chains that are keeping it attached to my headboard. “Don’t think I didn’t catch the symbolism.”

She folds her arms. “Took you long enough to get rid of him.”

I knew it was a fucking game. Two more snips, since she chained its feet at the bottom, and I lift the clown by the collar. Having no clue what to do with it, I open the bedroom door and drop-kick it down the stairs, hoping it makes its way to the parlor level.

Seeing it mangled, Bridget will hopefully put this thing... I stop, something hitting me.

Bridget knows about my clown...aversion. Fuck,shewas an accomplice to this hideous joke. But I snort a laugh, liking that Bridget and Ava have bonded. Even at my expense.

“Get back in that bed, wife.”

Sighing, she tiptoes and gets under the covers. The fight in her eyes returns, but her eyelids grow heavy. “Did I mention this bed is comfortable?”

“I hope you still feel that way when I’m on top of you fucking you.”

Her lips part and then those teeth bite into her lower lip. “I can think of worse ways to spend six months.”

Always with the last word, reminding me that she’s leaving me.

Given how my heart’s pounding, I’m thinking six months won’t be enough for me to get my fill of her.

Maybe not even forever.

I get in, too, and obliterate the empty sheets to drag her back against my chest.

“This...is much better.” Ava gives a heavy sigh and finally surrenders.

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