Page 69 of Clear Blue Sky

Bubbles appeared immediately.

He held his breath.

Brandi:I’ll do whatever you think is best, but since you asked my opinion, don’t you think going for it all is better? Wouldn’t you rather be vindicated? I know I would.

God, he loved that woman.

“Let’s nail this bastard to the wall.”

* * *

“They’re doing what?” Nelson leaned back on his desk and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“You heard me,” his father’s voice bellowed through the cell phone. “Something or someone tipped them off.”

“We figured that when the alarms on Maverick’s and Phoenix’s houses didn’t go off, but why would they pack up and leave? Something doesn’t feel right. Marcus doesn’t quit.”

“Maybe not, but he’s proved to be patient.”

“He also had more than one contingency plan. Why isn’t he falling back on those?”

“I’m betting they will be, but they need a moment to regroup,” his father said. “It looks like Roxy is staying behind, so Hensley will stay put to watch her, and one of your mom’s men will follow Marcus.”

Nelson shifted his gaze to the ceiling. “Is the FBI still pressuring Ethan?”

“They are,” his father said. “So far, all Ethan has given them is what he did with Grant Publishing and several other companies. He hasn’t given up much on Tyler’s company yet, and that’s what they need.”

“I can get that for them.” Nelson let out a long breath.

“No, son. I’m not letting you use yourself as bait.”

“It’s the only way to end this once and for all.” Nelson wasn’t going to let his father talk him out of it. “I’m heading to The Heritage Inn now.” He tapped the red button. He strolled to the other side of his desk, opened the top drawer, and pulled out his revolver. He holstered it before snagging his keys.

A month ago, he’d have walked out of Blue Moon and gone into battle without thinking twice.

Now he had someone in his life who made him think about more than himself. He found Brandi’s contact information and hit the call button.

It rang once.

And in the middle of it, his father tried to call back. He sent it straight to voicemail.

“Hey, you,” she said. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing good,” he admitted. “Who’s with you?”

“Why? What’s happening?”

“Marcus and his crew are packing up and I’m not going to let them leave.”

“Nelson, what are you going to do?”

“Confront this head-on,” he said. “Now, answer my question, please.”

“One of your mom’s men is here. He comes in the house every so often to tell me it’s all clear and then goes back outside.”

“Tell him that stuff is happening and to keep an eye out.”

“I don’t like this. You’re putting yourself in danger.”

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