Page 75 of Clear Blue Sky

“You’re never going to get away with it,” Brandi said.

“But I already have.” Marcus leaned back. “Me and my friends have checked out of the hotel. We’ve left the area. No one knows we’re still here. No one will believe it was us. We’ve been nothing but kind to Nelson. I’ve extended one olive branch after the other. He’s the one who has been acting delusional.”

Nelson laughed. “I suppose some people on the outside looking in could view things that way, but no one in my family would see it that way.”

“Of course not. They are biased.”

“Nor mine,” Brandi chimed in.

“And there is this added issue with Ethan and his company,” Nelson said. “Did you know the FBI picked him up for questioning? Something about cyber breaches with Grant Publishing. I heard he’s giving them all sorts of information.”

Marcus’ lips drew into a tight line. “That has nothing to do with me and has no bearing on this situation.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Nelson saw movement across the back patio and it wasn’t either of Marcus’ buddies. “Oh, but I think it does, especially when he’s taking an immunity deal and rolling over on Tyler’s company.”

“I’m done with this conversation,” Marcus said. “Time for a crime of passion that ends in a murder-suicide.”

The sliding glass door opened, and Maverick appeared.

“What the hell?” Marcus jumped to his feet, his weapon waving wildly in the air, a little too close to Brandi.

Nelson stepped in front of Marcus.

Bang!

Brandi screamed.

The front door flew open. The sound of boots hitting the tile floor hammered Nelson’s eardrums.

A sharp pain seared through his side. He grabbed his gut and looked down. Blood trickled through his fingers. “Fuck.” He dropped to his knees.

Someone’s foot flew in front of him, smashing Marcus right in the nose.

“You motherfucker.” Phoenix wrestled the gun from Marcus’ hand before tackling him to the ground. “Can someone untie Brandi? I don’t think Nelson is in any shape to do it.”

Nelson fell backward, clutching his side. He blinked, staring up at his mother.

“Why are you always the one getting shot?” His mom grabbed something from the counter and pressed it on his stomach.

Hard.

“Jesus, that hurts.” Nelson tried to take in a deep breath, but the pain hit his brain like a cattle prod.

“Just relax.” His mom brushed his hair from his forehead.

“Brandi?”

“I’m right here.” She dropped to her knees, taking his hand.

“Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

She shook her head. “I’m fine, but you’re not looking so good.” She wiped a tear from her cheek.

“Good,” he managed.

“He’s losing a lot of blood,” his mother said. “How far out is the ambulance?”

“Five minutes,” he heard his father say.

---