“I can’t believe you want Maxim dead,” I protest.
“Only a little!”
“That’s my future husband we’re talking about! I don’t want him in a coffin.” I purse my lips. “Are you going to help me with my hair, or do you want me to fall flat on my face because I’ll be on his arm?”
Camille places a hand over her heart. “I only want what’s best for you, Victoria. You know that.”
My lips purse even more. I could say something catty, but I can tell that Brennan’s on red alert for me to be bitchy with Camille, which has me releasing a sigh instead.
“If he hurts me, I’ll let Eoghan blow his head off. How about that?”
Brennan’s small smile says he approves that message. “There’s our girl.”
Eoghan blinks. “I can do that. He’s seen Inessa come.”
“What?!”
“Oh, my god, you did not just say that out loud?!” Inessa’s shriek is our first clue that she’s not napping as we initially thought. She shoves Eoghan’s shoulder. “Holy fuck, I hate your eidetic memory sometimes.”
“How the hell has Maxim seen you get off?!” I screech.
Brennan pinches the bridge of his nose. “Why did you want to get changed here again?”
TWENTY-FOUR
THE PRETENDER
Brennan: We need to coordinate better with Victoria. Maybe use a single channel for her to explain where she’s going?
Maxim: Makes sense. I’ll set that up now and invite her to it.
Maxim: I assume she told you about entering Sinners’ territory?
Brennan: WHAT?! No. She damn well didn’t.
Maxim: It’s fine. Her friend is the daughter of the Prez. They escorted her in and out of West Orange. She’s normally good with her guards
Brennan: No, Shay tends to travel with her and he keeps us updated.
Maxim: Maybe this single message thread will work?
Brennan: We can but hope
Brennan: What’s this I hear about you courting Victoria?
Maxim: As per the terms of my agreement with hersister
Brennan: Fuck the agreement. I want what’s best for her.
Maxim: I can be that
Brennan: Good answer
Brennan: Just don’t fuck her around
Maxim: I won’t.
Brennan: I figured you’d grow out of the idea.
