Page 16 of Black Reign

“You're married.”

“What does marriage have to do with swimming?”

“Nothing. The six nearly naked women behind you have something to do with swimming.”

Drew glances over one shoulder.

All the models are watching.

He processes this information for half a second.

Then shrugs.

“Isa married me knowing who I am.”

Haverhill calls from beside me, “That's not the defense you think it is.”

Travers chugs the first beer.

Then the second.

Beer runs down his chest.

Jalen starts chanting.

Leo sighs. “Don't encourage him.”

Naturally, Jalen gets louder.

“DREW. DREW. DREW.”

The women join in.

Vale closes his eyes.

“I hate every person on this boat.”

Drew throws the empty bottles toward a deck chair.

“Someone hold my dignity.”

“You didn't bring any,” I tell him.

He points at me.

“That was hurtful.”

Then drops his swim shorts.

Vale sits straight up on the pool noodle.

“Oh, come on.”

Haverhill starts laughing.

Leo turns his back.

One of the models whistles.