AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I won’t put her life in danger.”
“That’s really how you feel?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?” Will said as Charlotte looked at her sister in surprise.
“We don’t have to do it that way. I don’t blame you. You said before that you’re the one who has to take responsibility for her. You’re right. You didn’t have to go through all the trouble with Tony, but you did what you thought you had to.”
“Good. So it’s settled.”
“Sure. Charlie, you’re off the hook. I’m sorry you had to put up with Will for so long, but you’re free now. There’s no more job to do.”
“What?” Charlotte was incredulous.
“Will feels strongly about this, so I’m in agreement with him. You’ll step off, and I’ll take your place.”
“What?” Will said, charging to the bed. “You can’t. You can’t even walk.”
“You know me. I’ll manage.”
“You’ll manage?” He nodded and looked at Charlotte, then back at Maddy. “I see. I see what you’re doing.”
“Do you?”
“You’re trying to force my hand. Give me an impossible scenario so I’ll take your sister back. It won’t work. Look at you. You can barely move. There’s nothing you can do. I’m calling your bluff.”
“Oh, yeah?” She grinned. “Either you do this one little job with Charlie or you’re fired.”
He clicked his tongue. “You can’t fire me. I’m senior on this job.”
“Fine then, I’ll do it on my own. My own way.”
“No, you won’t.”
“Yes—I will. I’m being deadly serious. You know me, Will. You know I’ll find a way. You might be senior, but Antonio won’t talk to you. He’ll only talk to me. Or Charlie. Your pick. ”
Will squeezed his forehead. “You’re a real piece of work, you know that? Why are you doing this? You’re putting your sister’s life at risk. And you—” He looked at Charlotte. “You went over my head to your sister? Why didn’t you come talk to me?”
“Talk to you? You don’t want to discuss any of this with me. You used your friend to try to scare me off the job, so don’t give me that look about speaking with my sister.”
Maddy shook her head. “Listen to you two. I don’t know how I got caught up in this. You’re acting like an old married couple.”
“This is not how married people act,” Will said.
“How would you know? It doesn’t matter, anyway. Charlie can do this job, and you’re being stubborn for no good reason.”
“Your sister’s life isn’t a good reason?”
“She’smysister, not yours. I’m willing to put her life on the line for an easy job, and she’s agreed. All you have to do is go along for the ride. Or I can make your life difficult. And you know I will.”
“Yes. I do.”
“You’ve done everything to make this a problem for her, and she’s shown she’s got what it takes. She’s proven her worth. Admit it, if you haven’t scared her off yet, she’s good for the job.”
* * *
