Ball & Chain (Cut & Run, #8)

by Abigail Roux

“You’re management now, Garrett. There’s no going back. And you can’t have your . . . your boyfriend working under you.” Ty opened his mouth, and McCoy held up his hand. “If you make a joke, I’ll shoot you.”

“Marry me, Zane,” he whispered. Zane burst out laughing and sat up. These weren’t exactly the ideal conditions for a proposal they needed to be telling to family. “Nuh uh.” “Oh, come on!” Ty called after him as he ducked into the bathroom. “Lying naked on a rug in front of a fireplace in a fucking castle?”

Chester began to cackle at the end of the table. “I’m the only Grady didn’t get lucky last night!” Nick dropped his fork and put his hand over his eyes. Chester grabbed his arm and shook him. “You want to bang something too, sonny, you can borrow my shovel!”

Kelly glanced at the freezer as they headed for the steps. “Hey, maybe one of them will donate a liver to your dad.” Nick looked over his shoulder at Kelly, his eyes wide. “I’m just saying. Three perfectly good livers sitting in there,” Kelly said, completely deadpan. “Nobody’s using them. I’ll go get one for you.” Nick gaped at him. “How the hell did you ever pass your psych evals?” “I cheated off your papers.” Nick rolled his eyes and started up the stairs. “The Navy gives bubble tests. When in doubt, go with C.” “Kelly.” “Get it? Navy? The sea?” “Kels, shut up.”

“How do you know so fucking much about these islands?” Ty shouted at him. “I watch Discovery Channel when I can’t sleep!” Nick shouted back. “I . . . I did not know that,” Ty said, sounding both angry and apologetic at the same time.

“That’s Force fucking Recon to you,” Nick said to the dead woman. “Bitch.”