Read Online Prelude of Lies by Victoria Smith - Free Book Online Page A

that?
    “Great. Listen, call me if anything weird happens. I heard that guy Marshal talking about your granddad’s widow. Why didn’t you tell me?”
    The words were on the tip of her tongue. Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t going to be a father? Why didn’t you come back to me?
    She swallowed her feelings and shook her head a little too hard. “We’re handling things okay. And she’s not going to get her way.”
    Not wanting to explain further, especially when Sydney hovered by the door to give her time to talk to him, she moved to the fire pit and laid her kindling. Sydney finally burst through the screen door with two glasses and a bucket containing ice and two bottles of wine.
    “Hi, Tucker. The place looks fantastic. I can’t tell you how much we appreciate the hard work your crew is doing.” Her words were sincere and Daisy echoed them.
    “I’ll let you ladies get on with your girl’s only evening. Enjoy. We’ll be here early again. I make no promises about the noise.” His gaze lingered on the wine, the point he made pissing her off.
    For an answer, she took her glass from Sydney and downed the whole thing in three swallows. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and held the glass out to Sydney. Tucker shook his head and waved as he left, his smile making her want to follow him and demand those answers.
    She didn’t care. Tucker could think what he wanted. She was nothing to him. His silence these past few months proved that. She watched him as Sydney came to stand beside her.
    “To hell with him,” Sydney said, handing her a full glass of wine.
    “Hell, yes. To hell with him.” She drank half before giving it back and bending to light the fire. As the tinder caught, she plopped down in a camp chair and watched the tiny flames dance.
    “He’s an ass.” She didn’t look at Sydney.
    “You’re right. They’re all asses.” Sydney downed her wine, her attention on the parking area.
    Daisy turned to follow her sister’s line of vision.
    Marshal made his way through the parking area toward the crew’s cabin, apparently oblivious to them.
    “His is a damn fine ass though.” Sydney grinned and reached for the bottle.
    “You need to catch up. I’m already one up on you.” Daisy lifted her now-empty glass, the little bit of alcohol in her bloodstream relaxing her.
    “Okay, but you’ll need to get another bottle then. That’s the last.” Sydney filled her glass to the rim and topped off Daisy’s before tossing the bottle in the grass beside them. “One down and it’s not even dark yet. Awesome.”
    When another empty lay in the grass beside the first, Marshal appeared. He gently kicked at the bottles before turning his attention to Sydney and Daisy. Sydney couldn’t stop giggling, and Daisy was in the same condition, only a little surlier.
    “You guys are drunk.” He didn’t exactly sound like their mother.
    “Damn straight.” Sydney finally stood after a failed attempt. “What’s it to you?”
    “I wanted to talk to you, but I can see this isn’t the time.” Marshal leaned over, and Sydney grabbed his collar.
    “It’s sister night. No boys allowed.” She tried to push him but failed, knocking herself backward. The only things that stopped her from falling in the fire were Marshal’s quick arms.
    Damn, but being up against him felt good.
    She lost her train of thought and stared up at him, her brain not engaging until Daisy hollered at her.
    “We’re out of wine. Again. Dammit.” The third bottle landed with the others.
    “Your turn,” she said. Why was she still in Marshal’s arms? Did she want him to let her go?
    “Fine. Remember, Marshal, no boys allowed. You’d better be gone when I get back.” Daisy’s threat came out with a slur and a giggle.
    “She’s drunk.” Sydney stared up at him, wondering when they’d had time to drink three bottles of wine. Had they eaten yet?
    “And what are you?” Marshal’s face was too close and he smelled way