Isabel’s POV
Collins pulls on his jacket, his movements unhurried, deliberate. He clears his throat, then takes the seat directly opposite me, leaning back with an air of easy confidence. His sharp gaze locks onto mine, a slow smirk tugging at his lips.
“Wow, Miss Claire Montgomery,” he drawls, his tone laced with amusement. “I never knew I could be of help to you someday.”
I chuckle softly, shaking my head. He hasn’t changed. Collins was always quick with words, sharp and calculating, even back when I was married to his best friend. He had a way of baiting people, setting traps with nothing but his tone, and watching them walk right in.
Facing him now feels like stepping into a familiar battlefield, but I push the feeling aside. I straighten, my expression cool.
“I’m going to cut to
