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Heat creeps into my cheeks as I glance around and realize some of the other partygoers have stopped to watch us. I hate every part of this. The clients are always worse when Tony’s the one who sets me up with them. I’d rather take my chances hanging out on a street corner in the red-light district.
Phil opens his mouth, but Leigh shoots him a sharp look.
“Don’t start the New Year like this,” she says, keeping her voice low so no one else can hear her. “Just move along.”
“All right, okay.” Phil holds up his free hand in surrender before pushing me toward the hallway to the right.
My spine is rigid as I move. I can feel the anger rolling off of Phil. Even though I didn’t do anything wrong, I know he’s going to punish me for it. And since it’s my job, there’s not a thing I can do but take it.
Two
Parker
I hate when Cameron pulls the older brother and boss card. It’s rare and usually only used when he’s trying to get me to do something he knows will help me in the long run. But I’m not really sure how this New Year’s Eve party is supposed to be doing anything.
I give him half an hour, and once his attention is sufficiently occupied with other people, I slip away into the unused office on the second floor. Only once I’m alone do I let out my breath and feel my muscles relax. I know Cameron means well, but I also know he does some things out of guilt. He was in college when Dad started beating me. He thinks he somehow should’ve known.
I love my brother, and I wish I could get him to understand that I’m never going to be “normal.” Parties and crowds and talking…it’s not my thing. I know the name of everyone here, but I’ve only talked to maybe a handful of them before.
Voices drift into the room through the cracked door, and I lean back against the wall, keeping myself hidden in the shadows. I can’t make out the words, but one of the voices is clipped. Angry. The other is apologetic. And I hear fear in that second voice. Even though it’s masked pretty well.
Quietly, I move a little closer to the door so I can hear them better.
“You should’ve spoken up when Leigh said something. Let her know that your whore ass is used to being groped in public,” the first voice snaps, and I recognize Phil’s whine. He’s some asshole in accounting who’s got a big head and a quick temper.
“I’m sorry,” the second guy says. “I-I was—”
He cuts off quickly when the sound of a hand connecting with bare skin reaches me. I’d know that sound anywhere. It was all I heard the year I turned fourteen.
I jerk the office door open, and Phil glances up from where he’s tucked into an alcove with a young guy. Phil’s face is red, and his eyes are bloodshot. He’s also gripping the other guy’s arm so tight that his knuckles have turned bright white.
The other guy looks back at me. Even though his face is impassive, fear shines in his eyes. His cheek is already turning red from the smack Phil gave him. It’s going to bruise later.
“What the hell are you doing?” I snap.
The younger guy opens his mouth to respond, but Phil shakes him a little before giving me a placating smile. “We were just talking, Parker. Anton here is my date.”
I don’t even look at Phil. I can’t tear my gaze from the younger guy. He’s dressed in a nice suit, but he clearly doesn’t belong here. Like maybe this was the first time he ever stepped foot in an office. “Are you okay?”
“He’s fine,” Phil says.
“I wasn’t asking you.”
“I-I’m fine,” Anton replies. “I’m sorry I disturbed you.”
“You didn’t.” I take a step closer to them. I know I should just leave them be, but I can’t. I keep hearing Phil’s hand hit Anton, and the thought of leaving them turns my stomach. “Phil, you should head back to the party.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry Anton was so loud.” Phil’s apology grates me, but I still don’t look at him. He’s irritated me from the moment I met him, but I never wanted to hurt him. Not like I do right now. Violence isn’t usually the first thing on my mind because I hate the thought of being like my father, but if anyone deserved it, it’s Phil.
“No, you go back to the party. Anton can stay here.”
Anton’s mouth opens again, but he shuts it one more time instead of speaking. It’s obvious he does it a lot from how natural the move is to him.
“No, no.” Phil chuckles a little. “We came together.”
“And you’ll be leaving separately.”
“Parker.” He moves closer to me and lowers his voice. “I’m paying for him. He’s mine for the night.”
