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“You’re paying me to be quiet?”
“Of course not. You don’t know anything worth talking about. I’m paying you for the inconvenience of getting mixed up in Anderson business. I know money is tight. Your mother is old, and she won’t be able to clean forever, while I guarantee her position at Cliff Point as long as she wants it. You need to start planning for your future, Eve.”
“I don’t want it.”
“Then I’ll leave it as a tip for the entire diner,” Colette pressed and pushed it into my hand.
I had no intention of being quiet, so why shouldn’t I take the money and tell on Colette at the same time? I had no obligation to her, money or not. Besides, the money was more evidence of her guilt.
I took the envelope. “You don’t really want to eat the entire menu, do you?”
“You think I’d eat something from here?” Her tone dripped with dry condescension.
I wrote out her order for the entire menu on my pad and slapped the ticket on the table. “You can pay at the counter.” I got up.
Her hand wrapped around mine, digging into my skin. “So, we understand each other, Eve?”
I nodded, and after a long pause, she released my hand, seemingly satisfied. I walked away from her, resisting the urge to cross myself to ward off evil spirits.
Yes, Colette. I understand you perfectly, and I’m going to make sure everyone does.
I got home late to apartment seven and let myself in. I was pleasantly surprised to see Lily in the sitting room. She was talking to Cayden and appeared solemn.
“What’s up, you guys?” I noticed my backpack on the floor beside her. “What’s this?” I asked, hanging up my coat.
Lily swallowed hard and stood. “I don’t know how to say this, so I’m just going to…Beckett came home in a rage. He stuffed your clothes into this bag.” She pointed over to a couple of boxes on the floor. “And the rest is in there.”
“To do what with?” I wondered, confused.
“I don’t know. He wasn’t talking to me, or anyone…he says you can’t stay with him anymore. He locked the door of the room and left.”
“Wait, what?” I pulled my phone out of my pocket and called him. “Something must have happened on his trip.”
“Where did he go?”
“Some kind of physical checkup in New York with the doctor who took care of his scar.” I called Beckett. There was no response.
“Are you sure that’s where he went? He looked beat up, not like he’d been to the doctor. Why don’t you call your brother?” Lily suggested, just as the door opened.
Beckett walked in, and relief filled me, immediately followed by concern. He really was beat up. One eye was black, and his nose was swollen. he had bruises along his jaw. His eyes landed on me and then skidded away.
“Good, you’re here. Maybe you can explain to Eve what the hell is going on and stop making us guess,” Cayden grumbled. He didn’t like anything that upset Lily.
“I told you before. Martino is out of here. She can stay with Lily.” Beckett was still avoiding my eyes as he made for our room.
“Beckett! What the hell is going on? What happened to your face?” I followed him, reached out and tugged his arm.
He stilled immediately. “Don’t touch me right now. I can’t stand it.”
I recoiled. Dread was forming in my belly. Had he seen Colette at the diner? Did he think I was talking to her behind his backor taking a payoff gladly? I still hadn’t told him about Jefferies. There hadn’t been a good time yet.
“Can you guys give us a minute?” I asked Lily, needing to speak to Beckett alone.
“No. Don’t leave. We have nothing to say to each other,” Beckett said.
I opened my mouth to protest, but what could I even say? I couldn’t spill all his secrets in front of Cayden and Lily. He might be acting annoying as hell right now, but that was a line I’d never cross.
“Please, speak to me alone and let me explain,” I started.
