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"I need Malcolm's address. I have a feeling you know it."
"Of course I do."
"I need to talk to him face-to-face."
"I'm coming with you," Declan said.
"I appreciate the offer, but I'm handling this."
"Listen, that guy is a moron. He knows how to push people's buttons.”
“He knows how to push Reese's buttons and all of yours because he's known you for years," I said calmly. "He doesn't know me."
"Intimidation doesn't work. I've done that for a few years myself."
"From what I’ve seen, it hasn’t gotten into his thick skull that Reese isn't on her own. I'm going to change that."
"Fair enough. I'm going to message you the address."
I left my office the second Declan texted me the address. I had a lot of adrenaline, so I just hopped into the car and drove straight to his neighborhood. I was seeing red, and I didn't even have the guy in front of me. Seeing Reese like that last evening was excruciating, especially because she didn't allow me to be there for her. She thought I didn't realize she was faking sleeping, but of course I did. I knew her body; I could tell when she was awake and when she wasn't. But I'd taken that as a cue that she needed her space.
Malcolm was in front of the house when I arrived, and so was Francesca.
Just my luck!
A few seconds later, I realized they were fighting. She was loading luggage into her car.
"Come on, Fran. You can't just leave."
"Yes, I can. You've promised me you'd get your shit together and start earning some real money for years. I'm done waiting. I've got a life to live."
"What the hell are you doing here?" Malcolm asked, noticing me.
"Oh, for fuck's sake!" Francesca exclaimed. "First Reese and then this dude? What did you do? Plaster our address in the newspaper?"
She's leaving him? Karma is good.
But then I registered what they'd said.
"Reese was here?" I asked.
"Yes," Malcolm replied. "Came to do her own bidding for once."
He looked beat. What did Reese tell him? Whatever it was, he deserved it.
"So, what, I'm guessing you're here to give me a piece of your mind, too? To feel like a macho man because you're protecting her?"
"At least he is protecting her," Francesca shot back. "You can't even provide for your family."
"Fran, give it a rest." He turned back to me. "What did you even come for?" he asked.
"First, if you ever plant any more stories in rag magazines, you’ll be so fucking sorry. The reason I’m not going after you legally right now is to spare Reese. I'm glad she gave you a piece of her mind," I said calmly. "You deserve nothing less. I'm not here to get things off my chest. I couldn't care less what you two do. I have no history with you. But mark my words, Reese is not alone. She doesn't only have the Maxwells at her side now. She's got me, and I'm not going to let you get away with any more of this shit. It's my understanding that you’re working for Andamosi Investments."
He took a step back. "No, I'm not.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’ve got contacts in all industries. Don't try to deny it. And from what I've heard here, you're not doing so great financially, right? So here's the deal. Disappear from Reese's life, or you’ll find yourself without that job too. Got it?"
"Oh, for fuck's sake. Malcolm, don't screw that up too. You could barely get the job," Francesca said. "You’ll have to pay alimony, trust me."
