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She nods, but I see that the tears have started to stream at the realization that everything we've been told this summer could be a lie. The guy she's opened herself too, could've played her. I don’t know what he's up to, but we’re about to find out. I hold on to Karen, feeling the need to protect her.
***
“Hi, is Daniel in?” I ask the secretary as we reach her desk.
“Yes. I’ll take you up to his office.”
A wave of relief washes over me. At least we didn't miss him. But that relief quickly turns into a bundle of anxious energy with the realization that we're about to confront Daniel face-to-face.
Karen replies, “There’s no need. We know where it is.”
Janice shakes her head, her brown bangs swaying with the movement, “You don’t. He’s not on the same floor anymore.”
I guess that's not surprising. It has been a while since we've both shown up here. As the receptionist walks us through the bare office, the realization that Daniel’s business is coming to an end really hits home. Maybe he wasn't lying about that part.
“Shit, it’s quiet in here.” I look at Karen, and she keeps walking at a steady clip. It’s as if she doesn't know what to think. I stop and kiss her on the forehead just before Janice leads us to the door of Daniel's office. I can't help but wonder how long Janice will last here, seeing as nearly everyone else has been let go by the looks of things. She may be next on the chopping block.
I whisper to Karen, “Daniel wasn’t exaggerating about things being bad. The office hardly has any traders. It looks like one of those ghost towns you can walk through in the Mojave deserts.”
There's a solemn look on her face as she nods her head. Once we get to the office, Janice knocks on the door once and doesn’t wait for a response before turning on her heels and walking back to her desk. As soon as the door opens, we see him. There's a surprised look on face as he raises his head from his computer.
“Karen, Colt, what are you two doing here?" Daniel asks.
I stand and look at him, not knowing what to say first. I can tell by the expression on his face that he doesn't know what to say or think either. We've never shown up at his office like this unannounced. Fuck, we've never shown up at his office before, announced or unannounced.
He stands up from his desk and walks toward us.
Karen sits in one of the leather chairs, but I can't sit. A bundle of anxious energy is swirling through my body, threatening to explode.
"Why did you lie to us?" I ask. Fuck small talk. We're here for answers.
I watch as Daniel furrows his brows and a deep crease appears across his forehead. In that split second, he looks aged by about 10 years.
"What are you talking about?" he asks.
"Cut the fucking crap," I say. I can feel hostility bubbling to the surface and I'm trying to keep cool, but it's proving difficult. "Why did you really bring us here?"
He looks at me and then at Karen, and then turns to me once again. "I told you. The business isn't doing well. I hated to ask you guys, but I felt like it was my only option. I didn't know how else to keep this company afloat, so I thought we could all come together and discuss the inheritance."
I laugh. I know it isn't funny, but it's defense mechanism. I also curl my fists because at this point, I've had enough. "Lies!" I say.
"Colt, let's hear what Daniel has to say," Karen says at nearly a whisper.
"I don't know what this is about, but I think you should listen to Karen," Daniel says, advancing closer to me. "Sit the fuck down before you do something you regret."
"Regret?" I ask. "I think it's too late for that. I can't believe we believed you. We never had a choice, did we? You were going to do whatever the fuck you wanted with that inheritance, with or without our consent."
"Stop, you're out line," Daniel says. "I have no idea what the fuck you're talking about."
He steps even closer and I feel like it's a total fucking breech of my personal space. I think it's a combination of him getting in my face and him not owning up to meeting with the lawyer behind our backs, but without another words, I ball my fist, reach back and swing my knuckles into the bridge of his nose.
But the man’s reflexes are fast. He catches my swing and holds my fist from moving. We stand there, struggling against each other.
Yeah. We’re fighting.
Again.
Because he fucking betrayed Karen. He betrayed me.
I can see the anger flare in his eyes.
