"Don't badger Angelica," I said. "You'll waste her time and run up my bill."
"Eat something, Parker," Griffen ordered, nodding at the plate between us.
Obedient, I picked up a sandwich and took a bite. Cheddar and roasted chicken with some sort of peppery greens and a spicy mustard that made my taste buds tingle. My mouth watered and for a few minutes, all I could think about was filling my empty stomach.
I almost didn't hear Griffen over the sound of my chewing when he said, "Your bill is what I called her about. I told her to send everything to me."
I chewed furiously, swallowing hard. Griffen was already shaking his head when I opened my mouth. "Griffen, no. This isn't your–"
"Itismy responsibility. One hundred percent. I'm paying every single one of those bills. This is me telling you what's going to happen, not me asking your permission."
"Bossy," I grumbled under my breath.
"Damn straight."
I sipped my tea, trying to hide the warmth in my chest at his determination to take care of me. I couldn't remember the last time anyone had. Aside from Nash. And Claudia. But this wasn't the same. Griffen was my big brother. He was family.
"Griffen," I tried to protest, my words catching in my throat.
"Parker," he countered. "Do you have any money?"
ChapterNine
PARKER
Ifroze, the sandwich lifted halfway to my mouth, unexpected tears pricking my eyes as the fierce heat of a flush hit my cheeks. Money. I was ashamed to answer Griffen. Despite my expensive clothes and jewelry, Tyler and I never had much cash. Claudia seemed to pay for everything, money appearing just when we needed it and disappearing to cover our bills. Tyler refused to consider getting a job, finding a career, or doing anything other than flitting around entertaining himself.
When I'd suggested that I find some kind of employment, he'd been livid. That conversation was the first time he'd hit me. I might have gone behind his back or pushed harder if not for that. He'd lost it, his eyes hot with rage, screaming so loud that flecks of spittle flew from his mouth as he'd ranted. I was useless and stupid, and if I got a job I'd be even more of an embarrassment than I already was.
I'd protested, insisting we had to do something, that we couldn't go on running up bills we couldn't pay, living as if we had millions when, in reality, we had nothing. I'd made the mistake of reminding him that Claudia was covering everything. That had ignited a whole new level of fury and he'd whirled around, leading with his fist and catching me hard on the cheek.
I'll never forget the way the room had tilted, the carpet slick under my feet as I tumbled into an awkward heap. He'd kicked, catching me in the back and then the ribs, knocking me off balance. I'd scrambled on my knees, seeking shelter behind the couch before I'd slipped out of my heels, gotten to my feet, and sprinted for the stairs. I'd locked myself in our room, terrified Tyler would come after me.
He hadn't. I'd lay curled on the floor, hiding in the closet, waiting, but he never came. I don't know where he went, but I didn't see him for three days. When he came home, it was as if nothing had happened. I wasn't brave enough to bring it up. My face was still swollen, my ribs spiking in pain every time I moved, my back so sore I'd been sleeping on my stomach. Every time I thought about confronting him, the pain reminded me to keep my mouth shut.
"Parker," Griffen his eyes, afraid I'd see pity. I wanted to refuse, to say that I could handle this myself, but I knew I couldn't. I'd sold some jewelry to pay Angelica's retainer and first invoice, but the second was still tucked in my purse, more overdue by the day.
I'd spent more than one night laying in bed, a tight knot in my stomach, staring at the ceiling as I tried to figure out where I was going to get the money to pay it and all the invoices to come. The tight knot loosened, just a little, at the realization that Griffen had already solved that problem for me. I'd planned to find a jeweler and see what I could do with the pieces still packed in my carry-on. If Griffen insisted on paying Angie, I still had a little safety net.
"If Tyler is prepared to be a pain in the ass," Griffen said, "there are limits to what we can do to push your divorce through." Griffen raised an eyebrow in question.
"He is absolutely prepared to be a pain in the ass," I confirmed.
"Then one thing we have on our side is money. I'm covering Angelica's bills. I looked her up and her reputation is impeccable. Tyler is going to have trouble finding anyone willing to take her on, given his lack of funds."
A true smile spread across my lips. I picked up another half sandwich, my stomach still rumbling. "That's what Nash said."
"Sounds like a smart guy."
"Smart doesn't quite cover it. Not when it comes to Nash," I said and took a hefty bite of the sandwich.
"Your brother-in-law doesn't have a lot in common with your husband, does he?" Griffen poured us both second cups of tea.
I laughed, slapping a hand over my mouth so I didn't spit crumbs at Griffen. "They're polar opposites," I said after I swallowed. "They've never gotten along, as far as I know."
Griffen picked up his teacup and leaned back in his chair, propping an ankle on his knee. "I'm glad he was able to help you out."
"Me too," I agreed.
