“You do not speak to him like that.”
“He needs to hear reality from someone who isn’t trying to get his hands on four hundred thousand dollars.”
Noah held his breath.
Caleb moved into the doorway.
Owen swore under his breath.
I rose.
The chair scraped across the floor.
“My hands are nowhere near that money.”
Diane stood too.
“You expect me to believe you? He can barely walk. He admits he can’t remember his own accounts. Who signs his papers? Who speaks to the bank?”
“He does.”
“He lives in your apartment and works in your business.”
“Our apartment,” Noah said.
Diane ignored him.
“He is vulnerable, and you have made yourself indispensable.”
I stepped around the table.
Caleb caught my shoulder.
“Reid.”
I wanted to put her through the wall.
Instead, I stopped.
Noah remained seated.
His face had turned gray.
“Mom.”
The word came strangely.
Too careful.
Diane looked down at him.
“I only want to make certain you’re protected.”
“Protected from Reid.”
“From anyone who might take advantage.”
Noah’s fingers fumbled against the pole.
