Page 61 of Passion and Privilege

“Enough!” I shouted out, stepping between the two men.

Scott attempted to tackle Timothy through me. But Timothy was ready, and as Scott charged, he deftly side-stepped, extending his arm to direct Scott’s momentum right into a stack of wood. Scott landed with a thud.

“Damn you!” Scott roared, clutching his side as he struggled to rise. His face was a mask of rage and humiliation.

“Enough, Scott,” I repeated, standing my ground despite the tremors of fear making my legs feel like jelly. “You need to leave.”

The fight was interrupted when my dad walked into the shop. “That’s enough,” he roared. “Catherine, go upstairs.”

I walked to the stairs, catching sight of Timothy dragging Scott outside.

“If I ever see you around Catherine again, I will make you disappear,” Timothy hissed. “Do not test me.”

He pushed Scott out the door and slammed it shut behind him. A minute later I heard Scott’s tires peeling away.

Timothy turned and looked at me and Dad. He nodded once and walked out of the shop without saying a word. It was the weirdest moment of my life.

Dad looked up at me. “Well, I guess he’s not that bad,” he said.

“Dad!”

“Come on, let’s go to bed. We’ll clean this up tomorrow.”

I was in shock. I couldn’t believe what happened. It was over before it started. As I climbed the stairs, I couldn’t help but wonder what had brought Timothy here. I wondered what would have happened if Timothy hadn’t arrived when he did.

“Why did he come here?” I mumbled, more to myself than to my dad.

“I don’t know, sweetheart. But it seems he’s not one to stand idly by when you’re in trouble. I take it Scott was raising hell?”

“Yes,” I said, nodding. “I have no idea what he was going on about.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t down there earlier,” he said. “I have to say I’m glad Timothy showed up when he did.”

“Me too,” I murmured.

With Dad in bed and me stretched out on the couch, I had to wonder why Timothy always walked away without saying a word. It was a really bad habit.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Catherine

I DROVE BACK TO THE manor with a feeling of dread. The events of the previous night weighed on my mind. The turmoil gnawed at my insides, leaving me with a horrible upset stomach. I knew I had to talk to Timothy. Last night had been a disaster. The man deserved an explanation. I didn’t know why I was the one apologizing for Scott’s shitty behavior, but I felt the need to do it.

The gravel crunched beneath my shoes as I approached the front entrance. I knocked but no one answered. That wasn’t surprising. The massive house didn’t have a doorbell, which seemed like a pretty significant oversight. If he was upstairs, he would never hear the door. Then again, people wouldn’t just knock on the door. They’d have to get through the gate.

I tried the handle and found the door was unlocked. I let myself in and walked upstairs, knowing I would likely find him in his office. My heart was pounding in my chest. As expected, I found Timothy at his desk, surrounded by catalogs and paperwork.

“Timothy?”

He looked up with a weariness in his eyes. “Catherine.”

I walked in and closed the door behind me. I moved to sit down in the chair in front of his desk. He watched without saying a word.

“I’m sorry about Scott,” I murmured, my voice barely audible.

“Never apologize for that man. Are you okay?”

I nodded. “I’m fine. Thank you for stepping in.”