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William stood and walked to the window. “Everything. She cares. She’s not like me, Sondra. Hell, she’s not even like you. She really fucking cares about people. She’s leaving him, but she won’t let me help her. God, why can’t she see that I just want to help? I want to make her life better.”
“Would you respect her if she came running to you? Or is part of what makes her different the fact that she’s never asked you for anything?”
“Yes. Maybe? I don’t know.”
Sondra lowered her voice. “What makes you think that people like you and I don’t care?”
“Because we don’t. We do whatever it is we need to do to get what we want. It’s as simple as that. But Addison, she wants to do the right thing or at least whatever it is that she thinks is the right thing.”
“Do you think it is? The right thing?”
William turned and stared Sondra dead in the eye. “The right thing for whom?”
“For you?”
“It’s complicated. That’s what I think. And it’s selfish of me to want her. I mean . . . Look at me. I can barely take care of myself. Until I get my shit straight, how can I possibly take care of anyone else?”
“I don’t think you really believe that though, do you, William?”
William squared his jaw. “No. Not really. Hell, I don’t even know what I really believe. Is that what you want to hear? What is it you want from me, anyway? What are we doing here?”
“We’re talking.” Sondra said as she stood and walked into the kitchen, returning with a glass and a bottle of whiskey. “Make me a drink, William. Then get on your knees.”
Williams’s demeanor changed as he did as he was told.
Sondra ran her fingers through his hair, grabbing a handful. “Do you have anything against talking, William? Tell me why such a simple concept is so hard for you to understand.”
William glared at the floor. Finally, he shook his head.
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“Now, we’re going to play a little game. Do you understand? You’re used to getting your way. But guess what, pretty boy? Not here and not now. I’m going to ask the questions, and you’re going to answer. Is that fair?”
Sondra tugged on his tie, cutting off his air supply. “Are we clear?”
“Yes, Mistress.” William choked out.
Sondra pulled his hair tighter as she whispered in his ear. “Good. So you love this girl. Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“And what do you think she would say if she saw you like this? Do you think she would care then?”
William grinned through the pain. “Yes.”
Sondra loosened her grip on his hair and tugged his tie tighter. “That’s it. Now we’re getting somewhere. You see, Mr. Hartman. You’re smarter than you give yourself credit for.” Sondra backhanded William as hard as she could.
William brought his hand to his face and wiped the blood from his nose. “What the fuck, Sondra? I told you nothing above the neck.”
“Oh, please, stop being such a pansy. For heaven’s sake, do you really think the girl would be ripping apart her family if she weren’t in love with you? I mean seriously, William, where are your balls? Quit having a fucking one-person pity party and do something!”
William stood up. “I’m done here.”
“Hang on. Let me get you an ice pack to go.”
William eyed his swelling eye in the hallway mirror. “Motherfucker! I thought I made it clear I have a meeting.”
Sondra tossed the icepack, and William caught it mid-air. “Let me make something clear to you. Get your shit together, William. It’s time to man up. While you’ve been busy licking your wounds, Scott Hammons has been harassing your girl. He’s made contact with her, William. And if I had to guess, I’d say she hasn’t told you a thing about it.”
