AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Soon. Today.”
“Can I come?”
“Do you want to?”
I remember Keith yelling at me in the office in front of everybody. “I was so ashamed by how he used to talk to me. Just mean, all the time, and I thought I had to take it. I think that’s the worst part. I felt like I deserved it somehow.”
Brian bites down. “You don’t deserve to be mistreated. You never deserve that. You’re beautiful, kind, and talented. You’re the best person I know. Let’s go together. You’ll see how dangerous and frightening Keith really is.”
Brian starts the engine again, pulling away from the jewelry store, circling the dump truck, and driving through the city. I watch him as he drives, tattooing this moment into my mind. The sun shines through the window, glistening his hair, his forearms tensing as he changes gear.
One day soon, this could all end, the intimacy exploding when we tell Dad the truth, but for now, we’re together. There’s hope for the future. That has to be enough.
“Are you okay?” Brian asks as we get closer to the offices.
He must’ve noticed my fidgeting, my hands worrying at each other almost as if they’ve got a mind of their own.
“Fine,” I murmur. “It’s just… I’ve never been very good at confrontation.”
He places his hand atop mine, stopping the fidgeting. “That’s why you’ve got me. You can wait in the car if you want.”
“No,” I say firmly. “I’m done being afraid.”
“I’m so proud of you,” he replies. “Stay close to me. I’ll keep you safe.”
He’s talking about inside the office, but I think about life and the future. I’ll always stay close to him, and he’ll always keep me safe.
CHAPTER
SEVENTEEN
Brian
I stride through the office with Evie at my side. The temptation to wrap my arm around her, take her hand, or cradle her back as we walk is almost too much to handle. I’m aching with the need for it, so people know who she belongs to.
We pause outside Keith’s office. Evie looks up at me, her hands clasped in front of her, fidgeting again.
“You can do this,” I tell her. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”
“E-ever?” she whispers.
I smile and almost kiss her. Only the watchful eyes of the staff members stop me.
“Ever,” I tell her, then push the door open.
Keith jumps up from his desk. His expression is furious, with a flavor of something else. Looking at him, I can tell he assumed it was an employee barging in here, and he was about to dish out his brand of so-called justice—a verbal beatdown that includes vicious words about the person’s physical appearance.
Fat. That fucking word aimed at my woman.
I surge across the room, only stopping when the bald guard rises from a chair in the corner. He’s the only one in here this time, and I remember what I said about breaking his arm if he goes for his weapon.
“What’s all this?” Keith says, waving a hand at his security guard so he backs off. “Come to beg for your job back?”
When he laughs, the knotted scar on his forehead creases.
“Your uncle sent me.”
The bald man gasps, then quickly kills the noise as if annoyed with himself for letting it out. Keith can’t hide the fear in his eyes.
I stand close to Evie, her heat next to me. I won’t turn to look at her or study her expression, but I know she must be enjoying this. The way he’s squirming and shaking his head.
“You’re lying,” Keith says.
“Nope. That’s the real reason I was here before. It had nothing to do with Evie. Emilio wanted me to scout the place out and make sure you were using his funds correctly. Do you want to know why?”
Keith’s mouth falls open. He’s shaking all over and suddenly turns into a frightened kid.
“He’s learned about your budgeting problems. Do you get my meaning?”
He’s still staring, seemingly unable to talk. “I…”
“You’ve been stealing from your well-connected uncle… your criminal uncle. Your uncle who has no problem dishing out extremely creative and sadistic brands of punishment. Does that seem like a clever decision?”
He grits his teeth. “You have to talk to him. You have to tell him—”
“Sir,” the bald man says, standing up.
Keith spins on him. “What?”
The bald man shifts on the spot. “I just think…well… He could be lying.”
I grin, reach into my pocket, and take out my cell phone. When I show him the screen, the color seeps from his face. I’m sure I can smell the fear and panic too.
“Oh, Jesus.” Keith drops into his chair, resting his forehead on his hand. “This isn’t good, is it? This isn’t good at all.”
“No. For you, it’s the worst thing that could’ve possibly happened, honestly. I hope you’re not overly attached to your hands.”
Keith leans back, running a hand through his hair, disturbing the comb-over so parts of his scalp show.
