Chapter Twelve
Timothy
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M Y BLOOD BOILED WITH anger as I pulled up outside of Henry’s house. Luke parked behind me. He was going to handle the subcontractors while I talked to Henry. Talk wasn’t exactly the goal I had in mind. I had been beyond pissed when Luke told me the specifics of what Henry said. I knew I had to confront Henry about his treatment of Catherine, about the way he had spoken to her. It was unacceptable, and I was determined to make him understand that.
As we approached the front door, my heart pounded in my chest, adrenaline coursing through my veins. This confrontation was a long time coming. Henry thought he could take what he wanted and talk to people the way he wanted. I was going to let him know Catherine was off limits. If I had my way, she would never step foot on this property again. But after the last time I tried to tell her to stay away, it hadn’t ended well.
Luke pushed open the door. “Are you sure?” I asked. “I don’t want him getting us for trespassing.”
“I work here,” he muttered. “Any of us can walk in and out of here.”
As we walked through the house, I felt the tension. There was little work being done. I could hear the whispers.
“Where is he?” Luke asked.
“Back there,” one of the guys answered. “He’s been on the phone bitching someone out.”
“Thanks,” I said.
Luke led the way. Sure enough, we found Henry in the backyard pacing back and forth with his phone pressed to his ear.
“Henry!” I said loud enough for the whole block to hear.
He spun around and glared at me. “I’ll call you back,” he said to whoever was on the phone.
He put his phone in his pocket and stalked toward me. He looked at Luke and laughed. “You called your big brother to be your back up?”
“Trust me, buddy, I don’t need backup,” Luke snarled. “I just felt like the honor of kicking your ass belonged to the man you were insulting. And the boyfriend of the woman you were treating like shit. I thought he might have a little something to say about it.”
“What the hell do you want?” Henry snapped, looking at me.
I stepped forward, my gaze locked with his, my voice firm with resolve. “We need to talk,” I replied, my tone leaving no room for argument.
Henry’s eyes narrowed at my words, his lips curling into a sneer. “I have nothing to say to you,” he retorted, his voice dripping with disdain. “This is none of your business.”
“It is my business,” Luke chimed in. “I’m done listening to your bullshit. Every man on this job is ready to walk.”
But I refused to back down. “You need to apologize to Catherine,” I insisted, my voice rising with anger. “The way you spoke to her was completely out of line.”
Henry scoffed. “That so? Not like I can’t replace you.”
“You can try,” Luke shot back. “Good luck finding anyone willing to work with a chauvinistic jackass like you. Everyone here is putting your name on a list. We share lists. You’re not getting anyone local to finish this.”
Henry pushed Luke. Even I knew that was a mistake. Luke pushed him back. I could see what was coming.
“Go,” I told Luke, stepping in front of Henry.
“That’s it then,” Luke announced, turning on his heel. “I’ve heard enough bullshit from you, and I’m done. You won’t get another ounce of my energy, but you will get my bill or I’ll be putting a lien on this house.”
“Good. Get the hell out of here before I kick your ass.” Henry’s threat was pretty ridiculous. Luke could take him in a heartbeat.
“You heard him, boys!” Luke shouted. “He doesn’t want our talents. Let’s go!”
Henry scoffed, his expression filled with contempt. “Whatever. A bunch of low-rent, shitty contractors that do subpar work. Good. Go! All of you, get the hell out of here! You and that shitty boss you’ve been listening to aren’t worth ten dollars let alone the thousands that bitch is trying to charge me.”
I got in his face. “You’re going to fucking apologize.”
“I’ll apologize when hell freezes over,” he replied, his tone defiant.
That was the last straw. With a surge of anger, I stepped forward, my fists clenched at my sides. “You listen to me, Henry,” I said, my voice low and dangerous. “You will apologize to Catherine, and you will do it now. She’s a million times too good for you. She doesn’t have to work for you. You were lucky to have her on this job.”
“You gave her a good review because you’re fucking her,” he hissed. “I should sue you. I’m going to sue her and that stupid fucking Historical Society for recommending her.”
“You’re going to stop,” I warned.
He stepped close and chest-bumped me. “Or what?” he snarled. “What are you going to do, Timmy? You didn’t have enough balls back then, and you don’t have them now.”
“Don’t I?” I said in a low voice.
Timothy was about an inch shorter than I was. We were breathing all over each other. I didn’t back down. I wanted him to take the first swing. I knew that’s where this was going, and I wasn’t going to try and stop it. This was a long time coming. Henry thought he was rich and powerful, but we both knew I had a lot more money than he did. He wanted me to hit him so he could sue me. He sure as hell didn’t know how to make his own money. He only knew how to lie, cheat, and steal.
There was a moment of stillness. Not a single sound could be heard. My senses were on high alert. Then it happened. There was the slightest movement. I stepped back, knowing the hit was coming.
As if in slow motion, I saw Henry’s fist coming toward me. His face was a contorted mask of rage, and his spit was flying from his mouth as he made contact with the side of my cheek. The force of it sent me reeling backwards, but I quickly regained my balance, my own anger burning through my veins.
“Is that all you’ve got?” I taunted him, wiping the blood from the corner of my mouth. I saw surprise flicker in his eyes before it was replaced with seething hatred.
“Don’t tempt me, Timmy,” he growled. “You don’t want to know what I’m capable of.”
That was it. I wasn’t going to take any more. With a swift movement, I swung my own fist, connecting solidly with Henry’s jaw. He stumbled back a few steps, surprise and pain written all over his face.
“That’s for Catherine,” I spat, my blood boiling. “Now apologize.”
Henry touched his jaw gingerly, shaking his head defiantly. “I don’t owe her anything.”
“Oh yes, you do,” I said, stepping forward. “You owe her an apology. You owe her respect. You owe her more than you’ll ever be able to repay.”
There was a change in Henry’s eyes then. “Fuck you,” he snarled.
He came at me again. I darted to the side and dodged the hit. He swung again. The guy wasn’t going to stop. I swung, a quick jab to the right side of his face. He stumbled back, and something primal took over. I lunged, ready to take another swing, but I was pulled back.
“He’s not worth it,” Luke said. “Walk away. He got the message.”
I shrugged off Luke’s grip, my gaze never leaving Henry. “He needs to learn his lesson,” I told him, my voice barely more than a growl. The adrenaline was pumping through me. I tasted blood...literally.
“Timothy,” Luke said, placing himself between Henry and me. “This is not who you are. Catherine wouldn’t want this.”
I stepped up to Henry. “Catherine will finish this job. Luke and the others are going to finish their part. Then you are going to sell this house and get the hell out of town. You are not welcome. You step foot in this town and you’re going to be dealing with more than one pissed-off dude.”
With a defeated sigh, he finally relented. “Fine,” he muttered, his voice begrudging. “You’ve always been a dick, Timothy.”
“Yes, I have,” I said and spat out the blood pooling in my mouth. “Remember that the next time you want to fuck with my woman. I will always back her up.”
“As will I,” Luke said. “And every other man on this job.”
“Whatever,” Henry hissed. “You can have this redneck shithole.”
I walked out of the house and out to my car. “You good?” Luke asked.
“I’m fine,” I said.
“You showed restraint back there,” he said with a laugh. “I’m not sure I could have done the same.”
“He’s an asshole, always has been,” I said. “Now, I have to go talk to Catherine. I have a feeling I’m going to be in trouble.”
“He threw the first punch,” Luke reasoned.
“I know. Thanks for calling me. I’ll see you later.”
I called Catherine, but she didn’t answer. I knew I was in trouble once again. She wasn’t going to be happy things got violent, but damn, did he deserve it.
I pulled through the gate and saw Catherine’s truck in the driveway.
“Shit,” I muttered. I was in trouble.
I walked into the house, knowing she was about to yell at me.
“Where the hell have you been?” Catherine demanded as she walked into the foyer. She took one look at my face. “What the hell did you do?”
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for her wrath. “I need to tell you the truth,” I said.
“Kitchen. Now.”
I followed her into the kitchen and watched her yank open the freezer. Her movements were jerking and angry as she pulled out the ice holder.
She grabbed a small towel from the drawer and wrapped a handful of ice cubes in it. “Sit,” she ordered, pointing sharply to a kitchen chair. I obeyed without a word, wincing slightly as she gently pressed the makeshift ice pack against my swollen cheek.
“I am not going to ask again, Timothy,” Catherine said, her voice dangerously low. “What did you do?”
I looked at her, meeting her furious gaze with a steady one of my own. “I confronted Henry about what he did to you.”
A mix of emotions crossed her face—surprise, anger, confusion—before finally settling on concern. “You what?” she asked, her voice almost a whisper.
“I stood up for you, Catherine,” I said, my voice as steady as my gaze.
“And you got into a fight? With Henry?” she asked, incredulity shadowing her tone.
I gritted my teeth against the sharp sting as she pressed the ice harder against my cheek. “He had it coming, Catherine. No man has any right to treat a woman the way he treated you.”
“For shit’s sake, Timothy!” she exploded, pushing away from the table and throwing her hands in the air. “You can’t go around punching every man who insults me!”