15
Walk
Amanda
My mood is even worse today. That’s the only reason I can come up with for the amount of bitchiness ready to spill out.
The hours I spent in the library moved me to tears. Even the librarian couldn’t help me with a way to go around Loser’s manipulations. The further out I go for a lawyer, the more expensive it is. Ridiculously expensive and nausea-inducing. I don’t see Mr. Matthias agreeing to that type of money being shelled out for my divorce. Maybe I should get on the whole taking an ad out in the paper for sexy times thing and force his hand.
And the not-so-subtle threat of being evicted is looming. When I left this morning, I saw a red letter on my door. I didn’t see one on any other doors, so I’m wondering if this is a scare tactic or if everyone is getting evicted soon. How can I find out if Loser really purchased the building? He could just be paying the landlord to harass me. It would be cheaper.
The only thing I have to look forward to today is my campaign to harass my boss. It will be a great distraction.
When I walk into the office, Ellen and Harriette stare at me with open mouths. They’re both on the phone already and the building doesn’t open for another thirty minutes.
Harriette shakes her head sharply and mutters, “I don’t want to know. This card is for you.”
She slides a key card across the desk to me like she doesn’t want to touch me. Coward.
“Thanks,” I paste on a fake smile and take myself to the elevators. I’m a little too conspicuous to go to Sarah’s desk today, so I just go straight up.
When I step off, the front desk is empty, but the big guard is there, waiting for me with crossed arms. He looks stunned to see me and blinks several times.
“Good morning, guard whose name I still don’t know,” I tell him with a bright grin. This first reaction is beautiful.
“It’s Mikael,” he takes his time looking at my horrible outfit, his lips twitching. I can’t tell if he’s trying not to laugh or suppressing a gag. It is a pretty bad clash of clothes. I worked hard on it.
The wide-brimmed floppy hat with fluffy feathers sticking out everywhere is shocking pink. The loud Hawaiian shirt is unbuttoned, revealing my long-sleeved camo shirt under it. The cheapest pants I could find at the thrift shop are noisy exercise pants that swish when I walk and are baby blue. I made sure that my knee-high socks are showing. They’re rainbow-striped. The only normal thing I’m wearing is my shoes.
None of it fits properly, but I spent fifteen bucks and it’s easy ammo for this situation.
“Well, good morning, Mikael,” I try to pronounce it the way he does and mess it up a bit. He’s too dazed to notice. “Let’s get in there and have a great day!”
My enthusiastic life coach voice makes his eyes widen even more.
I pass him with a bounce in my step and open the double doors dramatically.
Matthias glances up with a slight frown and freezes in place. Ace’s jaw drops before he starts laughing so hard he bends at the waist.
“Good morning everyone!” I clap my hands loudly to really sell the excitement.
I take the hat off and fling it towards the couches, refusing to look at the reactions from the popcorn gallery.
“Let’s get to work.” I’m starting to sound like an exercise instructor. I need to sit down.
I settle at the mini desk they have set up, pull out my phone and hit play on the first song I find. Then I turn it up until I’m wincing and start highlighting. I can feel them glaring at me, so I shove the box in front of me to block the view.
Most of my music is heavy metal, and I’m sure that’s eye-opening for several of the people around me. He should have left me my headphones.
No one says a word to me for hours. Or they might have, but I’m too busy jamming to pay attention. Until the box slides out of the way, and I take in Mikael’s lurking form. My singing stops abruptly, and so does the music when he hits pause.
I can’t say anything to him as he stares down at me with a disappointed look.
I notice a phone ringing, and then it gets picked up.
“Yes?” Matthias says in a deadened tone that gives me chills.
Mikael slides out of the way, and I can see the frozen man twirling that pen between his fingers. He’s staring at the door as if the call is already boring him.
“Hey Matthias, how have you been?”
At the sound of Loser’s voice, I wilt in my seat. Like all the energy just got sucked out of me through a straw. Mr. Matthias certainly has my wary attention now.
“Well enough, and you?” His eyes shift until I’m in his sights and narrow on me.
“We need to catch up! Have lunch with me. I found a few properties you might be interested in.”
My brows go down in confusion. Is he really selling property? How? And what properties is he talking about?
“Oh? I don’t remember looking for any,” Matthias watches me as the call continues. My mind is starting to try to join up pieces, but I don’t have enough to make a picture—until I think about my complex.
My eyes widen, and I scribble down the address and the name of the complex, slapping at Mikael’s hand to give it to him.
He’s startled by the violent action. I doubt he felt anything. He’s a rock. The note is taken from me, and he glances at it with a frown. Then he nods, walking over to slide the paper to Matthias.
“On the other hand, I am interested in hearing you out. We can meet at Le Chique.” The change in tune surprises me a little. He’s looking at the note with a dark scowl that’s a little severe for the simple phone call.
“Actually, I was going to ask for a meeting at your office,” Loser answers with a slight chuckle. “Kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.”
“Do tell,” Matthias leans back, the chair creaking in the silence.
“It seems my wife is working for you. Did you know that?”
My head tilts in confusion. Based on how much information he seems to know, this isn’t a surprise. But why bring it up to the boss? Did he see them at the complex? Crap, he probably recognized one of the vehicles if they’re buddies.
They couldn’t be friends. Ace despises the man. It’s why I like him so much, among other reasons.
I start shaking my head with wide eyes to get him to deny it but Mr. Matthias smirks at me.
“I did, actually. She’s rather entertaining.”
I slap a hand over my face to hide my grimace.
“Is she?” Loser’s tone is strained. He almost sounds angry, which makes no sense. What right does he have to know anything about me or my life now? None.
“She seems to always have a joke waiting,” Matthias says in a cold tone. My hand drops to glare at him. He seems smug about calling me out, which I would usually yell at him about, but not if he’s siding with Loser over it.
“Oh,” he chuckles, but the tight sound is forced. “I’ve told her several times her humor isn’t appreciated. I’m disappointed she’s fallen back into bad habits.”
Mr. Matthias raises an eyebrow at me as if he agrees.
Look at that. It’s time for me to take a break. Anywhere other than this carbon copy of my ex’s location.
I pick up my purse and sack lunch to walk out the door. With my new key card, I don’t have to worry about the stairs, either. He’s busy on the phone, and everyone else is quiet to listen in, so no one protests my leaving—if they would in the first place.
The first floor is a relief to see and the sudden tension that’s invaded me becomes lighter. Harriette gives me a smirk and asks where my hat went. I make a big show of shrugging with wide eyes and hurry to the filing room.
No one is there, of course, so I have the room to myself as I unpack my lunch.
I’m slow to eat as I pick apart my reaction to all of it.
My first instinct is to go home and change. My lunch break is supposed to be an hour, and I can make it there and back if I leave now.
The next is an absolute refusal to do that just because Loser and Matthias have the same thought processes. I never realized my sense of humor drained away from me because of crap like this. Being the perfect wife took over everything, and I didn’t even fight it. And for what? Loser to be happy with me? He never was.
What’s the point of being with someone if I can’t even be myself?
“Forgot your phone.”
I glance at Ace in the doorway, wearing his customary smile.
“The service got cut off, so it’s a paperweight that plays music now,” I shrug and take a bite of my sandwich.
His brow furrows as he joins me. He even brought his own chair, which makes me laugh lightly. He sets it up and sits next to me. It’s like he has no sense of personal space because our thighs are practically touching.
I don’t say anything because his attention feels good. It doesn’t seem fake or forced. If anything, he’s insistent about gaining my attention. It does a lot to soothe my fragile ego.
“Was it on his plan?”
I nod. “I should have changed it over a while ago, but I got lazy as usual. I always learn my lessons the hard way. When’s Loser showing up?”
“He isn’t, for his own safety,” Ace says through gritted teeth.
“Relax,” I scoff. “Watching you guys do that makes my teeth ache.”
His expression softens as he watches me take another bite.
“The address. It’s your complex.”
I debate on venting to this virtual stranger. He’s nice enough if a little homicidal, but who isn’t these days? The thing is, I’m getting a bad vibe about working so close to them and I’m not sure if it’s because I find them all attractive or if it’s actual paranoia.
“And you still haven’t gotten a lawyer,” his tone begins to darken.
That’s all it takes for my temper to take over my mouth. Here I thought we were murder buddies. I don’t appreciate the slap in the face.
“Yeah, because there’s some law that says if he contacted them first, even if they aren’t representing him, they can’t accept me as a client. And he must have spent all fucking week making phone calls because I have yet to find one he missed. Even other counties! Who the fuck does that? Who wants to stay in a marriage just to be treated like garbage while the asshole screws anything that breathes in his direction? And he expects me to just walk back into that house of bullshit like nothing happened? That fucker forgot who he was messing with. I am a mother fucking Jefferson !”
I’m gesturing around angrily with my sandwich, and I can feel the heat rising in my face as my volume increases.
“Using my so-called friends to keep tabs on me and report my every move isn’t going to save his ass. I spent all damn day trying to find any lawyer he hasn’t gotten to. Then, my phone gets cut off. So I go to the landlord’s office and ask to use the phone. That sleazeball tells me Loser is buying the complex, and he’s kicking everyone out to remodel it. What the fuck? And I had a notice on my door this morning saying I have a week to get out. Did anyone else? No. Is he buying the place, or is he paying the landlord to harass me? I want to know. And why the hell is he doing this?”
“He had perfection, and he’s regrettin’ lettin’ it go.”
I give him a disbelieving laugh. “He’s slept with enough women to make it clear I wasn’t perfect.”
“Doesn’t matter what that fucker thought then. This is now,” Ace leans forward to give me an intense look. “He wants you back. You bailed before Blake got to the good part of the phone call.”
“There is no good part to that dick anymore,” I sneer. “If there ever was.”
“Agreed,” he smirks and licks his lower lip. For some reason, he’s enjoying my rage-filled attitude. It’s put him in a good mood. “He wanted to come here and make a scene about how much he loves you.”
I gag with a roll of my eyes.
He tilts his head as he studies me. “He got his way with you in public, didn’t he?”
I open my mouth to give him a scathing comment and find I have nothing to say.
Did he?
I try to think back on the few dinner meetings I went to. The casual lunches. I know he said things that pissed me off and made me feel inferior to his college graduate buddies.
I can’t remember a time that I even protested it.
My brows furrow. “I gave in. Every time. No arguments needed. What the fuck did I do to myself?”
“Which is why Gabe said he wasn’t allowed in the buildin’,” his smug smile confuses me.
“Probably a good call,” I mutter. Can you kill someone with a highlighter in the eye? I’m willing to find out at this point. “What’s the difference in jail time for assault versus murder?”
“I got no idea, and you’re never gonna’ find out,” he tells me patiently.
“Tell that to the internet,” I whisper with wide eyes. “It knows all.”
“Don’t say that to Jake,” he warns me with a smirk.
“Why?” I fall back in my seat with a sigh.
“That boy would waste away to nothin’ without computers and games. You mention anythin’ like that, and we won’t be able to pry him off you.”
“Yeah, right. He couldn’t despise me more. It’s not possible.”
He makes a thoughtful noise and slides the other half of my sandwich closer to him.
“Hey,” I scowl down at his hand.
“I was gonna get lunch for you, but you went ahead without me. Why’d you leave?”
“I don’t want to hear that crap ever again,” I insist and yank my sandwich back. “I had enough of it over the years and the sad part is, I stopped noticing it. It took me months to realize that I squashed out every piece of me that he didn’t like to make him happy. I’m not doing it anymore, and listening to it will set me back.”
“You turnin’ over a new leaf?” He jokes and tries to move the sandwich again.
“More like regaining my old leaf. Whatever.” I glare and keep my fingers on the plate so he can’t move it.
He nods slowly and then snatches my wrist, pulling it to his face. I’m too stunned to react as he takes a bite of the half-eaten piece in my hand.
“What the hell?” I try to pull away, but he doesn’t let go. The smirk on his face makes my cheeks flush red.
“Share, darlin’. I’m starvin’,” he chastises me and takes another bite. His teeth scrape along my fingers and I’m suddenly a lot more interested in something that doesn’t involve eating.
“That doesn’t sound like a my problem thing,” I try to reinforce my single lady attitude and fail.
“But it is,” he smiles in a crooked way that draws my attention straight to his lips. “If you hadn’t left, we’d be at a restaurant by now. Maybe I’d be feedin’ you instead.”
“That sounds awkward,” I mutter as his face leans closer to mine.
“I’d make sure you liked it, darlin’.”
I don’t have a comeback for that. This man is full of innuendo. There’s no mistaking it now.
While I’m floundering to find some sass, his lips descend on mine. The first touch makes my whole body come to life. Has it been that long? The attraction to this man is either volcano level or I’m that hard up. Possibly both.
“You ignorin’ me?” He pulls back to raise a brow at my passive surprise.
“Nope,” I reply firmly and grab the back of his head to make it a real kiss.
The surprise transfers to him as my lips hit his with a little force. I’m proud of the fact that I don’t wait for him to take control. I slip my tongue past his parted lips like I’m on a mission.
My brain is screaming at me that this is a mistake.
My vagina is saying so what?
He seems to snap awake with a vengeance. His tongue twirls around mine, trying to draw me in deeper. He leans into me so hard I’m plastered against the seat. Fingers slip into my hair near my scalp and grip to pull my head back. The slight sting of pain barely registers. My body is a livewire, and I’m ready to throw him to the ground.
“At work,” he mutters, pulling away to fall into his seat.
“Uh, get back here,” I grit out, reaching for his collar.
His hand snaps out, gripping my wrist before I can reach him. I hope he’s not that fast in everything.
“I want this. You have to know it,” he gestures down to the erection trapped underneath denim.
I’m stuck staring at it now that he’s made it obvious.
“But there’s a lot to get through first,” he tilts his head, forcing me to refocus.
My lower half takes a backseat at his serious tone. My brain takes back over as I narrow my eyes.
I thought he was determined to make me his girl. Why the hesitance now? It’s more than a little suspicious.
“There’s a few twists to gettin’ with me, and I’d like to be honest.”
That sounds like an honest cop-out. It brings up a lot of insecurities. I glance away and shove the other half of the sandwich to him.
“Fill your mouth with something,” I glare and focus on eating.
I’m not going to embarrass myself by asking questions. He’ll either feed me more bullshit or dodge. That’s normally how this goes.
He looks frustrated as he picks up the sandwich but stays quiet as we eat.
It’s awkward as hell.
Cade
I stand at the back of the room, flirting with the hostess and any woman close by. It keeps Blake from noticing that I’m watching him like a hawk.
I don’t like him. Nothing about him screams good guy being cheated by his wife. Yet, that’s what he’s trying to sell.
This asshole is a scumbag. All the worst parts of a used car salesman combined with a handsome face.
I’d rather eat a razor blade than stay for this.
The more he talks, the more I want to cut his damn head off. Thank God Ace stayed behind.
Then again, he’s getting one-on-one time with Amanda. I might be getting the information, but I’m not having any of the fun.
When is she going to notice me? Other than glaring and calling me a dick. How do I make amends when she sets me on fire with her eyes?
I’m regretting the manipulation approach, just like Jake said I would.
As if he can read my mind, Jake glances at me with a wide, innocent smile.
Fuck him and his I told you so.
I refocus on the table with a strained smile. I despise this act. I want to go back to the office and sit on my ass. Listening to Amanda being a belligerent asshole puts me in a good mood.
Mikael thinks Amanda is worried Blake will buy her apartment complex. I can see why she’s not too thrilled about it. He’s busy trying to convince us that she cheated on him and stole some of his money. Right after telling us what a simp he is for his wife.
Things aren’t adding up at all.
I’m close to convinced that she’s innocent, and this is all a coincidence. As long as she doesn’t mess it up, I’ll keep thinking that.
In the meantime, it looks like I’m about to be the owner of an apartment complex. Maybe that will soften her up a little.
Amanda
We get back long before anyone else does. I glance at the phone Ace handed me and stuff it in my purse. I’m not in the mood to listen to music or harass anyone anymore. Loser quelled that without even trying. Ace finished hammering the nail home. No matter how much I argue with myself throughout the day, I can’t find the will to be an ass anymore.
Any time he tries to spark up a conversation, I shut it down without mercy. He’s beginning to look pissed, but I don’t care. He can honestly keep his bullshit to himself.
An hour later the group comes back, quiet and solemn. I keep working without acknowledging any of them. They settle into their regular positions, and the day drags on.
Close to five, I blink at a new name. Not one from the letters, one I’ve heard recently. A lawyer. A divorce lawyer, to be precise. One I called on Saturday and got turned away. The name was familiar then, and it’s even more familiar now. With it clearly typed up next to Loser’s name, I remember having dinner with him and his wife once. He’s one of Loser’s friends from college.
I lean back to look at the document in its entirety. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to, but who cares at this point? I could be spinning my wheels at home instead. Without a phone, it’s a little difficult to get a call back for an interview.
Are lawyers a kind of jack of all trades in the courtroom? This is a legal document for the foreclosure of a house, not a divorce settlement.
Maybe Jakolski was doing a favor for Loser. Shit, that means he has a damn network of lawyers to call on and keep me shut down on the divorce front. Damn it!
I pull out a different-colored marker and highlight it. Then, I make a note to the side about the fact that it’s a land dispute instead of a marital one. I don’t know why. It just piques my interest.
Damn it, I don’t want to be a part of the mystery club. If they end up offing my ex I don’t want to know the whys and hows. They can frame me without that.
“Blake has no interest in your apartment complex. Why did you bring it to my attention?”
My eyes skip to Matthias and narrow.
He’s been watching me stare at the highlighted name for who knows how long. If he’s telling the truth the threat of being kicked out is no longer an issue. I have a bad feeling about it, though.
“He might be payin’ the landlord to harass her instead,” Ace says casually from his leaning position behind Matthias.
I narrow my eyes on him angrily. “Goodbye trust. It was nice knowing you.”
He grins at me. “We’re a team, darlin’. This many heads put together can figure out a lot of shit.”
I throw my highlighter at him. It lands a few feet away from me in a feeble arc.
“I missed on purpose,” I glare harder to make up for it.
“Course you did,” he agrees smoothly. “He’s tryin’ to corner you, and I don’t like it.”
“Oh, because you don’t like it, let’s just tell everybody,” I said, layering the sarcasm so thick it couldn’t be scraped off.
“Sure,” Ace shrugs and then spills everything to the whole room while I gape.
“I wasn’t serious,” I try to interrupt, but Mikael gives me a quelling look that shuts me up. I don’t know why he’s the one who can do it, and I don’t want to find out.
They all listen to Ace explain the details of my idiotic life and current circumstances while I sink lower in my seat to hide. Where did that hat go?
“You haven’t mentioned any of this,” Matthias gives me a narrow-eyed look of displeasure.
“I didn’t realize this was therapy,” I mutter and glare at the table. Louder, I add, “It’s not your problem and has nothing to do with whatever you guys are doing, ok? Just consider it better ammo for when I need to be the killer at the climax of the mystery.”
I get a lot of dark glares for that and sneer back.
“You watch too many murder docs,” Ace growls.
“Probably, but at least I can see a frame-up coming,” I jibe back. I point at each of them with wide eyes. “I could swear it looks just like this. Do I need to wipe down the highlighters so you won’t have my fingerprints?”
Cade chokes on a laugh. “I don’t think Sarah has the contacts to find out who’s stealing them. You’re safe and sound.”
“Did you just deflect?” I raise a brow at him.
“What?” He looks around warily, suddenly unsure of himself. “No.”
“Enough,” Matthias’ cold voice cuts through like an icy wind. When we get quiet, and he has our attention, he continues. “Everything we’ve discussed today is easily verifiable.”
I look at him in confusion. “So?”
“You don’t mind me looking into it?” He raises a brow.
I mimic the expression with an added sneer. “No. Why would I?”
“How should I know?” He says with a menacing smile. “Maybe you’ve figured out Ace likes damsels in distress, and you’re luring him in. He’s the one you told.”
“Huh?” I look at Ace in disbelief. He’s looking down at Matthias with a flat expression. What new bullshit is this? Did they talk about the kiss like high school girls already?
“Why don’t we look into it and find out,” the cold-as-ice man suggests. His pen spins in his fingers as I gape at him.
“Do whatever you want, mystery team boss,” I roll my eyes.
I start gathering my things and muttering under my breath.
“You think I haven’t noticed that you’re playing on each of our weaknesses?”
“Gabe,” Mikael says in a warning tone. He lays a hand on Matthias’ shoulder as if he’s reminding him to stay calm. It doesn’t seem to be working despite his frozen face.
I slowly turn to look at him in surprise. “Excuse me?”
My faint voice makes his sick smile widen.
“Ace’s damsel. Mikael’s well-behaved brat. Feisty with me? Ignoring Cade and Jake?”
I’m lost under a sea of what the hell thoughts. Everything about this feels wrong. All of it.
What the hell am I doing here? I don’t need this place or these people. I’m not setting out to seduce and destroy. I don’t even want to be a part of this mystery. He’s the one that demanded I come back here. So did Ace. He offered me money and help with a lawyer. I’m starting to wonder if this is some kind of ploy. The seduction. Separating to meet up with-
A lightbulb pops on behind my eyes.
They had lunch with Loser. And I’m the enemy now. Ace is right. He’s trying to isolate me. I have to say he’s doing a great job without much effort. How far is this going to go? I don’t want to find out.
“Right,” I draw the word out slowly.
A heavy silence falls as I glance at each of them warily. I’m half expecting one of them to attack me with the heavy atmosphere weighing me down. All of my jokes about being framed for murder are currently haunting me because it doesn’t feel like something to laugh about right now. The cautious stares I get in return make the ominous vibes increase.
“Are you guys killing me today or…” I trail off, suddenly not sure of anything that’s happened with them. Ace’s flirting, my flirting back, and then the sudden shutdown. The game with Matthias. The unwilling submission to Mikael. And what does not wanting Jake or Cade’s attention have to do with it?
“Or?” Jake asks with a sweet smile.
“Or are you going to tell me what Loser said to start this bullshit,” I finish lamely.
“Knew it shoulda’ been me to go,” Ace mutters and rubs a hand over his lips. “Go home, darlin’. I’ll talk to them.”
“Why?” I ask in bewildered anger. Does he want to talk shit behind my back? “If anyone has the balls to accuse me of something, they can say it to my face.”
“Blake pointed out a few things that should have been obvious,” Matthias sets the pen down carefully and steeples his fingers in front of his lips.
“Like my insane seduction attempt that also includes ignoring or irritating people who have treated me like crap,” I nod slowly with wide eyes, waiting for reality to hit him. “Or being nice to the guy who could snap me in half like a toothpick?”
Mikael gives me a dark look for it but I’m not taking back the truth.
Matthias’ head tilts, but I can’t read his expression. It’s too flat and cold, like a robot.
“Or the fact that Ace got the scoop because he pissed me off?” My brows go up higher. I’m not mentioning that kiss unless someone else brings it up. From now on I’m pretending it never happened.
“Like your ability to manipulate people and how well you lie. Even the fact that you cheated on him and all he wants is a reconciliation.”
“ Excuse me? ” I shriek in rage. “The fucking audacity! And you just lapped it up, didn’t you? Bros before hos all the way, huh?”
I snatch my purse off the floor and march out, too furious to speak. I’m finding out how long an assault sentence is the hard way. Who needs the internet?
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he calls as I reach the elevator. I glance back to see him leaning in the doorway with a smug smile. “In proper attire with a better attitude. I can play this game better than you can, Mana-chan.”
My jaw drops as his smile widens, and he closes the door.
Was that all a play? He pissed me off on purpose? What the hell?
The urge to hurry back in there and scream in his face builds inside until I’m ready to pop. There is no way that this is a fitting revenge for my take on the dress code he tried to give me.
I probably wouldn’t be as angry as I am if some of his words weren’t too close to the truth. I am flirting with him. In the most insane way. Ace too. I think about Mikael’s heavy hand on my neck, and goosebumps rise in a tide. The Jake and Cade thing I don’t get. I can’t look at them without thinking about their harassment at the gym.
The elevator doors slide open, and I step in. Someone follows me, which makes my shoulders tense until I come face to lower chest with Mikael. My eyes slowly travel up warily.
He sticks to one side and presses the lobby button. I scoot farther away and hug the other side. There’s plenty of space between us, but his presence seems to take up the distance and touch me anyway.
“Like a toothpick?” He mutters with a slight frown.
“Was that a joke to him?” I demand, my anger retaking control.
“It was,” Mikael sighs and rubs a hand over his face. “He never had a chance just to be a kid. He doesn’t understand fair play. At all.”
“The poor darling,” I tell him flatly.
He looks at me with a solemn expression. “Yeah, he is. You’re the first person to go head-to-head with him and make it fun instead of dangerous. He doesn’t know the rules to play. All he understands is winning. He knows Blake is a weakness for you, but not how that kind of accusation would affect you. To him, it would be a minor irritation and something to ignore.”
“Does he not have feelings?” I raise a brow mockingly.
“In his world, feelings are a weakness.” Mikael assures me grimly. “It’s eat or be eaten.”
I digest all of the information I’m hearing, but it doesn’t diminish the outrage. I won’t be able to process deep thought and understanding until I calm down.
“So poor pitiful Matthias gets to be an asshole because he just doesn’t understand ,” I turn the last words into a mocking whine. “No. That was not a fun game or even a joke to me. I’m fucking out of this hell hole.”
“Do you want to get even?” He asks in a bland tone.
Uh, hell yeah, I do. But I don’t want to feed into this either. I dressed like a clown today to prove he can’t control everything in the universe, and he called me a cheater, manipulator, and a liar. How do these things compare?
“Come on,” Mikael chuckles, turning dancing blue eyes on me with a smirk. “Ace is ripping his head off as we speak. Don’t let all that hard work go to waste.”
“Good. I hope he rips off both,” I mutter angrily. “Either one is useless anyway.”
The chuckle turns into a laugh.
“I like what you’re doing with him. It’s showing him a lot of things he doesn’t want to see in people.”
“Like what? Having a sense of humor?”
“Basically, yeah,” he sounds surprised that he’s saying it. “I can’t remember a time he’s let loose like he does with you. It’s good for him.”
“You want me to stay and be a verbal pinata?” I glare.
“No. Never that,” his tone darkens. “I want you to keep fighting back. No quitting.”
He sounds like my parents right now, and the thought makes me wince. Jeffersons don’t quit. We don’t give up. We fight until our knuckles are raw and then fight some more. Yeah, Dad was talking about sports, but he also meant it for life.
He also taught me to know if what I’m fighting for is worth it.
Is Matthias worth it?
“So tomorrow,” he raises his brow at me as I cross my arms in mutiny. “Dress like you used to. Don’t have music. Be a professional.”
“That’s just giving in,” I protest angrily. That doesn’t help me at all.
His eyes slide to me as his lips turn up in a smirk. The subtle change into a coconspirator intrigues me.
“It will also teach him that getting what he thinks he wants isn’t always enjoyable.”
“Bullshit,” I disagree with a sneer. The elevator doors open, and he walks me out.
“No bullshit,” he chuckles. “No matter what he does to make you break, stick with it. Stay pleasant and boring.”
“Jesus, I’m going to have to start carrying around a stress ball again,” I grumble. I look at him next to me with a frown. He’s keeping pace with me, shortening his strides so he doesn’t leave me behind.
“You’re not walking me home.”
I try to be dismissive about it because I don’t need the extra temptation of his presence. I just got called out on flirting with everyone and cheating, to top it off. It reminds me of the pictures. I fight off a gag and focus on where I’m going.
“Just until I’m done talking,” he assures me, but I don’t know if I believe him. This has the weird effect of making me feel safe, even though I’ve never felt threatened on my walk to work.
I don’t say anything as he goes into detail about how boring I need to be. By the end of it, I’m agreeing with him, and I have no idea how he managed it. When he turns to leave, within sight of the apartment, I want to stop him and invite him to keep walking with me. This is the first time he’s truly spoken to me instead of glaring or looking blank. I’m enjoying it, and I don’t want it to end.
Instead, I give him a polite goodnight and keep going. Joke or not, Matthias’ words reminded me of how ridiculous it is for me to be interested in any of them. It punctuates the kiss with Ace nicely. I can look, but I definitely can’t touch. They’re way above my pay grade, and I’m not making that mistake twice.
Right?