Page 62 of Family Secrets

“Have you been crying?”

“Nope, it’s a genetic condition. My eyes leak when exposed to too much bullshit.”

Sully tipped his head to the side in confusion.

“Oh please, don’t act like you don’t know.”

“About Lisa and my brother.” Sully returned, his hands buried in his pockets, rocking back and forth on his heels.

“Lisa, a set of twins, half the population of Manhattan. Not to mention all of the women he’s run through faster than he does a new suit.”

“Honestly, Elizabeth, I’d assumed he ended things with Lisa when you arrived, but I don’t spend every minute of the day with him. I will say, Lisa spent a great deal of time with me during the first couple of weeks you were here. About the time Gino sent you all of those gifts, she wasn’t available to me anymore.”

“Available to you?”

Laughing, “Yes, Elizabeth. You are the first girl we haven’t shared.”

“You mean dated at the same time, right?”

“Oh, how your innocence intrigues me. No, I mean fucked at the same time. I’m sure Lisa shared some of our times together.” Sully admitted, a far-off gaze in his eyes. “The last time was right before you arrived. No, that wasn’t Lisa,” Sully laughed. “That was a couple of girls from the gym. God did her ass feel tight.”

Not wanting to hear anymore, she turned for the street. “I have to go.”

“Wait, Elizabeth,” Sully called after her, running down the slick sidewalk to catch up.

“I know this isn’t your scene; multiple partners, late-night meetings, and shit you can’t talk about. Gino is an ass, I tried to warn you, but I was serious about you giving me a chance to mend what my brother destroyed. Come on, let's get you out of this storm. I have a place Gino doesn’t know about, you can lay low until you figure your shit out.”

With few choices available and the snow coming down heavier, Elizabeth silently agreed, allowing Sully to lead her to his car parked a few feet away.

“Can I ask why you were at the hospital?”

Keeping her focus on the passing city, “Visiting a friend.”

Sully’s phone rang, saving Elizabeth from what she feared were questions she wasn’t ready to answer. She tuned out his end of the conversation, focusing instead on what she would do in the morning. With roughly ten thousand dollars in her bag, she could afford to catch a plane back to Kansas, maybe stay with Rose until she earned enough money to move on.

“I’m sorry, Elizabeth, I have to make a quick stop before going to my condo.”

Sinking further into the leather seat, Elizabeth remained silent as Sully pulled off the highway and onto a street not far from the office. Pulling up to what looked like an abandoned warehouse, Sully pressed something on his visor, the garage-style door in front rose slowly. As they pulled in, Elizabeth surveyed the well-lit room. Wood crates lined one wall, long tables stacked with square blocks on top of them.

“You know, Elizabeth, I was beginning to think I’d never get you here.”

Turing her face toward Sully, she tipped her head in confusion.

“You should have taken my offer,” Sully spat, his eyes darkening and lips drawing thin. “You stupid bitch.” Elizabeth felt a sting to her face, followed by the sound of glass shattering behind her before everything went black.

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