Page 38 of Preying Heart
“You really think of me like that?” His face slackens with astonishment.
“No, Heath. I don’t think you mean it on purpose, but that’s the effect you have. It’s all about control and doing as you say. Demanding others to fall in line. Don’t you ever look in the mirror and wonder what you’d do if someone treated you the way you treat others?”
“Wow. I didn’t expect a lecture from you.”
“Why, because I’m weak?” I shove my way by him to leave, but he grabs my arm and turns me toward him.
“No. You’re not weak. You are a survivor. Sometimes you have to do what it takes to survive.”
I shrug at the grip he has on me, but he doesn’t let go.
“Then imagine it’s the other way around. I have you by the balls and there’s not a thing you can do about it.”
He winces as if he’s imagining me twisting his family jewels, but at least he has the grace to unhand me.
I rush from his office without looking back. My heart is pounding like the hooves of runaway horses. I can’t believe I took a stand. I actually spoke up, and the glow inside of me feels—empowering—like a tiny ember winking itself to a new life.
ChapterFourteen
Remi
I’m the last one up the next morning which is a good thing because I have no idea where Heath slept. In his office or in his bedroom with Lucy? It shouldn’t matter to me as I’m just passing through. Instead of worrying about the two of them and their lovers’ quarrel, I need to figure out a way to make money.
To do that, I need to go online. I have several gig jobs on the side and clients who contract with me for commercial art, editing and proofreading, and video editing. I cloak my online identity anyway, so it’s not like Gavin or anyone else can trace my avatars back to me.
The sound and scent of breakfast make my stomach rumble. Guess the baby is making me hungry all the time. Imagine my surprise when I find Heath and Lucy sitting at the kitchen table dipping biscotti into their coffees. It appears they have well and truly made up.
“Good morning, Remi.” Lucy’s voice is slightly hoarse, but she wears a satisfied look on her face.
“How’d you know my name?” I dart a glance at Heath who gets up and turns toward the skillet where he’s frying hash browns.
“You challenged Heath and that’s all it took.” Lucy gestures for me to take the chair next to her.
Again, I’m mystified. I have no idea what went on between them and I feel like I walked into the middle of a movie.
“Heath, what is she talking about? Are you two in cahoots or something?” Chills grab the back of my neck and I wonder if all the fighting was put on for my benefit.
“Relax, will you?” Looks like Lucy’s the only one talking. Heath is studiously breaking up the hash browns and pressing them down to brown.
I walk to the coffee machine to pour myself a cup. “I can’t relax.”
“Then you shouldn’t have any caffeine.” Lucy gets up from the table. “Let me pour you a nice healthy glass of milk.”
This is pissing me off. My life is on the line, and the two of them are acting like it’s the morning after their grand reunion. What if they both decided to turn me in to the Million-Dollar Dude and are counting their reward. After all, neither of them owe me a penny. I’m just the mark.
“I can get it myself.” I elbow by her and grab a glass from the cupboard. “But more importantly, I have to make plans to get out of your way.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Heath says. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you need.”
“Well, I don’t need to stay here a moment longer. As soon as I can get online, I can access my savings and figure out where I can go next.”
“She hasn’t seen the news, has she?” Lucy gives Heath a nudge.
He empties the skillet contents onto a plate. “Let her eat breakfast first.”
“No, I want to know what’s going on. I wasn’t born yesterday. No one stays honorable when there’s a lot of money involved.”
Heath winces and sets the pan down hard on the counter while Lucy gives me a cat who got the cream smile.
