Page 36 of Savage in the Streets
“Look, I appreciate all that you’ve done for me, but we’re through. I’m going back to my room.”
“Seriously?” Mabel says in a confused voice.
“What? Did you really think we were besties?”
* * *
Ashton
Ten years.
Ten fucking years.
That’s how long it’s been since I’ve entertained the idea of being in a relationship.
I was so close to having it all. My dream job. Freedom from my family. And the girl.
The girl was the most important part.
But life has a way of being cruel and punishing you when all you’re trying to do is get by and forge a better life for yourself.
“Knock, knock,” a voice calls, and I look up to see Mabel.
“What do you want?”
Her face grows concerned. “What’s gotten into you?”
“Other than the fact that I’m babysitting a grown fucking woman who swindled old grannies? I don’t know.”
“Oh, come on. You can’t actually believe Bailey would do that.”
“Can’t I?”
“I know you, Ash. You are really good at reading people. You have to know that she didn’t do it.”
I exhale audibly, showing her how annoyed I am.
“Yes, I am aware of her innocence.”
Mabel comes into my office uninvited, taking a seat across from me.
“You like her, don’t you?”
I snort out a fit of laughter.
“It’s the only reason why you’d act like such a prick.”
“Do you really think I’ve climbed this high on the food chain by being kind?”
“No, but you’re not treating Bailey with contempt because you’re angry. You’re doing it because you’re scared.”
Instead of entertaining the notion, I start going through files.
“Today, Bailey lost her salon. Since she hasn’t been paying rent, it’s now closed.”
My eyes snap up to hers. “I was looking at her lease, and technically she still has twenty-three days before they can legally lock her out.”
“The landlord probably knows she’s in a heap of shit and figured she’d have no recourse.”
