Page 52 of The Photograph

I hate that my hand is shaking when I clutch the small square piece of paper.Oh.It’s an old picture of me, Cara, and Mitch, Cara’s ex. I look at the picture, back at him and back at the picture again.

We were working in a dive bar—me as a waitress and my sister in the kitchen—and rented the small two-bedrooms apartment above it. I loved that place, and we stayed long enough for me to decorate it with knick-knacks I recycled, furniture I picked up in the trash and painted, making them beautiful again.

The morning of my eighteenth birthday, she’d taken me to have my name legally changed.My double birthday celebration.

I didn’t know someone had taken a picture. Cara’s standing behind the bar hiding her laughter behind Mitch’s shoulder, and my arms are wrapped around his waist while he’s yelling an awful rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’. I can still recall the taste of the pasta with mushroom she’d made for Mitch and me.

Such a happy day.When Gabe snatches the picture out my hand, I gasp and whip my eyes up to his. His face is unrecognizable, and the rage he exudes is almost tangible.

“I…I don’t understand—”

He leans in and I sway back. “You twisted your little ass into my brother’s life, and I know how convincing you can be—”

Mitch’s brother. Gabe is Mitch’s brother.I haven’t seen Mitch in nearly ten years. And he never talked about a brother.

“—then when he wouldn’t give you the moneyed life you wanted you kicked him out. He

got onto his bike and drove straight into a truck.”

Mitch had an accident? “Oh, my G—”

Gabe continues. “He was in a coma for weeks and it took thirty-four surgeries. Thirty-four!” I jump at his roar. “…to get him back on his feet. And the whole fucking time all he could think about was you, clutching this picture like his life depended on it.”

I suck in a breath at the hatred in his eyes. “Your greediness nearly cost me my brother and you’re lucky all I do is to kick you out of his life.”

“Where’s Mitch? he—”

“His name’s Michael!”

I clench my teeth to stop the flood of pain from reaching my eyes. I clear my throat, but my words come out strangled. “How is he? Is Mit … Michael, okay?”

He glares at me. “Like you fucking care.”

There’s heartache in his voice. Grief for his brother who suffered and went through hell. I get closer and stop short of touching his arm.

“Gabe, I’m so sorry… Can I… where’s Mitch? I’m sure he’ll…”

He slants forward until his face is inches from mine. “Go anywhere near my brother again and I’ll make you really regret the day you set your claws into him.”

I believe him. Right now, he’d do anything to protect Mitch.

My heart breaks a little and I touch his jaw which hardens against my palm. “Gabe, listen to me, I’m not—”

For a split second, his gaze softens before anger takes over again. “What the fuck do you want from me?” He wraps his hand around my waist to plaster me against his erection. “Is that what you want? A quick hate-fuck won’t change the fact that I want your greedy little ass gone.” His hold tightens while his eyes drill into mine. “Is it?”

No. No. No.When I push against his chest, he doesn’t budge. My words get stuck in my throat, and a tear burns down my cheek. “No, I don’t want that. I don’t. No … no!”

When Gabe releases me, I stumble backwards and catch myself on the desk. He slaps his hands on the desk on either side of me, caging me.

“Now, you listen to me. I know you’re whoring with your sister.”What?His tone becomes a dangerous hiss, and I clench my teeth while my heartbeat smashes against my ears. “You or anyone remotely related to you even think of going anywhere near Michael, and I’ll make it my mission to grind you into dust. Do you hear me?”

He’s so close. I inhale. Despite the abhorrence in his eyes and the rictus full of hatred

deforming his mouth, my body goes into hyper awareness of him. When he steps back, I straighten up just in time to see him push the contract toward my hand.

“You’re going to sign the contract promising never to contact him. Take the money, and

fucking disappear. Far from my city.”

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