There should be some sort of widow's benefit, especially for someone who had been out of the work force so long. You know what they gave her? A check for three hundred and fifty dollars, that was it. What a slap in the face.
When it rains, it fucking pours.
Keeping my head down, I walked in the direction of the art supply store. I was determined to get some shit on a canvas today. I still had a few customers who were willing to wait, and I wasn't ready to give up.
That asshole could go fuck himself. He wasn't going to drive me away, not a chance in hell. If anything, he made me want it more. I worked too hard to let some rich, self absorbed jerk force my hand.
Screw him. I'm not going out that easily.
Glancing up, Coffee Cakes was across the street and I could see Liam in the big picture window. He was sitting with another man who had his back to the glass. Liam's hands were moving strong and pronounced as he spoke.
Stopping in my tracks, I watched him for a second, debating if I should just pop in. I wouldn't interrupt his meeting, but I could probably get a smile out of him.
I could use a coffee. . .
Looking both ways, I waited for a few cars to pass, before jogging across the road. Gripping the door, I leaned back and looked at Liam before going inside.
The tiny bell chimed as I walked in, but he didn't look my way. Walking to the counter, I kept him in my peripheral vision, just waiting for him to realize I was there.
“What can I get you?” The Barista asked.
“I'll take a chai latte with one shot of espresso.”
Turning on my heels, I leaned against the counter and glanced at Liam's table. Liam was still talking, his movements more erratic and emotional.
What the hell is he talking about?
The man he was with had leaned over the table and was grabbing something off the floor. But Liam kept on talking, his hands never stopping.
“Here you go,” the girl said, sliding the coffee in my direction.
Looking away, I paid her and grabbed my drink. Turning back, my heart stopped in my throat as the man in front of Liam was looking directly at me. His mouth held this crooked grin that made my skin crawl and my nerves rattle.
No, not him. It can't be.
Liam cocked his head over his shoulder, following the other guy's glare, his eyes growing wide. Standing up quickly, his chair scraped over the tiles like nails on a chalk board.
“Glory, what are you doing here?” he asked, stalking forward with a worried look on his face.
“I was walking by and thought I'd—” Cutting myself off, I took in a deep breath. “How do you know that man? Why are you here with him?”
Glancing back over his shoulder, he reached his hand out and cupped my elbow. “That's my partner. . .” Pausing, his voice went soft. “And brother.”
“Brother?He's your brother?” My hands began to shake as the realization set in. “You're in on this too?” Tears sprang up in my eyes, bubbling over the surface and making it hard to see.
“Yes—I mean no, I mean that's why—”
Dropping my coffee to the ground, I felt the hot liquid as it splashed off the floor and burned my ankles. But I didn't care, I didn't want to be there anymore. Pushing past Liam, I headed for the door.
I couldn't hear anymore, I couldn't look him in the eyes or listen to his voice. His voice had gone from pleasure to pain. In a flash he wasn't the man I thought he was. He had become a dark presence that stabbed me in the heart and cut me open.
“Glory, wait!” he called out, but I didn't look back.
Liam had been in on it the entire time, he had know from the very first moment we met what was going on. Jacob was his brother, they ran the company that wanted my building.
Oh my god, I slept with him! I gave myself to the enemy!
The realization drizzled over my brain that us meeting wasn't by chance, he wasn't a hero at all. He was a part of the same company that wanted to take my shop from me in the first place.
