My head jerks up at that, and I meet his gaze.
My mind empties when I take a good look at him.
If I thought I looked bad, he looks worse. His hair, which is normally slicked back, is a mess. It looks like he’s been running his fingers through it all day. For a man who believes in being immaculately dressed, his tie is crooked, and he’s just pushed his sleeves up instead of rolling them back like he normally does.
Exhausted.
He looks like he hasn’t slept in days.
“Do you mind, Roland?” Ethan snaps, and the older man gives him a miffed look.
“What do you want with her?”
“She’s my employee!” Ethan growls. “I should be the one asking you that.”
“She’s—” Roland gets up, all worked up, but the words seem to get stuck in his throat.
Ethan takes a step towards him and says something in such a low voice that I can’t hear, but I see the older man’s body tremble. Before I can react, Roland’s hand lifts, and he punches Ethan in the jaw.
“Y-You shameless little—Do you even know who I am?”
His whole body is shaking, and he lifts his cane. My eyes widening, I throw myself between them. “Mr. Blake! What are you doing?!”
Ethan hasn’t so much as flinched, and there is a cold look in his eyes. “Get out of the way, Natalie.”
I ignore him. “Mr. Blake, put the cane down. Please? I’m sure he deserves it, but there are kids here.”
His eyes swivel to the right, and I see him hesitate. Finally, he lowers the cane, his eyes filled with an unparalleled fury. “You’ve made a big mistake, Ethan. And this is not one I’m going to forgive.”
“I don’t need your forgiveness or your money. There are some lines that should not be crossed.”
I see a sharp pain in Mr. Blake’s eyes, and his hand tightens on the top of his cane. His voice is low and gritty. “You have no idea what you’re talking about. You arrogant little punk.”
He sets the cane down and looks at me. “I will see you later, Natalie.”
Ethan’s hand comes down on my shoulder. “No, you won’t. You stay away from her.”
I see Mr. Blake’s eyes tighten. “Stay out of this, boy. This has nothing to do with you. I’m going to send you a list of companies that I will personally recommend you to, Natalie. A salary of your choosing, remember. And if you want any more benefits, you just have to tell me.”
I stare at him, both confused and rattled. It’s obvious that he’s taking some sort of liking to me, but I feel uncomfortable taking favors from people I don’t know.
“She works for me.” Ethan shoves me behind him. “I just told you to stay away from her.”
“Ethan!” I hiss at him. “Enough!”
Roland just looks at me, and his voice is quiet. “Send me your resume.”
He walks away, and I look over Ethan’s shoulder at his glowering face. “What the hell was that? Have you lost your mind?”
His jaw is tight. “You don’t understand. He’s interested in you.”
“I’m young enough to be his daughter, Ethan. What is wrong with you?”
He seizes me by my shoulders and gives me a quick shake. “No, you don’t understand. Roland isn’t the type of person to show interest in someone unless he wants something from them.”
“Like you then?” I shoot back, and his expression goes blank.
I instantly regret my words.
