I let out a slow breath. “He’s comin’ here.”
Brew’s eyes widen. “Why? Does this mean we get to rough him up for bein’ a dick?”
“No, it means he’s got somethin’ to talk about, and none of it’s good.” I pull him inside the office and shut the door. If Sawyer or Nova overhear, it’ll be all over the town before we can blink. “He said Willow’s in danger and he needs my help.”
“She say anythin’ to you?”
“No, obviously, but that doesn’t mean shit.”
“True.” He scratches his chin. “Must be bad if he’s comin’ to you for help.”
“No shit.” I roll my eyes. “This has fuckin’ bullshit written all over it. I can’t deal with that man, he hates me.”
“But you’ll do it for Willow.” It’s not a question.
I meet his gaze. “Of course. I want to hear what he has to say.”
Brew points at me. “If you need me to whack him, just say the words.”
I roll my eyes. “For fuck’s sake, bro. He’s a retired cop. I think sooner or later Willow’s gonna notice he’s missin’.”
“Still, the offer’s there.” Brew saunters off and leaves me to my own devices.
The intercom buzzes, and it’s Nova again. “Sorry, Hazey, we’re all out of booze,” she says. “I could run to the store if you’d like. I’ll need your credit card.”
Fuck.There’s no time for that. Glancing at my watch, Cameron will be here in five minutes.
“Thanks, could’ve let me know ten minutes ago,” I grumble sarcastically.
“Wow, grumpy much? I expect that from Brewster, but not from you.”
Another thing about Nova is she loves calling everyone stupid extensions of their names, or dumb nicknames. I fucking hate it, and she knows it.
“Shut up and get back to work.” I click off and sit back down.
I begin going through the jobs in the tray, but I can’t concentrate on anything.
More to the point, why am I acting like I used to? A raving lunatic. When Cameron thought I was unworthy of his daughter, he made our life hell. He used to intimidate me, and not because I was scared of him, I was scared of losing Willow. I guess a lot of things changed over time, but our mutual dislike for one another definitely didn’t.
I know better than to try and think that this is anything but business. That business being Willow.
The only thing we could ever agree on is that Willow is a precious commodity. Her father may have favored her brother, and put unnecessary pressure on her to succeed — he’s an asshole — but I don’t believe he has anything but her best interests at heart. He just doesn’t know how to show affection.
A few moments later, the intercom buzzes again.
“Sorry, Haze,” Erica says. “It’s Mister Sinclair, should I send him down?”
I clench my fists, wanting this to be over. “Sure, thank you, Erica.”
A few moments later, Nova buzzes again. “How come you’re nice to her and snippy to me?”
“Nova, I swear to god if you don’t get off this goddam intercom?—”
There’s a knock at my open door and I glance up.
Cameron Sinclair is just how I remember him, only older and with more gray hair. Is it just me, or has that hairline receded just a little?
“Austin,” Cameron says as I stand.
