“I’m handling it,” he snaps back. “Don’t nag.”
“Don’t nag?” I laugh bitterly. “You turn up at my apartment beaten and high, and you tell me not to nag? Why did you even come here?”
“Because Mum will kick me out,” he says flatly. “And I’ve got nowhere else to go.”
“You’ve been flashing cash from that ‘new job’ for weeks. Can’t you afford somewhere of your own?”
He shifts uncomfortably, his eyes flicking away. “I’ve gotta iron out a few things first. Then I’ll be all good. Right now, I just need a place, Lee.”
I let out a long, frustrated sigh. “You know, I had Jordan here earlier asking the exact same thing. I came here to get away from you both, and now youbothwant to move in.” I fold my arms, my tone softening just a little. “You can stay while you heal. But then you’re gone. I’m only doing it to save Mum the stress.”
“Thanks, sis.” He leans back, a faint smirk tugging at his bruised mouth. “Knew I could rely on you.”
I sink onto the edge of the coffee table, studying him. “Isaac, can I ask you something?”
He nods without opening his eyes.
“Is your new job legal?”
His head lifts slowly, and he fixes me with a hard stare. “Of course.”
I nod, watching him carefully. “Good. Because you know watching Dad slip into that world nearly tore this family apart. Mum couldn’t survive that again.”
“I know.” His tone softens a fraction. “You don’t have to worry about me, Leoni. I’m nothing like Dad.”
Courtney wakes me early, already dressed for work. I blink at the clock, a smile tugging at my mouth when I remember I don’t have to rush anywhere today.“There’s a man at the door asking for you,” Courtney says, as she stuffs her phone in her bag. “Didn’t give his name. But he looks familiar.”
I sigh, climbing out of bed and wrapping my silk dressing gown around me, tying the cord as I head out to open the front door.
Anthony stands there, with an all too bright smile for this time of morning. “Good morning. Mr Baxter said you’d be needing a lift into work today.”
My frown deepens. “Mr Baxter got it wrong,” I say. “I don’t work for him anymore.”
Anthony’s smile thins. He watches me for a beat, then reaches for his phone. “I don’t think he’ll be too happy if I call and repeat that.”
I hold out my hand. “I’ll call him.” He hands me the phone too willingly, and I put it to my ear.
It rings a few times, then Warren’s voice comes through, loud and clipped. “This better be good, Anthony, I'm about to slit this piece of shit’s throat.”
I lift a brow. “Careful what you say, I may use it against you in a court of law,” I say dryly. Silence crackles down the line. “It’s Leoni, by the way. Your run-around is on my doorstep and I’m confused, because I definitely told you to stick your job.” My words are flat, my tone bored.
“I don’t have time for this today. Get in the fucking car and be at the office before I arrive. I won’t ask twice.” The line goes dead.
I hand the phone back to Anthony with a tight smile and close the door in his face. “Fuck him,” I mutter, feeling like it’s at least a small victory.
Inside, Isaac is asleep on the sofa, finally calm after his doctor friend dosed him with morphine overnight. The bandages around his knees are thick and ugly. He said it would take weeks to heal. But at least he looks peaceful now, the bruises softened by sleep. I move to the kitchen to make coffee, the morning suddenly as heavy as the wet blanket of rain outside.
I shower and dress even though I’ve got nowhere to be. Old habits die hard. When I’m done, I start tidying the kitchen. It’spointless, really, since it’s already spotless, but I just want to keep busy.
A sharp knock at the door makes me freeze. I glance at Isaac, still asleep on the sofa, his breathing shallow, wondering if he’s told anyone he’s here.
I hook the safety chain before opening the door a crack, groaning when I see Warren on the other side. Relief briefly floods through me, immediately chased by irritation. “What are you doing here?” I ask, unfastening the chain. He doesn’t bother answering, just pushes the door open and strides in.
“Why didn’t you get in the car, Leoni?”
“Shh!” I hiss, gesturing toward the couch.
He follows my gaze, and his expression hardens when he sees Isaac. The air thickens.
