That wasn’t true. Leon had told me I could’ve stopped this. He’d told me it was going to be my fault and I ignored him.
“Movin’?” Benny asked as he came up behind us.
“Apparently,” Matthew huffed.
“Right, just point me at what I’m fightin’ for, and we’ll load as much of it into my car as we can fit.”
I had to release Matthew so we could take on the repo men stealing his belongings. They weren’t all that bothered by our interference until Benny started threatening people with physical violence if they didn’t hand over the things Matthew valued the most.
Once we’d safely stashed away as much of it as we could physically fit into Benny’s Audi, we dropped it off at his place before coming back to see if there was anything else we couldget. They’d finished by then, the truck gone and the townhouse’s locks changed. He’d lived there for twenty years.
Then we were back at Benny’s, sitting in silence around his dining table as he made us strawberry tea.
Matthew’s apartment had been provided to him with his position. His phone and car were assets of Lorens Industries as well. When Leon fired him, he lost it all.
Matthew’s whole life had been that job. He didn’t have family or strong connections outside of it. Apart from me, and Benny, he wouldn’t have had anyone to show up for him if he’d even been able to call.
I’d never hated Leon more.
“If I…” Matthew swallowed. “If I could just borrow a phone, or perhaps a computer, I can arrange a hotel to—”
“No,” Benny interrupted. “I have more rooms than I need here. You can have your pick of them.”
“I don’t want to impose.”
“You’re family now, Matty. You stay here as long as you want, and we’ll sort a new phone for you and make sure you have some way to get around.”
“I’ll buy you a car,” I jumped in.
Matthew cleared his throat and wiped his eyes on a napkin before tucking it neatly under his mug again. “Thank you, Harper. But that won’t be necessary. I’m sure your father would—”
“He’s not my father. You are.”
His mask crumbled instantly. Matthew’s hand reached for mine as he yanked me to him in a very firm and very uncomfortable hug as my body twisted between the two chairs, but I held him back just as tight.
“None of this is your fault,” he told me, still refusing to let me go.
I didn’t believe him, but I knewhebelieved it, and he didn’t need to be comforting me after all that he’d lost today.
“I meant what I said to you.” He smiled as he pulled back, reaching for his napkin again. “It’s just a job, and you are so much more.”
I wasn’t sure about that, but it didn’t matter, because I would find a way to fix this. I’d find a way to get Matthew his job back, and to keep everyone safe.
“Now, I think I might get settled in, if that’s alright.”
“Of course. I’ll help you bring your things up,” Benny offered.
“I can manage, Benny. Thank you again, so very much for your hospitality.”
“It’s really no trouble at all. I’m glad to have you here. The space is yours.”
Matthew nodded. “One more thing.”
“Yes?” Benny asked.
“Never call meMattyagain.”
Benny laughed, and Matthew collected a box from beside the stairs to take up to the guest room.
