Page 17 of Fighting My Demons

“Yes, Bella, excuse. Anyone would think you were trying to avoid us for some reason,” Latham says.

“What possible reason would I have to avoid you?”

Latham doesn’t answer, but he chuckles softly, and I find my face heating up.

“Xavier told you about Blaine and me?” he says.

“Yep, a bit of an overshare of information. What you three do in your private life is none of my business,” I tell him while readjusting the shoulder strap on my handbag.

Can this elevator go any slower, and why is it so hot in here?

“Well, you know our secret, so why don’t you tell me one of yours?”

I roll my eyes and know he is asking about Brian.

“I don’t have secrets,” I tell him.

“No? I find that hard to believe. Everyone has secrets, Bella, but I’m not afraid of mine like you are of yours.”

“I am not afraid. Seriously, is this why you stuck around to ask about my brother? I don’t even know you, so what makes you think I would tell you anything?” I snap at him.

Latham spins on his heel, and I take a step back, only for him to block me against the elevator wall.

“Because your brother was caught by Blaine trying to break into your apartment this afternoon, that's why,” he says, and I feel my stomach drop.

“Did he hurt anyone?” I ask, worried for Blaine.

“No, your brother took off, and the owner called the police when Blaine reported it.”

“Fuck!” I curse under my breath.

My brother is going to hunt me down if the police comes after him.

“So, your brother, what's going on with him?” Latham asks, stepping back.

The elevator doors open, saving me from answering, and I head toward the front exit. I open the emergency exit, slip out, and punch in the security code to lock the place down, but Latham is already doing it. I turn toward the taxi stand, not intending to go with him if I would just be interrogated. Spotting a taxi, I start walking over toward it when Latham grips my elbow, tugging me the opposite way.

“Now, why would you do that? Are you trying to hurt my feelings, Bella?”

“No, I just don’t feel like telling you information about my family,” I tell him, trying to tug my arm out of his grip but he is extremely strong considering he is only holding me with his fingers, yet I can't pry my arm free.

What sort of steroids is this man on?

“Fine, I will stop asking, but only if you agree to have dinner with us tonight.”

“I think I will pass on that,” I tell him, trying to free my elbow from his grip.

I seriously consider punching him in the nutsack to get him to let go when he stops beside his car. He opens the passenger door and lets me go, motioning toward the open car door. I look back toward the taxi stand.

“Get in the car, Bella. We live in the same apartment block. Why would you get a taxi?” he says, shaking his head and walking around to the other side of the car.

I sigh before getting in. I clip in my seatbelt, and Latham does his up before starting the car.

“So, about dinner. Blaine has cooked Italian, quite the cook he is.”

“I never agreed to have dinner with you,” I tell him.

“So, you plan on telling me about your brother then?” he says pulling onto the road.