Silent No More(41)

“What the hell is this?” Nick asks as he’s walking back into the kitchen. I look over at him to see he’s holding something small and thin in-between his fingers. It looks like a card. As he nears, I see it’s the business card Jeffery gave me earlier today.

What the hell!

It seems like he blows a fucking gasket every time I turn around. Apparently, Sparky is making another appearance. He holds the card out and in front of my face. “It’s nothing,” I tell him. And really, it’s not, or at least it’s not really his business. “A client of mine gave it to me earlier today.”

“Jeffery fucking Chaney is a client?” His voice is one of disbelief.. “And why the fuck did he need to give you his cellphone number?” Nikki’s eyes widen with concern when Nick pronounces Jeffery’s name, making me curious about Nick’s beef with the man. Nick is furiously mad. I can see written on his face. The veins in his neck are straining against his tight olive skin. I’m hoping this is about Jeffery himself and nothing more. I won’t deal with a jealous man.

“Nick, calm down. It’s nothing, really. He was at the gallery when I stopped by today. He noticed I wasn’t wearing an engagement ring any longer and asked me to dinner. It’s not a big deal.” His eyes darken and he crushes the card in his hand.

“What the fuck did you tell him?” He steps closer, caging me in with his arms. He places both hands palms down on the granite behind me and looks down at me. He’s searching my eyes for something.

“I politely turned him down. There is no reason for you to get this mad.” Nikki hops off the counter giving me a sympathetic look. Jase walks in the kitchen and grabs Nikki by the elbow.

“Nikki, I think we should go.” Jase is lightly pulling her by the arm.

“Geez, Nick, maybe you should just let this go. Jeffery isn’t worth your time of day.” Nikki tells him while yanking her arm free from Jase’s grasp. She glare’s at her boyfriend briefly before turning her attention back to Nick.

“And maybe you should do what your boyfriend says and get the fuck out of my house.” Nick doesn’t look at his sister as he says this. He continues to stare down at me. His eyes are full of anger.

“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that to me and leave, jerk off.” If eyes could throw daggers, Nick would have plenty in the back of his head the way Nikki is looking at him. She storms off past Jase, and I hear the door slam a few seconds later.

“There is no reason to get this mad,” I repeat. What’s his problem with Jeffery?

“Oh, I’m far past mad right now.” He takes a half a step back and reaches into his pocket pulling out his cell.

“What are you doing?” I’m pretty sure I know exactly what he’s about to do, and I can’t let him do this. Jeffery is a client, a really good client, if I ignore the “too friendly” side of him.

“I’m taking care of this. He needs to know who the fuck you belong to.” He is dialing the number already.

Oh, no he didn’t just go there.

Now, I’m way past mad. Who the fuck does he think he is! “I’m not a piece of property, Nick. You don’t own me.” I try to reach for his phone, but it’s useless. He holds me back.

“It’s Lockhart. Stay the fuck away from Shannon. Is. That. Fucking. Clear?” His breathing is heavy and his eyes widen. I can’t hear the other half of his conversation.

“Because she is mine, so stay the fuck away from her, Chaney.” He ends the call.

Shocked doesn’t even begin to cover what I’m feeling. I don’t know what to say or do. What the hell was that about? “You care to explain that?”

I cross my arms over my chest and glare at him, waiting for an answer. I take a couple calming breaths. Maybe there’s a reasonable explanation. I’m not seeing one at the moment, but I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt.

“Because you are mine, and if he comes near you again, I will break his fucking neck.” He slams his phone on the counter and storms off to his bedroom.

Yep, still standing here in shock. What the hell just happened? This is beyond crazy. This is something completely different. I’m not sure I want or need to be around this man. I hear the water from the shower come on as I make my way into his room. The bathroom door is closed so I don’t see him.

Should I stay, should I go? I could go to Stacy and Katelyn’s, but I don’t know where he’s put all my things, and by the time I pack, he will probably be out of the shower. I need time to think, and I can’t think here with him.