“You have to get it together, work and find a place of your own. You’re twenty-five and don’t have a damn thing to show for it.”
“OK, OK. I get what a disappointment I am. I’ll figure something out.” Like always, Sasha jumps to her feet to put an end to our conversation.
If she had a room of her own, she’d march there to escape, but since this apartment is small, she has to crash on the couch.
Instead, she stomps to the kitchenette right off the living room and opens the fridge. As I examine her, I shake my head.
It’s early February, yet for some reason, she’s in a snug white tank top. Once she leans over to grab a soda, the ladybug tattoo above her ass is visible.
She’s too skinny, yet her jeans are way too tight, and her shoulder-length hair is tangled and dirty. My sister looks trashy, and I hate it.
I wanted so much more for her. Hell, I fought and risked everything so she could have more, but I’m finding the damage is irreversible. I fear her emotional scarring will never heal. Turning to face me, she hugs her hip.
“Are you going to bed soon? I’m really tired.”
“Sure, Sasha. I’ll get out of your way,” I reply sarcastically.
“God, I’m sorry, OK? I’m just tired.”
“So am I, and unlike you, I only get to sleep for a few hours before I have to get up again.”
“What are you going to do about that guy, Liam’s uncle?” Her eyes widen. “Wait, does he know about what happened to him?”
“No, and you’re never to speak of it. If he shows up here, you know nothing.” Hopping up, I march to her and grip her shoulders.
“Promise me, Sasha. Promise me, because if Ellis Burke finds out what his brother made me do to him, he’ll take Liam for good. He might even hurt us.”
“I promise I won’t say anything. I’d never put you or Liam in danger.”
“Good, and Christopher can’t hear of the truth, either.” Feeling a headache coming on, I rub my forehead. “I dread breaking the news to him about Ellis. What excuse could I possibly give him?”
I exhale, but not an ounce of weight is lifted from my chest. I’ve come unglued tonight, and it has to stop here, or I’ll lose Liam. I’m putting back on my armor. I’ll do what Ellis commands and be whoever he desires if it keeps me with my son.
Ellis
“Come in,” I say after the tap on my office door.
“Here’s your cup of coffee, Mr. Burke,” Irene says in her Italian accent. Her head is down as she scurries to my desk. “I hope it’s just the way you like it.”
She’s out as fast as she came in, and it’s probably because I was a dick to her this morning before the first cup. As I pick up the mug, I wave my hand toward Christopher, my new assistant.
“Do something for her. Maybe give her a half day off Friday with pay, and be prepared to do more groveling gestures on my behalf. I tend to take my frustrations out on my staff.”
“Yes, sir.” He smirks, and now he’s the dick. “Rough night?” he adds.
“I had some personal business to handle, but due to the nature of it, I have to fill you in on some of the details.” Getting comfortable in the wingback chair to the right of my desk, he takes a drink from his travel mug. “A woman and her child are moving in with me.”
Aaaand, he spits out the drink from his travel mug. His eyebrows are raised high as he grabs tissues from a box on my desk and begins cleaning the iPad in his lap. I think coffee even landed in his black hair.
“Sorry, sir, but can you repeat that? I’m sure I heard you wrong.” He pats at his now stained dress shirt.
I roll my eyes. “OK, you got your sirs in. Now, stop being an ass. You know what I said.”
“You really are irritable this morning.”
“Just because you’re working for me now, instead of Tony, doesn’t mean you need to call me sir.”
“I was only joking, but in all seriousness, what’s this about a woman and child?”
“You know that non-disclosure agreement you signed?”
“Of course.”
“Remember again that you signed it. This information doesn’t leave your lips, or I’ll sue your ass.” Leaning back, I thread my fingers behind my head. “Tony has a three-year-old son, and that child and his mother are moving in here. I will be supporting them.”
Coughing repeatedly, he smacks his chest.
“I know it’s surprising. Are you OK?”
“Yeah, uh, wow. Tony had a kid?”
“Yes, and he didn’t know it. Wait, you were the closest person to him. He had no clue, right?”