Page 102 of It Starts With A No

Clary knew what he was waiting for. He wanted her to tell him what she was keeping from him.

But she couldn’t.

He strode toward the door without another word. Without even a glance back at her, he opened the door and left.

So much for thinking he was here to make things right. Maybe she and Andrea really were too idealistic a combination.

Clary stared at the door.

Was Seth giving her the silent treatment because he was upset that she refused to discuss what Mr. E told her? Or was that simply an excuse?

She knocked the heel of her hand against her temple, trying to ease the pain that was spreading to the back of her head as she grabbed her bag. “Ugh.” She dropped her hand.

She’d been through this before, and it was beginning to feel a lot like history repeating itself.

* * *

Seth sat in the car, frustrated with himself and Clary—more so with himself.

Why was he being so petty about whatever she’d chosen to keep to herself? She had a right to her own secrets. She had a choice about what to say and what not to say.

He certainly had his fair share of secrets. Not just from Clary, but from his brothers.

But whatever she’s keeping quiet about isn’t her choice. It’s because of the old man.

Was he frustrated because she chose the old man? Was he being naïve to think that Clary was her own person? That the line between the Eolenfelds and him didn’t apply to them?

A movement in one of the cars caught Seth’s attention.

He glanced over to see a man in a yellow Porsche, checking himself in the rear-view mirror. The man pulled his lips back and turned his face this way and that to check his teeth.

A customer? EB Co. had worked exclusively with the super-rich until recently, after all.

Seth turned away when the elevator door opened.

Clary came out with her bag, jacket, and laptop bag all in one hand.

He was about to step out of the car to help her with her things when the man in the yellow Porsche jumped out of the car and jogged over to Clary.

She skidded to a stop when she saw the man. Her eyes widened slightly, but she didn’t seem afraid of him.

So Seth remained in his car and watched.

The man smiled brightly and said something, and Clary shook her head.

Seth rested his hand on the door handle, gauging the situation. Should he get out and make his presence known? Or maybe he should just join her?

Clary remained where she was, shaking her head the entire time, but she didn’t seem in a rush to get away from the man. The man didn’t appear hostile either.

When she eventually took a step to the side and tried to get around the man, the man grabbed her arm and jerked her back.

In an instant, all civility disappeared.

The man got up close to Clary’s face, baring his teeth in seething anger.

Seth was out of the car before he knew it. “Let go of her.”

The man’s head snapped toward him, and he released Clary. Then the bright, amiable smile was back. “We’re just having a conversation.”

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