Page 72 of A Little More Forgiveness

“How do you think he treats Leo?”

“How am I meant—?”

“You obviously heard and, I’m guessing, also saw Leo on the phone to him earlier.”

His expression darkened.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

A curt nod.

“What was Leo’s reaction?” He furrowed his brow, mulling my question over before flicking his gaze to me. “Exactly.”

Mitch settled himself in his chair, fully focused now.

“All Leo ever wants is for everyone to be happy. He’s been the mediator between us more times than I care to count, but for him it’s natural wanting to solve problems or disputes, seeking approval, trying to be seen. His stepfather has made sure he never allows that to happen.”

“That still doesn’t explain—”

I held up my hand to silence him. He stuck out his jaw, his lips a thin line.

“No, no it doesn’t. But prior to ripping him apart, you need to understand why he did what he did, and what’s changed for him now.”

Mitch crossed his arms and stretched his long legs out in front of him, all powerful muscle and easy grace.

“His stepfather is holding him to ransom. He either gets you to sell or he’s being made the scapegoat when his stepfather lays off staff at his firm.” I’d decided not to mention Caitlin, as I didn’t feel I had the right to speak about Leo’s sister, though if Mitch continued to be an asshole, I’d rethink my decision.

He sucked in some air at my statement but remained defensive. “He only told us he’d be screwed. Still doesn’t change the fact he’s been lying to me.”

“He’s stuck in an impossible position. He may not have told you everything, but he’s never lied to you.” Mitch tried to protest but clamped his mouth shut as I again held up my hand. “He doesn’t want anyone to lose their jobs because of him, but he’s been forced down a path he didn’t want to take to try to prevent that from happening. Plus, he now has another problem.”

“Oh?”

“You.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you. He’s gotten to know you on a level he never expected—we both have—so now he has an additional dilemma. He wants to protect you. His acquiescence on the call to Malcolm was to buy him more time.”

“To what? Figure out another way to trick me into doing what he wants?”

“No. To try and work out how he can save people’s jobs and also give you what you need.” I sat back and spread my hands. “Impossible, right? If he gets you to sell, people keep their jobs, but you’ll lose the place you love. If you don’t sell, he’s responsible for people being laid off. He can’t win, and it’s tearing him apart.”

Mitch’s gaze moved to the wall separating the kitchen from the bedroom, as if trying to somehow penetrate the solid barrier to locate Leo. “I need a drink,” he huffed roughly. “You want one?” He didn’t wait for my answer, just stood and walked around the table to grab the bottle of brandy and a couple of glasses off the shelf. He returned to his chair, poured us both two large fingers, downed his, and poured himself another.

“And you’re suggesting what exactly?” he asked me.

I took a sip of the brandy and swallowed, letting the fiery heat slide down my throat and warm my belly. “I’m not suggesting anything. I was hoping you’d come up with something.”

“Fuck.”

“One thing I will say.” I waited for him to look at me before I continued. “He did fuck up. He knows he did, but you have to be the one to tell him everything’s going to be okay between you. He’ll believe you’re placating him otherwise if he comes to you first, and he won’t believe me if I tell him. It’s gotta be you.”

He threw back the rest of his glass. “Hearing him on the phone, thinking he’d sold me out, really hurt, you know,” he admitted.

I laid my hand over his on the tabletop. “I can guess. Having your trust shaken is never a good thing.”

“But it hurt, Gabe. Stabbing pain in my chest kind of hurt.” He winced and raised his hand, unconsciously rubbing his fingers over his heart, as if trying to ease the ache.

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