Page 53 of Soul Food

Oh no! Something inside me snapped. Instead of letting Amit or Jayne speak up once more on my behalf, I yelled. “You know what? Fuck this! It’s been a long time coming.” Baring my teeth, I lunged and threw a punch. Pain shot through my knuckles as they connected with the side of his nose. I wasn’t much of a fighter. I didn’t even draw blood, but I hoped it hurt.

He howled, cupping his nose that wasn’t even bleeding. It was a little red though. “Do you have any idea what you just did?”

I smirked. “Yeah. I let go of the past, but I won’t let either of you come into my life and fuck with me. Who the hell do you think you are to even walk up to me and say hello after what you and your daughter stole from me?”

He rubbed his nose then his jaw and scowled. Rupert stepped between us as Amit waited behind me. “Relax. I won’t do anything,” Mr. James said and pushed Rupert out of the way. “I’ll be seeing you, Ruth.” He dropped another smirk and left.

“Are you sure you need me around?” Rupert asked, and I rolled my eyes, rubbing my knuckles.

“Randy and Liz James are made from the same cloth.” Jayne scowled as we watched him slip inside his fancy sports car.

“What a mood killer.” I sighed and faced Amit.

He glanced at me. “I’ll take care of him.” His words caused me to shiver. He was still upset on my behalf.

“I can handle my own business,” I said meekly. “But what are you doing here?”

“He’s been tracking your movements the last few days. I had a feeling this would happen.”

That was unsettling. My head jerked around to Rupert. “He has?”

Rupert stepped beside me with an apologetic grimace on his face. “Truthfully, John and I knew. We told Amit.”

I frowned. “Why would you do that?”

“We didn’t want to startle you. Since you seemed to be talking to Amit lately…”

Rupert looked guilty—as he should. I trusted him so much. To think that he went to someone else about my business felt a little too much like betrayal. But his intentions were pure. The man looked afraid I might fire him.

He finally said, “I should have told you.”

“Yeah, you should have,” I said curtly.

“Let me take you home.” Amit continued to surprise me.

I studied his face then said, “Only if you stay for a while. I can whip us up something to eat.” This wasn’t about seducing him. I wasn’t about to jeopardize his life because I wanted to fuck him. No, I just wanted… Him. To be around him. It was enough.It had to be enough.

“Rupert, I think Amit’s got this. How about you, John, and me head home,” Jayne said.

Rupert bobbed his head and looked to me for confirmation, but I was still waiting for Amit’s answer. He sighed and nodded toward Rupert.

“If you want Max or me to stay at your house in case Mr. James gets bolder, just call, okay?” Rupert raised his hand and patted Amit’s shoulder even though Amit dwarfed him. “Look after her for me.”

Then they were gone leaving me with Amit. He took a deep breath when I mumbled, “Hi” randomly. I looked around. “Where’s your driver?”

He pulled out his phone and tapped away on the screen. “He’ll come get us. It’ll take a few minutes.”

My forehead wrinkled. “How did you get here?”

He merely shrugged.

Looking around, I saw a bench outside the gym. “Let’s go sit over there.”

He followed me, and as soon as we were seated he grabbed my hand. I tried jerking away, but his grip was firm, and he refused to let go. He ran his thumb across my knuckles. “How does it feel?” He was asking about my slightly injured hand. This side of him, although sweet, was scarier because it felt good.

“It’s fine.” I tried taking my hand away again.

“Next time you want to hit him, let me know, and I’ll do it for you.” Amit’s head was bent as he inspected my hand.

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