Page 46 of Framed

“You charge by the hour or what?”

“I’m just saying you know how dark it got the last time you lost her.” Darker than midnight, like no amount of light could shine through the depths of darkness that sucked me in. I didn’t need a reminder of it; I lived in it every day for years.

“I don’t need a reminder, Tuck.” I clenched my fists into a tight ball.

But he didn’t stop. “I can’t even imagine what she must be going through right now. With the trial coming up, her having to hide the fact that she’s out, and then seeing you again for the first time since you stopped talking to her. It must be hard. For the both of you.”

I hadn’t thought about it like that.

Briggs hadn’t informed Scarlett that it was confirmed: she was one of the witnesses on the defense’s list.

I wasn't sure how or if I even wanted to approach that topic.

Despite everything, Scarlett seemed to be trying to leave the past behind her. She didn’t need me fucking that up for her by giving her bad news.

For now, it could wait. I would have a conversation with Scarlett when the proposed court date got closer.

However, this conversation with Tucker needed to cease all together. Now.

"Can this wait until after the fight?" I rubbed my temples. "I really don't have time for this mental bullshit."

Tucker's lips thinned into a tight line, as if he was trying his hardest not to protest. To my surprise, he doesn't. He spared me one last glance before he walked away, shaking his head as he walked out of my office.

***

“Nice fight, boss,” Ethel said as I sat on the same empty barstool from hours ago. “Congrats on the win.”

“Thank you.” It was sincere. “You seen Tuck?” I needed to talk to him about the information I’d been hearing about the girl he was currently seeing. I had intended to tell him earlier but then he decided to stage a mini-intervention about Scarlett.

“Nah, I think he left a little after the fight. Couldn’t say for sure.”

“I was slammed up here. Had the girl help out a bit until you got done. Figured you wouldn’t mind.” I almost forgot about the girl I was supposed to be interviewing. I was surprised she stuck around for this long. It was nearing midnight and the bar was closed.

I didn’t mind. I spent many nights up here before we opened the club downstairs, so I personally knew how packed it got up here. Working it with Ethel was a hard task, so I could only imagine how it was working it alone. “How did she do?”

A slow smile appeared on Ethel’s thin red lips. It was a rare gesture considering her face was usually set with a permanent scowl or glare. “She did really fucking good. Held her own against Seth. Could’ve laid him out in a few seconds flat. I think you’d like her.” Ethel nodded her head towards the back of the bar where the pool tables were. “She’s wiping down the back tables.”

Intrigued, I allowed my feet to guide me to the spot she nodded to. My footsteps faltered as I spotted the girl. Her back was to me and her head was tilted down as she wiped the table down but I knew that body. I knew those black curls that fell down her back. I knew her. Scarlett. My Scarlett was the girl I was supposed to be interviewing.

Her body stiffened and I heard her soft intake of breath as if she could sense someone behind her. As if she could senseme. My eyes roamed across her body of their own accord. Like it was their right. She was dressed in tight black jeans that hugged her body just right. I couldn’t see the front of the shirt but I’d bet everything it was as sexy as the jeans.

Neither one of us moved an inch. My pulse picked up and my breathing turned ragged. The sound was loud and filled the quiet space with every inhale and exhale.

I wanted to touch her. I wanted to bend her over this table. I wanted things I shouldn’t.

Things I could never have.

“So, what do you think? I think she’ll fit in just great here.”

chapter twenty

Scarlett

“So…” Winter trailed off, finally breaking the uncomfortable silence. “Did you get the job?”

I knew she wanted to ask the second I opened her passenger door. But she must have seen my glower and decided better of it. I’d spent the last hundred miles fuming about Xavier.

Well. Among other emotions.

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