Page 31 of Mr. Bad News

“It’s not about the money. I have the means to help the people here. The Snow family has always been about taking care of the community. The community might be a little bigger now, but the same morals apply. I do these things, because I can.” He leans back, obviously waiting for another question. I’m not going to fail him.

“So what are the restaurants for? The gyms?” I ask, taking a sip of the wine that the waitress sets down in front of me without asking what it is.

“The restaurants, because I like to eat out and I also like to know that all the food that is left over at the end of the night goes to feed those that can’t afford to eat out. There’s no use throwing away good food. The gyms, because I like to work out and because I know many kids who could use the outlet. As long as the child is over the age of thirteen and can show passing grades they can use the gym for free.” He sips his own wine as the waitress puts a large salad in front of us.

“Holy bologna.” I shake my head and lean back. I knew he was a good man, but I didn’t know half of the stuff he’s telling me now. If I had to bet money I’d say most of the world doesn’t know half of this stuff. Why hide this part of himself?

He laughs and picks up the tongs to serve the both of us a helping of salad. I thought he was attractive before, but now that I know how much of a humanitarian he is all I can think about is how much I want to jump his bones.

“Stop staring at me like that and eat your food. I swear we’re going to fuck each other to death if we keep this up.” He shakes his head and spears a baby tomato with his fork.

We spend the rest of the dinner asking each other different questions and learning more about the different passions we have. By the time dessert comes I’m completely stuffed, but far from out of questions to ask. It’s like every time I uncover one thing about him there are ten more questions I need to know the answers to.

“You ready to leave?” Percy asks as I lean back and pat my small food belly.

“I don’t think I can move.” I admit.

“I can carry you back, if you’d like.” He pushes his plate away and the waitress quickly comes to remove them from the table.

My eyes bounce up to hers and I realize that through the entire dinner the woman hasn’t said more than three words. She’s either well-trained or intimidated.

“No, I need to walk some of this off.” He nods his head and the both of us get up from the table. I wait for him to pull out some money, but just like before he just walks out. I’ll never get used to that.

We walk slowly back in the direction of his building, in an easy silence. I still have a million questions to ask, but I’m happy just holding his hand right now.

About three blocks from the building Percy’s entire demeanor changes. His light clutch turns into a vice grip on my fingers.

“Fuck. Oh, fuck no.” He mutters and looks over my shoulder. His face turns almost ashen gray and I can see his muscles bunching up under his shirt.

“What is it? What’s going on?” I turn quickly, expecting a group of ruffians to be walking up on us flipping bats and crowbars from the fear that’s on his face. Instead I don’t see anything, but the open street and a few people in the alley.

“I need you to get in a cab and go home.” He says, his voice turning from sweet to vicious.

“No. Why?” I turn again trying to see what he sees.

“Please, just do it. I don’t have time to explain.” He tries to walk around me, but I grab hold of his arm and keep him still.

“Then make the time. What’s happening? What are you looking at? I’m not good at people keeping secrets, so if that’s the life you need to live then we can’t do this.” I point back and forth between the two of us. I feel shitty for pulling this on him right now, but whatever has him this upset isn’t something that I’m just going to sweep under the rug.

“Fucking hell Ella. Don’t do this right now.”

“When would be an appropriate time to do it? Just tell me the truth and let’s move on from it. Don’t hide from me. I can’t stand it.” I look him in the eyes and wait for him to tell me what’s going on. Instead of him speaking he looks over my shoulder again and curses.

In a blur, he grabs my hand and pulls me across the street in the direction of the alley. I may not have all the street smarts in the world, but even I know better than to walk up on a bunch of homeless people in a dark alley.

“What are you doing? Let’s go home.” I try to pull back, but I stop short when I look back towards the alley and see a familiar face. It’s the man from Keg Gardens. The same one that Percy was with when he was paying off Duck. What is he doing in the alley and how does Percy know him? I still haven’t been able to get much information from the DMV, but after I made the deal with Percy to interview I didn’t really dig much further into it.

“What are you doing here? I thought you said you were going to rehab. Jesus Christ Ian.” Percy grunts out as he reaches down and tries to lift the man up. I walk over to the other side and grab Ian’s other side to help Percy lift him up.

“Percy, who is this?” I hiss out as we finally get him off the ground.

“I’m no one. Just your neighborhood fuck up.” Ian says.

I know that’s not the case and I look at Percy and wait for an explanation.

“Ella, this is my brother, Ian.” He grunts out.

Shock rocks through my gut and I nearly drop the man I’m holding on to. Brother. That’s impossible. It’s wildly known that Percival Snow is an only child. He’s the sole heir of the Snow fortune and all its enterprises. This man can’t be his brother. Unless the squeaky clean Snow family isn’t as pure as they’ve made everyone think they are.

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