Page 30 of SEALED By the Boss

He crossed his hands over his chest and spat, “The fuck is it to you?”

I wasn’t about to explain the whole relationship between Tillie and me to this asshole. “She owes you money, right?”

“Yeah. And?”

I pulled out my wallet, searching for my accountant’s card. When I found it, I handed it to Brick. “Send the debt amount to this number and who to make the check out to. I’ll take care of it.” I glanced at the old man who was staring at us in fascination and gestured to him. “Add his to it too.”

Instead of looking happy to be getting his money, Brick snarled as he took the card, glancing down at it. “Guess you’re a Richie Morbucks, huh?”

“Whatever you want to call it.” I took another step toward him, one that had his head snapping up and his eyes flaring in alarm. “Just know one thing. If I ever catch you harassing Tillie again, you’re not going to like what I do to you.”

Rage filled his expression. “And who the fuck do you think you are to tell me what to do?”

“That’s not your business. This is your first and final warning.”

“Listen here, you piece of shit.” And then Brick had the bright idea to try and grab me by the shirt. I figured a little demonstration was in order, so I grabbed his arm instead, twisted it behind his back, and placed him in a chokehold, all in a millisecond.

The elderly man jumped back as Brick roared.

“Fuck, man,” he screeched. “Let me go.”

“I mean what I said.” I held on for a few more seconds, just so he would see that I meant business. “Go near Tillie again, and I will end you.” I let him go, and he fell onto the ground, coughing. I glanced at the old man who was staring at me, a mixture of fear and respect in his eyes, and then I turned back to Brick. “Leave this one alone too.”

I didn’t wait for Brick to agree before I turned around and walked back to my car. I figured he wasn’t dumb enough to try any bullshit again. My message was clear enough.

It was already nightfall when I got to Tillie’s place. The lights were on, so I knew she was there, but whether or not she would let me in was another matter. I heard Roscoe yipping the minute I got close enough to knock.

When I knocked, I heard her subtle footsteps reluctantly shuffling toward the door. I knew the moment she peeped through the peephole, and I could sense her hesitation as she mulled for a few moments over whether or not to open the door.

“I can hear you thinking, darlin’,” I said. “You might as well open the door before you give yourself an aneurysm.”

I nearly chuckled as I heard her little huff of indignation before she unlocked the door, pulling it open. She crossed her arms over her chest as she glared at me.

“Well?”

I held up the package in my hand and replied, “I brought dinner.”

She raised an eyebrow. “I already ate.”

Immediately after she said it, her stomach growled.

“Clearly not enough,” I responded. She was far too slim for someone her height. I ran my eyes down her body, and by the time I got back to her face, she was blushing something heavy. But her expression was even more mulish.

“I can’t tell if I’m insulted enough to throw you out or hungry enough to overlook it,” she said.

Her stomach rumbled again, which gave me the answer. I tried not to smile. She frowned but grabbed the food from my hand and read the bag. “Is this from Rokko’s?”

“Yes,” I said. “I’ve heard it’s the best sushi place in the town.”

“It’s the only sushi place in town.” Her eyes were hungry as she looked into the package, and even Roscoe came over to inspect. He also happily jumped on me, licking and waiting for me to pet his head before he got back down. He was way more subdued, probably because I’d worked off his energy this morning. I smirked. I was going to take him on another run this evening and make it a habit.

I took a step over the threshold, but Tillie held her hand out in a stop gesture. “Hold on. Who said I was letting you in?”

I smirked. “The dinner is conditional for a conversation with me.”

Her lips pursed as she considered it. “Are you going to call me crazy again?”

“I didn’t call you crazy in the first place,” I told her. “Seeing a shrink doesn’t mean you’re crazy. I saw one for ten years.”

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