Page 16 of The Wrong One

“Was she impressed by the lab?” he asked.

“I don’t know if she was impressed.” I shrugged. “But she seemed excited.”

“Did she smile?” he asked solemnly.

I knew exactly what he was asking. “Not yet.”

“I swear, if I could get my hands on that dickhead, I would wring his neck,” Ramsey growled. “He’s a piece of shit for what he did to my sister. He deserves to rot in hell.”

“Do you know what happened?” I asked. “I mean, I know the guy cheated, but she’s off. She’s sad. It’s like that guy stole her very soul.”

“She isn’t telling me much of anything,” he said. “She knows I’ll kick his ass. I will bury the dude. He thinks he’s some big hotshot. This is one time I’d like to swing my balls and use my money to fuck up that dude’s world.”

I smirked. “Careful saying all of that out loud.”

“I’ve got enough money to buy the silence of anyone who heard me,” he said nonchalantly.

I laughed. “Shit, what’s gotten into you? You’re feisty.”

“I’m just glad she’s back in Boston,” he said. “I can keep an eye on her. I can make sure she doesn’t fall into that same trap again. If she was out there, alone, I think she might end up back under his spell. You know how men like that can be. They manipulate and use people—women. I don’t know what happened to Izzy to make her fall for his bullshit, but I want her here. I want to make damn sure she doesn’t fall for that shit again.”

“I agree,” I said. “We’ll keep her busy with work. I have no doubt she’s going to be a quick learner. I know how her mind works. I’m the same way. When we can focus on a problem, nothing else gets in the way. She’s not going to think about him. She’s going to heal and move forward.”

“Thank you for taking her under your wing,” he said. “I appreciate it. I’ve always been able to count on you to look out for her like she was your own sister.”

I smiled, hoping he couldn’t see inside my head. Because if he knew what I was thinking about, he’d kick my ass. My thoughts were not brotherly in the slightest.

ChapterSeven

Izzy

It was like being back in college, cramming for finals. I did take some biology in college just in case I went in that direction, which was helping me, but not a lot. I was doing all I could to study up on microbiology. I didn’t want to let down my brother or Cam. They gave me a job and I wanted to make sure I earned it. I didn’t want to be looked at with disdain from the other employees. I wanted to earn my place. They were going to respect me. But only if I could prove valuable. If I messed shit up or asked a million questions every day, I was going to be looked at like a pity hire.

I spent countless nights hunched over my books and articles studying bacterial growth patterns and the intricacies of genetic diseases. During the day, I was constantly in the lab, running experiments and analyzing results. It was exhausting, but I was determined to prove myself.

My brother and Cam were impressed with my progress and even some of the other employees were starting to take notice. I didn’t want to let anyone down.

I sipped my coffee and checked the time. That was when I saw a text on my phone. I expected it to be Emmy reporting her latest bout of morning sickness.

It wasn’t her. My stomach dropped when I saw it was a message from Patrick. It was like he just figured out I was gone.

He wanted to know if I was ignoring him. “Seriously, asshole?”

I didn’t bother replying because Iwasignoring him. I wanted nothing to do with him. Ever. I dropped my phone in my purse and dumped out the rest of my coffee.

I saw movement in the window and smiled. “Marmalade, I’m pretty sure you’re using me,” I said to the cat and pushed open my window. “I’m the other woman, aren’t I. You are way too fat to be homeless.”

The cat meowed and rubbed against the windowsill. “Fine, but one of us is going to get into trouble.”

I opened one of the cans of cat food I bought. I didn’t own a cat, but I was buying cat food. The cat was turning me into a crazy cat lady. I was going to end up with twenty of them. Forever single with twenty damn cats.

“Goodbye, Marmalade. I have to get to work. I really hope your real owner doesn’t get upset with me feeding you.”

I gave the cat a good rub behind the ears and then closed the window while she gingerly ate straight from the can. I didn’t necessarily want a cat, but it was nice to have a buddy. I could use a friend that didn’t judge and would love me unconditionally. Maybe I would think about getting myself a cat after all.

As I walked to work, I thought about everything that had happened. About Patrick, about Emmy and her pregnancy, and about Marmalade. I tried to focus on work, but my mind kept wandering back to those thoughts.

I stopped at a coffee shop to get another cup of strong caffeine before I went into the lab. I needed all the liquid fuel I could get.

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