“No, it doesn’t.”
She moved to the kitchenette, grabbing a glass and filling it with water. “You just have to keep showing them you aren’t.”
Laiken was right. The only thing I could do was keep moving forward. Show everyone around me that I wasn’t faltering, even when things got hard.
I ran the duster over the watercolor’s frame, stretching onto my tiptoes to reach the top. The bell over the door jingled, and I turned. “Welcome to The Gallery. How—?”
My words cut off as a broad form charged towards me. “You have a lot of nerve.”
My hand tightened around the duster as my eyes darted from Walter to the back room and then back again. I knew Laiken would hear me if I screamed, but that was the last thing I wanted to do in her place of business. “Mr. Crichet, now isn’t a good time.”
He scoffed. “Oh, excuse me. When would be a good time to tell you that the sheriff showed up at my work to question me? All because you’re spreading lies. Should’ve known you were a whore liar, just like the rest of them.”
“I didn’t lie about anything. And I have no control over whether law enforcement questions you.”
He stalked towards me, and I fought the urge to back up a step.
“I thought you were different. Special.” He sneered at me. “But you’re a life-ruiner, just like they say you are.”
I swallowed hard. “I’m not trying to ruin anyone’s life. But someone threw a Molotov cocktail through my window last night. My roommate and I could’ve been killed. The sheriff is only trying to find out who did it.”
A muscle along Walter’s jaw ticked. “I heard about that roommate. You lettin’ someone touch what’s mine?”
Nausea swept through me, but I didn’t look away. “I belong to no one but myself.”
“Your father clearly didn’t take a strong enough hand with you. I won’t make that mistake.”
The rage simmering low in my belly grew as memories battered at my skull. “You won’t ever have that chance.”
A grin spread across Walter’s face, ugly and menacing. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”
I bit the inside of my cheek. “If you don’t leave me alone, I’ll report your threats to the sheriff’s department and take out a restraining order. You’ll end up in jail if you come within one hundred yards of me.”
His hand whipped out, slapping me hard across the face. “You don’t tell me what I can and can’t do.”
The sting in my cheek took me by surprise. It had been so long since I’d felt the burn of a slap, it shocked me into silence.
Laiken strode out of the back room. “I’ve called the sheriff. Officers are on the way. You might want to leave.”
He stalked towards Laiken. “You fucking bitch. Don’t interfere with something that’s none of your concern.”
I didn’t think, I simply moved, grabbing the back of Walter’s shirt. “Leave her alone.”
He whirled on me, grabbing me by the hair and yanking hard. “You don’t tell me what to do. Remember your place.”
Tears sprang to my eyes at the pain blooming in my scalp. “Let me go.”
“You want me to let you go, huh?” He yanked on my hair harder.
I moved on instinct, replicating the move Beckett had shown me countless times the night before. My knee came up with a swift jerk. I hit my target.
Walter let out a strangled sound, crumpling to the floor with a slew of curses.
My whole body shook as I took him in.
His eyes blazed with the kind of rage I’d only experienced at my father’s hands. “I’m going to end you.”
25