LIAM
Her arm brushes mine and for a moment I panic that she’s going to see me, so I step back into the shadows to make sure she doesn’t know I’m here. Watching that asshole talk down to her like she’s an idiot has sent my blood pressure sky high, and when I look down my hands are curled into fists like I want to punch something.
Not something.Somebody.
This man who talked to Sophie like she was a piece of crap.
She’d be mortified if she knew I heard, that much is clear. I shouldn’t be here at all. But when she walked past the table, that guy practically manhandling her, I excused myself and followed them.
Not that she needed my help because she can clearly hold her own. She gives as good as she gets, one of the things that I admire about her.
The asshole who was reaming her out goes to pass me, so I step out in front of him. He looks up, surprised, then puts on a fake smile.
“Excuse me,” he says, trying to sidestep me.
I sidestep the same way he does, still blocking his way. The smile on his face wavers.
“Your name?” I ask, my voice low.
“I’m sorry?” He blinks, looking confused.
“What’s your name?” I say slowly. There’s no mistaking the annoyance in my voice. And the confusion on his face deepens.
He shifts his feet, not quite looking me in the eye. Like bullies everywhere he’s actually scared of being confronted. “It’s Michael Rimmer,” he mumbles.
“And you work for WVFY?”
He nods.
“Well, Michael Rimmer,” I say slowly, “Let’s get one thing straight. If I ever hear you talking to Sophie like that again you can say goodbye to your job. And any chance of finding another.”
He narrows his eyes. “Who are you to be telling me what to do?”
“A friend of your boss.” I tell him. “Well actually your boss’ boss’ boss.” I lift a brow. “A very good friend.” It’s not really true. I know Donald to say hello to but not much more than that. But I know cowards like this man in front of me and a little threat usually does the trick.
I just want him to leave her the fuck alone.
There’s a battle raging between his eyes as he tries to think the information through. For a moment I wonder if he’s actually going to square up to me.
And part of me wants that.
The other part would hate that. Because Sophie would find out and she doesn’t need to know about this. She’s proud and she pretty much hates me. I can deal with that.
I just can’t deal with the way she looked when she was being shouted at.
“Twenty minutes until the auction,” somebody shouts out. “Mr. Rimmer, we need to go through a few things with you.”
Michael lifts his hand to his face. It’s actually shaking. “I need to go.”
“Of course,” I say smoothly. “Are we all clear?”
“I… ah…”
“Are. We. All. Clear?”
He nods rapidly. “Yes, absolutely.”
“Good.” I step back and it’s a relief. Because my fists are still curled and my body is still on high alert. “Have a nice evening,” I tell him, my voice deceptively casual.