AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m your brother,” I grab his shirt, “Your brother! Tell me what the fuck is going on. How do you know Poppy?”
He pushes away, leaving a good four-foot distance between us. Theo is smart and calculating; Kent would have edged forward and kept provoking me.
“Calm the fuck down, and let me explain. I owed someone a favor, and he came to collect. Poppy was that favor.”
I don’t like that Theo is referring to her as an object, nor do I like that someone is using my brother.
“Who?” I demand. I flex my fist and then try to adjust my shoulder. I’m getting better each week, but I'm still weak, and it’s going to take weeks more of therapy to get my shoulder moving like it used to.
Theo shakes his head. “I can’t tell you that. An acquaintance of mine wants me to keep an eye on her.”
“Who the hell is she?” So, it’s true; she’s not just the girl next door.
“She’s just a girl,” he replies. “Really. She is. I know it seems odd, but that’s what I came here to explain.”
“You didn’t think to tell me before she moved in?”
He crosses his arms. “I was busy. I had a deadline.”
I snort. “Nice to know your priorities when it comes to family.”
“Don’t act like that,” he barks, then walks to the small bar and pours himself a glass of whiskey, downing it in one gulp.
“This was the only way I could keep my end of the deal with him.”
Who the hell is 'him'?
Theo continues, “Poppy was moving and looking for a new job. You needed a secretary, and she fit the profile. She’s good at her job; I didn’t set you up with a dud. There was an opening in your building, and she was looking for an apartment. I paid off her realtor to show her it and seal the deal. Everything made sense. Now, all I have to do is just check in on her occasionally.”
I step back. Who the fuck are you, Theo?
“Don’t look at me like that. I’m not Uncle Dan.”
“You sure sound as shady,” I grab the back of my neck. “You’re spying on a girl, Theo. You set up her entire life so you could report on her!”
“I just needed to keep my word. She’s safe and under my watch.”
“You’re not going to be watching her!”
“And you’re not going to be fucking her,” he widens his stance.
“You might be my older brother, but you sure as fuck don’t sound wiser!” I shout. “You don’t tell me what to do, Theo. If I want to go to Poppy and tell her everything, I will. As a matter of fact, I think I am.” I march toward the door.
“Jay,” Theo shouts. “Julian, sit the fuck down. I’ll tell you everything, but I need you to promise me you won’t tell her a thing.”
Chapter 26
Poppy
“Where are you now?” Harper asks. I had sent her a string of angry texts, declaring she was no longer my bestie. She called right away but sounded way too chipper.
"I’m in the bathroom, hiding," I shame-whisper to her.
I awkwardly twist my body from front to back in the cramped, dimly lit stall, the cold metal of the lock pressing against my trembling fingers. The faint scent of antiseptic mingled with a hint of floral air freshener hangs in the air, doing little to calm my racing heart.
“Jesus, Poppy, this isn’t high school again. Get your ass out there and shake it.” She giggles.
I slap my forehead, the sound echoing off the tiles. “Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask, more puzzled than hurt. Harper, with her intentions—though often twisted—always aimed to protect me. I'm not upset she kept this from me; Harper would never allow harm to come my way if she could help it.
