Page 80 of Dangerous Men

The insult rolls right off him, like always. He doesn’t even blink.

“She’s not made for this. For our world. The sooner you realize that, the better, Ashton,” Sebastian says. He walks away then, leaving his bottle of water behind on the table. “And the sooner we can all go back to doing the shit that matters.”

29

SYDNEY

Another day,another good morning text from Alec. Followed an hour later by one from Ashton.

And another day of feeling Sebastian’s eyes on me while I work, watching me from the table he occupies each and every day.

At least there’s a semblance of comfort in the routine of it all. The days have a familiar cadence, and I’m lost in the rhythm of it, setting out some of our newest shop merchandise near the front of the store, when the door chimes and a familiar older woman in a bright floral blouse enters.

“Hello, deary,” she calls to me.

“Mrs. Cohen!” I greet the older woman with a smile. “What a pleasant surprise! Can I get you anything? I’m sure Jade has some of those little chocolate cookies you like so much.”

I wave a hand toward the pastry case, but Dorothy just shakes her head.

“No, no, dear, I’m fine.” She sighs and straightens her spine,drawing her shoulders back. “I’m afraid I’m not here with good news.”

My chest tightens.

“Your son?” I ask, already fearing the worst. Dorothy’s son went through chemotherapy a few years ago, beating back an aggressive form of cancer. He was lucky to survive it, and it’s been a constant worry of hers that one day it will come back.

Dorothy’s smile is a sweet relief.

“Oh no, he’s fine. Better than fine, actually. They’re adopting a baby!”

I clap my hands excitedly. “That’s wonderful!”

So… where is the bad news?

“They want me to move out there, to help them,” Dorothy says, lips folding into a frown. And I know. Before she even says it, I know why she’s here, and my heart sinks like a stone. “I need to sell the property, dear. It’s time.”

I struggle to keep the smile on my face, but somehow manage it. I’ve spent a lot of time practicing, after all.

“I understand,” I tell her, clasping my hands together in front of me to stop them from shaking. And I do understand, of course I do. Dorothy should be able to go live with her family, finally retire, and enjoy some money from everything she’s built.

But at the same time, my mind is racing, my chest tight with dread.

One of the only reasons we’ve stayed in business is because of Mrs. Cohen. Sure, the rent for this place is only a little below the market rate, but if she sells?

A different business could make much, much higher profit in this location, I’m sure of it. And a more profitable business could pay a higher rent. Any new owner would be crazy not to take advantage of that. Would be crazy to extend our lease when they could charge so much more.

I’m suddenly sick with dread.

Whoever buys this building is sure to hike up the rent higher than we can reasonably afford to pay. And since my apartment upstairs is included in the rent, that would mean having to move into a new home as well. With things going the way they are, Jade and I are barely making a profit as it is…

Dorothy must see the worries written on my face, because she reaches out, taking my hand and giving it a comforting squeeze.

“I will do my best to sell to someone whocaresabout this property,” she assures me. She stares into my eyes, sincerity etched in every line on her face. “Someone who wants to keep you as a tenant.”

I shake my head, forcing myself to smile.

“You will do no such thing,” I tell her, firmly. “You will sell to the highest bidder, no matter what, because youdeservethat money, Mrs. Cohen. Your family deserves that money.”

She shakes her head in protest, though, and I let myself cling to that tiny hope that she will find that perfect buyer. Someone who actually cares.