Tanner gasped.
“You don’t look at friends like that,” I said. “You loved Brooklyntoo.” And I think that was the worst part. He’d betrayed me worse than I’d everbetrayed him. I had to get out of this apartment. I couldn’t freaking breathe. “Don’tworry about Mr. Pruitt. I’ll handle it myself.” I didn’t need to hear anythingelse James had to say.
“Um, good day to you,” Tanner said to James before hurryingout of the room behind me. “I guess we won’t be sharing the lobster with himafter all,” he said to me. “That did not go well. Look out!”
I almost ran straight into Penny because I was trying tofigure out what Tanner was yelling about.
She looked up at me. “Matt, what’s going on?”
How much of that conversation had she heard? “Ask your husband.Maybe if he’d sobered up enough in his twenties and not married that witch wewouldn’t be in this mess.” I walked past her without another word. FuckJames. Fuck everything.
Chapter 22
Monday
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Tanner asked.
No, I wasn’t. But I was already knocking on Mr. Pruitt’sdoor. “I just need to get this over with.” My heart was still pounding in mychest. I was pissed at James. I was pissed at Mr. Pruitt. I was freaking pissedat everyone. I tried to take a deep breath.
“It’s pretty late,” Tanner said. “Doesn’t Richard usuallyinvite you over right after dinner? Around 7 if I recall correctly from histexts? He was rather specific about it.”
“Yeah, I don’t care if I’m inconveniencing him.” Mr. Pruitthad been inconveniencing me for years. His texts had been slowly driving meinsane. I could bother him for one night.
Tanner stuffed his hands in his pockets, pulled them backout, and then stuffed them in again. “You’re not at all worried that you’reabout to upset a mobster?”
“I told you to wait in the car.”
“I’m not worried about my safety. I’m worried about yours. Youthink Richard is having you tailed. All he has to do is make the call andyou’re a dead man.”
“That’s an even better reason for you to wait in the car. Youdon’t want to get caught up in this.”
“Do you have a freaking death wish?”
Maybe. But that didn’t mean I needed to bring anyoneelse down with me. “Tanner, seriously, go back to the car.”
“If I’d waited in the car when you went to see James, you twodefinitely would have brawled.”
“I’m not going to brawl with Mr. Pruitt.”
Tanner stared at the door. “Doesn’t mean he’s not going tobrawl with you.”
“If you’re scared…”
Tanner laughed. “I’m not scared of anything.” But hiseyebrows were pulled together and he was just staring straight ahead.
I knew he was lying. He wasn’t even really trying to hide it.But I didn’t get a chance to ask him about it, because the door opened.
Mr. Pruitt was standing there in a…nightgown? I wasn’t surehow else to describe it. A long men’s shirt, perhaps? He was also wearing someweird little cap that I couldn’t explain either. And for just a second, allthat pent up anger I had for him evaporated. I just wanted to laugh. The man infront of me wasn’t scary. He was wearing a nightgown and cried during the Titanic.I was going to end this right here right now.
He cleared his throat. “Matthew.” His voice came out hoarseand strange despite the fact that he’d just cleared it. “What are you doing hereat this hour?”
I wanted to ask him what the hell he was wearing. But thatwasn’t why I was here. Making fun of him didn’t seem like the best approachanyway. “I need you to listen to me because I’m only going to say this once. Leaveme and my friends the hell alone.”
Mr. Pruitt lowered his eyebrows and glanced at Tanner. “Idon’t know who this man is. And I have no idea what you’re referring to.”
Tanner offered him his hand. “I’m Tanner Rhodes. Matt’s bestfriend. Nice nightshirt, by the way. Very retro of you.”
Why the hell had he told Mr. Pruitt his full name? Was hetrying to get killed too?
Mr. Pruitt paused a beat too long before shaking Tanner’shand. “I’m sorry, I was under the impression that Robert was Matthew’s bestfriend?”
“No, that title belongs to me,” Tanner said.
Why did everyone always want to discuss who my best friendwas? This wasn’t relevant at all. “It doesn’t matter who my best friend is.” Ifelt stupid saying the words out loud. “I’m here to tell you that you’re donemessing with my life.”
“Messing with your life? Matthew, I have no intention ofhurting Tanner or…”
“Cut the crap, Mr. Pruitt. You sent Poppy to my office tothreaten a child. What the hell is wrong with you?”
Mr. Pruitt sighed. “I told her to deliver a letter to you. Thatis all.” He shook his head. “She doesn’t love following simple directions. Nowtell me, what did she say about a child?”
The nerve of this asshole. “You threatened James’daughter. Don’t play dumb with me.”
“Ah. Well, Poppy has her own…unique set of strengths to getwhat she wants. She’s very good at spotting weaknesses and using them to heradvantage.”
I didn’t believe him for a second. Threatening children couldnever be considered a strength. And me caring for my friend’s child’s safetywasn’t a weakness. Fuck him.
“Let me guess,” Mr. Pruitt said. “She also tried to seduceyou?”
Who talked about their niece like that? And why was he actinglike he had nothing to do with this? If he’d just wanted to send a letter, hecould have sent it via FedEx. He hadn’t needed to involve Poppy. “I don’t knowwhat delusional plans you have for me and Poppy, but I’m not playing any part.”
“It’s late, Matthew. Can we talk about this in the morning? I’mhaving trouble following your logic. Are you feeling quite alright?”
Son of a bitch. I wasn’t the crazy one here. He was. “Iknow you’re having me tailed. I know you hired hitmen to come after me…”
“Maybe Richard is right,” Tanner said. “Why don’t we comeback in the morning after we’ve calmed down a bit?” He
