couldn’t stop the stream of mental pictures, each one uglier than the last. “I can’t discuss Ms. Andrews with you.”
“And us being friends counts for nothing?” asked Jason.
This man was no friend of his. “You need to be having this discussion with your lawyer.”
Jason moved closer, his voice low. “She worked on one of my projects. We hooked up a couple of times. Then one day she strolls into my office and announces she’s pregnant. Wants to know what I’m going to do about it.”
“So you’re admitting to an affair?” Never mind his wife was a friend of Caleb’s. “You should probably stop talking now.”
Jason ignored him. “She said she needed money for an abortion. Her idea, not mine. I gave it to her, no questions asked. Which I thought was pretty damn sporting of me when there’s no proof the kid’s even mine. Imagine my surprise when a few months later she shows up at an event I happen to be attending with my wife.”
“She says she was working the event.” Caleb cursed himself for being stupid and opening his mouth. He knew better, was smarter, than this whole conversation.
“You don’t know much about this neighborhood, do you? Golden Rule: Trust no one. Because here’s a thought, maybe she’s been playing me all along.”
“And yet others suggest she’s one in a long line.” To hell with rules. Beer, body odor, and stale smoke clogged the air around them, but the man seated across from him made him gag. “She’s eighteen years old and saying you left her pregnant and alone to fend for herself. Tell me I’m wrong.”
“Watch yourself, Caleb.” But Jason broke eye contact, only to recover a second later. “You don’t want to go down this road.”
“Are you threatening me?” They eyed each other. Eighteen years of passable friendship unraveled and reformed into something dark and menacing.
Jason straightened his shirt cuffs, the oversized diamond cufflinks winking in the harsh light. “Fact is the DTES is a dangerous place. Bad things happen here all the time.” He signaled his men forward. “Spend enough time here and something bad is bound to happen to you.”
They both stood. Jason Drummond could threaten him all he wanted. He wasn’t worried for himself. Caleb put a restraining hand on Jason’s arm. “If I find out you terrorized a young woman…”
Jason yanked his arm away and brushed off his sleeve. “We’re friends so I’m going to choose not to take offence. But keep in mind I will not tolerate lies being spread about me. I felt it important to be upfront and honest. Feel free to pass the message on to any interested parties.”
Jason Drummond’s departure met with the same curious stares as his arrival. Sophie came to stand beside him. Caleb had zero time to compose himself. To fight against the instinct to say something stupid.
“Just stay calm and don’t overreact. I’ll handle this.”
She crossed her arms. “Just what is it you think I’m going to do?”
Heads turned. He gritted his teeth. “I’m not going to apologize for wanting to protect Kellie. Or you.”
“For real? You’re going with the cave man approach? That’s makes twice.”
“Then throw me a raw steak and a club because I’m not sorry.”
“This coming from the guy with the silver fork and knife set.”
“Oh, for fu—, yes, I’m rich.” He raised his voice. “Did you hear that in the back? Guilty as charged. Filthy stinking rich.” He toughed out a smile and lifted a hand in recognition of the smattering of applause, the few catcalls. “It doesn’t make me a bad guy.”
Her anger flashed, then dissolved. Her teeth bit into her bottom lip, shutting down the beginning of a smile. “You’re making a scene.”
“Then let’s take this outside.”
“Fine.” She sidestepped his tempt to touch her.
As a peace offering, he said. “If the public finds out about Quinn, he’s ruined. He’s going to do whatever he has to, to stop that from
“And us being friends counts for nothing?” asked Jason.
This man was no friend of his. “You need to be having this discussion with your lawyer.”
Jason moved closer, his voice low. “She worked on one of my projects. We hooked up a couple of times. Then one day she strolls into my office and announces she’s pregnant. Wants to know what I’m going to do about it.”
“So you’re admitting to an affair?” Never mind his wife was a friend of Caleb’s. “You should probably stop talking now.”
Jason ignored him. “She said she needed money for an abortion. Her idea, not mine. I gave it to her, no questions asked. Which I thought was pretty damn sporting of me when there’s no proof the kid’s even mine. Imagine my surprise when a few months later she shows up at an event I happen to be attending with my wife.”
“She says she was working the event.” Caleb cursed himself for being stupid and opening his mouth. He knew better, was smarter, than this whole conversation.
“You don’t know much about this neighborhood, do you? Golden Rule: Trust no one. Because here’s a thought, maybe she’s been playing me all along.”
“And yet others suggest she’s one in a long line.” To hell with rules. Beer, body odor, and stale smoke clogged the air around them, but the man seated across from him made him gag. “She’s eighteen years old and saying you left her pregnant and alone to fend for herself. Tell me I’m wrong.”
“Watch yourself, Caleb.” But Jason broke eye contact, only to recover a second later. “You don’t want to go down this road.”
“Are you threatening me?” They eyed each other. Eighteen years of passable friendship unraveled and reformed into something dark and menacing.
Jason straightened his shirt cuffs, the oversized diamond cufflinks winking in the harsh light. “Fact is the DTES is a dangerous place. Bad things happen here all the time.” He signaled his men forward. “Spend enough time here and something bad is bound to happen to you.”
They both stood. Jason Drummond could threaten him all he wanted. He wasn’t worried for himself. Caleb put a restraining hand on Jason’s arm. “If I find out you terrorized a young woman…”
Jason yanked his arm away and brushed off his sleeve. “We’re friends so I’m going to choose not to take offence. But keep in mind I will not tolerate lies being spread about me. I felt it important to be upfront and honest. Feel free to pass the message on to any interested parties.”
Jason Drummond’s departure met with the same curious stares as his arrival. Sophie came to stand beside him. Caleb had zero time to compose himself. To fight against the instinct to say something stupid.
“Just stay calm and don’t overreact. I’ll handle this.”
She crossed her arms. “Just what is it you think I’m going to do?”
Heads turned. He gritted his teeth. “I’m not going to apologize for wanting to protect Kellie. Or you.”
“For real? You’re going with the cave man approach? That’s makes twice.”
“Then throw me a raw steak and a club because I’m not sorry.”
“This coming from the guy with the silver fork and knife set.”
“Oh, for fu—, yes, I’m rich.” He raised his voice. “Did you hear that in the back? Guilty as charged. Filthy stinking rich.” He toughed out a smile and lifted a hand in recognition of the smattering of applause, the few catcalls. “It doesn’t make me a bad guy.”
Her anger flashed, then dissolved. Her teeth bit into her bottom lip, shutting down the beginning of a smile. “You’re making a scene.”
“Then let’s take this outside.”
“Fine.” She sidestepped his tempt to touch her.
As a peace offering, he said. “If the public finds out about Quinn, he’s ruined. He’s going to do whatever he has to, to stop that from
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