Naughty or Nice(3)

“The ringer must be off.” I tuck a piece of my hair behind my ear. “I was going to go over to the animal shelter. Did you need something?” It’s the nicest way I can ask them to leave.

“You and that place.” My brother shakes his head in annoyance.

He thinks I spend too much time there, and maybe I do, but I love the shelter. Grams and I spent every Sunday volunteering and I don’t understand how cute little puppies and kittens could annoy anyone. I picked up hours for them anytime they asked, and there was talk about them hiring me, but I don’t see that going over so well with Mark. With him I get paid in cash and I never know what he’ll ask me to do. When I was younger, I loved the extra money, but I’m not sure everything he has me do is legal. Some of the pick-ups and drop-offs are sketchy with mystery envelopes and boxes.

“I asked you to do one thing.” My brother folds his arms over his chest, making himself look even bigger than he already is. He should really lay off the gym. “One fucking thing and somehow you manage to mess that up. I don’t know why I even keep you around.” His words shouldn’t hurt because I know he’s a jerk, yet I still feel their sting.

Looks like we have Mr. Hyde today. It’s no surprise because he’s worse when Aaron Slate is around and he’s trying to show off. I want to ask what he’s talking about because he asks me to do all kinds of crap for him. It’s a struggle to not roll my eyes, but it wouldn’t be good if I disrespected him in front of Aaron. My brother has never touched me before, but I have a fear that if he was angry enough there isn’t anything he wouldn’t do.

“I wouldn’t say she fucked things up,” Slate chimes in and comes to my defense. I’m surprised, but it’s short lived. “Though she might get herself fucked.” He smiles at me and all the air leaves my lungs as his eyes roam over my body. He’s assessing me like I’m one of the girls that work in his club.

Mark doesn’t say anything and it’s unlike when I’m on his job site. He would threaten to kick the guys’ asses if they talked like that in front of him, but now I wonder if that’s for show. You can’t be beneath my brother in command and disrespect something he feels belongs to him.

My stomach tightens when Slate stares at me, and I remember that I’m wearing old sleep shorts I should have thrown out years ago and a thin shirt. Grams’ house is always hot because the furnace doesn’t kick off when it should.

“A little thick for my taste, but I can see the appeal. Normally she’s wearing baggy clothes, but you really have grown up, haven’t you, Claudia?” His words are laced with desire and my stomach rolls.

I do wear baggy clothes most of the time because I never knew where my brother might send me. Sometimes it’s to get his lunch, but occasionally I get orders to visit some not-so-great places. He tells me not to worry because I’m under his protection and no one would ever hurt me.

I glance at Mark, who is looking anywhere but at me. Everyone knows who Slate is, and each year his power and money grow. I avoid him not only because he terrifies me but because my brother told me to. I took the warning and made sure I was invisible if he was close.

“You met with Brian Carter a few days ago.”

I look at Slate and know Mark isn't coming to my rescue. How did I know that Brian was going to flip my world upside down when I saw him? I nod because I have no idea what he expects me to say. Anything could be used against me right now and it’s best to keep quiet.

“That was something I specifically told Mark to handle,” Slate snaps, and I fight not to flinch at the tone of his voice.

My chest tightens and I wonder where this is going. Maybe I shouldn't have been so rude when I met Brian or avoided his messages and calls. I’m about to pay the price for that. He must have snitched on me to Aaron Slate. For some reason it really hurts that he would betray me, even though I’m nothing to him.

I don’t understand the big deal—he was only picking up building plans. Out of all the places my brother sends me, that was nothing. It must have been too easy because this is about to get dirty. Why else would Slate be standing in my home? He might have grown up around here, but he doesn’t come to this part of town anymore.

“I—” my brother starts to say but stops abruptly when Slate lifts his hand to silence him. If only I had that skill.

“The Carter family is a big acquisition for my company. It will take me to another level and I won’t lose this.” Slate’s eyes sharpen on me, and I know he doesn’t care what he has to do to make sure whoever these people are keep on working with him. “Do you understand me, Claudia?”

I nod again. “I’m sorry if I upset or offended Mr. Carter. I got the plans and handed them right over to Mark, but I can apologize if I did something wrong,” I offer as I glance over at my brother, who doesn’t meet my eyes. Coward.

“Upset isn't the word I’d use.” Slate straightens his tie. “He insists on meeting you again and wants to only work with you.”

“Okay,” I agree because what other choice do I have? “I can do that.”

I don’t know why Slate is so upset. I’ll be nice to the guy. If I can deal with my brother, I think I can handle Brian Carter.

“She’s na?ve, isn't she?” Slate says to Mark. He’s talking about me as if I’m not here, but maybe I’m not understanding.