Page 68 of Gary
His body tensed automatically, and he knew she felt it. He considered lying to her, but did not see the point. Maurice Gotti was the last person he wanted to talk about and just mentioning his name felt like it was soiling their relationship.
“He was a school mate.”
“One that you hated because he looked to me like a bully,” she intuited.
He sent her a startled look.
“I know the type.”
“He was.” Gary conceded. “Of the worst type. He would discover a person’s weakness and exploit it. He enjoyed beating up on the smaller kids.” His lips curled in distaste. “He enjoyed torturing them, getting them to do his bidding.”
“But not you.”
“No. I beat the life out of him one day when I came upon him and several others, torturing a guy in chemistry class. He has hated me ever since.”
“Even now?” Isn’t that a long time to be keeping a grudge?”
He stared into her eyes and very briefly considered telling her of the history between their families. But he couldn’t - not yet.
“It is. We have had several encounters over the years, that cemented the enmity between us.”
“And he probably envy you because of your looks. He looks like a troll.”
He laughed at that, the sound echoing around the room.
“A troll?”
“Seems like the best way to describe him.” Her impish smile made him want to devour her.
“What did he say to you when you were passing him?”
“He said he admired my shop. When he touched me, I wanted to go and scrub myself clean.”
“Not surprising,” he muttered grimly, “he’s scum. And I don’t want to talk about him anymore.”
“What would you like to do?” She asked innocently.
“Take a wild guess.’ He nudged her middle.
“Are you always ready?” She asked breathlessly.
“For you, I am.” He growled.
*****
“Mom, I am sorry, it’s been a riot here. I thought you were coming to help out?”
“Honey, can you get one of the girls to take over?”
“What’s wrong?” Sadie gestured to Terry and moved away from the cash register.
“Go to your office and turn the computer on. Please.”
“You are scaring me.” Sadie felt her heart fluttering inside her chest as she made her way from behind the counter. The shop had been closed for Thanksgiving Day and the minute she opened the doors this morning, they had been bombarded with early shoppers on their way back from Black Friday deals at the stores.
“Just do it. I am so sorry, honey.”
Her heart was pounding heavily by the time she went into the tiny office and booted up her laptop.