drive off. I’d been insane to let my guard down with him earlier. But he has these moments of genuine openness that I find difficult to resist.
I’d been right earlier, though, when I thought I’d been missing something. He was letting me leave because he had another ace up his sleeve. This ridiculous gala. He’d bring me to his father and let him intimidate me.
We’ll see about that.
I’m going to make my own plans for the gala.
Benjamin walks with me toward the stairs.
“That guy toss you to the curb already?” my father bellows from his chair. “Too bad. Maybe if you did something with your hair.”
“Look who’s talking,” Benjamin whispers, helping me climb up to the second floor. “You okay?”
“I am.” I’m not really fine, but I can’t have that conversation with my brother. I do need to warn him about Finn, though. “Listen, Benjamin, Finn is a complicated guy.”
“He’s rich as fuck, that’s for sure.”
“Yes and no. He’s the son of the casino owner, James Carney.”
Benjamin freezes. “What?”
“Yeah.”
“He told me you fell outside of his building.”
“I did.” Technically it’s the truth. I don’t want to lie to Benjamin, but I also don’t want to give him information that puts him in danger. He doesn’t need to know about P.J. “His father is still mad about the union.”
“Boo fucking hoo.” Benjamin slicks a hand through his blond hair. “I’m still mad his goons beat the shit out of my sister. No wonder he told me he could help me find the assholes who did it.”
“Please don’t.” I grab his arm. “Let’s just get the hell out of here in one piece, please?”
He doesn’t look convinced.
“He’s dangerous.”
“Then why are you going out with him on Thursday?” Benjamin folds his arms over his chest. I look up at him. When did my baby brother get so tall?
“I have to. For work. We’ll be in a public space.” I finish the sentence with a big yawn.
He stares at me. He’s too young to be dealing with all this.
So are you, Sasha.
Dr. Smith’s kindness unleashed a wave of anguish I’m not equipped to deal with. I just want to sleep. My brother seems to get this, and he sighs.
“Get some rest. I’ll order a pizza.”
I nod and hobble into my room. God, what a weekend it’s been. I’m going to use a sick day tomorrow. Carney will be served in the late afternoon, so there’s nothing I can really do in the office anyway. Besides, there’s something else I need to get done now that’s directly related to this work.
I text Jamilah. What time are you going in tomorrow?
I don’t work Mondays.
Can you let the Monday crew know that the NLRB is serving papers tomorrow?
The next text is full of exclamation point emojis.
Hell yeah. I know it’s going to be a fight to get people to vote but I hope Carney pops a hemorrhoid at the news, evil son of a bitch. Him and any of the managers that kiss his saggy ass.
I wonder about asking my next question. I consider Jamilah a friend, but I don’t want to violate any boundaries. But I could use her help.
Do you have time to get together tomorrow? It’s about the casino, but not directly. I need help finding a dress.
Jamilah is one of the most fashionable women I know, and dresses well on a budget.
FINALLY. YES. Meet me at the Ashmont subway station at 10am?
I’m worried that I’m putting Jamilah in danger, but the goal is to help her and the rest of the staff.
My phone lights up again.
I know what you’re thinking. We’re gonna hit up Mattapan. No fucking way the Carneys’ bougie asses see us there.
She’s amazing. I tell her that and prop my crutches against my dresser. I take off Finn’s scarf. The material is soft, but strong and warm. I fold it up and put it on my dresser. I almost feel bad for him. Dr. Smith is right—Finn is a product of his environment in the same way I’m a product of mine, but he also had far more opportunities than I did.
It won’t be good for him when his plan to use me as a prop at the gala backfires, but he’s a grown man. He can deal with at least as much as I have. The sad part is that I believe that he doesn’t want to hurt me.
But there are so many ways to be hurt, and why bother trading one version for another? I do need to