Tanner stuffed his hands in his pockets, pulled them back out, and then stuffed them in again. “You’re not at all worried that you’re about to upset a mobster?”
“I told you to wait in the car.”
“I’m not worried about my safety. I’m worried about yours. You think Richard is having you tailed. All he has to do is make the call and you’re a dead man.”
“That’s an even better reason for you to wait in the car. You don’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 anyone else down with me. “Tanner, seriously, go back to the car.”
“If I’d waited in the car when you went to see James, you two definitely would have brawled.”
“I’m not going to brawl with Mr. Pruitt.”
Tanner stared at the door. “Doesn’t mean he’s not going to brawl with you.”
“If you’re scared…”
Tanner laughed. “I’m not scared of anything.” But his eyebrows 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 sure how else to describe it. A long men’s shirt, perhaps? He was also wearing some weird little cap that I couldn’t explain either. And for just a second, all that pent up anger I had for him evaporated. I just wanted to laugh. The man in front 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 hoarse and strange despite the fact that he’d just cleared it. “What are you doing here at this hour?”
I wanted to ask him what the hell he was wearing. But that wasn’t why I was here. Making fun of him didn’t seem like the best approach anyway. “I need you to listen to me because I’m only going to say this once. Leave me and my friends the hell alone.”
Mr. Pruitt lowered his eyebrows and glanced at Tanner. “I don’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 best friend. Nice nightshirt, by the way. Very retro of you.”
Why the hell had he told Mr. Pruitt his full name? Was he trying to get killed too?
Mr. Pruitt paused a beat too long before shaking Tanner’s hand. “I’m sorry, I was under the impression that Robert was Matthew’s best friend?”
“No, that title belongs to me,” Tanner said.
Why did everyone always want to discuss who my best friend was? This wasn’t relevant at all. “It doesn’t matter who my best friend is.” I felt stupid saying the words out loud. “I’m here to tell you that you’re done messing with my life.”
“Messing with your life? Matthew, I have no intention of hurting Tanner or…”
“Cut the crap, Mr. Pruitt. You sent Poppy to my office to threaten a child. What the hell is wrong with you?”
Mr. Pruitt sighed. “I told her to deliver a letter to you. That is all.” He shook his head. “She doesn’t love following simple directions. Now tell 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 get what she wants. She’s very good at spotting weaknesses and using them to her advantage.”
I didn’t believe him for a second. Threatening children could never be considered a strength. And me caring for my friend’s child’s safety wasn’t a weakness. Fuck him.
“Let me guess,” Mr. Pruitt said. “She also tried to seduce you?”
Who talked about their niece like that? And why was he acting like he had nothing to do with this? If he’d just wanted to send a letter, he could have sent it via FedEx. He hadn’t needed to involve Poppy. “I don’t know what 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’m having trouble following your logic. Are you feeling quite alright?”
Son of a bitch. I wasn’t the crazy one here. He was. “I know you’re having me tailed. I know you hired hitmen to come after me…”
“Maybe Richard is right,” Tanner said. “Why don’t we