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When he glanced up at her, the look on his face echoed her thought Yep, she got it He was always busy The man was a workaholic He never seemed to stop She wondered what he was like at hoed out of his ubiquitous suit Not that he didn’t look really good in a suit

Really good

But so at all

Not the time, Thea

“Are you well? You look flushed”

She could grab onto it as an excuse Or tell hi She was certain he’d let her have tis But she couldn’t do that She cleared her throat

“Actually, I need to leave See, my brothers have run into some trouble at their school And I—”

“Are you their legal guardian?”

She wished she were But she’d warned the about their father until she was sure she was in a position where child services would leave them in her care She needed a steady job and a better place for them to live But once they were hers, then she wouldn’t have to stay and suffer the asshole’s abuse She’d worn a high-necked, black shirt today, which also had long sleeves, to hide the bruises on her wrist and neck It was going to be hot as hell on the bus going ho, but she didn’t have much choice

“Well, no, but—”

“Then let your parents take care of it”

“My mom has been dead for five years and my dad is, uh, busy” That wasn’t a lie She was sure he was busy drinking or sleeping

“So are you”

“I have to go”

“Leave and you’ll be fired” No anger No irritation His voice was tinged with ice