Page 63 of Silver Edge
Ton lifted one eyebrow, his tiger tattoo tightening at Drake, but remained seated. “Most of the people I know are ex-cons.”
Drake fisted his hands at his sides.
I moved to stand between him and the table, knowing Ton would eat him up and spit him out like a lion chew toy. “Don’t.”
Ton crossed his arms over his chest. Ink marked up his forearm. “Let him go.”
The smell of testosterone was overwhelming the aroma of coffee, so I slid to the side and hoped they didn’t kill each other.
“You want to know why I set her up with a job where an ex-con worked? Because if she sunk into the dark world of drugs, an ex-con with a history of addiction would be able to handle it. I didn’t count on the fact he wouldn’t report in to me until after she disappeared. You weren’t there when I found her beaten and near dead in that back alley. You didn’t sit by her side through the tremors, sweats, and vomiting of detox. You didn’t stand by and watch her wake up to the world she’d blocked out for so long to survive.”
“No, but I’m standing here now. And I could handle it if she fell into her old ways. But unlike you, I believe in her. She’s managed this long without your help. If she didn’t have this place, I believe she would’ve found another.” Drake pushed his knuckles against the tabletop, and they cracked under the weight of him scowling down at Ton. “I don’t care how big or scary you are, I’ll stand up for Scarlet because she deserves one person in her life who sees how amazing she truly is.”
Ton shoved his chair back and straightened to his six-foot-five-inch height, his shoulders almost the width of the table. I scooted closer, but Drake pushed me back. Ton lifted his hand to his waist and shot it out over the table. “It’s nice to meet you, Drake. I respect a man who’ll stand up to me, especially when it’s in defense of Scarlet.”
Drake took his hand and I saw their knuckles go white with tension. I fell back in the chair and held my head in my hands. “Seriously, you two almost gave me an aneurysm.”
Drake chuckled. “You? I thought I was gonna have to defend your honor and get my skull crushed in the process,” he mumbled into my ear before sitting in the chair by my side.
“So, what are you two going to do today?” Drake asked.
“Apartment hunt,” Ton announced.
“I’m not ready to get an apartment. I don’t have enough money yet,” I protested, not wanting to back down and allow him to dictate my life all over again.
“For me, not you. But we’ll be discussing your sleeping arrangements while we’re out.”
“What are you talking about?” I rubbed my hands down my jeans to rid them of the sweaty palms Ton always induced when he entered a room.
“I’ve been wanting out of New York for a while, and you seem to like it here, so I put in for a job and got it. I’ll be starting in a few months.”
I shook my head. “You said you’d never leave the Community.”
Ton rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, well, some things went down and it’s time.”
“Looks like we have more to discuss than my sleeping arrangements.”
Drake kissed my cheek then stood. “Well, I’ll let you two catch up. I’ll be back around six this evening. You’re welcome to hang here as long as you like.” He took a key from his ring and handed it to me. “Just lock up when you leave.”
I held the key in my hand for a second. I’d been with Drake day and night since he’d found me at the warehouse, so I hadn’t realized that I didn’t have a key to the place. “Thanks.”
“Nice to meet you, Ton. You’re welcome here anytime.”
Ton nodded. “Yeah, we still have some talking to do.”
Drake shuffled backward. “Well, until the next time, then. Scarlet? Walk me out?”
I nodded and gave Ton a death stare to remain in his seat. Drake stopped around the corner and whispered, “I’ll see you this evening.” He licked his lips and swallowed hard. “I know how I feel now, and I’m ready to show you.” He kissed my cheek, and an inferno of hope and want erupted inside me.
He took off before I had a chance to say a word and left me with visions of what the night would bring for us. Did he really mean what he said? With a spring in my step, I returned to Ton, who sat eyeing the stone walls and the iron chandelier overhead. “I can see why you like this place. It’s unique. Artsy and dark.”
“And don’t forget there’s music.”
“Yeah, I guess you’ve found the right place for you. Come on, kid. Let’s go. You can show me around town and I’ll buy you lunch.”
Food? My stomach liked that idea. “First, we’ll stop by the local coffeehouse. I want to thank someone for helping us with the upcoming gig. Besides, it’s where several local Straight Edge people hang out. I figured you’d like to meet them.”
“Sounds good, but you’re not off the hook. I want to know more about your plans. You’re not living with this guy, are you? I can still put him in the hospital.”
