Page 128 of Let Me Keep You

That little shit! Tell him to keep my secrets to himself.

I snort at her antics. My phone buzzes again, and when I lower my eyes, I notice it’s Robert again. Knowing it will put me in a bad mood, I ignore it. When Tyler and I are halfway finished eating, Dad returns with a milkshake in his hand.

“You didn’t bring me one?” I pretend to be offended. He’s in a better mood than earlier at least.

“Shoulda asked! Belinda makes them extra chocolatey for me.” He takes a sip of it, beaming.

“Tease,” I say, cleaning up our mess.

“Belinda’s shakes are the best,” Tyler admits. “She made me a strawberry banana one, and it was pure heaven.”

“I’m gonna have to try that one. I had no idea she was the queen at making shakes,” I retort, actually wishing he would’ve gotten me one now.

“I think I’ve gained ten pounds because of her.” Dad laughs, patting his belly.

“You’re the one who keeps going down there, Daddy,” I remind him. “She’s just making sure you’re a happy customer.”

“Or she knows the way to a man’s heart is his stomach,” Tyler taunts, waggling his brows. I chuckle at his insinuation that Belinda is flirting with my dad by making him shakes, though it’d be super cute if that was the case.

The two of them get back to work, and I busy myself with the financial statements, ignoring my phone and all the messages Robert keeps sending me. When I think about him, my anxiety spikes, and I can’t breathe.

For the rest of the afternoon, I deal with spreadsheets, receipts, and customers. I’m nonstop busy, which keeps my mind occupied. Once the shop closes for the day, I’m ready to go home and take a bath, then enjoy a movie on the couch. Just as I’m about to lock the front door, Robert rushes past the large windows wearing a scowl. Seconds later, he’s pushing himself past me and staring with a menacing grin.

“Gemma, sweetheart.” He leans forward, trying to kiss me, but I take a step back, nearly tripping over myself.

“What’re you doing here?” I hiss, confused. I thought I was extremely clear in my text messages that he needed to fuck off.

His lips turn up farther. “I’m here to pick you up for dinner. I told you I’d be here earlier. Didn’t you get my messages?”

“I’m not going. You need to leave,” I grit out, placing my hand on my hip, ready to scream and hope my dad or Tyler hears me.

Robert moves toward me, but I step back, keeping my distance until I’m pressed against the counter.

“Are you trying to make me look bad?” he snaps, his face flushing with the same anger I saw at his house.

I cross my arms over my chest, not cowering to his stance although his large frame looms over me. “What don’t you understand, Robert? We are done. Over! You need to leave before my dad sees you here,” I warn.

He sneers and rolls his eyes as if he’s not concerned because he’s not. “Victoria specifically requested we both be there. You know I’m trying to sign this fucking deal. Do you want me to lose one of the biggest contracts of my life over your selfishness?”

I shrug. “Your business dinners and your clients are no longer my concern.”

Reaching out, he grabs my arm firmly, not caring if he’s hurting me or not, and he yanks me closer. “You’re being such a self-centered bitch!” he shouts.

Before I can open my mouth to scream, Tyler rushes through the door and moves toward Robert with his chest puffed out.

“Don’t you fucking talk to her that way,” Tyler barks, and instead of Robert letting me go, he only holds me tighter. Seconds later, Tyler’s in his face and pulling me away from Robert’s grasp. My arm throbs where he grasped me, and I’m sure it’ll bruise.

“You touch her again, and I’ll fucking make you wish you were dead,” Tyler warns. “You need to go.”

Robert scoffs. “Is this how convicts threaten people? Pathetic. Come on, Gemma. We’re leaving.” He snaps his fingers at me as if I’ll just follow his command. “Now!”

Tyler crosses his arms over his broad chest and stares him down. I notice how uncomfortable Robert becomes, and he even takes a few steps away from us.

“We are leaving,” he seethes.

“You really are a dumb fuck, aren’t you? She’s not going anywhere with you,” Tyler tells him. “And if you lay a hand on her again…”

As if things couldn’t get any worse, my dad enters and looks back and forth between us. Dread coats me like ice cold water in winter.