Chapter 27 Uninvited
POV : Eric
“You’re… tall.”
“Like, really tall.”
From the window I thought they were just two kids from the block. Up close, it’s different.
Catherine has black hair, cut straight at her shoulders. Her eyes are steady, wary but not closed off. She sizes you up without making a show of it.
Liam is 14, a bit taller than her, wiry, wired. He stands half a step in front of her without even noticing he’s doing it.
“Liam, act your age,” Catherine says quietly, shoving a crumpled t-shirt under the couch cushion when she thinks I’m not looking.
She’s embarrassed I saw. The apartment is holding together, barely. Worn rugs, a damp stain creeping up the wall, the coffee table propped up with mismatched coasters.
Liam doesn’t look away from me.
I’ve made grown men drop their gaze first. He doesn’t. He’s watching, ready to step in if I move wrong.
“What did you say to that guy?” he asks.
“Not now, Liam,” Catherine says, hand on his shoulder, calm but firm.
He doesn’t let it go right away. “If it’s another reporter, I deserve to know.”
I answer before she can. “He got what he wanted. He’s leaving you alone.”
Liam nods, not convinced, and slumps onto the coffee table.
“Why are you wearing a suit to come here?”
“It’s work.”
He makes a face. “It’s out of place. In here it looks like you’re showing off.”
“That’s enough, Liam,” Catherine cuts in.
“What? It’s true.” He turns to me. “No offense.”
“None taken,” I say with a half-smile. “And I like that you say what you think.”
Catherine glances toward the kitchen. “Dinner’s ready. You coming, Liam?”
He gets up reluctantly. Before he leaves he stops and asks me, “You staying for dinner?”
“Thanks, but I’ve got a late meeting.”
“Fair enough,” he says, no hard feelings. “Won’t keep you.”
Catherine gives me an apologetic look. “Sorry about him. He’s overprotective.”
“He’s right to be.”
They head to the kitchen. Liam stays standing when I get up.
“The contract’s signed. No one’s coming after you because of it.”
He frowns. “What about my dad? Did you check?”
I get why he’s tense. “Yeah. He’s not connected to this.”
Liam doesn’t answer. He looks past me and freezes.
Catherine’s standing in the doorway, eyes a little wet. She swallows, clears her throat.
“You’re still here.”
“I was about to leave.”
“Stay five minutes,” she says simply. “Please.”
I stay.
Liam comes back, sits down, arms still crossed.
“You know how I got this tall?” I ask, trying to ease the tension.
He raises an eyebrow. “By eating?”
“By eating whatever was put on my plate. Even when it sucked.”
He can’t help the small smile. “Even broccoli?”
“Especially broccoli.”
He snorts, and some of the tension drains out of him.
One look at Catherine tells me it’s time to go. She’s watching me with that mix of gratitude and discomfort I hate.
I’m not her savior. I’m not the guy who stays for dinner and pretends.
And yet, for half an hour, that’s exactly what I did. And honestly? It wasn’t bad.
“Good night,” I say.
Catherine guides Liam toward the kitchen. “Start without me. I’ll be there in a minute.”
Liam pauses in the doorway. “Why can you stay and talk but I can’t?”
“Because you’ve got school tomorrow,” Catherine says without turning.
He mutters something and disappears.
She steps closer, keeping a bit of distance.
“Sorry about all this.”
“Nothing to apologize for.”
“You were patient with him. He doesn’t trust anyone.”
Her voice drops. “Thanks for what you said. About my dad.”
“It’s the truth.”
She bites her lip. “Damian said he had stuff on you. Bad stuff.”
“He’s bluffing.”
“And if he’s not?”
I take a step back. “You’ve got enough on your plate. Let me handle it.”
She flushes but doesn’t back down. “I’m canceling our meeting tonight.”
“Bad idea.”
“I’ve missed enough evenings with him. I’m making it up.”
I nod. “See you tomorrow then, Ms. Hale.”
In the entryway I notice the shoe rack. A pair of sneakers held together with duct tape. It sticks with me.
She needed that contract. That’s why she said yes in the first place.
Before, that was enough for me. Now it leaves a weird taste.
Before I head home I send Cael a message.
_Full background check on Hale. Everything. Finances, contacts, movements._
I’m just doing my job. That’s all.
Nothing more.
Nothing that matters.