Chapter 21
“Well done! Well donel” Mr. Wright even clapped. “Mr. Lloyd, I heard you really did a number on Renee. A few slaps? That was
mercy.”
Finley nodded. “Yeah. I hurt her. I get it. I just hope she can forgive me.
“Forgive you?” Renee sneered. “Jump off the roof, and I’ll forgive you on the way down.”
She wanted him to feel what she had–helpless, desperate, wrecked.
“Renee-”
“Shut up! I told you not to call me that!” Another slap. Then, grabbing a wine bottle from the table, she tilted it against his lips.
“You want this deal? Drink.”
She poured, and Finley didn’t resist, letting the alcohol burn its way down. When she finally yanked the bottle away, she shoved
him back.
He staggered, eyes unfocused, face burning. Then came the kick–vicious and full of spite. He hit the ground hard.
Still, he clung to his mission. “Renee… have you calmed down? Can you convince them to agree now?” His words slurred, but he
still remembered why he was here.
Renee inhaled sharply, trying to rein in her fury. Maybe she’d had enough–maybe she was done.
Just as Mr. Wright began pleading on Finley’s behalf, Finley suddenly muttered, “Claire, I miss you. Come pick me up.”
