Chapter 37

“Because Kasun threatened your safety in front of witnesses before he came to your home. He said he wasn’t going to let you leave, that he had been wooing you, and he couldn’t let you get away. He was on your doorstep when we arrived. If you had been alone, we might never have seen you again.”

“I knew Kasun was trouble, but I had sold my car and couldn’t quit a job so close to home.”

“Was there no one that could help you?” Julien sat down on the sofa and pulled Richard into his arms.

“As I told you, Dad was underinsured when he died. Mom’s illness wiped me out. The moment I blew the whistle on Switched Power things got really bad. I needed the two jobs to pay the bills and couldn’t get hired anywhere else. But now, I’m babbling. I told you all of this at my shitty apartment. I’m sorry, I should watch my mouth.”

Julien rubbed his shoulder. “Don’t worry, mon ange, I’ve heard the word before and used it a few times myself. Your apartment was shitty.”