Chapter 34

“Archer, why don’t you take Brianna upstairs?” Joan asked.

The moment he heard the guy’s name, Mathew’s head snapped up, and he glared at Archer, anger flashing in his brown eyes. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“You could try to be a bit nicer,” Archer snapped back at him. “I saved your life tonight.”

Confusion misted Mathew’s face once more, and he glanced from Archer to me and Joan as if he was looking for answers.

“Mathew, there’s a lot I need to explain to you,” Joan sighed, and she reached out to place a hand on Mathew’s shoulder. “I haven’t been completely honest with you. There are things you need to know about me and the store.”

My stomach clenched. Didn’t he know what kinds of people she helped here in the store? People like him. I cringed at the thought. People like me.

“Come on.” Archer suddenly sounded closer to me, and I felt him slip a hand under my elbow. “Let’s get you upstairs so they can talk.”