Chapter 19:

"Andy, really… get out," Sharon said quietly, "we'll talk about it la…"

"He worries me. Is he dangerous?"

Sharon let out air. She didn't know if she should push him out of the restroom, or hug him for worrying about her. "Let me help you," Flynn said when she didn't answer.

"NO," her voice was stern. The image of Flynn in the hospital bed appeared in her mind. She didn't want him to get hurt again because of her. "But thank you." His frustrated face made her smile. She took a step forward and kissed him gently, her hand on his shoulder. It's been so long since she had someone to turn to, that she barely remembered what it felt like. She pulled away and Flynn tilted his head down to kiss her again, but she put her fingers on his lips to stop him and said, "go away."

Flynn smiled at her for a moment before he left.

(***)

Hours later, Flynn walked out of the elevator and into the parking floor, on his way to his car. In the morning he parked close to Sharon's car, thinking that he'd be walking her to her car again, but she had to stay a little longer with Taylor and he decided to go.

From a distance he saw a man leaning against Sharon's car. Flynn got a little closer and recognized Richard. Before he could think about it, his legs led him behind the nearest car, and he ducked out of sight, waiting for Sharon to arrive so he can finally know what's going on between these two. He knew it was wrong, but he was too intrigued to just go away now.

Twenty minutes Flynn waited behind that car. The elevator doors opened just as he thought to leave. He heard heels and looked from his hiding place, just in time to see Sharon walking towards her car. She froze for a second when she saw Richard waiting for her, but then she continued to walk until she was a few feet from him.

"Are you serious?" she asked, barely able to hide her anger anymore.

"What, your boyfriend's not walking you to your car today?" Richard chuckled. "Careful, I might hurt you."

"Stop following me. I'm not afraid of you," Sharon's voice was steady, but inside she was terrified. Richard took a few quick steps towards her, almost closing the gap between them. His face was angry.

"What did you tell Cat?" he asked with a dangerous look in his eyes.

"What are you talking about?"

"She called and yelled at me for how badly I treated you when we were still together," Richard raised his voice, "did you tell her that absurd lie about me… raping you?!"

Sharon swallowed hard. She only confronted him once about that matter, just before she left him twenty years ago, and now he brought it up so carelessly. Flynn arched his eyebrows in surprise. He had to fight the urge to get out from behind that car and punch Richard in the face as he felt rage boiling inside of him.

"I didn't tell her anything," Sharon said firmly, "and you know well it's now a lie."

"Oh, come on, Sharon. You're being ridiculous," Richard lowered his voice again, to his usual disparaging one. "Even today, it's almost impossible to prosecute this kind of accusation. You know why? Because it's bullshit." Sharon looked at him with anger. He could see in her eyes how outraged she was, and it only made him want to talk more. It felt good to humiliate her. "There's no such thing as marital rape," he said and took another step towards her, "you know what? We're still married, and I think I like the idea of screwing you right here and now."

Flynn stood straight and almost walked over to them. Sharon took a step backwards and put her hand on her gun. "Don't make me use it, because I will," she said in a steady, seemingly strong voice. Her heart pounded so loudly that she wondered whether Richard could hear it or not. Flynn watched them, unnoticed, as Richard raised his hands, as if surrendering, and chuckled.

"You're right, we don't need FID on us now," he said lightly, as if they were joking around.

"You mean, now, that you're working for a cartel?" Sharon asked, her hand still on the gun.

"Seriously? You still think I'm a mobster or something?" Richard laughed loudly. "I'm not working for any cartel, and I didn't get your boyfriend beaten."

Flynn felt like he was about to burst from anger. It started to cloud his judgment, and he found it very hard staying in his hiding place. The urge to go over there and kick Richard's ass was growing by the second.

"I'm warning you, Sharon. You'd better fix this with Cat," Richard said and started walking away. Sharon looked at him for a few seconds as he grew farther and farther.

"You don't scare me," she said a little louder than usual, so he can hear her well.

"Don't take your chances, dear," Richard turned his head towards her as he continued to walk. "Who knows, maybe I AM a mobster," he smiled and disappeared behind a corner. Sharon let out air and leaned back on the car behind her. Her heart was still beating frantically and she covered her eyes with her hands in attempt to relax. Flynn watched her from his hiding place. He wanted to go over there and comfort her, but he was pretty sure she wouldn't appreciate him spying on her.

Sharon stood straight again and walked the little distance she had left to her car, the echoes of her heels filling the big parking floor, piercing the silence.