A well-dressed man in his early to mid-fifties in a dark gray suit and a man dressed in all black typical of a bodyguard screamed trouble, and trouble found me.

“Hello,” the suit greeted when I reached my car. His dark brown hair was expertly styled. He wasn’t much taller than I was with his average build. He shouldn’t have been a threatening presence, and on a normal day in a normal life, he wouldn’t have been.

I took in the expensive looking watch while I nodded my head in greeting and waited for him to move. He didn’t. He was blocking the driver’s door, and though he attempted to appear casual, I knew he was purposely blocking me.

“Can I help you?”

“Might I say you are much more beautiful up close.”

Say what?

“Um… I think I should go.” I took a cautious step back but stopped retreating when I remembered I was moving in the opposite direction of my car. I was trapped without actually being trapped.

“Why? We’ve only just started talking. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you for some time now.” His malicious grin spread wider with each word he spoke. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Oh, yeah?” I managed to speak over the nervous flutter in my stomach. “From who?”

“Let’s just say I like to keep an eye on my interests. Some are more valuable than others.”

There was only one person who could be the cause of this meeting.

“Keiran,” I guessed while hoping it would somehow summon him magically. Funny how my once tormentor became my unforeseen knight in all black armor. The man’s eyes twinkled at the mention of his name.

“Yes, Keiran. I’m very fond of his… potential, if you will.”

My mind furiously attempted to connect the dots, but I couldn’t figure out who was standing before me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t catch your name?”

“I’m Arthur Phalan.”

“Arthur Phalan?” I repeated.

“In the flesh.” He spread his arms wide in a magnanimous gesture, but when I continued to watch him silently, his arms fell. “I see he hasn’t been any more forthcoming with you than he has been with me.”

“I don’t know who you are so why are you here?”

“I believe you bumped into me, young lady. It is a mere coincidence we met here today.”

“Somehow I doubt that. I meant, why are you here in Six Forks?”

“Ah, well. I came here to collect. I paid a very fine price to get your little boyfriend out of a sticky situation.”

“What do you mean?”

“It was you who was going to testify against him for the murders of your little classmates, was it not?”

“You got him out jail?”

“That is correct.”

“Why? How?” I stumbled over my questions and each word came out harsher than I intended but I was stumped. Why would he help Keiran?

“Which answer would you like first?” He chuckled.

“Any,” I snapped. I didn’t miss the brief flicker of anger in his eyes or the way his jaw had clenched before he settled himself.

“I got him out because he promised me a valuable service. It was easy, although costly, to do considering I had to lace a lot more pockets than I cared to and call in a few favors. The thing about government and the law is it is very easy to corrupt.”

“What was his promise?”

“His servitude, Miss Monroe. And his undying loyalty... well, until he dies. The work can be a little… tricky… at times. There are a lot of risks and—”

“He’s going to kill for you,” I whispered. “Again.” I’d already pieced together exactly who this man was and what he represented.

“Yes, and I have the feeling he’ll be very good at it. He showed much promise as a child. I remember him most of all.”

“And Lily? What about her?”

“Who?” His brow rose in question at the mention of the little girl who suffered gravely.

“Lily. The little girl you were planning to turn into a whore before she even had the chance to learn what love was.”

“I’ve turned many little girls into whores, young lady. Their names don’t always resonate in my mind or matter.”

“You’re a sick fuck,” I spat.

“I’m a very rich fuck. Speaking of which… I am so glad I ran into you. Saves me the trouble of having to do this the hard way.” He signaled for someone in the distance and a burly man with a grim expression came forward.

“What—what are you doing?”

“Your little boyfriend has yet to deliver himself to me. I am tired of waiting so I’ll just have to find payment another way.” His leer as he stared at me and licked his lips was sickening. “You, my dear, can also provide a valuable service.”

The bodyguard gripped my arm, and I immediately began to struggle. The scream that was building up from my lungs was cut short by the deep voice and unmistakable sound of a round entering the chamber of a gun.

“Take your fucking hands off her, and I’ll let you live another day.”

Keiran? I said a silent prayer of thanks that my tormentor/ex-lover had a tendency to stalk me.

“Why, Keiran—”

“I’m not interested in small talk. Tell your dog to obey or this bullet goes in your head.” I followed the sight of the barrel down an extended arm encased in black until I was finally able to see Keiran’s formidable expression. He’s here.

“You are trespassing on dangerous grounds, son.”

“I’m sure I can make it up to you,” he retorted sarcastically.

“I hope she’s worth it then because this will cost you dearly.”

“Her worth is none of your business. His hands. Now.” Arthur nodded to the henchman and my arms were released. I wanted to rub them in comfort but didn’t want my hands where his had just been.

“Lake, get in the car,” he ordered without taking his eyes off the two men. I hesitated because I was more than reluctant to leave him alone, but when Keiran turned his head slowly and met my eyes, I moved to obey as a chilled shiver ran down my spine.

Chapter Seventeen

Keiran

“That was a bold move, son. Risky and stupid. It’s exactly why I need you working for me.”

I watched Monroe close the car door to make sure she was safe before I stuck my gun back into my waist. I was one wrong word away from blowing his head off his shoulders.

“Don’t ever touch her again. I don’t care how far your reach goes. I will kill you for her even if I have to die in the process. Are we clear?”

“I was prepared to take her as compensation. I haven’t heard from you since your release. The release I orchestrated. Why is that?”

“I’m busy with school.”

“Is that so?”

“I have to finish.”

“I’m not interested in your education. What I have in mind for you doesn’t require a degree or diploma. I don’t want your brains. I want your soul.”

“And you don’t think anyone will question if I disappear? You got me out on bail, but you didn’t make the charges go away. I still have a noose hanging around my neck and can’t leave the state or even the county. Do you really want to chance being brought down for aiding and abetting? And then there’s my uncle.”

“He can be taken care of.” It was meant as a threat, but what he didn’t know was I didn’t harbor any familial feelings for my uncle.

He chuckled after a while and turned to regard his bulldog. “Are you seeing this kid? No emotion. Nothing.” He turned back to face me with a curious expression. “You don’t have much give, do you, boy?”

“I don’t have time for this.” I spun on my heel and started for my car. I needed to make sure she was okay. I was kicking myself for letting her out of my sight. I told her about the organization, but what she didn’t know was I had only scratched the surface. She had no idea of the shit she was almost dragged into. If he had succeeded and taken her…

“Keiran.” My name caused me to stop in my tracks. His tone was no longer charming and easygoing. I had crossed the line but was beyond caring.