“Nathan Thorne. I’ll be damned,” he said as he walked up to me and stuck out his hand.

I gave his hand a stiff shake and smiled at him. “It’s been a long time.”

“Yeah. Last time I saw you, the judge was throwing you out of the courtroom, a bailiff on each arm dragging you down the aisle.” He let out a harsh chuckle. “I thought they were about to drag you off to the nut house.”

My lips were set in a thin line. “Well, it wasn’t the best time in my life.” I was certain there’d been much talk about me after that.

“I had a lot of hope for you.” His eyes scanned me up and down. “What are you up to these days?”

“I’m working for Holloway and Holloway.”

His head tipped back as he nodded. “Ah, your father-in-law. How’s that going?”

“Pretty good. I spent about a year as a transactional attorney after a few years off, and now I’m in the real estate division.”

“Quite different areas.”

I shrugged. “It was necessary. I wasn’t ready to go back into the courtroom.”

“Well, now that you’re back in the game, maybe we can get together. I could really use you.”

“On what?”

“I’m building a case against Vincent Marconi.”

It felt like the blood rushed from my body, and I began to sweat. Why hadn’t I looked into who was working on the case Noah told me about? “I don’t want anything to do with your case.”

“What? How can you say that?” He frowned at me, his arms crossing over his chest. “Nate, you have all the information we need. No one has ever gotten a conviction, and you did. I know you have more information on them. Help us.”

I shook my head, my jaw set. “I can’t.”

He leaned toward me, his expression imploring, and I stepped back. “These are bad people who need to pay for their crimes.”

“You don’t need to tell me that. I understand, more than anyone, but I’m sorry. I can’t help you, Tom.”

“Why not?” he asked, complete confusion in his aged features. It didn’t seem like he could comprehend my reluctance. Couldn’t he put two and two together?

I leaned in closer, almost spitting on him between my clenched teeth. “Because the last time I was involved with them, my wife and son were murdered and, for a few seconds, they killed me as well.” It dawned on me that we were both being watched and our innocent conversation was being noted. “Fuck. Even talking to you now is bad.”

He shook his head. “You’ve become paranoid. Do you really think they’re keeping tabs on you? They’ve induced you with fear.” His arms relaxed, waving around in defense. “I’m not downplaying what happened. It’s a tragedy what they did to Grace. She was a wonderful woman, but they aren’t still watching you. They hurt you. They got what they wanted.”

I gaped at him, stunned. “You really have no idea what you’re getting into. Don’t you realize they’re watching your every move? They’re watching mine as well, and this little meeting could very well get my family killed. So, back the fuck off!”

“You’ve gone off the reservation, Thorne.” He looked at me like I was out of my mind.

“Don’t be cocky. That’s how I was, and you know what happened. You think a family like that doesn’t have connections or the money to buy people? They know. I was informed by a third party they were tailing me again and anyone working on the case. Probably waiting for a meeting like this to crop up.”

I pulled at my neck, the tension rocketing to sky-high proportions.

“I’m not cocky… I’m realistic.” He looked at me with sad eyes. “You should look at seeing a psychiatrist. There are obviously some issues left over from your accident.”

I scoffed at him. “I have a therapist, but thanks for that. I assure you, I’m quite sane, and my paranoia comes from truth.”

He stared at me for a moment, but then his eyes flickered around the restaurant. “What do I do?”

“You walk away before they come after you or your family.”

Tom lost his fight, his voice lowering, as it seemed to dawn on him that I was right. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to do everything I can to keep my wife safe.”

He looked at me like I was insane. “Grace is dead.”

I shook my head and gave him a small smile. “Not Grace. I’m not that crazy, Tom. I got married a few months ago. Her name is Lila.”

A genuine smile lit up his face. “Congratulations. I mean it.”

“Thanks.” I held out my hand. “I need to get going. Take care, and think about what I said.”

“You, too.”

I turned to walk away.

“Hey, Nate,” Tom called, making me turn back around. “At least think about what I said as well. Do the world a little good to get a man like him gone.”

I pursed my lips and nodded, glancing to the corner of the restaurant as I pushed the door open and walked out. Lila was waiting for me at the edge of the parking lot, Drew and Caroline already gone.

“Who was that?” she asked when I got closer.

“No one.”

She grabbed onto my arm and halted my steps. I turned to look at her, the playfulness of lunch gone and replaced with concern.

“What’s yours is mine, and that includes your burdens.”

My chest tightened, the truth in her words almost strangling me. It wasn’t right to keep him or my concern bottled up from her.

“His name is Tom Preston. We used to work together. He’s the one building a case against Vincent Marconi.” I pulled at my neck, trying to work the growing tension out.

She stared at me, then nodded. “He wants your help.”

I swallowed hard. “Yes.”

“You told him no.” She looked into my eyes. I nodded. “Because of me.”

Again, I nodded, unable to find the words.

She wrapped her arms around me and held me close, kissing my neck. “It’s all right. I’m here.”

I was confused by her words until I realized I was shaking. A harsh breath left me, and I pulled her close.

She agreed to be with me, knowing the danger, but was I so selfish to risk her life further?

The next day, I was a wreck.

Meeting Tom was a mistake.

Granted, it wasn’t like I planned to run into him. That was what made it worse. If Marconi had someone watching us at that moment, I was screwed. It was a chance meeting that could get Lila killed.

An innocent fucking errand that brought the devil down.

After what Noah told me, I knew it wasn’t an “if” someone was watching. I’d recognized one of his men sitting in the corner as we talked. Marconi probably thought I was working the case.

I needed to figure out a way to keep Lila safe.

My mind was cracking, and the beast paced, whimpering. Everything was spiraling out of control. I was losing my grip.

It was times like this the beast in me was let out. Nothing calmed it more than Lila. My body ached only for her touch. I needed it to survive. I’d die without it—without her. She let me ravage her, letting go in ways no other would. Euphoria and comfort—the soothing balm to my screaming agony.

I couldn’t go hunt her down and drag her off. I needed her to come to me, so I picked up my cell phone and texted her.

Need you. Now.

I tossed it back down on my desk and rubbed my face. My foot tapped on the floor as I listened to the tick of the clock, waiting for her response. Wound tight, my muscles locked down. I needed to relax.

There was a light knock on the door, and I sighed. I didn’t even have to say anything before the handle spun and Lila walked in. She flicked the lock on my door, a devilish smirk on her lips.

In her hand was a fresh cup of coffee, which she set on my desk as she walked up to me. She was silent, reserved…submissive. Exactly what I needed.

I turned my chair, following her movement as she sunk down to her knees in front of me. I wet my lips as I leaned forward, my hand gripping the back of her neck as I kissed her. It wasn’t soft—it was rough and needy.