I sat and I waited. No fidgeting or checking my phone. I wanted to appear serene, like I was here for just a quick meeting with a local businessman.

I listened to Jenn count off the minutes in my ear. Id worn my hair loose to cover the device. Rick wore the hood of his sweatshirt up to cover his.

Jenns voice sounded in my ear. Vador and Rodriguez pulled up. I didnt blink. I went into the part of my brain that Id discovered in the Army. The darker part of my soul that craved blood. My men knew the bottom line for tonights meeting. If I didnt make it out alive, then they were to kill everybody inside. It was an ugly order. That was okay, because I was doing this to protect the beauty waiting for me to come back to her. I would do this for Layla.

Mr. Ulloa, Mr. Rodriguez. I heard Ricks greeting at the door.

Vadors second entered before him. Raul Rodriguez gave the impression that he was as tall as he was wide. Hed been with Vador for years. He was an expert with his knife and known to kill anyone who became a problem on Vadors order. His gaze took in my position at the table as I stood with my hands open at my sides. Forde.

Raul. Hows the family? I knew he had seven children; six were grown and his youngest was to start college next year.

Doing very well, thank you. He moved to the wall.

Vador entered followed by Rick, who closed the door behind him.

The crime boss looked like a corporate businessman, dressed in an expensive navy suit, a pristine white shirt with no tie. Ah, Mr. Forde, how nice to see you again. He smiled in my direction.

I motioned for him to take a seat.

What? No drinks, gentlemen? What if we become thirsty? Where is the server? Vador looked around the room.

Im going to make this short. Then you can place your order, I told the leader of the Cancerberos.

Vador shook his head. You need to learn to enjoy lifes simple pleasures, Mr. Forde. Like a good scotch or a cold beer.

I plan on doing that once we finish here. I rested my hands on the edge of the table. Rick had taken his position just inside the door, across from Rodriguez. I knew one of my men would be covering the door from the outside.

I understand congratulations are in order. You have a woman friend. I understand Mrs. Shepherd is very attractive. Vador paused. When I didnt respond, he continued. You should dress better for her. You look like a commando in one of those movies where everything is blown up.

One side of my mouth turned upward. So far thereve been no complaints. He was correct, I was wearing a tight black thermal and black cargos. Rick was in a black sweatshirt and jeans. We both could afford to dress like Vador, but I dressed for comfort while I was working.

He made a hmph sound.

By my estimation, wed wasted enough time on the preliminaries. Mrs. Shepherd, she is out of play. Do I make myself clear?

Vador gave a polite smile.

It didnt fool me.

I believe that your wishes were communicated to Raul earlier.

And yet I didnt need to finish; they knew d.a.m.n well what had happened.

Vador raised his hand then let it fall gracefully to the table. I fear I have a few overexcited people. They hope to catch my eye by doing these little things.

Leash them. Rick growled.

I saw Rodriguez shift his weight in response.

I have made it clear there will be no more activities involving Mrs. Shepherd and her possessions. He gave a nod to signify that The King had spoken.

I leaned back in my chair, crossed my foot over my ankle, and said nothing.

You must agree her car needed to be put out of its misery. Vador leaned in. You should buy her a nice Mercedes or perhaps a Tesla? I understand they are exciting to drive.

Perhaps you should compensate her for the car, and her other troubles? I smiled at my audacity. Laylas going to freak when I tell her.

Vador sighed as if he was inconvenienced. Give the information to Raul, and it will be taken care of.

I dropped my leg and sat forward slowly. Moving too fast could get a bullet through my brain or a blade in my chest. So to make sure we have an understanding, Mrs. Shepherd is to be left alone. I dont want to hear or see one of your people anywhere near her. No problems for her in the bathroom during the trial and your boy can take his lumps. I leaned a little farther into the table. One more unfortunate act by one of your overeager people will cause you some unpleasantness.

Vador met my stare. His dark eyes missed nothing. He shrugged his shoulders. I will pa.s.s on the message, along with one of my own, but you know these pups, sometimes they must try to break the chain.

I stood. Then put them down. I nodded once at Vador and then at Rodriguez. I turned on my heel and walked out of the room with Rick tight on my back.

I drove back to Ricks SUV and parked. The others soon joined us. I got out and felt the anger pumping through my veins. Thanks for interrupting your night to help out. Ill have Lay wire your money tomorrow.

All but Rick and Osi left.

Rick had dropped his hood and he was pacing, That f.u.c.ker admitted he doesnt have control.

Is he gonna use that as an out? Osi followed Ricks movements with his eyes.

I ground my back teeth together as I considered what had gone down. We continue with the escorts and increase patrols around Limited and my place. You guys watch your backs.

Rick nodded.

And if it happens? I swear that I could feel Osis adrenaline surge.

Through gritted teeth, I responded, War.

Prepare. Rick stopped pacing.

I rolled my shoulders and walked back to the drivers side door. Yeah. I gave my men a nod and got into the SUV and headed to the Alessis.

Vador would do what he could, but he wasnt in control of all of his people. The fact hed admitted it meant he would be doing some housecleaning soon, but in the interim, Layla was not safe.

Id failed her.

I wanted to stop off at some bar and trade some punches with a random guy. I needed to hurt someone. It couldnt be Lay.

Chapter Eighteen.

I tried not to sigh out loud. I was having trouble staying still. The movie Tony had put in the DVD player didnt hold my attention and I had checked my emails on my phone. I was antsy and felt like I should be doing something instead of sitting and waiting.

Tony sat at the table with his laptop open.

I hope you arent trying to work on anything too challenging, I said as I shot a glance over the back of the sofa.

I was updating our schedules and making some lists. He gave me a smile.

Do you want anything to eat or drink? I had already put everything away from dinner and scoured the kitchen, until Tony had come in and told me Id done enough.

I know its hard, the waiting. Id feel like I was going to jump out of my skin"back when I was working. He closed his computer and moved to the sofa.

Fordes good at what he does. I felt like I had to defend myself. I know that.

I know you believe in him. Tony put his bare feet up on the coffee table.

I smiled to myself. That must be one of the first lessons in bada.s.ssness, that it was acceptable to put their feet up on furniture. Still, so many things could go sideways.

He and his boys have gone over the contingencies, Tony a.s.sured me.

I nodded, grabbing onto that a.s.sertion.

My last job, I was a part of a gang. He didnt look at me.

I waited. I knew very little about Tonys past. The bits and pieces Id picked up were that hed worked undercover, the job had turned ugly, and hed changed career paths.

I was in deep cover. The gang moved guns, women, and drugs. They ran efficiently and were just as well managed as any Fortune 500 business. Vadors not that big, but he doesnt want any problems from your man. There might be posturing and some threats, but in the end it doesnt serve the big picture for there to be a war.

I nodded. Listening to his point of view was comforting in a scary way.

Vadors boy is going down for murder. The minute he left a witness he was done. He gave me an apologetic look.

I understood his implication that Juan Moreno should have taken care of me too.

This vendetta against you, its sloppy and I dont see Vador as being sloppy. I think he has a problem within his ranks and these events are bringing that to light.

I squashed the giggle before it escaped. I found his term hilarious in a twisted way. I guess in his experience, getting shot at and fire-bombed were only events.

He wont appreciate Forde calling him out about not being in control of his people, but ultimately Vador will put a stop to it or he wont be with us anymore. Tony ended his summation with a nod.

Thanks for talking with me. I waited a moment then changed to a happier subject. Now, tell me whats left to do in the nursery and how can I help?

We talked and looked at websites for about two hours. It seemed they needed the most work to be done at their cabin. Tony had purchased the one room cabin before hed gone undercover, and when Zoe came into the picture she fell in love with the location. Theyd added on to the existing structure and considered it to be their true home.

I wanted to see that place. I could hear in Tonys voice that it was special. I volunteered to do the painting and anything else they needed. Although they planned to stay in this house while Tony was in school, the other was their home. He showed me photos of their home and the property. It was beautiful.

Tonys phone chirped. He grabbed it. Alessi, his voice harsh.

I watched Tony with my heart in my throat.

He gave me a nod as he listened.

Did it mean something that Tony got the call instead of me? I watched Tony listen to whatever was being said.

See you in five. Tony disconnected. Get ready to move, Ill walk you out.

I used the bathroom and washed my hands thoroughly as I looked at myself in the mirror. It felt like the danger wasnt done. Just handle it, I told my reflection.

Tony watched Fordes SUV pull up in front of the house. He motioned for me to follow him. He held my arm with his left hand, in his right was a gun that he rested against his thigh.

I heard the locks disengage as Tony reached for the door. He opened it, and I climbed in.

Forde reached across my body for the seat belt, and I heard it click.

Later, Tony told us.

Thanks man. The SUV moved forward before Tony slammed the door.

I watched him jog back to his door as we pulled away.

I could feel Fordes mood and it wasnt good, so I kept quiet. I tried to check out his body without being too obvious as we travelled to the condo.

I swear my heart was going to crash through my chest by the time we parked the atmosphere was so tense. I undid my seatbelt and grabbed my purse. I remembered to wait for Forde to open my door.

We rode in the elevator in silence. Id had enough of the quiet treatment, but I was afraid to talk.

We walked into our s.p.a.ce, and I dropped my purse on the table by the coat closet. Forde moved to the kitchen counter and removed his weaponry. This was our regular coming home routine, but something about his actions looked off, like they were sharper than usual.

I moved closer to him. Do you want something to eat? I hoped that some food might soothe him.

He didnt say anything.

I put my hand on his arm; I wanted to feel his skin.

He moved so fast. The next thing I knew, my back was against the counter, and he was standing over me. His hold on my biceps wasnt gentle and neither were his eyes. Dont, he bit out right in my face.

Forde? I started to ask what was wrong.

I dont want you touching me tonight.

That killed me. He loosened his hold on my arms, walked to the windows in the living room and stood there staring at the downtown lights with his back to me.

What the f.u.c.k just happened? I wanted to scream. I didnt know what was going on. I turned on my heel and headed to the bedroom. I slammed the bathroom door behind me and started washing my face. After brushing my teeth, I changed into my yoga pants and one of my T-shirts. I jerked a pillow free of the covers on the bed, then went to the linen closet and grabbed a blanket.

I was racing out of the bedroom without looking and ran into Forde so hard he had to take a step back to steady himself. Where the f.u.c.k are you going? He roared.

You dont want me to touch you. Well, dont worry. I wont. I shouldered by him and headed to the sectional in the man cave. He didnt argue or try to follow me.