Chapter 1

Six Years Later, Present Day . . .

"Camilla, I need you on a case for me."

I lift my gaze from my computer to find my boss stepping into my office. I've been here for a little over a year now, and I love this firm. Not once have I been given something I didn't enjoy working on. Most of the time, I've been able to pick which ones I want to do myself.

"What case?" I ask, cocking a brow at the file in my boss's outreached hand.

Dan gets a funny look on his face, and that's a telltale sign that I'm not going to like whatever he's giving me.

Holding his gaze, I take the file. Only when I open it and scan over the first page do I nearly lose my mind. "You've got to be kidding me."

"‘Fraid not, Camilla. I need you on this," Dan says, shrugging and shoving his hands in the front pockets of his slacks.

"Why me?" I really want to know. He knew the deal for me moving back here and taking my position at the firm. I could have gone somewhere else, but here, it's home. Bonus, Dan's law firm is one of the best in the surrounding area. Considering I'm available to practice in all the surrounding states, I had several offers given to me, but his was the best.

"Because I need your talents on this one. Félix's cousin is asking that we get everything in order and checked out ASAP. I would handle it myself, but we all know you have the balls to take this one without any help."

"You're just trying to butter me up," I mutter, rolling my eyes.

"Maybe." Dan grins. "Is it working?"

I sigh and look back at the file. It's all I can do to keep from touching it like it were a snake about to strike. I flip through the first few pages, scanning through the reports, seeing exactly the reason why he'd bring this to me. He knows I'm a cutthroat and can also sweet-talk my way into anything, and this is going to take a lot of sweet talking. "Fine, but you owe me."

"Appreciate it, Camilla," Dan states and releases a breath. "You let me know if you need anything."

"Oh, I intend to, Dan. You can count on that," I say and wave my hand in a go-away motion without saying another word or looking up.

Once the door closes, I get down to it. There's no time to waste. The sooner I get this handled, the sooner it's done. No more handling anything else for the Inferno's Clutch MC. Next time, I'll tell Dan to find someone else. Why didn't I insist he do it this time?

I know why. I'm weak. I am so freaking weak.

Taking a moment, I let the memories of the past seep in. Memories that have haunted me so much that I had to learn to block them out; otherwise, they would destroy me. It nearly did.

But that feels like a lifetime ago. Now, I refuse to allow myself to be that vulnerable again.

I shake my head and sigh in frustration. There's no point in dreading up the past, even if part of it is coming to the present. Reaching in front of my computer, I grab my glasses, put them on my face, and buzz my assistant. "Mags, do me a favor, please call Ezra and let him know I won't be able to make dinner tonight."

"Sure thing," Mag agrees. "I'll let him know you won't be able to make dinner. Again." It's not the first time she's had to do this. "What about the gala you were to attend with him and your aunt?"

I want to groan at the mention of the gala. I don't want to have to go to that, but there's no way I'll be able to get out of it without hearing my aunt fuss about it. "I'll make sure I'm ready for that, but for now, everything else needs to be on hold until I finish dealing with this case." The gala isn't for a few more days, but with everything I've been working on, I really don't have time for it.

"You got it, boss lady," Mag states. She's been with me since I moved back here and took the job. She knows my schedule better than anyone and keeps my life straight for me. If not for her always making sure my life is organized outside of the office, I'd probably live here to avoid dealing with the outside world."I'll also go ahead and order you dinner since I'm sure you'll be here all night."

"You're a godsend," I remark and disconnect with her.

Now, it's time to dive in deep.

Why didn't I ask Dan to send someone else here for me? The question has been some form of this since crossing the bridge. I don't need this.

The last thing I need today is to have to take the chance of running into Lynch. I need to get to the clubhouse, drop these papers off, explain a few things, and leave. Hopefully, without seeing Lynch.

I mean, if I do, it shouldn't be that big of a deal, right?

Who am I kidding? Ever since the other day when Dan put me on this, I've thought nonstop about him and that's never a good thing.

Parking my car, I shove the thoughts away before I can delve too deeply. There's no reason to dredge up the past.

I get out and take a breath while glancing around. Off to the side of the clubhouse, I noticed several houses—more than just a few. A few kids were playing, and some women were standing close by. A couple of those women were looking in my direction, and others were watching the kids.

I close the driver's door and walk around the hood to the passenger side to grab my briefcase. Once I have it in hand, I straighten my shoulders, take another breath, and start toward the clubhouse doors.

The moment I step inside, I don't get the opportunity to take things in. Not when I see Jazlene Rasmussen. I guess there's no delivering of papers and leaving.

"I think not, Rasmussen." I know the woman who threatens the client I'm here to protect. No matter how much I hate being here. I have a job to do. I have to do it without looking at him.

Wearing what I've learned to use as my battle armor, I face off with one of the vipers of the courtroom. Unfortunately for Rasmussen, I'm no slouch when it comes to an argument, and I make sure to do my research and get things straight ahead of time.

When my boss asked me to take the case, I made sure to look at every little bit of information in the files and made the call to Fuse, who sent me, even more, when I told him I was the lawyer handling the case for the club. Granted, I didn't give him my full name, just in case.

"What the hell are you doing here, Camilla?" Hearing his voice again sends a shiver down my spine as it always has. Once upon a time, it would be welcomed. Now, though, it's not.

I glance in his direction long enough to take all of him in for a split second and return my attention to Jazlene Rasmussen. She takes priority to ensure my client stays safe. I intended to drop some documents off with my client and then leave. I didn't think when I got here, I'd face off with this woman, but here we are, and I won't back down.

"You can't stop this, Camilla," Jazlene snaps, glaring at me like she could shoot daggers out of her eyes. I'm willing to bet if she could, then that's exactly what she'd do. I heard the rumors about her and wouldn't be surprised by anything she attempted.

"Go ahead and think that." I keep my expression neutral. There's no way I'm giving away my poker hand, not without making sure she knows she won't win against me. I made sure with this to dot my I's and cross my T's. "My client, Lily, will not be going anywhere with you or anyone else. The documentation you're holding is bullshit, and you damn well know it." I nod at the files in her hands.

Upon stepping in, I heard what she'd been saying, and it sickens me that anyone would do such a thing.

"You would be mistaken." Jazlene holds out the folder and nods toward it. "Here, see for yourself."

I take the thing and flip it open, scanning over the documents, knowing it's all total BS but still keeping my hand close for the time being. No way a, I'm going to let her know what she's up against.

The law firm I work for doesn't hire just anyone right out of law school. I've worked to earn my place in the firm. I also know that my boss is close friends with one of the most powerful men in the area, Félix DeLancy, and it was he who wanted me on this after hearing my last case.

Dramatically closing the folder and tossing it to the floor, I make a snorting noise and cock my head slightly. "No judge would look at this and agree with you."

"Depends on the judge." Jazlene smirks, seeing my challenge for what it is.

"Maybe so," I agree, nodding. She's right, it depends on the judge, but I'm already one step ahead of her on that one. "But you see, I will make sure whatever judge who takes it on knows I won't back down. Even more still, those papers will be seen as slavery documents, and I know for a fact your client will not want his face flashed all over the news because we both know the business he's in. Don't we?"

"You try to make this public, and I'll take you down," Jazlene threatens, taking a step toward me. When she does this, I also see Lynch out of the corner of my eye reposition himself, but my focus is on this viper. "All he wants is Lily back where she belongs."

"I highly doubt that to be true, Rasmussen." I snort, stepping closer to the other woman. "You see, I know all about him, and I've heard what he's after. It's not going to happen. Not this way," I inform her while reaching into my briefcase and pulling out some papers. I get a satisfying thrill when I shove them into Jazlene's chest, making her scamper to grasp them. "Now, these papers, they're legit. Not only are they marriage papers, there's also a restraining order against your client, all signed by a judge and filed with the courts."

The look in Jazlene's eyes is telling that she knows she's not going to beat me. Not with this. Instead, she fumes and shifts on her feet. "This isn't over with."

"For now, it is," I inform her. "Now, I suggest you leave my client alone, and I'd inform yours to leave her and this club alone. I'd hate to have to get ugly."

I barely contain my relief when Jazlene spins on her heels and stomps out of the clubhouse. I'm sure when it comes to anything with this woman, it'll never be over. She's not one for losing.

Unfortunately for her, neither am I.

"The fuck are you doing here, Camilla?" Lynch demands, switching my attention to him and seeing him getting so close.

Close enough, I could smell his cologne. It's the same as it always was. That woodsy spice that I used to love.

"It's none of your business," I inform him, lifting my head high. I refuse to allow him to intimidate me in any way, shape or form.

"Bullshit, you're in my clubhouse, a place you swore you'd never step foot in again. Now, you're here, what the fuck for? And don't tell me none of my business."

"I know what I said," I state, my anger rising at the mention of what I swore I'd never do again. When I said it, I totally meant it. I didn't want to be here. If not for my job and the fact I'd like to keep it, I wouldn't be. "I don't need the refresher. Unfortunately, I have to listen to my boss, who put me on this and, in doing so, forced me back here."

I take a breath, and before he can say another word, I continue, "But since I'm here . . ." I reach in my briefcase again, this time pulling out papers I'd had drawn up years ago yet never had the nerve to send. "I'll go ahead and give you these." Holding out my hand, I shove papers at Lynch. "Here's the divorce papers. Sign them, and we can be done with this."

The look in Lynch's eyes and the fact he doesn't bother looking at the papers, rather balls them up and tosses them to the floor, should have been my clue to his next action.

Lynch grabs my wrist and yanks me the rest of the way to him, only to release his grip and grab my waist at the same time, bending slightly to toss me over his shoulder.

"What do you think you're doing?" I demand, kicking and screaming.

"Knock it the fuck off," he commands and slaps my bottom, sending jolts of electricity throughout my entire body.

"Lynch put me down." I need him to put me down and let me go. If I don't get the hell out here soon, I'm going to be in trouble.

I also have to get out of here and get ready for the gala. If I'm late, my aunt will bug out, and I don't need the headache.

Lynch ignores me and carries me through the clubhouse, down a hall, and into his room. A room, I remember.

Only then does he put me down. When he does, he gets right in my space, hand going in my hair, fisting it in his grip.

"Now, you want to tell me what the fuck you're doing back here?" he snarls.

"I think the answer would be obvious," I snap right back. "Now, unhand me, asshole. I have a date to get ready for."

Lynch's expression turns molten, and he looks ready to lose his mind. "You have a date?" He clenches his teeth.

"You come back here . . . show up, looking like you do, and you think you can just walk out with so much as an explanation? I don't fuckin' think so, Cams."

Hearing him call me Cams brings up so many emotions, and I don't know what to do with them. "Don't call me that." I tried to jerk away, but it's not something he lets me do.

Lynch stares at me for a moment, and something in his gaze shifts. Before I can stop him, he's slamming his mouth to mine, and everything inside me ignites.

With just one kiss, he shreds all of my control. With just one kiss, I can't think of anything else but what comes next, and I know, in the end, I'm going to regret it. Just as I do the rest of everything else that's ever happened between the two of us.