Chapter 17

SEVENTEEN

If I could stay here forever, I'd die a fucking happy man.

I lay in my bed, staring at Adeline. There's a small space between us, and I'm arguing with myself on whether to close the gap and sink into her, or stay here a little longer, admiring her.

Adeline Mayfield is naked in my bed—a sentence I never thought I would say—with my sheet wrapped around her waist, stretched out on her back, with her hand draped above her head, and her breasts on full display. The cool air blowing from the air conditioning system breezes across her skin, making tiny goosebumps break out and her nipples peak like two hard pebbles. Her lips part, allowing a small passage of air between them, and her long, dark lashes rest against her pinked cheeks. Remnants of the body glitter she wore last night are still sprinkled across her body. Every now and then, the sun catches the tiny specks, shimmering in the light.

An arrow shoots straight to my heart. I've slept with many women—if I'm honest, I'm embarrassed to admit how many—but I've never felt this way about a single one. I've never had a woman force themselves into my life, steal my heart, and hold it hostage while I gladly stood by and let it happen. But with Adeline, it's a feeling I welcome with open arms.

I lay outstretched in my bed and stare at her, knowing if anything were to happen to her, I'd hunt down who was responsible and kill them before they took another breath.

A chill slithers down the length of my spine, thinking back to last night. Soren's men were close to Adeline—too close—and when the car behind us in the parking garage shined their headlights on us, I was almost certain it was one of them.

I don't know their intention with Adeline or their reasons for being at the club last night, whether it was by chance or with purpose. Either way, I can't take any chances. I won't risk Archer's reckless choices spilling over into Adeline's life, putting her safety at risk.

She still hasn't shared with me her real reason for moving back here, but part of me knows it must be serious. There's a vulnerable part of her life—one she hasn't shared with me. Archer, either, I suspect. But something tells me she came here for solace, for change, even if it wasn't ideal. She came here to run away from her life back in LA.

Beneath the surface image Adeline puts on, the one of a model with the perfect life, lives a vulnerable, fractured woman. She's shown me glimpses over the past few months, and now we're closer than we've ever been, I'm hoping she's willing to let me in just a little more.

My cock swells when I feather my fingers across her skin. I start at her breast, circling her hardened nipple. She squirms, slowly awakening under my touch.

"Mm," she moans, her eyes shut as her mouth lifts into a satisfied smile. "Keep going."

"You don't like it when I stop, do you?" I tease, flicking my fingers over her nipple. Her legs shift under the sheet, pulling it farther down her hips, revealing what's underneath. She's completely bare and open for me.

Good.

"No." She shakes her head. "I don't." Her eyes are still closed, but her mouth falls open. Arching her back, she writhes, her body begging for me.

"Aren't you sore?" I ask her.

"Very."

"But you don't want me to stop?"

"Absolutely not." Her eyes open, and she rolls her head to the side. "I like the way it feels when you touch me."

"Tell me where," I demand.

"Where?" Her eyebrows dip, and her breath hiccups as I circle my finger around her belly button. Her eyes flutter closed before she rolls her gaze back on me.

"Tell me where," I repeat.

I drag my finger over the curve of her hip, already knowing she's soaking wet for me. Liquid heat fills my groin. My dick is already hard as a fucking rock. It isn't difficult to pull this reaction out of me when I'm around Adeline.

"I like it when you lick my nipples and touch my pussy."

My cock twitches. Well, her confession is a pleasant surprise.

"Your pussy, huh?" I raise my eyebrows and slip my fingers between her thighs. I don't quite reach her slit just yet. I'm loving this game we're playing.

Her arms slink across the pillow underneath her head.

"Yes." She sighs, her eyes widening. "But I like it more when you're inside it."

I chuckle. "I love how bold you are, Adeline Mayfield."

"I haven't always been this bold." She blushes.

I play with her slit, sliding my finger between her soft flesh before I lean forward and lap my tongue over her hardened nipple. I want to press her further on why she's suddenly bold with me when she hasn't been in her past, but I don't want to ruin this with her. I want to savor this moment.

I circle my tongue over her nipple, then sink my teeth into her supple flesh.

"Oh, God. Yes..." she whimpers, arching her back. Her chin is tilted high, and her head is buried in the pillow. "Please, Micah."

"Are you sure you're not too sore?" I ask her.

Once we left the parking garage, I sped through the rest of downtown Boston, attempting to get home as fast as possible. Part of me wished I'd taken my motorcycle to keep me from hitting as many red lights as we had, but I still made it home faster than usual. We barely made it inside the front door before I bent her over the kitchen counter and fucked her from behind.

Afterward, I'd carried her upstairs, where I pulled her into my room and we disappeared for hours, only to wake a few minutes ago to the morning sun.

"No, I'm not too sore." She moans. "I can handle it."

"I have breakfast with my brothers this morning," I tell her, moving the bedsheet away from her body. "But I'm hungry now."

I slip my fingers between her slit, and she arches her back in response. She's slick and wet and fuck, I want to plunge my dick inside her so badly.

But I want to enjoy this with her.

Her eyes sparkle, and she fists the pillowcase, gripping onto it as I move my fingers in circles across her clit.

I plunge two fingers into her, coating them in her wetness.

"More…" she pants, pulling on the blue pillowcase.

I add one more finger, then another. Every finger leaves her with another gasp, another moan. I press my thumb against her clit, cupping her sweet cunt.

She pants and slides her feet across the bed. "Fuck, Micah. I'm about to come."

"Not yet." I deny her the satisfaction, ripping my hand away from her body.

"What?" She gapes, her jaw dropping as she catches her breath. "Don't stop."

I pull my fingers from inside her and scoot closer to her, lifting my hand to my mouth. Licking and sucking on my fingers, she looks up at me with sparkling eyes.

"You taste sweet," I tell her. "And I'm starving."

Without another word, I climb over her and part her legs with my knee, then bury my face between her smooth thighs. My tongue slips between her wet cunt, landing on her clit. She arches her back and grips onto the back of my head.

"Oh, my God."

I bite on her swollen bud, relentless, and I don't let up, the taste of her overwhelming me. I hook both of my arms under her legs, and she drapes them over my shoulders as I pull her closer to press my face to her once more. She bucks, riding with the rhythm of my mouth, and I slip both of my arms under her, cupping her ass cheeks.

I growl against her pussy, sending a vibration through her body. She whimpers and moans. My cock is solid, begging to be inside her.

But I know she's close to coming.

My heart splinters watching her. I know this is wrong, but how can it be wrong when it feels this fucking good?

Adeline is Archer's baby sister, but where he sees her as someone fragile, as incapable, I see her as a strong woman. My need to protect her hasn't faded, but she's proven to me she can handle her own.

I don't want to let her go.

The threat of Soren and his men is more apparent than ever.

I've tried to protect her from the truth. I've tried to protect Archer from those he loves. But when is it my time? When do I get to finally have what I want?

"You taste so fucking good," I tell Adeline, keeping my mouth pressed against her. "I'm going to keep tasting this precious cunt until you've screamed my name."

"Micah," my name falls from her mouth on a soft breath.

I pull her closer, pressing my fingers into her flesh.

"Louder." I grunt, sucking on her swollen clit. I move my arms from under her, plunging four fingers inside her. She cries out when I slide my other hand across her stomach and palm and massage her breast. I hook my fingers inside her, pulling at the special spot that brings her over the edge. Her body quivers under me, her legs vibrating.

I feel her everywhere, all at once. Her moans and her fingers in my hair tell me she wants this.

"Micah!" she screams.

I smile against her clit, continuing to kiss and suck as she rides out her orgasm.

Burning heat rests at the bottom of my stomach. I plant kisses along her pussy, moving to the space inside her thighs. I kiss along her lower stomach, planting a trail all the way up to her face. I slide my cock between her wet pussy.

"Better?" I ask.

"Yes," she breathes, lifting her hips. She bucks them against me, clearly wanting more.

"Good." I part her legs farther.

She reaches down, grabs onto my cock, and slides her hand up and down my length before she places her fingers on my shoulder, pushing me. I fall back onto the bed, my heart ready to beat right out of my fucking chest.

"Now it's my turn to satisfy you." She brings herself to her knees, whipping her long, brown hair over her shoulder.

With a sly grin, she places a kiss on my cheek before climbing on top of me. She straddles me, pressing her shins into the mattress. Her thighs clench around my waist, and she centers herself over my swollen cock.

I watch her move freely above me. The pink flower tattoo I'd seen peek out of her dress last night is on full display. The petals wrap around her ribs, the ends stopping just below her breast. I run my fingers across them as if they were real.

"A symbol of rebirth," she moans, rolling her hips over me slowly. This time is different. She isn't rushed. She takes her time, and I don't press her. I tilt my head, studying the petals, memorizing them before the pleasure overwhelms me.

I close my eyes and tilt my head back into the pillow. My hands fall to her hips, moving her with me.

"Open your eyes," she commands. "I want you to watch what you do to me. I want you to see how your cock makes me feel."

My eyes snap open. She tilts her head back, the ends of her hair dancing gracefully across her lower back. The veins in her neck stick out as her pussy tightens around me.

"I'm close to coming again," she says. Her eyes are squeezed shut, and her hands are on her breasts. She's fucking beautiful. I've never seen someone so open, so vulnerable with me.

I roll my head, catching the mirror standing against the far wall, stretching practically from the floor to the ceiling, and I watch what Adeline is doing to me from a new perspective. I run my hands along her thighs, watching her this way, adding more fuel to the fire between us. Her eyes open as she looks down at me, looking at her through the mirror.

Her skin glitters with the morning light pouring in through the gray, linen curtains.

"Watch us," I tell her. "Look at the way you fit so perfectly above me."

A sweet moan falls from her mouth before she squeezes her eyes shut and leans forward, catching mine. I let her take control, paying me back for the pleasure I've given her.

Every lift and every thrust vibrates through my cock, and I'm buzzing from the high she's giving me. A feeling of euphoria washes over me as she breaks our kiss, straightening herself on top of me again. She lifts herself even higher, driving in and out of me. I look down, watching the space where our bodies meet, where my cock disappears inside her.

"Fuck, Addy." I groan. "I don't want this to stop."

"Me, either," she whimpers.

But I already feel myself reaching the edge. My body lights on fire, heat pooling in my stomach. My cock hums with every thrust.

"I'm coming again," Adeline whines, and I feel her pussy tighten around me. She stills, with only her thighs vibrating and quaking with her orgasm. I pump my hips, pounding into her, feeling myself getting there. My cum spills inside her when I drive my cock into her once more. Tilting my head back, I close my eyes, squeezing them shut as I struggle to catch my breath.

Like I said, if I were to die like this, with Adeline surrounding me, naked in my bed, I'd die a happy fucking man.

When I've rode out my orgasm, Adeline rolls off me, tucking herself against me and under my arm. I lie back and work to catch my breath before turning to look at her.

I sweep her hair away from her face and kiss her deeply.

She lifts her hand and cups the side of my face. Her eyes wander as she sucks in her bottom lip.

"What is it?" I ask.

She pops out her bottom lip and sucks in a breath, clearly nervous.

"Addy, what is it?"

"I was just curious." She looks up at me, wide-eyed, and fuck, I feel myself falling harder and faster for her.

I smile. "Curious about what?"

"I realize I don't know much about your dating history. And with the way you are in bed, it got me thinking…"

I raise my eyebrows. "Are you asking how many women I've slept with?"

"Sort of." She lifts one shoulder, curling in on herself. A hint of pink touches her cheeks. "Or just serious relationships in general."

"Oh, man." I sigh, and stare at the ceiling. "Unfortunately, if you're asking for a number on how many women I've slept with since I lost my virginity, I won't be able to give you one."

"Micah Harding, a Playboy?" Addy mocks, pretending to gasp. "No…"

"Stop." I laugh, her sarcasm a slight pin prick to the chest. But she's right. I've had a reputation for years as the menace little brother of the Harding dynasty. Up until last year, I wore it like a badge of honor, sporting it proudly. And up until a few months ago, I'd slipped back into old habits, delicately balancing on the line of wanting to be the person I know I am to the person I once was.

"It's okay," Adeline says, disappointment lingering in her voice. "I kind of expected that. But what about relationships?"

I rest my hand on my forehead and shove the ends of my hair back. "The last serious relationship I had was right before I went to prison. I was with Calista for almost two years when I cut things off with her the day before my sentencing."

I close my eyes and remember the day I'd bought this house. Calista stood on the front porch and told me about the life she'd envisioned here with me, but that dream died the second I stepped into my prison cell. I'd considered asking her to marry me but wasn't sure I was completely ready to take that leap at the time.

I've been dealing with the loss of that dream ever since.

"You didn't think she'd stay with you until you got out?" Adeline whispers.

I roll my head back to her. "No," I sigh. "I noticed the way she looked at me, and I didn't want to be with someone who looked at me with disdain, because even after I got out, it would always be a point of contention with us. It would always be an issue."

Guilt and regret make a home in my bones.

Silence lingers before Adeline breaks it. "Did you want children with her?"

A knot tightens in my chest. "I've always envisioned having children. I still want them, but I don't know if it'll ever happen."

"Do you regret leaving Calista?" she asks, as if reading my mind.

I cup the side of Adeline's face. Heat spreads down the length of my arm, warming at the place we're connected. I haven't talked about Calista in a long time, but the feeling I'm having now isn't what I expected.

"No," I confidently say. I lean down and kiss the corner of Adeline's mouth. She smiles against me. "I don't. I only regret the time I've lost in moving on from my past." I feather my mouth above hers, allowing my breath to dance against her heated skin.

"What about now?" she asks. "How do you feel now, here with me?"

I grin, gripping the back of her head tighter. "I like where I am right now." I kiss her. "No regrets."

It's the truth.

I don't expand on the Calista conversation for much longer. I pull away from Adeline far enough to let my head fall back on the pillow. It's strange yet surprising to feel a weight lift from my chest.

There are parts of my past I'm still keeping from Adeline, especially the ones about Archer, but the load doesn't feel as heavy now. Talking about my relationship with Calista feels like a weight has been lifted off me.

"Didn't you say you have breakfast with your brothers?" Adeline asks, threading her fingers through my hair.

The gesture is small and insignificant, but it heals a part of my soul I didn't know was broken. It's intimate and personal. A silent message I'm not even certain she knows she's sending.

"I do." Though I'm tempted to text Lennon and Jude to say I won't be able to make it today. I never want to leave.

I also don't want to leave Adeline here alone. I doubt Soren and his men know Adeline is staying here with me, but I don't want to take any chances. If they tracked her down last night at Exodus, there's no telling what they know. And I haven't spoken to Archer yet about what happened. I've been with Adeline ever since last night, but I intend on calling him later and see if I can figure out what's going on and what he knows.

I roll onto my side and face Adeline. "I can always cancel."

"No." She shakes her head, a small smile growing on her pretty mouth. "I don't want you to back out because of me."

My stomach dips. "Did you have any plans for today?"

"I did want to talk to Ember." She pulls her bottom lip under her teeth. "I feel bad for leaving last night. I want to treat her to breakfast or lunch… if she isn't too hungover." She giggles.

I open my mouth to protest but stop myself. I have no right to tell Adeline what to do, and I can't tell her about Soren. Not when Archer clearly hasn't filled her in on the truth.

I won't deny that it frightens me a little knowing there's a chance Soren might be following her, waiting to catch her in a moment when she's vulnerable.

But I can't tell her not to meet up with Ember.

I offer her the only other form of protection I can when I can't be there.

"My driver can give you a ride if you want."

She raises her eyebrows. "You have a driver?"

I laugh. "Of course."

She lifts herself up and rests on her elbow, looking down at me. "I've never seen him."

"Well, Ray's been our family's driver for decades. He mostly works for my older brother Lennon, since I'm usually in and out of the country several times in a month." I clear my throat. "I'm usually working in the UK or Europe. But when I'm home, he'll drive me around sometimes. When I don't take my car or bike, that is."

"I don't know." She shakes her head. "I'd hate to put Ray out. Or your brother."

"You won't. He's probably going to drop Lennon off at the restaurant, but other than that, he should be available," I tell her, grabbing my phone. I text Ray, asking if he's free this morning, then drop my phone back on the table. "There, I've already asked him if he's free."

She rolls her eyes at me before playfully slapping me on the chest. I catch her hand before she's able to pull it away and bring it to my mouth to kiss the inside of her wrist, pressing my lips to her pulse.

"I need to shower before meeting my brothers. Would you like to join me?"

"Is that a real question?"

I laugh, my heart swelling at the twinkle in her eye.

After showering with Adeline, I quickly get dressed in one of the suits I keep at the house. I wait until Ray picks Adeline up before jumping into my car and driving into the city. I toss the keys to the valet and step into Eclipse, heading straight for our usual booth. Even after all these years, I'm surprised my brothers and I have kept up with the tradition of eating at my father's favorite restaurant, at his favorite table.

At first, I thought it was some sort of sick torture the three of us were putting on ourselves. Like a punishment, carrying out my father's obsession with power and control long after he's been dead.

But as the years have gone by, I think of it more as a chance for us to rewrite our own script. Where my father used dinners at Eclipse to control and manipulate, the three of us Harding brothers use it as a way of checking in with one another.

Meals at Eclipse have brought us closer.

I slide into the booth beside Jude.

He's wearing a simple, short-sleeve, collared shirt. The forest green fabric is thick, and the two buttons are undone at the top, just below his neck. His shirt is tucked into his black slacks.

"Play at Abbey's school later," he mutters against the rim of his glass of water, as if he already knows I was going to make a comment about his outfit.

"You should have mentioned it," I say, waving to the waitress for her to grab my usual drink: a gin and tonic. "I would have come."

"It's not a huge production or anything." Jude frowns, sitting back in the booth, draping his arms across the leather backing. "It's a re-enactment of The Wizard of Oz, and it's all taking place in the classroom. Apparently, they think all the parents will fit on one half of the room while the play takes place on the other."

"Sounds like a blast." The waitress sets my drink in front of me, and I take the first sip. "Who's Abbey playing?"

His grin reaches his eyes. "Dorothy."

"Of course, my girl gets the lead." I smile. "Make sure you take pictures."

"We will." Jude smiles back.

"What did I miss?" Lennon asks as he walks up to the table. He undoes the top button of his black suit and slips into the booth, opposite me; Jude in the middle.

I've talked to Lennon several times since he forced my break on me. We haven't talked about when I'll return to work, but we have dabbled in conversation about some of the accounts I was running before my break.

Olivia, Lennon's secretary, has emailed me weekly updates and reports Lennon has sent her to forward on to me. Other than that, and our family meetups, we haven't talked much. At least not about the nitty gritty truth.

"Abbey has her Wizard of Oz play today." Jude fills Lennon in.

"Oh, right." Lennon nods, waving to the waitress. Once again, she disappears and comes back seconds later with his drink. "Excited to hear about it. Lucy has a concert next week."

"I won't be able to make it." Jude frowns, his forehead creasing. "But Victoria said she'll make sure she's there."

A knot in my chest tightens listening to them talk kids back and forth. Jude goes on about how proud he is of his daughter Abbey, and how his son Cade took his first steps today. Lennon talks about how his kids, Lucy and Holden, got into a big fight the other day, causing them to be grounded for a week.

I think back to when I told Adeline I feel left behind, like I missed out on the passcode to get into their exclusive club. If there were any moment where I feel left out or behind, this is it. School plays and concerts. It's a world completely out of my orbit.

I sit in silence, sipping on my drink while my brothers chat about their family lives. Every now and then, I catch a glimpse of the front door, and my body itches to leave. I think about Adeline and watching her climb into the back seat of Ray's car. I find my mind wandering, wanting to know where she is and what she's doing right now. The urge to hop in my car and find her swells and inflates in my chest.

But the balloon pops the second I hear Lennon's voice.

"So, Micah," Lennon says, swallowing a bite of his roasted asparagus and eggs. "How's the break been going?"

"Honestly, I'm surprised you've waited until now to ask me."

His eyebrows slant. "I've asked you how you're doing."

"Not really. We've talked about the work I left unfinished and Jude helping out with the shed a few weeks back, but nothing about my break."

He wipes his napkin across his mouth and takes a deep breath. "I'm asking you now, then. How has your break been? How's the house coming along?"

"Fine." I try to brush off the bitterness I feel toward my brothers. It isn't their fault my life has turned out the way it has. My decisions have been mine alone, and the consequences of my choices, too. "The house is almost finished."

"I told you we could have had the renovations done in, like, two months," Jude interjects. "You could have had it listed and sold at this point."

"I thought that's what you wanted," Lennon says, sipping on his drink. "You wanted to move on. Get your life together." His eyes dart to my drink. "Though, I see you haven't tried to stop drinking."

I purse my lips and chew on the inside of my cheek and my eyes dart to Jude, but he simply keeps his focus on his plate.

"We all know drinking was never an issue of mine." I grit my teeth and pin my eyes on my older brother. I chance a look at Jude again, hoping he doesn't take my comment as a dig at his sobriety. I'm proud of his ability to overcome his past and his struggle with alcohol, but I can't stand it when Lennon assumes my issues are just like his, even if he doesn't know the whole story or the truth.

"You're right." Lennon drapes his arms over the table. "Pills were."

There have been few times since our father died where I've seen rare glimpses of him in my brother. There are even times I've seen him in myself.

The times I've seen him in me have been when I've caught myself looking in a mirror after I've just destroyed someone's life over money. When I catch others at their most vulnerable. Weak and broke, the Hardings come in like dark knights, delivering the worst news anyone can receive. Ripping their livelihoods out from underneath them.

But then there are these moments when I see my father in Lennon. As the eldest son, I know he's fought hard to put as much distance between our father's reputation and the one he has made for himself. But then there are these moments, where he stares at me with skepticism, like a disappointment, unable to let go of my past, never believing I can truly change when the truth is, I've always been the same.

"It's different now," I lie, holding back the desire to spill the truth to my brothers. "I haven't sold the house yet because I'm thinking of keeping it."

"What made you change your mind?" Lennon tilts his head.

"Does it have to do with Adeline staying there?" Jude questions.

"Adeline?" Lennon's eyebrows dart across his forehead. "You mean Adeline Mayfield? Archer's sister?"

"Yeah." I swallow, relaxing in my seat. I don't want to give too much away. "She needed a place to stay after moving out here from LA. I don't know how long she's staying, but I'm helping her out."

"I've told you to be careful around the Mayfields." Lennon switches into lecture mode, the one where he acts like he's my parent. "Considering your past with Archer, I don't think it's a good idea to stay close to Adeline."

"She doesn't really speak to her family." I brush his concern off. I know Adeline. She isn't as transparent as everyone believes her to be.

"Her father is a powerful man in this city." Lennon leans forward, lowering his voice. "The last thing I need is him to come back and say you've influenced his daughter in any way. He knows every bit of trouble you and his son caused years ago, and despite what our family knows about you, the rest of the world doesn't. They're waiting for one hint or rumor of a hint that you've slipped back into your old habits. And if you think the publicity was hard the first time around was bad, it will be much, much worse this time. I was barely able to help the last time."

I narrow my eyes and look away from Lennon. I hate that he's defending Lachlan Mayfield as if he's some well-respected, highly-regarded saint. The man is as corrupt as any politician.

"You're always so fucking worried about what everyone will think. Why can't you just trust what I tell you?" I turn my head and pin my eyes on him. "I'm your brother."

Lennon's shoulders drop as he falls back against the booth. His hands fall into his lap, and he looks at me with sympathy. "I'm sorry. I just care 'cause you're my baby brother. And you're thirty-three now. I think I speak for me and Jude when we thought you would be in a different place by now. I want to know you're okay."

"I am," I assure him. I'm more than okay, in fact.

Fuck, I want to get back to Adeline.

"So, what does this mean?" he asks. "Are you not selling the house anymore?"

"I'm not sure." I scratch at the stubble on my chin. I haven't thought about selling the house. Not with Adeline there. Not with the looming threat of Soren and his men. I can't risk Adeline not having a place to go. Kicking her out would be like throwing her to the wolves.

"You don't have to come back to work anytime soon if you want more time with the house," Lennon offers as a truce. "From what I remember, the place was on the verge of being condemned. I understand if it's taking longer than expected."

I look at my brother with conflicted feelings. He's right. The house was on the verge of being destroyed, and deep inside, I know I've given it another shot at life. I've given it another chance. But I can't take all the credit.

Adeline brought life back into it before I even laid a finger on it.

I owe it all to her.

"Thanks," I tell him, knowing at some point I'll want to get back to work, but now isn't the time.

The rest of breakfast goes by quickly without another mention of me and my past drug history. Neither Lennon or Jude bring up Adeline again, and I'm thankful. The last thing I need is for them to have any hunch that I'm sleeping with her.

After saying goodbye to my brothers, I head home and pull into the driveway, unsure whether Adeline is back from meeting up with Ember. I hold back on texting her, not wanting to interrupt her again. If Adeline needs me, she'd reach out.

I park my car in my driveway beside the house and start to make my way toward the back door but stop when I see someone peering through the back window. The gate is swung wide open, and the man is standing on his toes with his hands cupped around his face. He's dressed in a dark gray suit but doesn't seem fazed by me being here. Either he didn't hear me pull in or he doesn't care.

I step through the open gate, quickly making my way through the yard. I make my presence known, making sure to make as much noise as possible as I shuffle through the yard. I swipe the hammer I left out here yesterday from the top of one of the dressers, gripping it tightly in my hand as I carry it with me, gaining on the asshole peeking into my house.

"Excuse me," I say, lifting my chin, catching his attention. "Can I help you?"

My throat thickens. Could this be one of Soren's men?

The man's spine stiffens before he spins around.

My breath catches in my throat, and my hand loosens around the handle of the hammer. He looks the same as he did three years ago. The only difference is the silver strands of hair peppered around his ears. The top of his head is still a rich, dark brown. His eyes are a familiar hazel color with specks of sage.

"What are you doing here?" I grind my jaw and aggressively take large steps toward Lachlan Mayfield, retightening my grip on the handle.

He holds his hands up innocently. "Sorry, Micah. I didn't mean for you to–"

"Catch you snooping around my house like a fucking creep? How dare you show your face here!" I can't help it. This man is the root cause of why my life took the turn it did.

"No, I wasn't." He holds his shaking arm out toward the window. Fucking asshole is tweaking. "I heard my daughter was staying here. At least that's what Archer told me."

I narrow my eyes and look up at Adeline's bedroom window. "You haven't talked to her?"

He shrugs, his eyes hooding over with sadness. "My daughter and I haven't always been close. She doesn't let me in as much as Archer does."

I look at Lachlan skeptically. What does he mean by that?

I straighten my shoulders, an icy chill prickling down my spine. "She isn't here."

"Oh." He nods, running his shaking fingers over his jaw.

"Go home, Lachlan," I say, moving past him to get inside.

I'm pulled to a stop when his hand wraps tightly around my arm. "Wait," he breathes. Now I'm standing closer, I have a better look at his eyes. His pupils are wide, and the whites surrounding his hazel irises are bloodshot. "I was hoping you might have a few pills you can spare. Like the ones you've given me before. You know..."

I rip my arm from his grip, stepping back. "I don't have anything for you." I swallow, memories of the past ten years digging their claws in, once again. "You know I don't."

"Please," he begs. Part of me feels sympathy for him. The grips of addiction are white-knuckled on this man, but my sympathy is short lived.

I point my finger toward the open gate, down the driveway. I have no clue how he got here. I don't see a car other than mine in the driveway, and I didn't see one out front. Quite honestly, I don't give a fuck how he got here. I just want him gone.

"Get the fuck off my property… or I'll call the police."

"You wouldn't dare." He steps up to me, shooting me a sinister glare. "Besides, do you truly believe the police will be on your side? With your history?" My brain practically explodes, and he laughs. "You wouldn't dare turn in your best friend's dad. You're too loyal to risk losing Archer. You'll always do what's best for him, regardless of what the cost is to you."

I curl my hands into fists. My chest twists and aches. Poisonous hatred and resentment bubbles in my white-hot veins. I shove Lachlan, and he stumbles back, the withdrawal evident in his lack of balance and strength.

"Fuck you ," I spit. "Even if I had pills to sell, I wouldn't give them to you. You haven't done a fucking thing for me."

He falls back onto the asphalt and props himself up on his elbows with a groan. I lean over him, bringing my face close to his.

His swallows, his eyes twitching. "I couldn't do anything for you."

"You were District fucking Attorney. You could have done something—anything—but you kept your mouth shut."

"I couldn't," he says, sniffing.

"You make me sick," I tell him, the claws in my mind digging in again. I lean down even closer. "Now, I'll only say this one more time: get the fuck off my property before I turn you in. The truth always has a way of revealing itself, Lachlan. Oh, and you might want to tell your son to get his shit straight before he ends up getting us all killed. Tell him to leave me out of whatever bullshit you and him have going on. I'm done hiding the truth. It's getting pretty fucking exhausting."

Lachlan rolls to his side and pulls himself to a stand. He smooths his disheveled hair and inhales a deep breath, his nostrils flaring.

Without another word, he saunters out of the yard and down my driveway, disappearing down the street. It isn't until he's out of sight do I feel the massive, weighted rope knotted in my chest finally let up.

No matter how hard or how much time has passed, I was right about one thing.

The truth always has a way of revealing itself.

One way or another.