“Later,” he promised, causing me to shudder violently.

* * *

I was sensitive to the touch, but Keiran insisted on keeping me in his clutch. A hand on my back, my neck, my thigh. He imprisoned me with a single touch. Several times, I attempted to move away only to be dragged closer. We were standing outside the courthouse when I decided to say something. “I don’t want you to touch me if it’s because you don’t trust me.”

“My hands are on you because I want to touch you. Is that a problem?” His brow lifted and the blank look in his eyes told me he wouldn’t care if it were.

I wanted to say something cool, snarky, and witty, but nothing came to mind. I was getting tired of the back and forth. One minute we were cold, then hot, and then cold again. I chose to ignore him while we waited to see the judge. Thompson was already waiting when we arrived so we didn’t have to wait long.

It was a while into the hearing after muddling through so much legal jargon I even began to understand what was happening.

“Your honor, my client’s rights per the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was violated the night of June 13th when an arrest was made without a warrant or probable cause.”

“Yes, I was made aware of the disgrace Detective Bennett and Detective Fulson made of the entire justice system. What is your point?”

“I request that the two detectives be dismissed from the case, and my client should be let go without bail due to charges not being brought against her to date.”

“Your honor, we do have evidence placing Lake Monroe at the scene, as well as probable cause that she murdered Mitch Masters given their history.”

“Then you should have used it to obtain a warrant.” The judge dismissed the DA with a glance and regarded Thompson with an equally cold look. Counselor, I am granting your appeal. The detectives responsible will be dismissed and replaced. Lake Monroe is free to go without bail.”

The hearing lasted less than fifteen minutes. I was still in disbelief an hour later when we were sitting on one of Dash’s many conference rooms at the request of Thompson.

“I’ll cut right to the chase. That was only the initial hurdle. The investigation into Mitch Master’s murder is ongoing, and because of this small victory, they’ll come at you harder, and we have to be ready.”

“How will we accomplish that?”

His gaze flicked to Keiran. Something had passed between them before he returned his gaze to me. “The chances of you being indicted increases with each secret you keep. It’s not my job to implicate you, but it is my job to acquit you.” I could feel Keiran staring as if he could exam my very soul as the lawyer spoke. “As of now, there haven’t been any charges officially brought against you, but that could change at any time. You need to be ready for that. You both do. Your grandmother’s residency at the center is a strong alibi, but if there is a witness or evidence that can place you any closer to the scene than necessary, it could destroy our entire defense.” He clasped his hand together and leaned forward. “Is there such a person?”

I saw Keiran tense, and his fists clenched over the polished oak. We were both thinking of the nurse who had now become a threat. With those simple words spoken, her life had just started to count down.

I met Keiran’s gaze and pleaded with my eyes, and when I didn’t seem to get through to him, I panicked and silently mouthed, “No.”

“Good.” Oh no. I’d spoken the word out loud unintentionally. “This means we have a better chance of beating this case before it even starts.”

Yes, but only because Keiran would ensure the nurse never had the chance to testify. Thompson left, and Keiran and I continued to stare at each other long after the door had closed.

“No.”

“You didn’t leave me much choice, did you baby?” The calm tone of his voice belied his malicious intent.

“I don’t want anyone dying for me.”

His eyes narrowed and his lips curled. “You can’t say that after you helped kill my father.” He then stood up seemingly to dismiss the conversation.

“I don’t want anyone innocent dying for me. I said no.”

He shoulders tensed as he gripped the door handle. “It’s not your decision. Besides… you didn’t give me a chance to say no.”

Chapter Nine

KEIRAN

I practically ran from the conference room to keep from doing something that would make our situation worse. How the fuck could she ask me not to protect her and at the same time, assume the worse about me? It seemed as if Mitch’s murder was bringing to light everything that remained unresolved between us.