Fine Make

I stare at the wall just past Hunter's head, my jaw clenched. Well, I guess that settles it. That woman's going into early retirement- locked in a tower, guarded by a fire-breathing dragon if I can manage it.

"He wants to hurt her," says Hunter. "Maybe even Soraya. She's stupid enough to think it's a mutual

transaction in whatever twisted deal they have going on."

"Mutual transaction?" I ask. "What could she possibly need from him?"

He shrugs. "I don't know. Ask her. But for the record, I think I'm on the list of people he wants to hurt to get to

you. So you're paying for the extra security

1 hired. I told a psychopath to get lost yesterday and resigned from the CEO position in his company. You definitely owe me." He turns around

and starts climbing again, and I find myself staring at the back of his head while following him up. So this is where we are-

Mateo's decided I'm the scapegoat for what went down all those

years ago. Figures. The man clearly skipped therapy and went straight to plotting,

And now I'm the outlet.

I don't even know what the hell I want to do about him. There was a time I would've taken a bullet for that bastard-

no hesitation. Which is probably why I can't think of anything that goes beyond sitting across from him and forcing a conversation. One where we lay it all out.

Because anything

else just feels like history repeating itself. And I've already bled for this once.

We reach the guestroom, and Hunter pushes the door open.

Soraya's there, bound to a chair, duct tape over her lips, her arms twisted behind her back. Her eyes snap up when she sees me. Narrow. Furious.

She starts mumbling against the tape.

I cross the room and tear it off.

"Fuck you, Hunter!" she shouts, spitting

hair from her mouth. "When I get off this chair, I'm going to skin you alive."

"Calm yourself," I say.

"Get these ropes off me! I have to meet someone in a few hours."

"Who?" I ask. "Sloane's father?"

She looks at me in surprise. "He told you we met?"

"What do you want, Soraya?" I ask. "To see me angry? Because you're doing a hell of a job. You've been busy. Looking for ways to get my attention. Well, now you have it. Use it wisely. Say what your problem Her face shifts. Just slightly.

"We've been friends for over five years, Knox. That should have counted for something. You threw me under the bus because you suddenly got yourself a girlfriend."

I fold my arms. "You wanted me to stay married while dating someone else?"

"I just wanted you to have the decency to talk to me first before you served those papers. That's all. A conversation, Some respect. Do you have any idea what it feels like to be going about your day- having a decent one, even-and then, out of

nowhere, someone you care about hits you with legal documents? No warning. Just... boom. You're the only family I have in this country. You know that. Aside from Yara, you're the closest thing I've got to a rea "In summary, you're saying I messed up for not speaking about it with you first. Great. How do we

solve this problem? A time machine?"

Behind me, Hunter mutters, "I think she's trying to tell you she's in love with you, Knox."

"Shut up," Soraya snaps. "Shut that banker mouth of yours."

"This isn't Afghanistan, woman," he replies. "People talk about their lustful cravings here. You had five years your losses and move on."

to make a move.

You didn't. You gotta count

"I don't have feelings for him."

"Whatever. If it were up to

me, you'd stay in that chair until I'm sure you've come to your senses."

Soraya turns to Knox. "Untie me, Knox. Don't listen to your bitch-noveldrama

ass friend with the pear-shaped head. Just untie me."

"Coming from someone with that much forehead," Hunter replies, "you really shouldn't be throwing insults."

She's back to glaring at Hunter. "Your hairline's receding, you know. You're going to go bald very soon. Talking about my forehead." They bicker. Loudly.

I just stand there, eyes moving back

and forth between the two of them. At some point, Soraya starts twisting she's about in the chair like to launch herself at Hunter, and honestly, I don't doubt she'd manage it if she could get even one hand

frée.

The craziest part is, I can't even tell if Hunter's doing all this to defend me-

which, logically, would be the most reasonable explanation. Yet, they kind of seem like they want to conclude this argument on a bed.

"Enough," I say. "You're going to wear my ears off."

"I just want off this chair," Soraya hisses. "Let me go."

"Not until you tell me what it's going to take for you to stop dragging yourself into things that could get you killed. All this over the fact that I didn't sit you down and give a long, heartfelt speech before sending divorce papers? If If it's an apolog You

amapology

you want get it. But

you're not adding yourself to my list of problems. Your father asked me to protect you, and that's what I'm doing-whether you like it or not."

I step closer.

"So unless you give me one solid reason why I should untie you right now, you're staying here. You'll live with Hunter. I'm sure he'll get a kick out of keeping you tied to furniture."

"You can't do that," she snaps. "That's a crime."

"It's only a crime if you're available to report it."

She opens her mouth, then closes it again. When she finally speaks, her voice is less firm. "This isn't entirely about you. Mateo wants a little information, and I'm giving it to him. It's a transaction. At the end of th with something important. Something I've wanted for years."

"What is that?"

"That's none of your business, Knox."

I sigh, shake my head, and turn away.

"She's all yours," I say to Hunter. "No, wait!"

I stop.

**

She takes a breath.

"My daughter," she says. "He wants to help me bring my daughter over here."