And make no mistake: if there was a stronger, better criminal defense lawyer out there, I’d hand this case off in a heartbeat.But whoever took this on would have to go against Wolfe, and I knew him. Knew his tactics. Knew how he operated in the shadows while maintaining his Boy Scout image in court.
“You think this is about winning?” I stepped even closer, invading his personal space. “I’ve told you before, and I’ll tell you again: this isn’t a game. She’s innocent, and you’re going to lose.”
“So you say.” He straightened his tie, completely unruffled.
Faith had never had someone fight for her. The likes of this guy were littered in her past, but that … that stopped. Fucking today.
“But maybe the real reason you leaked those photos is because you’re too scared to face me in court,” I continued. “Man to man. Toe to toe. On legal grounds. With actual evidence instead of tabloid fodder and character assassination.”
His smile could’ve frozen the tropics. “I always find a way to win, Ryker. Whether it happens in court …” He paused, letting his eyes drift meaningfully around the restaurant before settling back on mine. “Or in the streets. Or in the headlines. Your choice.”
Every instinct I’d honed started screaming. “Sounds like a threat, Counselor.”
“Oh, I would never threaten you.” The words dripped false sincerity, but his smug smirk told a different story entirely. He was smart enough not to get caught making explicit threats.
Just like he’d been smart enough not to get caught leaking those photos.
I leaned in close. “Stay away from Faith. Stay away from her family. And if you even think about pulling another stunt like this?—”
“You’ll what?” He tilted his head. “File a complaint with the bar association? We both know you can’t prove anything.”
Every muscle in my body coiled tight, ready to spring.
But then I thought about that night Faith had been lying in that hospital bed, vulnerable and scared, trusting me to protecther. Trusting me to be better than the animal Wolfe was trying to provoke.
I stepped back. “This conversation is over.”
“Running away, Counselor?” His voice followed me as I turned toward the door. “How very … predictable.”
I paused at the restaurant’s entrance, looking back over my shoulder. “See you in court, Wolfe. Try not to choke when the jury finds her innocent.”
His laughter echoed behind me as I walked out into the night, but it couldn’t drown out the promise I made myself: whatever it took, however dirty this fight got, Faith would walk free.
Even if it destroyed us both.
44
FAITH
“I needed more time to pack,” I pressed. After the whole brick situation, Ryker had bolted from the house, leaving Blake and Axel to guard over me while I gathered up some belongings. But now he was back, walking me toward the front door with Axel trailing behind us with Rainbow.
“We’ll go back when that reporter is gone,” he assured.
“I wish Harper had come with me.”
“She can come too, if you want.”
The mansion loomed before me, all gothic shadows and bad decisions. My feet froze on the threshold. Every instinct screamed at me to turn around, to run, to be literally anywhere else.
Ryker’s hand found the small of my back. He didn’t push, didn’t speak, just waited. Somehow, he always knew when I needed a moment to gather the fractured pieces of myself. Or when I was about to bolt like a spooked horse.
“Take your time,” he murmured, his breath warm against my temple. “I’m not going anywhere.”
God, this man. He read me like I was written in a language only he understood.
Once inside, the foyer stretched before us, all marble and shadows and terrible memories.
Suddenly, I could see it. Blood painting my skin crimson. The horrified faces of the poker players rising from their seats like well-dressed zombies. My stomach rolled.
