Let Frank’s people watch her walk out of an antique shop with a paper bag.
Let them think she was wasting her time, her money, her nerves. Let them think she’d surrendered. Let them think she was harmless.
Nina walked toward her car, slow, steady, composed. They had no idea that she was preparing for war.
CHAPTER 23
Jasper sat behind his desk, pretending to focus on a stack of lab results, though his mind refused to cooperate. Across from him, Nolan lounged in a chair like he owned the place—relaxed, smug, effortlessly irritating.
The irony wasn’t lost on either of them. Years ago Nolan had been Jasper’s client. Now the roles had reversed: Nolan Cross, of all people, was his patient.
Nolan flicked his lighter open and shut, over and over, clearly suffering over the fact that Jasper had forbidden him to smoke. Given his current condition, it wasn’t up for debate.
“She’s something, your new little crush,” Nolan drawled suddenly.
Jasper lifted his gaze, brows knitting.
“Who are you talking about?”
Nolan grinned, wolfish, delighted with himself.
“Oh, come on. The lovely nymph named Nina—the one you asked me to help.”
Jasper’s jaw tensed. His past was the last thing he ever wanted dragged back into the light. Yet here it was, twenty-two years later, clawing its way out of the grave.
“She’s just an acquaintance,” he said, voice cool, eyes dropping back to the papers. But the moment the image of Nina flashed in his mind, concentration vanished entirely.
Nolan snorted.
“Right. And since when do you ever havejust acquaintances who happen to be women?”
Jasper didn’t dignify that with an answer. He clicked his mouse, waking his laptop. Nolan knew him too well. Women rarely stayed in Jasper’s life—and almost never by his choice.
Nolan went on, amused:
“Fine, relax. None of my business. Still,” he leaned forward, narrowing his eyes,“I’m curious… what’s the story there? She’s not exactly a simple woman.”
“There is no story,”Jasper snapped.
Nolan’s grin widened.
“Sure. You totally dropped a favor worth a fortune on some random stranger. And you totally aren’t sitting here looking like someone’s sanding the inside of your skull.”
Jasper bit back a sigh of irritation. He wasn’t about to share anything—especially not his history with Nina.
Nolan stood, wandered to the water cooler, and poured himself a cup.
“For a second I thought she was related to you,” he admitted casually.“She’s so damn similar to Lynn.”
The pen almost broke between Jasper’s fingers.
“But then I looked into her background—no connection. My mistake. Whatever. You don’t want to talk, that’s your right.”
Nolan dropped back into the chair, flicking the lighter again.
“But her husband…” he added, pausing deliberately,“absolute scum.”
Jasper opened his mouth, ready to tell him to shut up if he wanted to leave with the right medication, but a soft knock on the door interrupted him.
