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Justice came through the door with his sweater and jeans still wet. He smelled like smoke when he pulled me against him.

“Y’all good?”

“We’re fine. Keenan’s in his room.”

He kissed my forehead before looking toward the guard waiting near the basement door.

“Where she at?”

“Downstairs.”

Justice started toward him, but I caught his arm.

“I’m coming.”

He looked at my hand before looking at me.

“Melody.”

“She came here for me. I want her to look me in the eye,” I replied.

He studied me for a second, then took my hand.

“Stay beside me.”

Kira was tied to a chair in the basement when we got there. A security guard stood on each side of the room. She looked up as we walked down the stairs, and her eyes went straight to our joined hands.

Even now, she was stuck on the fact that he chose me.

“Where are the girls?” she asked.

“Oh, you came for my kids?” he replied.

“You and your brat took my legacy. Figured I’d take yours. Since when do you have security all over this damn house?” she pressed.

“What the fuck is your problem?” He ignored her question.

Justice let go of my hand and stepped in front of her.

“What? You thought waving your money in my face was enough to change my mind? You let your daughter lie on me. You let the help ease her way into your pants…”

“I saw Kyle at the casino,” he cut her off.

Her mouth tightened.

“He’s such a fucking idiot,” she muttered.

“You ain’t doing much better.”

She looked up at him.

“Fuck you, Justice.”

“What were you planning to do with that gun?”

She glanced at me.

“Oh, so she gets to be here for this?”