"Well, what has she got to do with it?"

  "I'm not sure. Her name popped up as a search hit for him. He’s been keeping tabs on her."

  "How are they connected?"

  "She looks normal on the surface. Works for a CRM data company as an account manager. Mid-sized clients. She brings them up to speed on the system. She’s got a sister, a boyfriend, nothing special. I have no idea what he wants with her."

  I frowned, working this information through my mind. "What connection does she have to anything?"

  "I can't see any connection. It's possible he just wants to shag her."

  "So you're saying she's an innocent?" I found that hard to believe. Everything the Igno's touched was radioactive. If Massimo was interested in her, then she was connected to all of this.

  Liam muttered, "It looks that way."

  "What did she do to get on his radar?"

  "Just giving you the information as I see it."

  He had to be missing something.

  Didn’t you say he was the best? If Liam can't find anything, then maybe there isn't anything to find.

  "All right, anything else?"

  "No. And for what it's worth, whatever you're planning, Reina won't like it."

  "I don't care what Reina likes. I want back in."

  "All right, if you want back in, you've got to come up with something good on Igno. Otherwise forget it. Get yourself a nice tractor, spend a few hours on the weekend pushing around the grass, you know, something like that. Maybe get a girlfriend, or a nice lad. Because if you fail, there is no coming back."

  I didn't plan on failing. "No. I belong in the field."

  "If you say so. All I know is some people would beg for normalcy. No more ghosts and shit."

  "Well, I'm not most people. I need to be back in the field."

  "Fine. Figure out what Massimo wants with this woman then. She probably holds the key."

  "Send over her details, yeah?"

  "What are you going to do?"

  "If Massimo Igno wants her, I have to make sure he never gets her."

  3

  Drake

  Daphne Winslow was not what I expected.

  She was hardly a sophisticated asset. Hell, she couldn’t even bungee jump. So what did Massimo want with her?

  I pinched the bridge of my nose and kept my gaze on her as she sat in her car. I knew far too much about her life right now. I'd followed her and the piece of shit that was her boyfriend. Did she even know he was cheating on her?

  Didn't look that way. And she seemed genuinely surprised when he broke up with her right before he abandoned her and jumped himself.

  Git.

  There was no one there for her. Didn’t people like her always have someone?

  Not that I cared one way or the other. I just needed to know who to clear out of my path.

  I’d been watching her. I knew what she liked to eat. I knew who her friends were. I knew every nervous tick, every smile. I knew everything about her, including the way she belted Beyoncé and Imagine Dragons songs in her car. Sadly, I also knew she was completely tone deaf.

  But she liked to sing in the car like she was giving a full-fledged concert. Car dancing included.

  Her neighbors liked her and were dependent on her. She had one neighbor, Mrs. Belcher, who was a giant pain in the arse. But Daphne Winslow was nothing if not unfailingly kind. Always willing to help even when Mrs. Belcher was taking the piss.

  She had a sister she loved. They saw each other a couple times a week. Sometimes with the sister's fiancé, sometimes without.

  And I'd known she had this boyfriend. More than once I'd been tempted to just fucking get rid of the twat already. Leave evidence of his cheating ways. But I had to wait. So far, Massimo hadn't come near her, and I wasn't getting involved until he did.

  And what do you call this?

  Surveillance. I bloody called this surveillance. But given the breakup, I now needed to act as if Massimo was going to make a move. So far he’d just kept tabs on her social media, which honestly, only consisted of photos with her attempting death defying stunts like the bungee jumping. There was also race car driving, a helicopter flight, and a motorcycle lesson. Pictures of her standing next to things, but never…on the things.

  There were no photos of any family other than her sister and Grandmother. Her Grandmother lived in a memory care facility and she saw her religiously every Wednesday night. I knew her mother was still alive, but they didn't see each other much. And outside of her sister Willow mentioning her mother now, they hadn't had any contact. Given Daphne’s response, the way she clutched the steering wheel and had to take several deep breaths as she sat in the car and cried, there was a story there.

  Not a story you give a fuck about. You are here for Massimo.

  No. I didn't give a fuck about her family drama. But I did need to understand her if I was going to do this.

  She would make the perfect bait.

  4

  Daphne

  Present Day…

  “Your mother is going to be there?”

  My best mate, Talia Reynolds, took a large sip of her martini as she tried to process the information.

  “Yep. And Willow dropped this little piece of magic on me right after I chickened out of bungee jumping and got dumped. I had no more adrenaline to spare, so I couldn't even react.”

  “Mate, I'm so sorry. What are you going to do? I mean, I know you're the maid of honor and you hadn't really planned on taking a date, but you need someone there. I'll come with you. We'll tell everyone we’re a couple now.”

  I couldn't help but laugh. Talia was my first real friend. We’d met when I’d moved in with Gran. She lived down the road and decided we were going to be best mates at first sight. She didn’t give a shit that I was the weird girl. She said my past made me interesting.

  “Thank you. I love you for offering, but I wouldn't subject anyone to my mother voluntarily.”

  I knew it would be bad. My mother was a malignant narcissist with a slew of mental health issues.

  “I mean why would Willow do this if she knows you don't get on.”

  I chewed my bottom lip trying to think of the best way to answer this question. “It's not her fault. When we were taken away to live with Gran, she didn't know any of the reasons why. All she really knew was that she missed her mother. She knew mum was sick and had to go away and get better. Gran convinced me it was better to not tell her.” I shrugged. How could I explain that it was my job to look out for her. And that meant emotionally as well as physically. “Willow is sweet. Always was. She wouldn't have understood.”

  “And now? Because this is a bloody big deal. And she's hurting you by having her there.”

  There was no other choice. I shrank from the truth. It was the question I couldn't ask myself out loud. What if Willow knew and still wanted my mother in her life?

  Who was I kidding? “The truth is, I’m a chickenshit.”

  It had been nearly a week since Willow had dropped the bombshell on me, and I still hadn't managed to sit her down and have a conversation about it. Just the thought of it made my stomach knot with fear.

  Talia lifted a delicately arched brow as she tossed her silken black locks over one shoulder. “Her mother is a narcissistic attempted murderer. If Willow knew, you know she would take your side. You know she wouldn't let your mother anywhere near you.”

  Did I know though? What if she still chose mum after hearing the truth?

  I shoved that thought aside. This wasn't about being chosen or believed. I had moved on. I just had to survive this damn wedding.

  “…I mean, he's always an option. But what you want is somebody really fit.”

  It took me several moments to realize that Talia had been speaking. And I had just spaced out on her. My brain scrambled to catch up.

  I frowned. What the hell were we talking about? “Fit?”

  Talia laughed. “Yeah, he's got to be hotter than Christopher by miles. Like maybe we need to hire you a model or an actor.”

  I shook my head. “What the hell are you on about?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Your date for the wedding of course.”

  Oh boy. This was the last thing I needed. Talia in fix it mode. The last time she'd gotten like this, she'd signed me up for all the apps. My life had been pure chaos for a month and a half as she ran my dating life. There were some nights I had two back-to-back. I'd finally had to take things over and shut everything down. And soon after was when Christopher and I had gotten together. Before that he hadn't really paid much attention to me. But I think seeing me dressed and ready to go out on a date practically every night of the week lit a fire under his arse.

  Of course, the moment he had me. He’d stopped trying at all. And now I was alone and betrayed.

  “Talia, I don't need a date. I'll be fine. Besides, I'm the maid of honor. I'll be so busy I won't even be able to talk to her.”

  My best friend leaned across the table. The glow from the candle lit her light brown skin, making it glow. “Bullshit. You know your mother. You're kidding yourself.”

  My mother was more than capable of causing a scene. I sighed, a sense of dread closing in on me. She had a point. A year and a half ago. I’d made the error of posting that I was excited about getting my motorcycle license on Instagram. She tracked me down only to berate me about what a bad daughter I was in front of everyone. Thankfully I'd already had my turn and despite several errors and a panic attack beforehand, I had my license in hand. But I’d just made a slew of new friends, and we were all making plans to go grab a pint before she showed up and ruined the moment.

  “Okay, you have a point. But honestly, I don't have time to scramble for a date.”

  Talia pointed an accusatory finger at me. “First and foremost, you don't have time because you don't make time. But we can get you a date just like that.” She snapped her fingers in front of my face.

  “I doubt that.” After today I didn’t believe that for a moment. The humiliation of being publicly dumped and my just-now ex doing the activity I’d just chickened out of.

  “Oh ye of little faith.”

  Talia's eyes suddenly went wide. “Don't look now, but we have incoming.”

  Oh no. I tried to get up, but Talia shook her head and muttered, “Too late.”

  Before I could think of a proper way to escape, I felt someone's body heat behind me.

  I turned slowly and saw a man who looked vaguely familiar. Average height, average weight, looked like he worked out. Dark hair, very nice camel peacoat. Where did I know him from?

  Who was he?

  The bloke gave me a warm smile. “Daphne, I'm so glad to run into you. Been a while, hasn't it?”

  He knew my name? Why did he know my name? Was he a reporter? It had been years since the vultures had circled, wanting my story. It was nearing the fifteen-year anniversary though, so maybe someone was digging up the past? “I'm so sorry. Have we met?”

  Playing dumb could usually buy me a little bit of time. Except in this case, I was dumb. While he looked familiar, I couldn't place him.

  Dark olive skin, dark hair, and very intense eyes. It took another moment, then it clicked. Oh yes. I remembered meeting him at Travis’s office when I’d gone to meet him to set up Willow’s birthday.

  This guy had lingered a little too long when I'd shaken his hand. His smile was smarmy. “Oh, I think I remember. Travis’s office, right?”

  He placed a hand on my back as he nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, you do remember. Massimo. How lucky to run into you.”

  I shifted forward to shake off his touch, which was too cloying. “Yes, how are you?”

  “I’m great. Do you mind?” He asked, but it wasn’t really an ask because he helped himself to one of the seats at our table.

  Talia’s eyes went wide. “The fuck are you doing?”

  “You don’t mind, do you, Daphne?” he asked, pinning me with his dark gaze.

  I inwardly shrank from his touch. I wished I had some cool retort, but even if I did, I wouldn’t be able to say it. Talia knew this look. It was my deer-in-the-headlights look. But she also knew the reason for it. It had taken me years of therapy to understand that sometimes I’d need a minute to process what was happening after all the years I’d been terrorized.

  “I—”

  My words choked and nothing came out. Talia, though, mate that she was, was right there. “Daphne and I are having a private conversation, so if you don’t mind…”

  Massimo scowled at her. His earlier smile had slid off like a mask, and the scowl replaced it. One that sent a shiver up my spine and put me into fight or flight mode.

  The bartender, who was a friend of Talia’s, leaned over to speak to her, and Talia flirted with him shamelessly. Satisfied she at least had someone other than Massimo to speak to, I tried to buy myself a reprieve. “I—if you'll excuse me for a moment."

  I pushed away from the table, but Massimo grabbed my elbow. "Hurry back. I'm looking forward to talking to you."

  A shiver of fear ran down my spine, and I had to force myself to swallow bile at the back of my throat.

  I walked blindly toward the loo, and sure, maybe I wasn't looking where I was going, but I hadn't expected to crash into a wall of muscle. Strong hands grabbed my biceps and held me before I bounced back. "Easy does it."

  My eyes darted up and, well, my brain shorted out.

  This really must have been what people meant when they said stupid hot. When the other person was so insanely attractive that they made you instantly stupid and incapable of stringing together a coherent thought.

  I registered that he was tall, at least six foot four. Inky dark hair that looked thick and soft. Long on top and short on the sides, either artfully styled with gel or he'd spent an unusual amount of time running his hands through it.

  It was all topped off with bright blue eyes, cheekbones and a jawline that looked like they had been sculpted by the gods, and a smile that made my tongue freeze.

  I honestly couldn't work out how to put the words together.

  "Are you all right?"

  I stammered, "Um, sorry. I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying attention and I… There's this guy and…"

  He narrowed his eyes and gazed somewhere beyond me. "Trying to avoid someone?"

  I glanced over my shoulder. "Like you wouldn't believe."

  His bright blue gaze rested on my eyes, and heat pooled in my stomach. Seriously, this guy should come with a warning label and caution tape.

  "I've got an idea how to shake him, but you probably won't like it."

  I turned to see Massimo standing up and looking in our general direction. "At this point, I'd accept any kind of rescue."

  Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Henry-Cavill frowned. "Are you sure about that?"

  I looked back nervously. "Oh, I'm sure."

  Then, with a wry grin, he pulled me close, his woodsy, spicy scent overwhelming my senses. His warmth enveloped me, making me feel safe and protected. He smiled, the promise of wicked sin in his expression. And then he kissed me.

  5

  Drake

  And this was where I made my mistake. An error in calculation. Yes, I was supposed to set the trap, but was I supposed to enjoy it?

  Her lips were so damn soft. One brush and I felt myself being drawn in. Sucked in.

  It wasn't just her beauty. It was about her essence. This woman I'd been watching for weeks.

  If I was the good guy, I would have backed off and put the plan aside because using someone who was already scared as bait was a bad idea. They were likely to get hurt. Then I would have that on my conscience.

  Good thing I didn't have one. Besides, whatever she'd done to get on his radar, that was why she was here. And that was why I was going to use her to get my fucking life back.

  I slid my hand up her back to cradle her neck, pulling her closer and angling her head just the way I liked it. She was smaller than me. Maybe five foot six or seven. It was hard to tell because she was wearing high heels, but I still towered over her.

  I deliberately turned my body so that more of my back was to the front of the restaurant. Massimo would only be able to see part of my profile but all of hers. I took the risk that he would come closer. That he would try to make me stop kissing her, stop touching what he thought was his.

  But something in the deep, dark recesses of my mind wanted to claw its way out. No. She's mine.

  I deepened the kiss. A growl of deep satisfaction bubbled up as she moaned and then parted her lips for the onslaught of my tongue. I wasted no time diving in, licking deep, teasing her tongue to play.

  I knew where I was, what I was doing, and how well I was doing it.

  But there was something I couldn't place happening. Something that made me want to relax into the kiss, to melt into her, to let her melt into me until we became one.

  My mistake was not letting go in that moment, not pulling away. My mistake was going back for more. She was making this whimpering sound, like a kitten mewling. And fuck me, I went back for seconds and thirds until I was lost in the whirlwind and fire of the kiss.

  I tried to pull away, to save myself, but then her fingers dug into the lapels of my blazer, pulling me closer as she pressed her lithe body against mine.

  My cock was straining against my trousers, demanding and desperate. All the blood in my head rushed south, leaving me with no functioning thought processes. All that was left were primal, desperate impulses to claim her.

  Mine. Mine. Mine.

  The brain cells in my head were now soup, rendered completely useless by the raging hard-on in my jeans. Thanks to her.

  She pressed even closer, my erection kicking against her belly. She gasped and tried to pull away, but my arms tightened around her hips, holding her still. I didn't pull her closer. I didn't grind against her like I desperately wanted to. I just held her there and gave her a choice.

  Would she run like a rabbit or would she stay?