A smile relaxes her forehead, and she steps into my chest. “You should see the other guy.”

  Exhaling a chuckle, I wrap her in my arms. “Trust me, I did. You messed that guy up good.”

  “More like you did. I’m exhausted.”

  “Let’s get some ice on that thing and get you to bed.”

  Lifting her chin, she shakes her head slowly. “Take me to bed or lose me forever.”

  “Music to this fighter’s ears.”

  Blake is curled at my side sleeping when I open my eyes the next morning and check the clock. It’s almost noon, but we didn’t get to bed until three. She showed me the text she got from her friend, and I bit my tongue on scolding her for going over to that asshole’s apartment alone.

  She could’ve been killed, but she wasn’t. I guess it means I’m evolving that I let it slide.

  Gently tilting her chin, it appears our makeshift ice bag did the trick on the lump at her temple. It’s a lot smaller today, and more importantly, her face is relaxed. She seems at peace.

  I’ll be glad to take her home as soon as she’s ready. We’ve essentially wrapped up all our loose ends.

  Dirk hasn’t alerted me that Trip made the transaction, but I’m willing to give him a few extra hours, considering he took a bullet last night.

  The only item outstanding is finding Victor’s killer, not that I give a shit about getting justice for that piece of human garbage. I just don’t want his nephew causing any more problems for my girl.

  Sliding out of the bed, I pull on my jeans and a tee before going into the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. Scar’s lying on the sofa in the living room holding up a paperback with Hana curled up in a ball beside him asleep.

  He’s so big and long, she looks like a little white kitten at his side, and he idly twists one of her spiral curls in his fingers as he reads.

  “Any luck last night?” I ask, filling the carafe with filtered water.

  He lowers the book, shaking his head. “He gave me the slip at a club, and Dirk wasn’t tracking him.”

  Scar and I parted ways shortly after midnight last night when I noticed Trip was on the move again and not headed back to his apartment building. Scar wanted to continue searching for Ivan X, and I let him go for it.

  He has to handle that situation or it will never give him peace. I can’t say I blame him. Sex-tape blackmailers are the lowest criminal life form in my book, only slightly above pedophiles at the bottom of the scumbag rankings.

  I don’t like the dark path this might lead him down, but I have to let him go there. He appears to be the only savior Hana might allow to help her.

  “Where did the asshole go?” Scar’s deep voice rumbles Hana awake, and she starts to stretch.

  “No surprise, he went straight to Peters’s place.” Although, I was surprised to find Blake there.

  “Any idea why?”

  Entering the living room, I give Hana a nod as she goes into the bathroom and shuts the door. “Greg killed his girlfriend.”

  “The one who jumped off the balcony?”

  Lifting my chin, I correct him. “She was thrown.”

  I’m all ready to tell him the rest when my phone buzzes on the kitchen counter. Returning to get it, I’m not sure who this will be, my brother about the money or Louis about the arrests.

  It’s the latter, and my brow furrows as I read the words.

  “What is it?” Scar sits up on the sofa studying my face. “What’s wrong?”

  “Greg Peters is dead.” I scrub my fingers over my forehead. “Louis said he had a heart attack.”

  Scar’s all the way up, and I’m tapping the call button on my phone.

  Louis answers on the first ring. “Hey, man, you got my text?”

  “Yeah, it’s why I’m calling. Greg Peters was what? Thirty?”

  “Not even. When the officers got to the apartment, he was already dead, and whoever bled all over the place was gone. What happened there last night?”

  “When I left it was an argument that got out of hand. The dead guy confessed to killing his girlfriend, and I got my client out of there. Then I called you.”

  “Well, I guess the case is closed again. The killer’s dead.”

  “But who killed the killer?” And where is Trip?

  “Looks like natural causes, but I can request a toxicology report if you want it.”

  “Thanks, Lou. I’m headed back to Hamiltown today or tomorrow. Let me know if you need anything before I go, or you can contact me there.”

  We sit in silence a moment after I disconnect, and I don’t know what to think.

  “Could be congenital if Victor was his uncle.” Scar’s voice is as doubtful as I feel about that possibility.

  I’m about to text my brother when the devil beats me to it. My screen lights up before I can unlock it. $25K just transferred back to Blake’s account. Case closed?

  Shaking my head, I exhale through my teeth. I don’t know how to answer him. It looks like all the loose ends are tied up, but it’s only left me with more questions.

  “So everything’s taken care of, and my nieces are home.” Hugh leans back in his chair, looking satisfied. “You are truly the best in the business, Hutch.”

  “I don’t know about that. We still have several unresolved issues.”

  “Do we?” He goes down the list, counting on his fingers. “We settled the blackmail situation. Victor’s death is closed, and as an equal bonus, we discovered who murdered the girls’ friend. And he’s now dead as well.”

  “Under very questionable circumstances,” I counter.

  Hugh leans forward in his chair, lifting a paperweight off his desk. “Does it matter? These men were criminals operating in highly volatile situations. They reaped the consequences of their actions.”

  “Sow the wind, reap the whirlwind.” Scar’s deep voice adds gravity to his words.

  “Exactly.” Hugh points to my partner. “Not all questions are going to have answers.”

  I don’t like it. In my experience, unanswered questions usually lead to new problems down the line.

  Hugh rises slowly and closes the space between us. “Most importantly, Blake and Hana are here.” He grasps my shoulder with a smile. “If necessary, we can look out for each other the same way anyone else in the world does. Life is full of hazards.”

  My arms are still crossed, and I think about what Trip said. “Why did it happen?”

  Hugh’s brow furrows. “I’m not sure I understand what you mean.”

  “Why was Victor after Charles’s money? What made him target the van Hamilton estate?”

  “Are you asking me what makes criminals choose their victims?” The old man exhales a chuckle. “In this case, it seems pretty obvious. Three wealthy women are left alone, a widowed mother and two beautiful daughters. Along comes an opportunistic monster, and next thing you know…”

  “Maybe.” I’m not satisfied it’s as simple as that.

  Also, I’ve got a lot of experience with this old man and him keeping secrets. Trip was sending a message.

  “Hutch, my boy, you are a true detective.” Hugh starts for the door. “Take my advice and enjoy the successful resolution of this case. Your next problem will arise soon enough.” He pauses before leaving us. “If you’re looking for something to do, I know a young lady who would enjoy a night on the town with you.”

  He leaves, and I shake my head, glancing over to my partner. “What do you think about all this?”

  Scar’s heavy black boot is propped on the edge of Hugh’s ornate desk. His dark hair is tied back in a small samurai bun, and he’s sliding a silver pocket knife back and forth behind his thumbnail.

  “I think your lady’s out of danger.” He flips the knife closed and rises with an exhale to his full height. “You should be grateful for that. I’ve still got an asshole to track down.”

  “Right.” I follow him to the door and into the hallway. “Do what you need to do, and let me know how I can help.”

  “I will–if I need your help.” He slides the knife into his pocket. “You should do as the old man said and live your life. It’s time.”

  “That’s not exactly what he said.”

  “Close enough. See you at the game.”

  31

  Blake

  “He’s so beautiful.” I slide my hand along the rich brown hide of Training Day, my uncle’s prized thoroughbred.

  “Hold that pose.” The sound of my sister’s camera lens clicks in the quiet barn.

  It’s the first time I’ve visited the stables since we came back to Hamiltown, and the familiar smells of leather and hay and the faintly pungent manure reminds me of being a girl here.

  “Remember when we would spend every visit riding horses from sunup to sundown?”

  “Yeah.” Her voice is quiet.

  Resting my face against the soft neck of the powerful, gentle horse eases the pain that resurfaced with Debbie’s text.

  Dirk said he couldn't figure out why it appeared on my phone weeks after her death. He said it was possible Debbie’s phone had been switched off before her message was sent, and then it was switched on again for whatever reason, and the text went through. It made me wonder if Greg outed himself by keeping her things or if he summoned me.

  “Why did she say she was in Milan?” Dirk had asked, and I told him about the night we’d been out partying, when she’d told me if she ever texted anything about traffic in Milan or traffic anywhere, she was in danger.

  I’m still ashamed I thought she was being silly or drunk. I should’ve asked why she would be in trouble. I was so naive, and now she’s gone.

  Last night when I said I was showering, I lay on my bathroom floor and cried for a long time. She loved him, and he killed her. He was a monster, and I’m not sorry he’s dead.

  “We were never allowed to touch this guy.” Hana slides her hand over Trainey’s velvet nose. “Your colors blend perfectly. Put your cheek beside his again.”

  I do as she says, looking down as I slide my hand under his neck. She takes several different angles before she’s satisfied. “These are going to be really good. I can do different effects in the darkroom and blow them up. I’m sure Hutch will want one.”

  Her voice is soft, and she glances up at me.

  “Maybe,” is all I’ll say to that. “How are you feeling now that we’re back?”

  She shrugs. “Scar told me not to be afraid. He’s handling things.”

  It’s the first I’ve heard of him being involved. The blackmail money was returned to my account as Hutch promised, but as far as I know, the video is still out there. Ivan X has disappeared into the underground, and I thought it was a lost cause.

  But Scar is scary-intimidating. If he says he’s on a case, I feel confident he’ll get his man, especially if Dirk is helping him. I’ve watched that guy with Hana, and he’s motivated to help her.

  “You like him?” We step out of the horse’s stall and stroll up the passage to the tack room.

  “I like knowing he’s looking out for me.” She blinks up with a little smile. “He’s very strong, inside and out.”

  “What happened to him? With all the scars, I mean.”

  “I don’t know.” She leans against the doorjamb while I take down a bridle and loop it over my shoulder.

  “It’s never come up in conversation?”

  “He’ll tell me when he’s ready.”

  I lift a padded blanket and saddle off a nearby sawhorse. “Just be careful. He doesn’t seem entirely safe to me.”

  “I don’t think he is, but he would never hurt me.” We’re back in the alley, and she continues on in the direction of the main house looking through her camera lens.

  Watching her go, I can’t help wondering if she’s met her match, someone as wounded as she is but still willing to find a way to survive, to fight the demons.

  When Hutch appears in the doorway, a flutter of happiness replaces the tension in my chest. A cap is pulled low on his head, accentuating his square jaw, and when he smiles, the flutter turns to heat filtering low into my stomach.

  “I’ve been looking for you.” He closes the space between us.

  “It felt like a good day to take Dancer for a ride.” I continue towards the stall where a palomino horse is peeking her golden head over the door.

  “Let me help you with that.” He lifts the saddle right out of my hands, ignoring my protests. “You shouldn't be lifting heavy objects. You just had a head injury.”

  “It was barely a scratch!” I can’t help a laugh.

  “You had a nice-sized lump on your head.” He places the saddle over the door, turning his cap around, which somehow makes him look even hotter.

  I open the narrow stall, going inside and running my hands over Dancer’s golden coat. “Why don’t you come with me? I’m sure Uncle Hugh wouldn’t mind you riding Training Day.”

  “Your uncle would have my neck if I touched his prized stallion. You know he gets a fifty-grand stud fee for that guy?”

  “Wow,” I make an oops face. “That’s almost as much as Shadow used to get.”

  Shadow of the Moon was my father’s race horse, and after winning the Belmont Stakes, he could fetch as much as a hundred thousand dollars per breeding dose, sometimes even more–until he failed a drug test and was stripped of his titles.

  “Regency’s Honor shouldn’t get you in trouble. Saddle him up and let me finish here with Dancer.”

  He lifts my chin and squints at my eyes like he’s checking for signs of concussion. “If you think you can handle it.”

  “I’m fine.” Rolling my eyes, I’m startled when his lips cover mine in a warm kiss.

  “I want you to take it easy.” His nose touches mine, and my knees melt just before he turns and leaves me swooning in the stall.

  Ten minutes later, we’re loping side by side, headed towards the backwoods of my uncle’s property. Dancer is a drop of honey on the green grass, and a warm spring breeze pushes my hair behind my shoulders.

  Regency is part Friesian. He’s black as night with a gorgeous long mane and tail, shiny coat, and big hooves like a draught horse.

  We pull them to a stop when we reach a narrow creek dividing the pasture land from the start of the denser trees. I slide off Dancer, allowing her to take a drink of water and glance up at my companion.

  Hutch sits straight on the horse’s back, surveying our path. Holding the reins in his large hands, his biceps stretch his short-sleeve shirt and the muscle in his square jaw flexes. His dark hair moves in the breeze, and on that horse, I can’t help thinking he’s like a prince–or a knight.

  A silly swoon tightens my stomach, and I tuck my chin so my hair will cover the heat in my cheeks. “Is it warmer today?”

  Green eyes land on mine, and his dark brow furrows attractively. “Does your head hurt?”

  “No, I’m good. I was just wondering.” I lead Dancer away from the water and climb onto her back again.

  We take a slower pace, leading the horses across the water and into the trees. “What did my uncle say when you told him about the case?”

  “He says it’s all settled, and we should put it to rest.”

  “You don’t sound happy with that decision.”

  He’s not smiling, but he’s still so handsome guiding the gorgeous horse. “It’s possible he’s right. We’ve managed to extract your family from this criminal enterprise, and some of the more dangerous players are now dead.”

  “But?” I wrinkle my nose up at him.

  “Others are still out there. I don’t like loose ends.”

  I think about everything that happened to us in New York. “It did take an unexpected turn. What will you do now?”

  We ride a bit farther in silence, and the only sound is the dull thud of the horses’ hooves. “Your uncle says I should take a break and enjoy my success.”

  “You’ve certainly earned a break.” I give him a little wink. “Did you have anything in mind?”

  “Well, for starters, I need to be at Pepper’s game tonight. Would you like to go with me?”

  That makes me smile. “Like on a date?”

  “Sure, if you want to call it that.” Seeing my smile fading, he quickly adds. “I’d rather save the term date for when I take you out to dinner tomorrow night, which I’d also like to do. If you’re interested.”

  My smile is back and bigger. “I’d love to. Oh!” I shriek when Regency breaks into an unexpected trot, and a splat of mud flies up and lands on my arm.

  Dancer startles at my yell, and within a few steps, my legs are covered in sticky brown mud as are the legs of Hutch’s jeans.

  “Ho, boy.” Hutch catches the reins, easing his horse to a stop. “Way to scare the horses.”

  “It wasn’t my fault!” I can’t help laughing now that I’m covered in mud.

  Turning his giant horse so he can get closer, Hutch reaches out and wipes a clod of mud off my cheek with a grin. “It’s nice to see you getting dirty for once.”

  Reaching down, I scoop a plop of mud off the side of my thigh and wipe it across his cheek. “Right back atcha.”

  Green eyes flash, and he makes a lunge like he’ll grab me, but I’m too fast. I turn Dancer quickly, giving her a squeeze with my thighs, and we shoot off in a gallop, headed in the direction of the barn.

  “You’d better run!” Hutch yells from not too far behind me, and an excited laugh bursts from my chest.

  “Come on, Dancer!” I give her a little kick.

  Regency might have characteristics of a draught horse, but he’s nimble and fast. We’re only slightly ahead of them when we blaze into the wide alley of the barn laughing and breathing hard.

  Dancer slows to a trot then goes straight to the door of her stall like she is so done. My legs are wobbly from the exertion as I slide off, opening the door so she can walk inside. I’ll have to track down Uncle Hugh’s groom and ask him to wash the mud off the horses.

  Hutch is right behind me, grabbing me around the waist and lifting me off my feet. “You’re lucky she’s fast. I was ready to wrestle.”