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Catarinastaredintothedistance, hardly noticing the birds darting across the autumn sky or the fiery reds and golds spreading through the trees.Her mind was locked on the words she’d overheard moments ago.Sal was going to use himself as bait.He was going to lure her father out.

Her phone rang, jolting her out of the spiral.She looked down, and her heart did a little skip.Even after a month, the thrill of owning such a sophisticated phone hadn’t worn off.Sal had replaced her older phone with a fancy new one with fun bells and whistles.Some of which, she had no idea how to use.

And now her screen glowed with a familiar number.Madelaine.

Grinning, Catarina answered.“Hello?”

“Hey girlfriend!”Maddy’s bright voice came through, bubbling with excitement.“I still can’t get over this—I can justcallyou now!Every time feels like Christmas morning!”

Catarina laughed, the tension in her shoulders easing.“I know!I feel the same way every time I hear your voice.”She curled deeper into the sofa cushions, letting herself sink into the rare comfort.“So what are you doing?”

“Nothing important,” Maddy admitted, her tone dropping just slightly.“I just…got this sense that trouble was brewing, so I thought I’d check in.”

Catarina chuckled softly.“You and your weird senses,” she teased, though she knew better.Maddy’s instincts were uncanny.She always seemed to know when storms—literal or figurative—were brewing.And she was never wrong.

“Tell me what’s going on, Cat,” Maddy urged, her voice suddenly firm.

Catarina’s fingers tightened around the phone.“I think Sal is going to…taunt my father.”

Silence stretched for a beat, both women absorbing the weight of those words.

Finally, Maddy exhaled sharply.“Okay, that’s going to end badly.We need to stop him.”Catarina could almost picture her friend pacing, long strides carrying her back and forth as her restless energy burned out.

“I agree,” Catarina whispered, though her voice held a steel she hadn’t realized was there.

Maddy laughed suddenly, sharp and full of relief.“There she is!That’s the Cat I remember.We dragged that spunk out of you in school, and then you buried it again.Your father really is a bastard.I don’t know everything he’s done to you these past years, but…” she hesitated, then her voice softened, “you’re healing now, aren’t you?Your husband’s done something.Changed something.”

Catarina closed her eyes, her mind flashing back to that kiss in Sal’s office, the way his patience never wavered even when hers did.“Yeah,” she admitted, voice low.“He’s been…really good.”

“You sound almost like your old self again,” Maddy said warmly.But then, with a dramatic throat-clearing, she added, “As much as I want details about your exciting new sex life, that’ll have to wait.Right now, tell me how we’re keeping your new hubby safe from the merciless, soulless cruelty of your father.”

Catarina straightened, determination sparking in her chest.“I need to find a woman,” she blurted out.“I don’t know her name, but I think she works at a strip club.She’s the key.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes.”Catarina’s voice gained momentum as the memory sharpened.“Months ago, my father made me follow him around on his errands.We stopped at a strip club for maybe ten minutes.I overheard him talking to a woman—she had a sparkly outfit, caked-on stage makeup.He told her to get a job at a club in Chicago.Her job was to get close to Sal.To lure him out.”

“Out to where?”Maddy asked, her tone sharp with curiosity.“And is Sal really stupid enough to get lured around by a stripper?”

Catarina bit her lip, considering the plan.“He doesn’t seem like that is a possibility,” she admitted.“And honestly, it sounds too basic.Like something my father would think of, but not something that would actually work.”

“I’ve done some digging since your little Vegas wedding,” Maddy said smugly, papers rustling on her end.“And girl, your husband isn’t just some crime boss.He’s got legit businesses all over the map.He’srichy rich, Cat.”

Catarina rolled her eyes, though her cheeks heated.“I don’t care about his money, Maddy,” she said firmly.Then, after a long pause, she added, “He’s…teaching me self-defense.”

Silence.Then a hiss.“No way!”

“Way,” Catarina countered, almost giddy with the confession.Saying it aloud felt scandalous—more daring than if she’d admitted to something kinky.

“That’s all well and good,” Maddy said, her voice sly now, “but the last time we talked, you told me the marriage hadn’t been…consummated.Hasthatchanged?”

Catarina’s blush deepened, even though no one could see her.But she smiled, remembering his kiss, the way her body had responded.“Not quite,” she whispered, soft and certain.“But I’m hoping it might soon.”

There was an ear-splitting screech on the line that forced Catarina to hold the phone away from her ear.She burst into laughter at her friend’s wild enthusiasm.

“That’s amazing!”Maddy crowed.“When?Is he gentle?Passionate?Hot?Don’t tell me he is cold—his pictures make him look like an iceberg with good hair!”

Catarina’s laughter spilled out again.“I’m not completely sure.We haven’t…gotten that far.Yet.”