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Even more perplexing is his formal attire. It’s Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. This man rarely wears a suit to the club unless it’s a black-tie party. Perhaps he had some important board meeting. Or maybe...

“Cass?” he repeats, his voice breaking through my overcrowded thoughts.

God, I just want to run to him. I want to pretend we’re back at his house, eating stir-fry and hiding from the world. “What are you doing here?” The tremble in my voice is seriously pissing me off.

“I needed to see you.”

I narrow my eyes as my investigative training kicks in. “Wait. How did you find me? Did you dox my PII? Doxxing is illegal, Max.”

“First…” He ticks off with his index finger in the air. “I did not dump your personally identifiable information. And second…” Another finger goes up. “If I did, it wouldn’t be illegal unless it was for malicious intent.” He pauses, his gaze softening. “Unless you hate me enough to consider my coming here a personal assault.”

My face falls. “I could never hate you, Max.” Although that might be easier than replaying those moments alone with you, wishing things were different. “Why are you really here?”

“I needed to see that you were okay.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “Why wouldn’t I be okay?”

His brows jump to his scalp. “You told me why you were staying at DPG, Cassidy. Remember? Your fears about retaliation. That alone should be reason enough to worry.” He takes a hesitant step forward, his free hand flexing and stretching by his side. This is no Mr. Darcy move. I’d bet my last nickel he’s never seen it.

“I saw that abduction on the news. The one that happened at the hospital here in Hanover. When the blonde came onto the screen, I nearly went on a rampage. I had to remind myself it wasn’t you. She had no pink in her hair. Until one of the girls at the bar mentioned you’d dyed it.”

He looks away, his jaw ticking. “I thought...”

“You thought what?”

“I thought I’d lost...” He swallows hard. “Another one.” The pain etched on his face makes my chest seize. Another one?

I tilt my head, unsure who he’s referencing. Yet the raw agony in his expression stops me from asking. I inch closer, wanting to take this conversation somewhere private, when I’m interrupted.

“Hey, Cassidy!”

I look up to find Sam jogging over to stand beside me. He’s holding a massive bouquet of red roses. Jeez. I’d completely forgotten I was meeting him.

Sam leans in and places a light kiss on my cheek.

“I’m so sorry. I⁠—”

I glance back at Max to introduce them and actually have to take a step back. The sweet man who binged Criminal Minds with me is gone. In his place is an ogre who looks like he could kill Sam with his glare alone. “Sam, this is Max.”

Sam winces at the radioactive glare Max is leveling at him and gives a tentative wave. “Hey, man.” He turns back to me, concerned. “You okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” I lie. Because right now, I feel like I’m trapped in a Lifetime movie. “Is it okay if I meet up with you later?”

Sam looks from me to Max, then back to me. “Of course. If you’re sure you’re okay.”

“I’m good,” I repeat, my eyes holding Max’s. His expression relaxes by a fraction of a millimeter. “I won’t be long.”

“Okay, babe,” Sam answers, wandering off. “I’ll meet you at the house.”

Max’s jaw begins to tick again. I’m surprised teeth aren’t falling out of his mouth at the force. He stands there speechless, both hands in his pockets now, looking like he’s ready to set the entire parking lot on fire.

“That’s Sam Lee.”

“So you said.”

“He’s Sebastian’s brother. But you probably already know that.”

“Cassidy, I told you, I didn’t dump your data,” he snaps, then sighs, his shoulders slumping. “I have no idea who he is. Can we please go somewhere and talk?”