Ricky took my helmet and fastened it to the bike. “His craziness has nothing to do with you. Admittedly, I can imagine that a guy would not be pleased if you left him, and I could certainly understand that he’d want to get you back. But that means doing his damnedest to woo you back and, if that fails, taking the hint and parting amicably. Stalking you and sending armed deprogrammers doesn’t say, ‘I love you.’ It says, ‘I’m a psycho son of a bitch.’”

“He wasn’t always like that.”

“Obviously, or you’d have left him long ago. It’s the leaving that brought out the crazy. There is absolutely no need to apologize. It comes down to this. I have you. He doesn’t. He’s not going to be complimentary. Insulting my intelligence? My age? My lack of a criminal record? Not exactly wounding me to the core, Liv.”

“He also said you were pretty.”

“I’ve been called worse.”

We went inside and found Gabriel leaning over Lydia, hands planted on her desk. When I rapped at the open door, he frowned and checked his watch.

“I am exactly on time,” I said.

“We need to talk,” Ricky said to Gabriel.

Gabriel nodded. “Yes, I know. When are your classes done for the day?”

“I mean now. Same topic, but the situation is deteriorating.” He turned to me. “And yeah, I mean James. That’s what I meant last night, too. I just didn’t want to spoil your mood with the reminder. While you don’t want us solving your problems for you, in this case . . . ?”

He was right. I hated sitting back and letting them handle it. But I’d been absolutely clear with James that it was over, and I’d exhausted my know-how for dealing with the situation.

“You’re welcome to sit in,” Ricky continued. “But again, while I’d never suggest you let us take over . . .”

“I would,” Gabriel said. “Strongly.”

I wanted to at least listen in, but I wouldn’t be able to without squirming and worrying that, whatever they planned, James didn’t deserve it. How many women had I met at the shelter, abused by their partners, who refused to call the police? He’s not a bad person. He’s under a lot of stress. He doesn’t mean it. I wouldn’t be that woman.

“I’ll do a coffee run,” I said.

The moment the words left my mouth, they both stiffened.

I can’t even walk down the street alone to grab a coffee. Goddamn it, James. I know I hurt you, but I do not deserve this.

“Why don’t we both go,” Lydia offered quickly.

Gabriel’s gaze dropped to my purse in silent question. I gave him a look and said, “Of course,” meaning that I had my gun. He nodded and waved Ricky into the meeting room.

—