The next morning, Allison drove Burke to the bank to deliver the loan application. Burke had insisted that he could drive himself, but since he was still on pain meds, and not allowed behind the wheel, Allison had talked him out of it.

Even with the low-dose opioids the doctor had limited him to, she could tell he was in pain. Showered, shaved, and dressed in wool slacks, a cashmere polo shirt, and a tweed sport jacket, he looked strong and healthy. But he sat gingerly in the car, bracing his body against the bumps and turns, and grimacing when the small car hit a rough patch of road.

Last night she’d told him everything that she’d seen and heard at the agency, including the presence of the Edgeway lawyer, the plans for the client contracts, and the fact that Garrett was sleeping with the new receptionist.

She’d left out just one thing—Garrett’s move on her at the restaurant. Telling Burke about that small incident would have triggered a blowup.

This morning Burke appeared calm on the surface. But Allison knew he was seething with anxiety. His partner had betrayed him, and the business he’d worked half a lifetime to build was being stolen from him by a gang of criminals.

Only the bank loan could save him.

Allison pulled into a parking spot outside the bank. “Do you want me to go inside with you?” she asked.

“No, wait here.” He climbed out of the car with the application in his hand. Allison watched as he walked to the bank entrance, making a painful effort to balance his stride. He was doing his best to appear fully recovered, but he was far from it. She couldn’t help being proud of him. He was her warrior, returning to battle in spite of his wounds.

How she loved him, this proud, stubborn, gallant man of hers.

She waited, the minutes crawling past. They’d arrived at the bank at 9:30. It was 9:50 when he came out again and walked toward the car, limping slightly now. He looked pale and shaken. Allison’s heart dropped.

“What is it?” she asked as he climbed into the car. “Did they take your application?”

“Yes.” He sank into the seat with visible pain. “They said everything looked good, but it’s a lot of money. They promised to get back to me in the next couple of days.”

“But something’s wrong. What is it?”

“Start the car. I’ll tell you on the way home,” he said.

Allison drove out of the parking lot. “Tell me.”