“It’s as simple as you want it to be.”

My temples began to pulse as my frustration grew. Tony was a good friend, but right now, I wanted to put my fist through his face.

“Have you considered what would have happened if you’d just told her?” Sensing my agitation, he softened his tone, not wanting to work me up any further.

I let out a long breath of air, like steam from a tension release valve. “Of course, I did. I thought it through back then and have rehashed it countless times through the years.” I couldn’t tell her what I’d done because she never would have looked at me the same. Plus, it would have unveiled her father’s secrets, and that could have gotten me killed. I had to leave her and make certain she didn’t fight to have me back because I wasn’t strong enough to resist.

If she’d pushed for long, I would have laid all my secrets at her feet.

She didn’t deserve the life I led, and I didn’t want to be the man who dragged her down to my level. “It wouldn’t have been a fairy-tale ending, that’s for sure. It went down exactly as it should have, and I’ll do my job, just like I’m supposed to. Our past changes nothing.”

“Well, I know it don’t help, but I think it’s ridiculous they didn’t tell those girls.”

“No, it’s better this way. She can have a life outside the outfit, and there’s no chance the law could ever touch her. I’d rather she was safe than mine.” I downed the rest of my glass, starting to feel the telltale dulling of my senses as the alcohol began to kick in.

Behind us, the room erupted in groans and boos. The televisions in the bar were all set to a football game—the New York Jets were playing, and the quarterback had been intercepted.

“Good, I hate that fucking team,” I muttered under my breath so I didn’t get the shit kicked out of me.

“Hate the man, not the team,” shot back Tony, aware of my dislike of anything associated with my father.

“I can’t. The two feel inseparable.”

“Yeah, some things are like that, I guess.” He gave me a loaded look that I promptly removed from his face with my fist. My response was uncalled for, but damn did it feel good.

For three solid hours, my mother and I shopped for a dress. I’d just about written off our little outing as a total failure when I spotted a long black gown with a gorgeous plunging back. The dress had been accented by a chunky jeweled necklace hanging low on the back, giving the sexy look just the right amount of sophistication. My breath caught as I took in the display, eyes traveling from the thin spaghetti straps down the fitted gown to the slight flare at the hem. I wasn’t sure I’d ever fallen in love with a dress like I did at that moment.