“No idea. If you see him again, call me immediately. I have eyes out for him, but you be extra cautious, okay?”

I nodded distractedly, still trying to imagine who Breechner worked for and why he’d sought me out.

“Hey, look at me,” Michael called to me softly, drawing my eyes back to his. “I’m sure this has nothing to do with you. He was probably just questioning you because he saw us together.”

“That’s supposed to make me feel better?” I teased with a hint of sarcasm. “I don’t want someone after you any more than I do me.”

“It should make you feel better. I can take care of myself—promise. I figured you knew that by now.” He gave me a smirk, but it didn’t lighten my mood as intended.

“Doesn’t mean I’m not going to worry about you.”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re not exactly the type to sit at home and worry. You sure there isn’t something else bothering you?”

I let out a deep breath, my shoulders sagging. “Nico showed up last week.”

Michael’s eyebrows nearly touched his hairline. “No shit! How’d that go?”

“Well …”

Muttering from the other room interrupted me just as I started to speak.

“Can we talk about it over breakfast tomorrow? It’s complicated, and I’d rather not share with the world.”

“Of course. How about Sarabeth’s at eight?”

“Perfect. I appreciate you stopping by to let me know what you found.”

“Absolutely. I’ll see you in the morning.” He tapped my nose with his knuckle and breezed out of the gallery.

I tried not to spend the rest of the day worrying about the fake cop or Nico, but it was exhausting. By the time I ran a few errands and got back to my parents’ house that evening, the only thing I wanted to do was paint. I tossed my keys on the bench, ran upstairs to change into sweats, and then headed for my sanctuary.

Flipping on the light in my studio, I screeched when I found Nico leaning against the far wall. “What the hell? Just because you work for my dad doesn’t mean you can just let yourself in whenever.”

“Is that what I am to you? Just some guy who works for your dad?” His voice was eerily quiet and deadly calm. “Close the door. We need to talk.”

An entire brigade of alarm bells began to sound in my head. I knew Nico would not be happy about me avoiding him, but I hadn’t expected him to be so upset. What had he expected? I’d made him no promises. He couldn’t just waltz in after seven years away and expect that one night together would fix everything.

I tried to keep my growing agitation under wraps, knowing it wasn’t going to help matters. Instead, I closed the door and told myself I’d listen to whatever he had to say before overreacting. “What do we need to talk about?” I asked as I folded my arms across my chest, mirroring his own stance.