And third thoughts and fourth thoughts.

I had faith in my ability to seduce any woman, but for the first time, I wondered if it was really the right thing to do.

It was an odd feeling—considering someone else’s needs.

It disturbed me a little, though I supposed it shouldn’t.

Was I more like my father than I wanted to admit? Not the rape, incest, and murder part, of course, but the “I’ll have what I want at all costs” attitude.

For the first time, I wanted to go slowly with a woman.

Unfortunately, time was not in my favor at the moment. Slowly really wasn’t an option. My family needed Zee. I needed Zee.

But she had needs as well, and they might not align with ours.

She didn’t reply to my statement. Just stared down at our dessert.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I tend to say what’s on my mind.”

She paused a moment. Then, “I’d be lying if that thought hadn’t occurred to me as well.”

My heart jumped. Funny. Normally I’d be all over this, but now? “You seem like you’re not ready to go there, and I want you to know that’s okay. I’ll never push you into anything.”

Damn it all. I meant every word I said.

If she was never ready to go to the police with her story, I’d live with that. I’d find some other way to exonerate my siblings and myself.

“I believe you,” she said.

She was right to. I wasn’t lying.

Then, “About the shoes.”

“That was presumptuous on my part,” I said. “I don’t blame you for returning them.”

Man, I was being so unlike Reid Wolfe. And it felt… Good?

Yeah, it felt good. Considering someone else’s needs felt damned good, especially someone I cared about.

I liked Zee. I really did. And though I knew I wasn’t responsible for my father’s actions, I felt guilt for what he’d put her through. I wanted to make up for it.

“Listen,” I said, “if you need anything—I mean anything—I’m here for you. I know you’ve been through hell at my father’s hands, and if I could erase it all, I would. I wish I could.”

“I’m the lucky one,” she said softly. “I never forget that. There were other women there. Other women who didn’t escape.”

Wow.

Like literally, the word “wow” was audible in my head. All she’d suffered, and her thoughts were with the others who hadn’t made it out of my father’s twisted maze.

Wow.

Without thinking, I covered her hand with mine. “I know. I’m going to make sure they all get justice.”

“How can you? Your father’s dead.”