“Quinton Landing,” Lincoln says, his voice firm. “The guy you were with the night you were arrested. The guy who went free while you didn’t. Is he the one who put his hands on you?”

Why would he do that?

Say his name in front of everyone.

In seconds, my sister and Grace will be looking up Quinton Landing. Sierra will examine every social profile of his before sending the information to my brothers.

Lincoln won’t sit back and allow me to remain silent.

I slap my hand onto the couch before standing. “Can we talk in private?”

He nods.

I walk around the coffee table, all eyes on me, and Lincoln follows me to my bedroom.

Whipping around, I face him, a deep scowl on my face. “Why would you do that?”

“Do what?” He raises a brow, and my outrage heightens that he’d ask do what, as if he didn’t just barge in here.

“Go and say his name in front of everyone.” I shake my head, grimacing. “How’d you even find out about Quinton?”

When I dated Quinton, I didn’t talk about him with my family. Sure, I briefly mentioned I went on a few dates with a guy, but I tended to be more private, knowing how they like to get involved. I was in college, living the life, and wanted to keep that life to myself for as long as I could.

“Why wouldn’t I say his name?” Lincoln asks. “Is he the guy who did that to you?”

I bite into my lower lip.

“It was him, wasn’t it?”

I’m not much of a liar.

There’s a difference between lying and hiding information from someone.

As Lincoln stares at me, his eyes filled with concern, I can’t lie to his face.

I bow my head and nod, a flight of embarrassment soaring through me, though relief also treads behind it.

“Please, Cass, please turn him in,” he begs, his voice nearly breaking.

“Just …” I blow out an uneasy breath. “Give me a day to digest everything, okay? I hadn’t planned for this to happen today. I’m bruised up.” I move my gaze to him, narrowing my eyes. “I’m very upset with you, and I need to let my mind rest for a minute before I do anything.”

His stare is pained in my direction. “I don’t want you staying here alone.”

“Grace—”

He keeps talking. “Grace won’t be able to do anything if Quinton comes back to mess with you.”