Would I have questioned Lincoln’s actions later if Quinton were to come back and do more damage or if he decided he wanted me to permanently go away, so he wouldn’t worry about me tattling on him?

And had I forced Lincoln to keep that secret, how bad would it have torn him up inside if Quinton were to take things more serious?

I sigh. “I know … I’m just coming to terms with everything.”

“Have you thought any more about going to the cops?” Rex asks, an expectant look on his face.

I stay quiet and slowly shake my head.

“When my ex threatened me with a sex tape, I was terrified to go to the cops,” Carolina starts but then hesitates when all eyes fall on her. “I was scared of retribution from him, but I knew it was what I had to do. I had to do it for me, so I’d no longer live in fear and also to protect other women he might hurt in the future.” Her eyes are wide as she focuses on me. “It’s scary, I know, but you’ll feel better. I had a longer timeframe to do it since most of my proof was digital, but it’s not that easy with you. When your bruises fade, the chances of him getting the punishment he deserves will also fade. I’ll go with you. I’ll be by your side if you want someone who’s experienced it.”

Carolina, my brother’s sweet best friend turned girlfriend. They’re opposites of each other—her quiet and reserved, him loud and outgoing.

“Me too,” Grace says. “Whatever you need from me, I’m there.”

Their support means everything to me.

It’s a comfort to know I have women at my side who understand what I’m going through and are offering to help. And Carolina and Lincoln are right about Quinton having the power to hurt another woman if he gets away with what he did to me. Or what if he sells drugs to someone and they OD?

I play with my hands in my lap. “I’ll think about it.” Standing, I force a smile. “I need to use the bathroom.”

Moving toward my bedroom, I dig my phone from my pocket and call Lincoln.

He doesn’t answer.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Lincoln

“You touch her again, and I’ll kill you.”

Growing up, I got along with most people, so I wasn’t involved in many fights. That changed when I went to prison. There, you have to prove yourself, prove you can’t be messed with. Prison is where I established my fight experience.

Tonight’s fight isn’t to prove myself.

It’s to prove that Cassidy can’t be messed with. Quinton needs to know that if he pays Cass another visit, there will be hell to pay.